Minutes 03-08-04.docPROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING
March 8, 2004
Approved: March 22, 2004
VOL. 54
NO. 31
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
March 8, 2004. The meeting was called to order by Council President Williams at 7:00 p.m.
Ryan Prestil and Jacob Gray, representing Cub Scouts Pack 429, led the Council in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Williams, Councilmembers Addie, Murphy, DeGarmo, Steeber, Brien,
and Wellnitz.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of February 23, 2004.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Action on a motion to approve final Certified Survey Map #04009-C, Richard Mayfield, 1 lot on
Twelve Oaks Drive.
Special recognition: A resolution recognizing Jeff Tellefson for his service to the community.
(File Res. No. 2004-25)
Council President Williams 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.
Council President Williams moved this item to follow New Business.
2. A proposed ordinance granting an economic rebate to Reserve "Class B" intoxicating liquor
licensees in the City who previously paid the $10,000 fee in addition to regular license fees prior
to the adoption of Section 5.06.055 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of Janesville
was given its second reading and public hearing. No one spoke at the public hearing.
Councilmember Murphy moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Steeber.
Councilmember Williams moved to amend the ordinance to require any establishment who
requests an economic rebate to place a deed restriction on the property to not allow sexually
oriented businesses. Councilmember DeGarmo seconded the amendment and it passed by the
following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Addie, DeGarmo, Steeber, Williams, Brien, and Wellnitz.
Nay: Councilmember Murphy. The main motion passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2004-
210)
3. City Manager's Report. Leisure Services will be conducting a joint program with the Boys
and Girls Club called "Kids Count Camp." A skit and information regarding this program was
presented. City Manager Sheiffer stated the Administration plans on sending customer service
survey forms to citizens who participate in the Assessor's open book process. He reported that
an average home in Janesville pays $280 less in taxes than our peer Cities. The City's portion
of the savings is $282. Also, he explained how Janesville Tax Incremental Districts (TIFs)
helped create 4,500 new jobs and $127 million of assessed value.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the conveyance of land to the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation to accommodate Highway 11 (Avalon Road) improvements.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Addie
and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2004-19)
2. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of up to $2,032,973.00
Sewerage System Revenue Bonds, Series 2004 and providing for other details and covenants
with respect thereto. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Murphy and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2004-18)
3. Action on a proposed preliminary resolution for Public Works Projects Bid Schedule "A" -
2004 and schedule a public hearing for the final resolution. Councilmember Steeber moved to
adopt said preliminary resolution, seconded by Councilmember Murphy and passed
unanimously. The public hearing for the final resolution was set for April 12, 2004. (File Res.
No. 2004-14)
4. Review and action on a proposed boundary change to the Janesville Community
Development Zone. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said change, seconded by
Councilmember DeGarmo and passed unanimously.
5. Review of City Manager report on Building and Planning Services. City Manager Sheiffer
outlined the 2003 building activities (5,187) and nuisance complaints (1,433). He emphasized
the importance of eliminating blight for public safety reasons and to protect property values. He
recommended a comprehensive review of the departments' policies and procedures, a review of
the condemnation process with the assistance of an ad hoc citizens committee and a customer
satisfaction survey. Councilmember Addie requested that he be appointed to the ad hoc
committee.
6. Recommendation of the Transportation Committee: A proposed ordinance establishing an
all-way stop at the intersection of Morningside Drive and Mt. Zion Avenue was introduced and
scheduled for public hearing on March 22, 2004. (File Ord. No. 2004-215)
7. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located within the 500 and 600 blocks of South
Chatham Street from M1 to R2 was introduced, referred to Plan Commission, and scheduled for
public hearing on April 12, 2004. (File Ord. No. 2004-211)
1. Old Business: Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by
Council action. Ty Bollerud, 424 South Pearl Street, suggested the City compensate property
owners of condemned property if their structure was demolished in error. Sean Austin,
representing the Jaycees, thanked the Administration for their support of the Jaycees. Matt
Wixom, 820 1/2 Sherman Avenue, supports the creation of a nonprofit group to operate the
armory as a sports center. Jason Smith, 608 Cornelia Street, and Richard Frank, 1119 Elida
Street spoke about the condemnation at 452 Rockport Road. K. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 South
Locust Street, requested the removal of the condemnation order on 382 Wilson Avenue,
increase the standards for allowable levels of lead poisoning in children and streamline the first
time home buyers program. Ray Harold, 123 Main Street, requested the Code Department
move more quickly on code complaints. Ron Stiebbe, with Classic Interiors and Restorations,
stated he could have restored the condemned property at 1645 Rockport Road for less than half
the assessed value. Billy McCoy, 1326 Putnam Avenue, stated the Codes Department needs a
citizen advisory committee to review their procedures. Jeannine Zillmer, 5734 US Highway 51
South, stated City Manager Sheiffer informed the public that the Administration would not show
pictures of condemned property. However, she said pictures of condemned property were
shown. City Manager Sheiffer stated the Administration did not show these pictures and he
would urge the Council to not show the pictures. Susan Sathre, 3927 Beacon Hill Drive,
explained she remodeled her basement without a permit and felt harassed by the Codes
Department. City Manager Sheiffer stated that the Codes Department has been working with
Mrs. Sathre for two years trying to resolve the situation.
8. Matters not on the agenda. Councilmembers Murphy and Addie requested that an ordinance
be drafted to require non-profit organizations that accept non-cash donations to have an after
hours drop-off box.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
Clerk-Treasurer