Council OKs staff priorities
JANESVILLE — It doesn't seem like tax money if it's coming from the federal government.
Five council members said Monday they'd approve spending $672,000 to build the controversial bike tunnel under East Milwaukee Street if no local property tax money was involved.
The council met Monday to OK the priorities staff had given projects for which the city will request federal stimulus dollars. A first deadline is next week. Staff is readying projects that can meet the various deadlines.
Council members George Brunner and Amy Loasching were absent.
Three projects got the most discussion: the tunnel, two new police officers and a new water tower on the east side.
In June, the council voted 4-3 to approve a $672,000 pedestrian tunnel under East Milwaukee Street between Wright Road and Shannon Court.
The city has a $235,000 state grant to offset part of the cost, and the council was scheduled to approve the remaining money in this year's note issue.
But public anger at spending the money mounted over the months. Two council members who voted for the tunnel—Russ Steeber and George Brunner—both hinted when they announced plans to run for re-election that they would reconsider that vote.
Council member Yuri Rashkin on Monday made a motion to remove the tunnel from the stimulus list.
But City Manger Eric Levitt said that even through the bike tunnel is controversial, it meets the stimulus criteria of being "shovel ready." In fact, the bike tunnel is the only "shovel ready" project the city can put forward for the first stimulus-funding deadline, Levitt said. If the city doesn't apply for bike tunnel funding, then it would miss out on the federal money.
"Why wouldn't we leave it there if it's not going to affect the property taxes?" Steeber asked. "It's probably the only way to accomplish it without putting it on the tax rolls."
The council would still have to approve the bids for the project. The federal government could require a 50/50 match, but Levitt said his sense from the discussion was that the council would spend little or no local money on the tunnel.
Police officers
County member Tom McDonald said he is wary of applying for money to hire two police officers. The city is operating two officers short of its authorized total of 104.
McDonald said he'd rather see the money spent on such one-time expenses as improving energy efficiency to save money rather than "stick it to the taxpayers three years from now when the stimulus money runs out."
But Steeber said the positions could be removed after three years by attrition if another council so chooses. A goal of the stimulus package is to create jobs, he said.
Water tower
McDonald also said a new, $1 million water tower on the east side is not a priority for him because he does not see Janesville expanding anytime soon to the rich farmland in that direction. He said he'd rather spend the money replacing water mains and installing more efficient pumps.
"If farmers in the county get their act together and block Janesville from expanding, would we need a water tower out there?" McDonald asked.
Dan Lynch of the water department said everything north of Interstate 90/39 experiences low water pressure even when a small water main breaks. A tower is needed regardless of city growth, he said.
The city already has borrowed money to buy land for the tower.
Street projects
Transportation projects were given high priority, and the city moved up projects planned several years out. The street choices were dictated by the need for repair but also for how quickly staff could convert repairs to state design requirements.
Resurfacing the following streets were given the highest priority: North Oakhill Avenue from Court Street to Highland Avenue; East Milwaukee Street from North Ringold to Sumac Drive: Kellogg Avenue; and parts of Mount Zion Avenue and Black Bridge Road. Cost is about $1.4 million.
The city also will seek about $5.8 million in infrastructure improvements to service the planned St Mary's Janesville Hospital. Those would include improvements at Midland Road and Highway 11, the I-90/39 off ramp and Highway 11 and Wright Road. If the money is not received, the surrounding businesses likely would be assessed for the costs, said Jay Winzenz, director of administrative services.
Mar 18, 2009 at 8:17 p.m.
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Wortnik, I think you are on the wrong article...
Mar 18, 2009 at 5:54 p.m.
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I am ashamed that we would waste this amount of money on a bike tunnel. This amount of funding would buy food and housing for SO many people currently struggling in todays economy. In the long run federal taxes will pay for this. Taxes we ALL get soaked for each year. I question the intelligence of our council. Even if Federal funds would pay for it, why would we use those funds for something so ridiculous? If you can't cross the street safely, don't cross the street. Turn around and ride back the other way. MY GOD!
Mar 17, 2009 at 6:32 p.m.
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Who has jurisdiction over the waste water plant upgrades? I hope that project can be paid for with stimulus money.
Mar 17, 2009 at 6:28 p.m.
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I know the thought of spending any money at all is heresy to some of you cheapskates, but that is the purpose of the stimulus money. I understand the economic argument against the stimulus, but it has already been enacted. If the money isn't spent the way it is intended, you GUARANTEE the stimulus won't work, and we're still in the same slump.
"It doesn't seem like tax money if it's coming from the federal government."
How true. That same line of thinking occurred when the tunnel was first proposed. The supporters were trying to justify the spending because the state was paying a portion. I argued that state funds are also our tax dollars, and the tunnel was unnecessary, considering the then pending closure of GM. Well, that's still true. However, the economy has tanked since then, and a stimulus has been chosen by our elected representatives as the method to stop the bleeding. Cities across the nation are being asked to spend money. Putting the council in the middle of the debate is unfair.
Mar 17, 2009 at 6:08 p.m.
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I have to say I am really angry when I read about this tunnel "investment" I cannot believe the members would spend over HALF a MILLION dollars on a bike trail tunnel when the city is borrowing money for everything they do. I am not quite sure spending on infrastructure included BIKE TUNNELS. How about a plain old stop light!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 17, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.
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If Mr Macdonald was listening, The majority of eastside farming landowners told him at the council meeting to approve the land use plan. The majority of the council voted to approve the land use plan. Please listen to people other than your handpicked sustainablity cult.
Mar 17, 2009 at 1:48 p.m.
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why not take all the money and relieve property tax on the folks....buy those stupid computers so we don't get stuck with that bill later. that should satisfy the school board. of course, i'm not sure that it isn't their intention to drain all the blood out of us just on general principle.
Mar 17, 2009 at 1:23 p.m.
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You're kidding, right? Spending $672k, OF ANYONE'S MONEY, for a bike tunnel is ok? Since when! Where do you think that money came from, A TREE?! If the taxpayers of Janesville don't believe its worth spending THEIR MONEY for the tunnel why, then is it ok to spend any MONEY for the tunnel. Isn't the stimulus money actually our tax dollars? Are not we, the taxpayers ultimately footing the bill for this tunnel? What kind of idiots believe, that since the money is there we might as well spend it on whatever we happen to have "shovel ready". These are the people we have controlling our tax dollars?! The thought process behind this decision clearly lacks any form of logical reasoning. It's absolutely asinine to spend money just because it's available. Even my 14 year old has figured that out!
Mar 17, 2009 at 1:16 p.m.
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the special interests are ozzing out of the walls for the fed cash. bike tunnels, parking lots, how fast can the city come up with ways to spend it? we need a citizens board with voting power to chime in on this stuff. we need someone to watch out for our overtaxed dollars.
Mar 17, 2009 at 1:11 p.m.
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say no to anything that isn't NEEDED. FIGHT BACK..gazetterooster@gmail.com
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:40 p.m.
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Way to STIMULATE our local economy.
Creating jobs for who, a crew of shovel leaners, who'll stretch the job out for two years? After that, no jobs, just an amusing way to cross the street.
What we need to do with this money is build a business, that entertains, creates jobs, educates, and makes money.
Wake up people, in times like these it's about what we NEED, not about what SOME people WANT!
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:37 p.m.
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biggirl, the city council only has control over things the city does. Teachers are the school district; job retraining is UW-Rock or Blackhawk. Different taxing bodies entirely.
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Public transportation is a good idea, but there would need to be something that represents investment, like funding a completely new bus route, or possibly the bus garage already planned. I'm also against using the stimulus for temporary police position funding unless there's a specific program (such as gang intervention).
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The water tower issue seems important. This isn't just about providing new service, it's about making sure there is sufficient water pressure for firefighting across the entire community.
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:05 p.m.
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Ok, here is another nail in the coffin for GM and a clear signal to those "Bring back GM" peole. GM in Janesville is dead and buried.
"Wagoner offers no hope for Janesville Assembly Plant"
http://www.jsonline.com/business/4137453...
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:03 p.m.
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What about more teachers, more money for quality childcare, job retraining, more and better public transportation? What a lack of vision here.
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