Minutes 01-10-05.doc
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING Approved: January 24, 2005
January 10, 2005
VOL. 55
NO. 25
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on January 10,
2005. The meeting was called to order by Council President Steeber at 7:00 p.m. City Clerk-Treasurer, Jean
Ann Wulf, led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Steeber, Councilmembers Tom Wellnitz, Tim Wellnitz, Williams, Brien, DeGarmo
and Addie.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the closed session of December 13, 2004.
Minutes of the regular meeting of December 27, 2004.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee (ALAC).
Council President Steeber asked if anyone wished to speak on the ALAC’s negative recommendation
regarding the Class B Fermented Malt Beverage and Intoxicating Liquor License by Mark J. Francis, d/b/a
Springbrook Bar, 980 South Jackson Street. No one spoke. He stated that the Consent Agenda would be
approved as recommended if there were no objections. There were none.
Council President Steeber combined the action on the special recognition resolutions for James L.
Thompson’s 36 years of service (2004-113) and Dennis C. Witek’s 24 years of service (2004-130) to the City
of Janesville. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolutions, seconded by Councilmember Brien
and passed unanimously. (File Res. Nos. 2004-113 & 130)
OLD BUSINESS
1. & 2. Proposed ordinances attaching Prairie Knoll Park east of South Oakhill Avenue and north of STH 11
(2004-249) and zoning Prairie Knoll Park to Conservancy upon attachment (2004-250) were combined and
given their second readings and public hearings. No one spoke at the public hearing. Councilmember Brien
moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember DeGarmo and passed unanimously. (File Ord.
Nos. 2004-249 and 2004-250)
3. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located at 1719 West Racine Street from M1 to R2 received its
second reading and public hearing. June Kaplan, 506 South Locust Street; Timothy and Virginia Krich, 418
South Locust Street; and Helen Graumann, 1515 Maple Avenue all spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Councilmember Steeber postponed action on the ordinance for two weeks. (File Ord. No. 2004-253)
4. City Manager’s Report.
A) Snow Removal. John Whitcomb, Operations Director, presented the goals, objectives, and procedures
used in the City’s snow removal process. He explained the factors affecting snow and ice control.
Councilmember Addie requested demographics on snow citations issued to citizens.
B) Crime Prevention Programs. Chief Mahan explained the Neighborhood Watch Program, the
Crimestoppers Program, and the Street Crimes Unit.
NEW BUSINESS
1. A proposed resolution authorizing the issuance of $50,000 in Promissory Notes to Remodel the Lower
Level of the Hedberg Public Library. Councilmember DeGarmo moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2005-128)
2. A proposed resolution releasing a portion of a sanitary sewer utility easement located on Lots 387 and
388 of Fourteenth Addition to Fox Ridge Estates. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember Addie and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2005-129)
3. A proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract on behalf of the City of
Janesville with Town and Country Sanitation, providing long-term pricing for the disposal of solid waste at the
City of Janesville Sanitary Landfill. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Tim Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2005-132)
4. Council Review and Action on Public Comment Period Format. Councilmember Addie moved to authorize
a new item at the beginning of each meeting entitled “Requests and comments from the public regarding the
agenda” and requiring the speakers to sign in and speak for a maximum of 5 minutes. In addition, he changed
“Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by council action” to “Requests
and comments from the public” and limit speakers to three minutes. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Tom Wellnitz. Councilmember Tim Wellnitz moved to amend the motion by changing
“Requests and comments from the public” to “Requests and comments from the public on matters which can
be affected by council action.” The motion was seconded by Councilmember DeGarmo and passed by the
following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Tim Wellnitz, DeGarmo, Brien, and Williams. Nay: Councilmembers
Tom Wellnitz, Steeber and Addie. Councilmember Williams moved to amend the ordinance by requiring the
public to register to speak by the Thursday prior to the council meeting. The motion died for lack of a second.
Council voted on the main motion and it passed unanimously.
5. Review of Status Report on Administration’s Goals and Priorities. City Manager Sheiffer reviewed the
Administration’s Goals and Priorities and Annual Work Program with Council.
6. A proposed ordinance annexing property within the 3400-3800 blocks of East Rotamer Road was
introduced and scheduled for public hearing on February 14, 2005. (File Ord. No. 2005-254)
7. A proposed ordinance zoning property located within the 3400-3800 blocks of East Rotamer Road to R1
upon annexation was introduced, referred to the Plan Commission and scheduled for public hearing on
February 14, 2005. (File Ord. No. 2005-255)
8. A proposed ordinance prohibiting the use of “Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces” within City limits was
administratively changed for January 24,
introduced and scheduled for public hearing on February 14, 2005 (
2005
). (File Ord. No. 2005-256)
9. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action. Alfred
Lembrich, 541 Miller Avenue; Richard Frank, 1119 Elida Street; Ty Bollerud, 424 South Pearl Street; Matthew
Wixom, 424 South Pearl Street; and Wade Hallet, 221 Oakland Avenue, stated their approval of how public
comments will be handled. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 South Locust Street, requested that all regular Council
meetings be televised. In addition, she expressed her views on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Lis
Pendens. Jeanine Zillmer, 5734 Highway 51 South, Apartment 2, requested a via-duct at the five point to
enhance traffic flow. Mike Roberts, 5317 North Terra Court, is concerned about citizens running red lights.
10. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember Addie requested better signage for the Highway 11 Bypass.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
Clerk-Treasurer