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Janesville City Council postpones concession decision

JANESVILLE — The Janesville City Council voted Monday to postpone a decision on a new concession sales contract at the Ice Skating Center due to lingering questions regarding a new fee system.

The five-year contract would allow Janesville Youth Hockey Association to continue running the center’s concession stands, with the city taking 12.5 percent of the net profit.

The old contract opted for an annual flat fee of $5,000. Based on last year’s sales, the youth hockey association would pay the city approximately $3,600.

Council member Bill Truman said the contract “does not benefit the taxpayers of Janesville” and suggested putting the concessions contract out for bids.

Truman also asked why the contract did not take 12.5 percent of revenue rather than profit. Community Development Director Brad Cantrell said the city opted for profits to allow youth hockey to benefit from their volunteer efforts, but added he wasn’t sure whether city officials discussed the alternative.

Council member Yuri Rashkin also questioned why possible sales in the warming room were not included in sales figures.

While Cantrell said representatives of the youth hockey association were present to field questions, the council moved to postpone the decision until Aug. 9, when City Manager Eric Levitt could specify contract details.

Other business

-- The council unanimously approved changing city smoking regulations to reflect the new statewide smoking ban.

The new restrictions also redefined an “enclosed space” to prevent businesses from exploiting a loophole that allows exceptions for businesses with substantial open window coverage on walls.

-- Director of Economic Development Vic Grassman updated the council on the city’s economic development initiatives.

Grassman said the city’s Downtown Redevelopment Loan Fund, Janesville “Gap” Funding programs and certification of “shovel-ready” industrial projects are nearing implementation. Grassman also said if the city did not receive a decision from the U.S. Small Business Administration on its funding request, it would try to pay for certain economic incentives through the county budget.