07-09-96 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Approved 07-22-96
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday, July 9, 1996
Present: Councilmembers Brien, Cullen, Noll, O'Leary, Stehura,
Westphal. Absent: Council President Schneider. Present from
the Administration: Steve Sheiffer, city Manager; Tom Rogers,
Assistant city Manager; Doug Venable, Economic Development
Director; and Brad Cantrell, Planning Director.
The Council met at 7;00 p.m. at M & I Bank (100 North Main
Street; Janesville, Wisconsin) with Doyle Hyett and Dolores
Palma, who are conducting a strategic planning process of the
downtown on behalf of Forward Janesville.
Mr. Palma reviewed for the City Council the previous public
visioning session and the results of the small group meetings and
various surveys that have been conducted to date. He indicated
there was general support to improve downtown. Reoccurring
themes focused on the river; clearing up blighted and improving
buildings; and more housing.
Councilmember Westphal commented that he was interested in
significantly improving the river. He wished to make it
navigable from Janesville to Lake Koshkonong. He felt the
parking deck over the river should be eliminated. He also
mentioned the possibility of installing lights under the water at
the Centerway Dam. Further, Councilmember Westphal stressed a
need for incentives for downtown and indicated his strong support
for downtown improvements.
Councilmember Cullen stated there is a need to shrink downtown
and to concentrate efforts on Main Street and Milwaukee Street.
Mr. Palma indicated that the firm would take the various comments
of the Councilmembers and the public and then use them as a basis
to make recommendations for a strategic plan. They would also
recommend the management structure. Their recommendation would
be based on what is economically practical. He stressed the need
for private sector leadership, but also a public/private joint
venture.
In response to a question from Councilmember Brien about who
would pay, Mr. Palma indicated both private and public. Mr.
Palma also stated that often there is a private investment of
$7.00 to $10.00 for every $1.00 of public investment. He
indicated the downtown needed to be a business venture, not a
political venture.
Councilmember Brien commented that he was concerned there was not
significant community support for the downtown from comments he
hears.
Mr. Palma commented on the City's role by saying it would be more
guidance and incentives. City efforts are to be concentrated on
the infrastructure and the river. However, the City could also
significantly influence what occurred through the application of
codes and zoning.
Councilmember O'Leary commented that there is a need to remove
the blight and to address the parking ramp. He also thought we
should take a look at lowering the river walls to provide access
to the river.
The session adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City
Council.
Steven E. Sheiffer
City Manager