First test for Janesville event fee waiver policy
Photo 
Jacob J. Winzenz
Photo
The Janesville Farmers Market is one such event which the Janesville City Council has tentatively decided it would waive the special event fee in the future.
IF YOU GO
What: Regular meeting of the Janesville City Council
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: City Hall, 17 N. Jackson St., Janesville.
JANESVILLE — The Janesville City Council on Monday will have to decide for the first time whether to make an exception to a new policy that clarifies when to let groups off the hook for event fees.
The Janesville Farmers Market has requested the city waive the $550 event fee and the $832 equipment fee for the 2011 season.
The city has waived the fees for the market since its first season in 2005.
Last year, the market asked the council to permanently waive the fees. The council declined to do so. Since then, the council has enacted a policy that gives staff members direction as to when exceptions should be made.
This season’s farmers market waiver request does not meet the policy, so it will be up to the council to decided whether to grant it, said Jay Winzenz, the city’s director of administrative services.
“The council still has the ability to grant exceptions,” Winzenz said. “They wanted to retain that ability.”
In the past, the council granted waivers to the farmers market, Family Fun Fest, the Fourth of July celebration and for some of the costs associated with the Southern Wisconsin AirFest.
The city collected $7,535 in fees in 2010 when $11,532 was due. It collected $6,854 rather than $11,086 in 2009, and it took in $5,898 rather than $10,435 in 2008.
In other business:
-- The council could act to create an ordinance that would prohibit the use of email, text messaging or other electronic communication to harass someone. The city already prohibits harassment via telephone. The change is necessary because the Janesville Police Department has been getting more calls about harassment via text messaging and email, according to a March 15 memo to the city council from Tim Wellnitz, assistant city attorney.
-- The council could act to amend the ordinance allowing neighborhood electric vehicles to allow “low-speed vehicles.” Such vehicles would be allowed on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. The change would keep Janesville’s codes in step with state statutes, according to a memo from Wellnitz to the council.
Mar 28, 2011 at 1:33 p.m.
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jodyCassmac doesn't need a comment to respond to one. Her paranoia provides all the material she needs.
Mar 28, 2011 at 9:48 a.m.
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Pay the darn fee. I am sure everybody has a good enough excuse why "they" shouldn't have to pay a fee as well. Fees are needed to pay for things.
Where is sarahb?
I keep seeing people respond to here but I don't see a comment.
Mar 28, 2011 at 6:47 a.m.
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Either collect it or do away with all fees. Maybe we could get rid of someone at city hall if they didn't have to collect these fees.
Mar 28, 2011 at 12:45 a.m.
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We're broke. The state is broke.
Mar 27, 2011 at 12:57 p.m.
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Jodymac; your bridge is calling for your return.
Mar 27, 2011 at 11:07 a.m.
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Sounds abit high to me if there should be any fees at all, The city should be happy this event brings people together and gets families out. Our city taxes should cover something like this, it's the people selling that does the work anyways.
Mar 27, 2011 at 10:27 a.m.
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SIGMA40 I agree/////jodymac- it seems anything a Government does is okay IMO they put a fee and the need for licenses on everything that was here before they created a Government, council or board to CONTROL the things that should be free. The right to free Education in this state is no longer and IMO anyone that supports BILKING the people is not seeing the real truth to the RIGHTS to freedom. I for one do not support Dictatorship and find that this is what this entire country is trying to do. We have to have a license to FISH, HUNT,on God given lakes and rivers, and to run a business if we sell things and we are to also pay taxes that are IMO to high. To update our own property and homes we need to get permits,to have a get together of people on our own business property. and the fees are very high and to open a business you have to be approved by the city council and licensing boards and WHER DOES ANYONE FIND FREEDOM IN THAT. I understand the need to make money to run a State and city But to charge the outrageous prices they do is crazy. To have a cetain Jobs you must have a state license, Beautician/ bartender/nurse/ doctor/ ETC ETC ETC and they have to be renewed yearly. This is just not IMO fair.
Mar 26, 2011 at 5:16 p.m.
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Being part of "community" is also paying your fair share. For events/activities that includes having the use of public facilities, space and materials (barriers, bleachers, buildings, that all require maintenance as well, etc.), insurance, staff time for paperwork, trash disposal, and more. The waiver of any event fees must not be subjective but there should be a solid, specific written policy that is adhered to or favoritism will be always be suspect.
Mar 26, 2011 at 5:10 p.m.
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Why does there even need to be fees? This is our town and we pay taxes. Those fees seem outrageous....no wonder nothing decent ever happens in Janesville.... the city is always trying to scam off people. You cant do anything without paying a fee.. so dumb.
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