2014-1076 RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -1076
A resolution providing direction and authorizing the grant of City funds for the renovation,
rehabilitation, and preservation of City owned Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel.
WHEREAS, the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel is located on the southern entry to Oak Hill
Cemetery approximately 1 /4 up a steep grade going to the west; and
WHEREAS, the City of Janesville acquired Oak Hill Cemetery in 2008 when the cemetery was
abandoned and state law mandated that the City assume ownership, management, operation, and
maintenance. Along came the chapel which requires renovations and rehabilitation to become viable.
Chapel was in "rough shape" when obtained; and
WHEREAS, "based on previous documentation and observation, the Oak Hill Cemetery
Chapel is a Gothic Revival church building constructed at the turn of the last century (1899 to 1900)
with an addition of a front porte cochere in 1912. Additionally the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel is
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as an example of the Gothic Revival style. The
Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel has been used for an alternate to grave side services five (5) times since the
City of Janesville took over ownership in 2008 "; and
WHEREAS, "although the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel is not regularly used, is in need of
repairs and suffers from deferred maintenance, the chapel does have a place in the history of the City
of Janesville as well as a role in the future of the City "; and
WHEREAS, "although the size may be relatively small, the Chapel is a great example of the
Gothic Revival style which should be preserved. Additionally many families through the past have
made use of the chapel and to remove it would remove a part of that fabric from the City. With a clear
direction and investment, this role could continue for the future residents of the City "; and
WHEREAS, a major Comprehensive Review of the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel Structure of the
City of Janesville, dated May 20, 2013, was prepared by and acts as the blueprint for the renovations,
rehabilitation, and preservation activities proposed to be undertaken by the volunteers, friends,
interested groups and organizations; and
WHEREAS, GA Architecture received competitive bid for comprehensive review which has
been completed and was provided to the members of the City of Janesville Historic Commission on
July 22, 2013; and
WHEREAS, discussion and action on Monday, September 9, 2013, at the regularly scheduled
Common Council meeting, were taken by the Janesville Common Council concerning the
comprehensive review of the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel structure report. Rebecca Smith and Mick
Gilbertson provided the Council with various alternatives available to the City. By consensus, the
Council agreed to discuss the issue again on February 10, 2014; have measures taken to stop the
deterioration of the roof; obtain bids for the options 3 & 4, and have the Administration compile a list
of potential donations for this project; and to bring back other recommendations to the Common
Council; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council previously authorized and currently has a balance of
approximately $73,333.00 for design and architectural work for this project on hand; and
WHEREAS, the City may grant these funds to a non - profit, non -stock organization for use
towards the renovation and rehabilitation, such as the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin,
Inc., 26 South Jackson Street, pursuant to Wis. Stats. Secs. 62.11(5), 62.22(1), and other applicable
Wisconsin statutes and laws for their expenditure solely pertaining to the Oak Hill Chapel renovation
and rehabilitation project and purposes, and ay use such funds after and /or with the expenditure of
privately raised monies pertaining to such work; and
WHEREAS, friends, volunteers, organizations, businesses, and other interested persons and
parties have come forward that shall donate certain materials and /or labor towards the renovation,
rehabilitation, and preservation of the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel enabling its restoration and future use
by the public; and
WHEREAS, the donated, volunteered, and contracted labor and /or materials, and City funding
shall approximate under $100,000 with the actual work under the oversight of competent and
interested private parties; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager shall have the authority to determine and require the proper
mechanisms, means, and timing for the appropriated expenditure(s) of the City's grant monies for this
project, and to make take actions thereto from time to time as he determines to be in the best interests
of the City, the project, and the public; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council hereby find that the Oak Hill Chapel is an important historic
part of Janesville; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council find that such proposed renovations, rehabilitation, related
activities and purposes, and City finding grant to the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin,
Inc., are of benefit to the public and in the best interest of the City, its residents, and public facility
users; and
WHEREAS, these additional, expanded, and /or new uses, modifications, purposes, and funding
appropriation grant require prior Common Council review, approval and authorization.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Janesville
that:
1. Each of the above recitals is hereby reiterated and incorporated herein by reference as if
fully set forth verbatim; and
2. The proposed renovations, rehabilitation, preservation, and City monies grant
appropriation are hereby approved and authorized; and
3. The City Manager and his designee(s), on behalf of the City of Janesville, is /are hereby
authorized and empowered to negotiate, draft, modify, review, execute, and enter into additional
agreements, understandings, and arrangements; to make modifications thereto; and to take whatever
other actions as the City Manager may determine, from time to time and at any time, necessary and /or
desirable to effectuate the intent of this Resolution, project, and/or public purposes; and
Amendment by Council on February 10, 2014:
4. The City Council shall provide direction for the renovation, rehabilitation and
preservation of City owned Oakhill Cemetery Chapel.
ADOPTED: February 10, 2014 MOTION BY: Marklein
SECOND BY: Severson
APPROVED: COUNCILMEMBER AYE NAY PASS ABSENT
FARRELL X
FITZGERALD X
KEALY
Mark A. reitag, City Manager LIEBERT X
MARKLEIN X
ATTEST: SEVERSON X
VOSKUIL X
Ii ■/ L_ air'
Ann Wulf, i ty Clerk- Treasur'
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
Proposed by: Parks Director Presny
Prepared by: City Attorney
J:\Attorney \Word \Shared \Resolution Oakhill Chapel Grant 2014- 1076.doc