Nestled in the heart of southern Wisconsin, Beloit is a lively city with a deeply-rooted history. Written by a life-long resident of the city, this blog discusses the happenings of this great city.
This is the first installment of a regular series known as "Local Gems." Each edition of this series will highlight a local business, attraction, or organization that contributes positively to the City of Beloit, offers a unique service or experience, and is definitely worth learning more about. This post focuses on Beloit's Angel Museum.
Some background information:
The Angel Museum is the world's largest angel museum, which opened in May 1998. It features over 6,000 of The Berg Angel Collection and The Black Angel Collection donated by Oprah Winfrey. It is a not-for-profit organization that emphasizes angels as symbols for what is joyful, noble, and good.
Located at 656 Pleasant Street, the museum is housed in the former St. Paul's Catholic Church building, which served Beloit's Italian immigrants after being built in 1914. The Angel Museum's website (http://www.angelmuseum.com/) details what happened next:
When the Diocese of Madison closed the parish in 1988 after the death of its long-time priest, Father Joseph DeStefano, the church was then sold to Beloit College and used as a storage facility. As Beloit began its renaissance and riverfront development, the church was acquired by Beloit 2000 as part of a plan to create Heritage Park. Unable to find a use for the structure, Beloit 2000 proposed St. Paul's be demolished along with many other buildings along the riverfront. At the urging of former parishioners, those plans were changed by the action of the Beloit Historic Preservation Commission. Parishioners were charged with finding a proper usage of the building.
This is where Joyce and Lowell Berg came in. The couple wanted to find a place to house their more than 11,000 angels. The former parishioners of St. Paul's heard about the Bergs and, together, they were able to convince the city to save the build and convert it into the Angel Museum. The building is now listed on the register of historical landmarks.
To pull of such a large-scale conversion, more than 15,000 volunteer hours were donated by individuals and service organizations, in addition to City Grant Funds. The Angel Museum officially opened its doors in 1998 and continues operating thanks to the nearly 10,000 volunteer hours that are donated each year.
The Essentials: Regular Museum and Gift Shop Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10a.m. to 4p.m. Special Sunday hours of Sundays 1p.m. to 4p.m during the months of June, July and August.
Admission Costs: $7.00 for adults $6.00 for seniors 62+ $4.00 for teens $3.00 for children 5 to 12 Children under 5 are free
Special Features: The Angel Museum features the Heavenly Treasures Gift Shoppe, a fully stocked gift shopthat is offers a wide array of unique gifts for any occasion--Mother's Day, birthday, anniversary, wedding, first communion, confirmation, you name it!
Also, the Museum is home to the Heavenly Cafe, which seats 52 people and can be rented for $125 for four hours. Ideas for rental include baby showers, wedding showers, birthdays, anniversary parties, company meetings, etc. Call 608-362-9099 for more information.
Please note that both the Heavenly Treasures Gift Shoppe and the Heavenly Cafe can be accessed without entering the main museum and without paying the museum admission fee.
When Joyce Berg was asked why she wanted to create the Angel Museum, she simply replied, “I want to see a place where goodness prevails."
Trust me, after visiting the Beloit Angel Museum, you will have truly experienced a place where goodness prevails. From the thousands of angels, to a kind volunteer staff, and a beautiful building, you will experience a place full of positive energy, a striking sense of calm, and immense beauty.
For more information on the Angel Museum, please visit http://www.angelmuseum.com/. I hope you will take the time to check out this local gem and support Beloit.
Liveblogging did not work as there is apparently not wireless in the City Hall building.Does anyone know if that is true?If there really is wireless, you should really let me know! Anyway, let the show begin!
AGENDA
Beloit City Council
100 State Street, Beloit, WI 53511
City Hall Forum – 7:00 PM
Monday, June 15, 2009
First things first, Commissioner Sheila DeForest came up and said hello.She was very friendly and greeted pretty much everyone present.Glad to note that I am not the only person here—it is actually a pretty good turnout.Initial guess is the alcohol licenses, but it may the rezoning.Oh and several Beloit Memorial High School Track Team members are in the room—congratulations to you all! :)
Stephen Gregg, Assistant City Manager just came up to say hi and give me his card.Sheila told him that I was a student back in town for the summer.
And now it all begins…
1) CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Called to order by Van De Bogart at 7:00 PM
Members Present: City Manager, DeForest, Densch, Leavy, Van De Bogart, Haynes, Johns, Newnham, City Attorney
2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY/ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Proclamation honoring the Beloit Memorial High School Track Teams (Leavy)
-Commissioner Leavy recognizes the student athletes for not only their on the filed success, but also their successes in the classroom.Both Leavy’s son and daughter are on the team.
-Both teams qualified to compete at the state meet and they did very well there.
-Congratulations everyone!You all rock!
4) PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) Resolution approving the Vacation of the Executive Road Right of Way in the City of Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin (Christensen) Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
-Greater Beloit Economic Development Commission—will return entire land area to this group.It was allotted for a right of way that was never built.The land could house large development.
-No audience member wished to speak on this item.
-Passed by Council unanimously.
b) Resolution authorizing a Conditional Use Permit to allow a Basic Utility in an R-1A, Single-Family Residential District, for the property located at 2192 Winchester Drive (Christensen).Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
-Allow roof-mounted wind turbine, 4 feet in height, base 5 feet x 5 feet.Charge six-volt batters to power wheelchair lift and blower in furnace.Almost silent, according to owner.
-Neighbor support varied.
-Recommendation by committee was for it to be no taller than six-feet, must cover base with shingles or paint. Then recommends approval.
-No audience member wished to speak on this item.
-DeForest asked question—will the planning commission broaden wind energy ordiance to include other alternative energy?Answer: No, attorney recommended that they do wind ordinance separately.
-Follow up question—Conditional use permit costs $275, which now must be paid for wind energy like this.Will the ordinance waive this fee to make alternative energy cost effective?
-Call to question—motion passes unanimously
5) CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION
-No one wishes to address Council.
6) CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion.There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which the event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and considered at this point on the agenda.
-DeForest requests that item K be removed from agenda.
a)Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 1, 2009 (Alexander).
b)Resolution of approving Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for Ming Fong a/k/a Ho Ming Fong, d/b/a Bitters Pub, 1309 Madison Road (Alexander).ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
c)Resolution approving Class “A” Beer License for R&R Quick Marts, LLC, d/b/a R&R Quick Mart, 2158 Prairie Avenue, Narendra Patel, Agent (Alexander) ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
d)Resolution approving renewal of Class “A” Beer License for Daniel McMahon, d/b/a Dick’s Tackle & Bait, 901 Bayliss Avenue (Alexander).ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
e)Resolution approving renewal of Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for The Star Business Group, d/b/a Rose’s Soulful Restaurant & Lounge, Cheryl J. Collins, Agent, 232 Shirland Avenue (Alexander).ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
f)Resolution approving an Amendment to the Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for Domenico’s Pizza and Restaurant, Inc., Cindy Ross, Agent, 547 East Grand ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
g)Resolution approving an Amendment to the Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for the Filling Station, Wendy Kay Talignani, Agent, 1414 Cranston Road, to expand their Licensed Premise for a one day Event on June 27,, 2009 (Alexander) ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
h)Resolution approving the Release of Platted Easements along the North and South Side of the Vacated Executive Road Right of Way (Christensen).Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
i)Resolution approving an Amended Easement Agreement between the City of Beloit and Neighborhood Housing Services of Beloit, Inc. (Christensen).Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
j)Resolution approving Interlocal Agreement between Beloit, Janesville and Rock County, Wisconsin for Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant.(Lathrop)
THIS ALL PASSES UNANIMOUSLY--Item K moved to outside consent agenda
k)Resolution authorizing the CityManager to Apply for Funding under the 2009 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-forest Fire Protection Grant Program.(Liggett)
-35% of City of Beloit’s square mileage is covered by agriculture, parks, or vacant/undeveloped land.Need to purchase equipment to fight fires on this land.
-Additionally need to fight fires on watercraft due to city’s waterways.Two watercrafts now, but cannot pump water or draw water from river.This grant will allow them to purchase portable pump to do this.Grant matches 50% of cost.
-DeForest moved it off consent to ask why we needed pump when we are urban.Fire Dept. Chief explained this issue and cited specific areas like Woodmen’s area, corn fields, etc.Ability to fight fires in these areas saves residents insurance money in those areas.
-Van De Bogart—same pump to be used in boat and in other areas.Pump weighs 50 pounds and can be easily moved from boat to take to other areas.
-Passes unanimously.
7)ORDINANCES –none
8)APPOINTMENTS
-Appointment Review Committee met on June 8
-Alcohol License Committee
-Board of Appeals
-Municipal Library Board
-DeForest—Good lots of residents wanting to continue, but do we have others who want to be involved?Answer: It varies, generally not a waiting list.
-Passes unanimously by board.
-Vacant Seats
-Appointment Review Committee
-Board of Review
-Television Advisory Committee
-
-Municipal Golf Committee (youth)
- (youth)
9)COUNCILOR ACTIVITIES AND UPCOMING EVENTS
-DeForest—attended Merrill Park’s Day, plots still available there.Attended open house for NHS.Rode transit bus and talked to folks on the bus—heard how wonderful our bus drivers are.
-Densch—Parks Commission’s Tour—preview of new Turtle Island, very special area and unique to Beloit.
-Leavy—no comment.
-Haynes—Sat, June 27 First Congregational Church will be having Garden Walk and his house is featured.10 AM – 4 PM.
-Johns—Saturday attended Edge of the Rock painting event.
-Newnham—nothing further
--Van De Bogart—dedication of Hendrick’s Children’s Garden at new library, ceremony at library where Elks Club presented flag to library, participated in parks tour.Upcoming dedication of Turtle Island, formal dedication of Kerry Foods, Fairbanks Flats ceremony
10)CITY MANAGER’S PRESENTATION—none
11)REPORTERS FROM BOARDS AND CITY OFFICERS
a.Resolution authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Municipal Revenue Obligation, Series 2009 in an amount not to exceed $5,340,000 and the approval and execution of related documents. (York).
-Approval sale of revenue bonds.Sales of these bonds were approved by Council on April 6, transaction was completed this morning.Coming from tax increment debt in tax increment district 10 to extend Gateway Boulevard down to interstate.
-Rep from finance advisory place—highlights of sale:
-Average interest cost is 4.6388% for debt that would extend through 2025.Negotiated with Behr (sp?) firm.Estimated interest rate in range of 5.5%, cost was estimated to be over $2 million.
-this is a good thing because conservatively we covered this district to cover this debt and all issued debt for this district.
-After accounting for debt, we are expecting annual positive cash flow that will result in building fund balance by 2019 that will exceed debt.This means that at that point we could close tax increment district.
-Passed unanimously by Council by roll call vote.
b.Resolution Ratifying $1,645,000 State Trust Fund Loan Application and the Issuance of Certificates of Indebtedness to the State of Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands; and making certain Covenants relating to the Build American Bond Program (York).
-Loan to fund furniture and fixtures for new library.
-Passes Council unanimously by roll call.
c.Resolution Ratifying $915,000 State Trust Fund Land Application and the Issuance of Certificates of Indebtedness to the State of Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands; and making certain Covenants relating to the Build America Bond Program (York).
-Part of our funding package for the CIP package for this year.Fund some capital improvements underway this summer.
-After loans approved, contacted by city’s fund council and did some research relating to the federal stimulus package—specifically the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with component to designate certain debt to qualify for tax rebates.35% of interest costs could be rebated back to the city.
-Participating in this plan the city will realize significant interest savings.In 11b the city will save almost $140,000 in interest from the rebate. 11c, $915,000 will save $77,590 over term of loan.
--VDB: Any other debt to qualify?Answer: Has to be new debt to qualify.11a?Answer: Even with rebate, no benefit to city to enroll this loan.
-Passes Council unanimously by roll call vote.
12)ADJOURNMENT
-Adjourned at 7:41 PM
Pretty good notes, but I have a few blanks--people talk fast! :)
I just wanted to let you all know that I am going to attempt to live blog the Beloit City Council's 6/15/09 meeting. What is live-blogging you ask? Live-blogging is blogging about something as it is happening with constant updates. If I am able to access wireless internet at City Hall, you will be able to get updates of the meeting every few minutes right on this site!
The agenda for the 6/15 meeting is here with the full council package here. Read them over and comment on this post with any questions or particular things you want me to keep my ears open for. Everyone should know what their local government is up to, so please refer your friends to this blog.
Talk to you soon!
Chynna
UPDATED Here is the agenda for tonight's meeting:
AGENDA
Beloit City Council
100 State Street, Beloit, WI 53511
City Hall Forum – 7:00 PM
Monday, June 15, 2009
1) CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY/ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Proclamation honoring the Beloit Memorial High School Track Teams (Leavy)
4) PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) Resolution approving the Vacation of the Executive Road Right of Way in the City of Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin (Christensen) Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
b) Resolution authorizing a Conditional Use Permit to allow a Basic Utility in an R-1A, Single-Family Residential District, for the property located at 2192 Winchester Drive (Christensen).Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
5) CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION
6) CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion.There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member so requests, in which the event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and considered at this point on the agenda.
a)Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 1, 2009 (Alexander).
b)Resolution of approving Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for Ming Fong a/k/a Ho Ming Fong, d/b/a Bitters Pub, 1309 Madison Road (Alexander).ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
c)Resolution approving Class “A” Beer License for R&R Quick Marts, LLC, d/b/a R&R Quick Mart, 2158 Prairie Avenue, Narendra Patel, Agent (Alexander) ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
d)Resolution approving renewal of Class “A” Beer License for Daniel McMahon, d/b/a Dick’s Tackle & Bait, 901 Bayliss Avenue (Alexander).ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
e)Resolution approving renewal of Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for The Star Business Group, d/b/a Rose’s Soulful Restaurant & Lounge, Cheryl J. Collins, Agent, 232 Shirland Avenue (Alexander).ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
f)Resolution approving an Amendment to the Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for Domenico’s Pizza and Restaurant, Inc., Cindy Ross, Agent, 547 East Grand ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
g)Resolution approving an Amendment to the Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for the Filling Station, Wendy Kay Talignani, Agent, 1414 Cranston Road, to expand their Licensed Premise for a one day Event on June 27,, 2009 (Alexander) ABLCC recommendation for approval 6-0.
h)Resolution approving the Release of Platted Easements along the North and South Side of the Vacated Executive Road Right of Way (Christensen).Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
i)Resolution approving an Amended Easement Agreement between the City of Beloit and Neighborhood Housing Services of Beloit, Inc. (Christensen).Plan recommendation for approval 6-0.
j)Resolution approving Interlocal Agreement between Beloit, Janesville and Rock County, Wisconsin for Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant.(Lathrop)
k)Resolution authorizing the CityManager to Apply for Funding under the 2009 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-forest Fire Protection Grant Program.(Liggett)
7)ORDINANCES –none
8)APPOINTMENTS
9)COUNCILOR ACTIVITIES AND UPCOMING EVENTS
10)CITY MANAGER’S PRESENTATION—none
11)REPORTERS FROM BOARDS AND CITY OFFICERS
a.Resolution authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Municipal Revenue Obligation, Series 2009 in an amount not to exceed $5,340,000 and the approval and execution of related documents. (York).
b.Resolution Ratifying $1,645,000 State Trust Fund Loan Application and the Issuance of Certificates of Indebtedness to the State of Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands; and making certain Covenants relating to the Build American Bond Program (York).
c.Resolution Ratifying $915,000 State Trust Fund Land Application and the Issuance of Certificates of Indebtedness to the State of Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands; and making certain Covenants relating to the Build America Bond Program (York).
Thank you for visiting the Only in Beloit blog! As a life-long resident of the greater Beloit area, I decided to create a place for Beloiters, former Beloiters, and other interested folks to stay informed on what is going on in the area. I will post about local news and issues, as well as businesses and events of interest.
To further provide information the city, there is a list of links on the right-hand side of the page to pertinent websites. I also have links to other blogs you may like--please send me the links to any blogs that also discuss the Beloit or the Rock County area.
Please comment and share your own thoughts, opinions, and ideas. Also, you can follow the blog using the links on the right-hand side of the page.
Chynna Haas hails from Beloit, WI and lives her life as a jane-of-all-trades: a senior at UW-Madison, President/Founder of the Working class Student Union, a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, and Founder of RevitaYou Consulting.
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