Minutes 11-25-02.docPROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING
November 25, 2002
Approved: December 9, 2002
VOL. 53
NO. 20
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on November 25,
2002.
The meeting was called to order by Council President DeGarmo at 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 402 led the
Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President DeGarmo, Councilmembers Steeber, Murphy, Damron, Williams, Brien and
O'Leary.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the special meeting of November 5, 2002.
Minutes of the regular meeting of November 11, 2002.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Financial statement for the month of October 2002.
Council President DeGarmo stated that the Consent Agenda would be approved if there were no
objections. There were none.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Mary Cooke, 423 North Wright Road, supports the Senior Center staff and does not believe volunteers
should operate the Center. Ms. Cooke provided the Council with a petition signed by over 300 citizens in
support of her position. Richard Frank, 1119 Elida Street, stated his concern about zoning issues. Ty
Bollerud, 424 South Pearl Street, requested less rules and regulations in government. Alfred Lembrich,
541 Miller Avenue, requested a response to his questions that were raised during the budget public hearing
and suggested the Council cut the 2003 proposed budget. Helen Close, 227 Ba Wood Lane, is concerned
about the fence that was removed at Lion's Beach. She stated swimmers need supervision and the City
should reinstate lifeguards and install a fence. Kevin Murray, representing the firefighters' union, requested
that the 6 additional firefighters be hired in July 2003 as proposed in the budget. Annette Baker and Duke
Siefried, both of 509 North Wuthering Hills Drive, support the original non-smoking ordinance and are
opposed to any amendments. Karen Wilson, 218 South Wisconsin Street, and Kirsten Garrigan, with
Tobacco Free Kids of Rock County, support the non-smoking ordinance. Dick Anderson, 3807 Pintail
Drive, opposed the non-smoking ordinance and feels it should be repealed.
2. The City Manager reported on the future plans for assessing operations. City Manager Sheiffer
informed Council that Max Arney, City Assessor, is retiring after 30 years of service. Mr. Sheiffer stated the
City's goal is quality assessing and community confidence. Therefore, the City will downsize the
assessors' department and hire a private assessment firm to assist in this process.
Councilmember Damron left at 7:52 p.m.
3. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located at 2310 West Court Street from B2 to B3 received its
second reading and public hearing. John Sorce, owner of the property, supported the ordinance.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Williams and it
passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2002-158)
4. Action on a proposed resolution awarding $6,180,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series
2002, of the City of Janesville, Wisconsin, establishing interest rates thereon and levying taxes therefore.
Councilmember O'Leary moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Brien and it passed
unanimously. (File Res. No. 2002-296)
5. Action on the proposed FY2003 City and Library Budgets. Councilmember O'Leary moved to approve
the 2003 Proposed City Budget as revised by the City Council through November 25, 2002, with a General
Fund Budget in the amount of $35,163,691 and a tax levy (without TI F) in the amount of $19,018,791, and
direct the Finance Director to include these amounts in the 2003 appropriation and levy resolutions.
Further, the Council approves the creation of a Police Liaison Special Revenue Account effective
January 1, 2002. Councilmember Steeber seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Councilmember O'Leary moved to approve a 2003 tax levy (without TIF) in the amount of $2,673,025 for
Library purposes, and direct the Finance Director to include this amount in the 2002 levy resolution.
Councilmember Steeber seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
6. Action on a proposed 5-year extension of the Tallman House Lease. Councilmember Williams moved
to approve said extension, seconded by Councilmember Murphy and it passed unanimously.
7. Action on a proposed resolution approving the FY2003 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Program Submission and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Program Submission. Councilmember
Williams moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and it passed unanimously.
(File Res. No. 2002-288)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendation of the Plan Commission: Action on a proposed resolution approving the final plat of
Harvest View Estates. Councilmember O'Leary moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Williams and it passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2002-310)
2. Action on a proposed resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to the TIF Development Agreement with
T.S.B. Properties, LLC, extending an option to purchase a 4.0 acre industrial site in TIF No. 16 (Venture
Drive) until December 31, 2004. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Steeber and it passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2002-305)
3. Review of plans for a new well/reservoir south of the Ice Arena. The Planning Director provided
Council with sketches of the building and explained the plans. There were no comments.
3. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for a State grant for the purpose
of Canada geese abatement and control. Councilmember Murphy moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Council President DeGarmo and it passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2002-308)
5. A proposed resolution vacating a portion of Butler Drive north of Twelve Oaks Drive was introduced,
referred to Plan Commission and scheduled for public hearing on January 13, 2003. (File Res. No. 2002-
309)
6. An ordinance establishing an Economic Development Grant Program for Reserve Class B initial license
fees was introduced and scheduled for a public hearing on December 9, 2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-159)
7. An ordinance amending the City's No Smoking ordinance to extend the hardship exemption to all
restaurants regardless of seating capacity was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on
December 9, 2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-160)
8. An ordinance amending the City's No Smoking ordinance to remove the Police Department and the
Health Department as enforcement agencies was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on
December 9, 2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-161)
9. An ordinance amending the City's No Smoking ordinance to permit sliding glass service windows
between smoking and no-smoking rooms was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on December 9,
2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-162)
10. An ordinance amending the City's No Smoking ordinance to permit non-CPA verification of alcohol
sales in the second and subsequent years was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on
December 9, 2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-163)
11. An ordinance amending the City's No Smoking ordinance to exempt bowling centers from the City's
ordinance was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on December 9, 2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-
164)
12. An ordinance amending the City's No Smoking ordinance to exempt restaurants whose sale of alcohol
beverages accounts for 35% or more of the establishment's total gross receipts for the most recent
calendar year was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on December 9, 2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-
165)
13. An ordinance amending the City's No Smoking ordinance to extend the two-year hardship exemption to
four years was not introduced since Council President DeGarmo withdrew his sponsorship. (File Ord. No.
2002-167)
14. At the recommendation of the Transportation Committee, an ordinance increasing the speed limit on
Whitney Street, from Kettering Street to Pheasant Run/West Rotamer Road was introduced and scheduled
for public hearing on December 9, 2002. (File Ord. No. 2002-166)
15. Matters not on the Agenda. City Manager Sheiffer reminded Council of the special Council meeting on
Wednesday, November 27, 2002, at 7:15 a.m. Councilmember Murphy requested the Administration send
our letter of intent for a downtown redevelopment grant. Councilmember O'Leary requested the
Administration send information to Gorman Company on the potential redevelopment of the Armory and the
Monterey Hotel. Councilmember Williams requested information about the signs on Highway 11 and
whether or not this would still be a truck route due to the new bypass.
16. Councilmember Steeber moved to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute
Section 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of considering collective bargaining strategies since competitive or
bargaining reasons require a closed session, and 19.85(1)(e), for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating
the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public
business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. CouncilmemberWilliams
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 8:43 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer