08-14-00.min.jw.docPROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, VVlSCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING
August 14, 2000
VOL. 51
NO. 10
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on August 14, 2000.
The meeting was called to order by Council President Murphy. Councilmember Noll led the Council in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Murphy, Councilmembers Schneider, Wdliams, Noll, Brien, O'Leary and DeGarmo.
CONSENTAGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of July 24, 2000.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Authorization for the administration to deny a liability claim for Doyle Black in the amount of $35,000.
Action on a motion to approve final Certified Survey Map #00029-T, Merdon Corporation, 2 lots on Tower Drive
in Rock Township.
Waiver of special assessment procedure for storm sewer and street light charges for Certified Survey map
#00029-T, Merdon Corporation.
Waiver of special assessment procedure for storm sewer, sidewalk and street light charges for Keeneland First
Addition, Dan Wright.
Council President Murphy stated that the Consent Agenda would be approved if there were no objections. There
were no objections. For the record, Councilmember O'Leary passed on the Class B liquor license for Gimpy &
Gappy d/b/a Danger Zone.
City Manager Sheiffer presented a report on the Storm of 2000. On August 5, 2000, the City of Janesville was
hit with severe storm with winds over 100 miles per hour. The storm damage resulted in uprooted trees and
branches that blocked streets and downed power lines and telephone lines. He thanked the community for
coming together and helping one another to clear the debris on property and streets. Citizens, businesses and
other communities assisted in the clean up. He projected that the City cleanup effort would span two weeks.
He was dissatisfied with Ameritech's performance to restore telephone lines to the citizens of Janesville. Nine
days a~er the storm, it was brought to his attention that 250-300 citizens were without phone service. Ameritech
failed to communicate the extent of the telephone damage and a timeline on when citizens could expect restored
service. Therefore, he directed the City Attorney to prepare an official complaint to the Public Service
Commission and to request an investigation of Ameritech's poor performance.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Attorney Fred Wesner, representing Livesey Company, and Ron Combs, Combs & Associates, representing the
Knopes family, requested that the Northeast Area plan remain flexible. Jim Maurer, representing Ameritech,
apologized for Ameritech's lack of communication during and after the recent storm and the prolonged time it
has taken to restore telephone service to the citizens of Janesville. He promised that Ameritech would bring
additional technicians to Janesville to expedite the restoration of telephone service.
2. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located at the northeast and southeast corners of Black Bridge
Road and USH 51 from M1 to Agriculture with Parking Overlay and B2received its second reading and public
hearing. No one spoke. Councilmember Brien moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember
Noll. The motion passed unanimously. (File Ord. #2000-38)
3. A proposed resolution vacating Harold Avenue received its public hearing. No one spoke.
Councilmember Noll moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Brien. The motion passed
unanimously. (File Res. #2000-55)
4. A proposed ordinance amending Chapter 8.60 Nuisances to prohibit graffiti and allow abatement by the
City at property owner's expense received its second reading and public hearing. No one spoke.
Councilmember O'Leary moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Noll. The motion passed
unanimously. Councilmember Brien requested that the Administration check the bookstore in the downtown
area for graffiti. (File Ord. #2000-40)
5. Councilmember O'Leary moved to approve the following contracts. Council also included in the motion:
Q (Stormwater Detention Ponds)
R (Wuthering Hills Drive Bike Trail)
S (High Street Armory Roof)
Huml Contractors, Inc. $271,170.26
Frank Bros., Inc. $ 37,884.20
McDermaid Roofing and Insulating Co. $ 15,500.22
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Noll and passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendations of the Plan Commission: Action on a proposed resolution approving the final plat of
Apple Ridge First Addition. Councilmember O'Leary moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Noll. The motion passed unanimously. (File Res. #2000-72)
2. Action on a proposed resolution accepting the Northeast Area Plan as an element of the Janesville
Comprehensive Plan. Michael Slavney and Brian Munson, of Vandewalle & Associates, presented the plan to
Council. Councilmember O'Leary moved to adopt said resolution and to incorporate the following language into
the plan:
"The Northeast Area Plan is intended to be one of a number of guides for making land use decisions within the
study area. It is not intended to be the sole source of information in that process. The plan establishes desirable
land use and transportation relationships. It recognizes that decisions on such relationships often occur one
development at a time and that those decisions are based on a broad set of factors and considerations, including
public participation. The plan also recognizes the need to be flexible and adaptive to the many changes in
technology, practices, style and preferences that will occur over the years, decades and generations through
which Janesville will continue to grow and develop.
The Northeast Area Plan does not mandate the continuation of Janesville's growth and development to the north
and east nor does it mandate the annexation of vacant or developed properties within that area. It is intended
to be used as a guide only when development proposals are made by property owners and developers, or
whenever the freely functioning real estate market necessitates the growth of the city and extension of the
services that Janesville can provide."
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Noll and passed unanimously. (File Res. #2000-75)
3. Review of Traxler Park Riven/vail Plan. Assistant City Engineer Carlson presented this report and explained
the three phases of restoration work to be constructed.
4. An amendment to the Project Plan for Tax Increment Finance District No. 15 (Freedom Lane) was introduced
and referred to the Plan Commission to schedule a public hearing. (File Res. #2000-73)
5. A proposed ordinance amending Chapter 8.64.150 of the code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville to increase the demolition landfill fees was introduced and scheduled for a public hearing on August
24, 2000. (File Ord. #2000-42)
6. A proposed ordinance rezoning property within the 500-700 blocks of Kellogg Avenue from R3 to M2 was
introduced, referred to the Plan Commission and scheduled for a public hearing on September 11,2000. (File
Ord. #2000-39)
7. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located in the 900 block of Rockport Road and Riverside Street
from R2 to B3 with Parking Overlay was introduced, referred to the Plan Commission and scheduled for a public
hearing on September 11,2000. (File Ord. #2000-41).
8. Matters Not on the Agenda. Councilmember Brien asked if the Administration had received a date for the
ceremony renaming of the Post Office. Council President brought to the Administration's attention that the
Council received two responses concerning the property located at 425 S. Main Street.
Council convened into study session at 8:46 p.m.
9. Study Session - Council review of report on the administration's Comprehensive Review of Code
Enforcement. Assistant City Manager presented the report to Council. He recommended increasing proactive
enforcement, issuing citation and abatement authority, implementing ordinance changes and amendments and
increasing staff. By consensus, the Council directed the Administration to proceed with the recommendations.
10. Consideration of a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute Section 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. Councilmember O'Leary moved to convene into closed session, seconded by Councilmember Williams.
The motion passed by the following vote: Council President Murphy, Councilmembers W~lliams, Brien, O'Leary
and DeGarmo. Passed: Councilmembers Schneider and Noll.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 9:34 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer