Minutes 11-28-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN APPROVED 12/12/11
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 28, 2011
VOL. 62
NO. 25
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
November 28, 2011. The meeting was called to order by Council Vice-President Steeber at
7:00 PM. Council Vice-President Steeber led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Councilmembers Dongarra-Adams, Liebert, McDonald, Rashkin, Steeber and Voskuil.
CONSENT AGENDA
Regular City Council meeting minutes of November 14, 2011.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee
Financial statement for the month of October, 2011.
Council Vice-President Steeber stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved
if there were no objections. There were none.
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Action on a proposed resolution commemorating the 70 anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol.
Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin
and passed unanimously. (File No. 2011-852)
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Action on a proposed resolution recognizing the 20 anniversary of the Jingle Bell Run & Walk for
the Arthritis Foundation. Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-860)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution recognizing George D. Brunner for his loyal
and conscientious service to the City of Janesville as a City Councilmember. Councilmember
Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed
unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-862)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Kurt Haase’s thirty-two
years of service to the City of Janesville. Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Liebert and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-
857)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the Agenda not requiring a public
hearing. Tom Brien, 1916 E. Racine St., Apt. #8, Diane Eyers, 3320 LaMancha Dr. and Allison
DeGraaf, 4417 Tanglewood Dr., spoke in favor of keeping a crossing guard at Randolph and North
Wright Roads (New Business #1). Steve Flood, 828 Sentinel Dr. and Al Lembrich, 541 Miller Ave.
spoke against the proposed wheel tax (New Business #6).
2. The FY2012 proposed City and Library budgets received their continued public hearing. The
public hearing was opened. John Gorski, 402 E. Centerway spoke against any budget increase
including the wheel tax, animal control, water rate increase, manager increase, merit bonus, and
ambulance rate increase. Councilmember McDonald stated that there was not an increase in
ambulance rates. Al Lembrich, 541 Miller Ave., suggested that there should be no new taxes and
to cut costs. Diane Lund, 329 N. Academy St. spoke against giving merit bonuses and suggested
that the wheel tax expire in three years. The public hearing was closed.
3. Councilmember Rashkin moved to approve the 2012 proposed City budget as revised by the
City Council through November 14, 2011, with a General Fund Budget in the amount of
$41,923,916 and a tax levy (without TIF) in the amount of $26,191,766, and direct the Comptroller
to include these amounts in the 2012 appropriation and levy resolution. Councilmember Rashkin
also moved to approve the 2012 proposed Hedberg Public Library budget with a tax levy (without
TIF) in the amount of $3,201,921 for library purposes, and direct the Comptroller to include this
amount in the 2012 levy resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Voskuil.
Councilmember Rashkin moved to decrease the Golf Course subsidy by $19,000, seconded by
Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously. Councilmember Liebert moved to add a two
year sunset clause on the wheel tax. He did not receive a second.
The council then voted on the main motion, as amended, and it passed with the following vote:
Aye: Dongarra-Adams, Rashkin, Steeber and Voskuil. Nay: Liebert and McDonald.
Council Vice-President Steeber moved New Business item #5 next.
5. Discussion and possible action on proposal to authorize one-time merit for administrative
employees. Councilmember Rashkin moved to approve a one-time merit for non-represented
employees using the $192,500 savings from employees paying a portion of their retirement benefit,
seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed by the following vote: Aye: Liebert, Rashkin,
Steeber and Voskuil. Nay: McDonald and Dongarra-Adams.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendation of the Transportation Committee: Action on a proposed resolution authorizing
the removal of adult crossing guard protection at: 1) Lapham Street and South Oakhill Avenue; 2)
South Grant Avenue and Kellogg Avenue; 3) Center Avenue and Rockport Road; and 4) Randolph
Road and North Wright Road. Councilmember Voskuil moved to adopt said resolution, but delete
item #4, Randolph Road and North Wright Road. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
McDonald. Councilmember McDonald offered a friendly amendment to delete item #1, Lapham
Street and South Oakhill Avenue, which was accepted by the maker. The motion, as amended,
passed unanimously. Councilmembers Voskuil and Steeber requested that the Administration ask
the School District to assume the crossing guard costs. (File Res. No. 2011-858)
Council Vice-President Steeber moved Old Business item #4 next.
4. Discussion, direction and possible action on appointment of a City Councilmember; and election
by Council of either a Council President or Council Vice-President.The City Clerk-Treasurer
called for nominations from the floor for City Council President. Councilmember McDonald
nominated Councilmember Steeber as Council President. The City Clerk-Treasurer called for any
other nominations three times and received no further nominations. Nominations were closed and
Councilmember Steeber was elected as Council President by the following vote: Aye: Dongarra-
Adams, Liebert, McDonald, Rashkin and Voskuil. Pass: Steeber. The City Clerk-Treasurer called
for nominations from the floor for City Council Vice-President. Councilmember McDonald
nominated Councilmember Rashkin as Council Vice-President. The City Clerk-Treasurer called for
any other nominations three times and received no further nominations. Nominations were closed
and Councilmember Rashkin was elected as Council Vice-President by the following vote: Aye:
Dongarra-Adams, Liebert, McDonald and Steeber. Nay: Voskuil. Pass: Rashkin. By consensus
of the council, it was decided to not fill the vacant Councilmember seat.
Council President Steeber continued with New Business #2.
2. Action on a request from the Blackhawk Questers to authorize the submission of a grant
application for restoration of five front window units for the Tallman House. Councilmember
Rashkin moved to authorize said application, seconded by Councilmember Liebert and passed
unanimously.
3. Action on a City Manager recommended citizen appointment to the Community Development
Authority. Councilmember Dongarra-Adams moved to approve John Smecko as a voting member
to the Community Development Authority, seconded by Councilmember Liebert and passed
unanimously.
4. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Public Safety Radio
Equipment Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement (“Agreement”) between the City of
Janesville, City of Beloit, and Rock County. Councilmember Voskuil moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Dongarra-Adams and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2011-859)
6. A proposed ordinance establishing a motor vehicle registration fee (wheel tax) in the amount of
$10.00 per vehicle was introduced and scheduled for a public hearing on December 12, 2011.
(File Ord. No. 2011-503)
7. A proposed ordinance amending the City of Janesville Zoning Ordinance to add an exemption to
the nonconforming discontinuance section for single and two-family historic residential structures
was introduced, referred to the Plan Commission and scheduled for a public hearing on January 9,
2012. (File Ord. No. 2011-502)
8. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
John Gorski, 402 E. Centerway, spoke against trash collection fees and increased water fees.
9. Matters not on the Agenda. Council President Steeber thanked Dan Lynch for his years of
service and wished him the best on his upcoming retirement. He then stated the Council would
meet on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 7:45 a.m. to set the tax rate. The Council waived notice of
that meeting.
10. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember Liebert and passed
unanimously.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer