Minutes 12-13-04.doc
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING Approved: December 27, 2004
December 13, 2004
VOL. 55
NO. 23
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
December 13, 2004. The meeting was called to order by Council President Steeber at 7:00 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 429 from St. John Vianney Church led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Steeber, Councilmembers Tim Wellnitz, Williams, Brien, Tom Wellnitz,
DeGarmo and Addie.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of November 22, 2004.
Minutes of the closed session of November 22, 2004.
Minutes of the special meeting of November 23, 2004.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Appointment of election officials for 2005-2006.
Action on a motion to approve final Certified Survey Map #04048-C, Rogan Stores LLC, 2 lots on
Woodman Drive.
Council President Steeber stated the Consent Agenda would be approved if there were no
objections. There were none.
Acceptance of an award from Tobacco Free Kids. In recognition of Council’s efforts to make
restaurants smoke free, Debbie Fisher, representing Tobacco Free Kids, presented Council an
award.
Council President Steeber combined the action on the special recognition resolutions: A proposed
resolution (2004-102) in commendation of Gregory E. Truesdill’s 25 years of service to the City of
Janesville. A proposed resolution (2004-103) in commendation of Christopher R. Dodge’s 29 years
of service to the City of Janesville. A proposed resolution (2004-104) in commendation of Larry R.
Schlichting’s 24 years of service to the City of Janesville. A proposed resolution (2004-123) in
commendation of Leonard W. Loertscher Jr.’s 26 years of service to the City of Janesville. A
proposed resolution (2004-124) in commendation of Kenneth A. Holmes’ 34 years of service to the
City of Janesville. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolutions, seconded by
Councilmember Tom Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Res. Nos. 2004-102,103,104, 123
&124)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Recommendation from the Leisure Services Advisory Committee on a site for the proposed
skateboard park. Ryan Masterson, chairperson of the committee, asked Council to accept Palmer
Park and Lion’s Beach as the preferred locations. Council President Steeber opened the public
hearing. Roger Streich, 79 South Huron Street, addressed Council regarding fund raising efforts.
The hearing was closed. Councilmember Addie moved to accept the two preferred sites and send
back to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee for design, seconded by Councilmember Brien
and passed unanimously.
2. A proposed resolution authorizing the conversion of Jackson and Franklin Streets between
Rockport Road and Mineral Point Avenue from one-way to two-way streets. The public hearing
was opened. Speaking in favor were: Terry Campbell, 3007 Windsor Lane; John Beckford,
President of Forward Janesville, 2715 Autumn Lane; Bob Sager, 213 West Racine Street; Rose
Brucker, 501 South Jackson Street; Ty Bollerud, 424 South Pearl Street; Bill Purkapile, 542 South
Jackson Street; Burdette Erickson, 115 South High Street; and Carl Domerhausen, chair of DDA
Traffic and Parking Commission, 2419 Plymouth Avenue. The public hearing was closed.
Councilmember Addie moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember DeGarmo.
Councilmember Williams proposed a friendly amendment to bring the matter back to Council if
gates are required at the railroad crossing at Centerway and Jackson Street. Councilmember
Addie accepted the friendly amendment; however, Councilmember DeGarmo did not.
Councilmember Williams moved to amend said resolution to bring back to Council for review if the
railroad commission determines the Jackson-Centerway crossing upgrades will be assessed to the
City, seconded by Councilmember Addie and passed by the following vote. Aye: Councilmembers
Williams, Addie, Tim Wellnitz, Tom Wellnitz, and Brien. Nay: Council President Steeber and
Councilmember DeGarmo. Councilmember Brien moved to amend to signalize the intersection of
Rockport Road and Jackson Street. The motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Brien
moved to amend to retain one way traffic on Jackson Street from Racine Street south to Rockport
Road, seconded by Councilmember Williams and failed by the following vote. Aye:
Councilmembers Brien, Williams, and Tom Wellnitz. Nay: Council President Steeber,
Councilmembers Tim Wellnitz, DeGarmo, and Addie. Council voted on the main motion as
amended and passed with the following vote: Aye: Council President Steeber, Councilmembers
Tim Wellnitz, Williams, Tom Wellnitz, DeGarmo and Addie. Nay: Councilmember Brien. (File
Res. No. 2004-126)
3. A proposed resolution authorizing a citizen group to conduct fund raising activities for the
purpose of building a Fenced Dog Park received its public hearing. No one spoke at the hearing.
Councilmember Addie moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Brien and
passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2004-75)
4. A proposed ordinance requiring (A) Williams Street traffic to yield to Walker Street; (B) Clover
Lane traffic to yield to Randolph Road; and (C) Clover Lane traffic to yield to Black Bridge Road
was given its second reading and public hearing. No one spoke at the public hearing.
Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Tom
Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2004-251)
5. A proposed ordinance (A) removing the truck route designation on Kellogg Avenue from South
Jackson Street to Beloit Avenue and (B) establishing a truck route designation on Opportunity
Drive from Beloit Avenue to South Jackson Street received its second reading and public hearing.
No one spoke at the public hearing. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said ordinance,
seconded by Councilmember Tom Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2004-252)
6. Review of Downtown Parking Plaza and award of Contract C2004-26 (Dodge Street Parking
Structure – Bike Trail & Island Repairs) for Public Works Projects Bid Schedule “G” – 2004.
Councilmember Williams moved to approve the adjustment of the western portion of the parking
plaza as proposed, reject all bids for Contract C2004-26 (Dodge Street Parking Structure – Bike
Trail & Island Repairs) and requested the Administration to re-bid the project in the Spring. The
Council also requested that the driveway connection to the River Street lot be constructed,
seconded by Councilmember DeGarmo and passed unanimously.
7. A proposed resolution awarding $6,325,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004,
establishing interest rates thereon and levying taxes therefore. Councilmember DeGarmo moved
to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Tom Wellnitz and passed unanimously.
(File Res. No. 2004-117)
8. City Manager’s Report. A) Snow Removal. This Item was postponed.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendation of the Plan Commission: A proposed resolution approving the final plat of
Rollingwood Ninth Addition. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolution, seconded
by Councilmember Tom Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2004-121)
2. A proposed resolution accepting the street name for the road section between Beloit Avenue
and Jackson Street as “Ruether Way” received its public hearing. Alfred Lembrich, 541 Miller
Avenue, spoke in opposition to the ordinance. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember
Brien moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Tim Wellnitz and passed by the
following vote. Aye: Council President Steeber, Councilmembers Tim Wellnitz, Williams, Brien,
DeGarmo and Addie. Nay: Councilmember Tom Wellnitz. (File Res. No. 2004-92)
3. A proposed resolution approving Amendment No. 3 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, 2007. Councilmember Addie moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember DeGarmo and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2004-122)
4. A proposed resolution authorizing a Project Agreement with the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation for improvements to the East Memorial Drive bridge and approaches.
Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Tim
Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2004-125)
5. Action to create e-mail addresses for Councilmembers on the City Network. Councilmember
Addie moved to table this item. Motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Williams moved
to approve alternatives numbers one and three as outlined in a memo to Council dated December
7, 2004, seconded by Councilmember Brien and passed by the following vote. Aye: Council
President Steeber, Councilmembers Tim Wellnitz, Williams, Brien, Tom Wellnitz, and DeGarmo.
Nay: Councilmember Addie.
6. A proposed ordinance attaching Prairie Knoll Park east of South Oakhill Avenue and north of
STH 11 was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on January 10, 2005. (File Ord. No.
2004-249)
7. A proposed ordinance zoning Prairie Knoll Park east of South Oakhill Avenue and north of STH
11 to Conservancy upon attachment was introduced, referred to Plan Commission and scheduled
for public hearing on January 10, 2005. (File Ord. No. 2004-250)
8. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located at 1719 West Racine Street from M1 to R2 was
introduced, referred to Plan Commission and scheduled for public hearing on January 10, 2005.
(File Ord. No. 2004-253)
9. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Nancy Hansen-Bennett, 915 North Garfield Street, thanked the Council for excellent municipal
services. Ty Bollerud, 424 South Pearl Street, distributed a handout regarding the City’s debt and
asked for a City minimum wage of $6.50 per hour.
10. Matters not on the Agenda. President Steeber scheduled an MPO Meeting on January 10,
2005, at 6:30 p.m. and a study session on February 1, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. Council waived notice of
both meetings.
11. Councilmember Williams moved to convene into closed session, pursuant to Wisconsin
Statute Section 19.85 (1) (g) for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental
body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with
respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved, concerning the Gordie Boucher,
Inc. special assessment(s), contract matter and settlement proposals; and Wisconsin Statute
Section 19.85 (1) (e), for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public
properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specific public business, whenever
competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, in particular deliberating and
determining the bargaining strategies and conditions for a solid waste disposal contract with an
outside vendor, seconded by Councilmember Tom Wellnitz and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 10:23 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by City Council.
Timothy L. Kitzman
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer