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Janesville council approves feasibility study for 2027 street utilities, confirms staff status and OKs fire air packs purchase
Summary
The council approved a resolution to have a firm prepare a feasibility report for the 2027 Street Utility Improvements, confirmed a community development director as a regular employee after probation, and authorized purchase of new fire department air packs (with a cascade fill system); decisions were made by voice votes.
At its meeting, the Janesville City Council approved multiple routine and capital items.
Personnel: Council voted to remove Caitlin Kratz, the community development director, from probationary status after completion of her learning period, making her a regular employee as required by the city’s personnel policy.
Street utilities: The council adopted a resolution ordering a firm to prepare a feasibility report for the 2027 Street Utility Improvements project (covering West North Street and a portion of South Skookum). The city will receive the feasibility presentation from the consultant at the council meeting on August 10.
Public safety equipment: Council reviewed two bids for new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and a cascade fill system. The SCBA package total presented was $174,665 for the packs and roughly $57,000 for the cascade fill system; staff reported intent to lease high-pressure cylinders rather than purchase them outright to reduce upfront cost and to accept some schedule delay for a second tanker purchase. Following discussion about equipment lifecycle and mutual-aid coverage, the council moved and approved the purchase by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve meeting agenda and consent agenda: approved by voice vote. - Motion to confirm Caitlin Kratz as regular employee (end probation): approved by voice vote. - Resolution ordering feasibility report for 2027 Street Utility Improvements: approved; consultant to present report Aug. 10. - Motion to purchase new fire department air packs and associated equipment (vendors on state Sourcewell contracts): approved by voice vote; staff will pursue cylinder leasing and adjust vehicle replacement timing as needed.
Funding and budget context: staff reported first-half property-tax receipts of about $760,000 and included payables related to an out-of-town electric project and semiannual equipment lease payments. For the general fund, staff recommended a 3% cost-of-living increase across wages and a 10% insurance-cost assumption for budgeting purposes; council discussed procedural limits on approving pay raises for sitting council members and agreed further steps would be required to change city code.
Next steps: Jason (city staff/consultant contact) will present the street utility feasibility report at the Aug. 10 meeting; staff will finalize equipment leasing details for cylinders and schedule adjustments for vehicle capital replacements.
