Five projects that focused on Janesville, Wisconsin's ethnic diversity, economic diversity, parks/river/downtown, and neighborhoods and collaborative partnerships.

1. Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Development
AcademyAcademy
Class of 2004-2005

2. The ExperienceThe Experience
In the beginning…
What we expected…
We gained…
We worked…
We thank you…
What we will take away…

3. Core Values and ConceptsCore Values and Concepts
Diversity

4. Core Values and ConceptsCore Values and Concepts
Education

5. Core Values and ConceptsCore Values and Concepts
Family

6. Core Values and ConceptsCore Values and Concepts
Progressive

7. Core Values and ConceptsCore Values and Concepts
Community

8. Core Values and ConceptsCore Values and Concepts
Opportunity

9. Core Values and ConceptsCore Values and Concepts
Diversity
Education
Family
Progressive Thinking
Community
Opportunity

10. Strategic InitiativesStrategic Initiatives
for Janesvillefor Janesville
Ethnic Diversity
Economic Diversity
Parks, River, Downtown
Neighborhoods & Collaborative
Partnerships

11. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
Team Members:
– Bridget Aldridge, Alliant Energy
– Jim McMullen, KANDU Industries, Inc.
– Christine Moore, Janesville Design &
Development Center
– Todd Schomburg, General Motors
– Cullen Slapak, City of Janesville Leisure
Services

12. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Current Status:
 Little cultural diversity in Janesville and little
community awareness of own cultural history
 Need for more education about and appreciation of
diversity issues

13. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status – Multi-Cultural Center
– To promote cultural acceptance in the community through
education, programming and presence.

14. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status – Multi-Cultural Center
Center to include:
 Permanent exhibit on Janesville’s ethnic/religious
history with changing displays on a variety of multi-
cultural issues
 Community large-group gathering space
 Small group gathering spaces for various multi-cultural
organizations, such as Diversity Action Teams
 Shared office space for cultural organizations
 Home for International Charter School

15. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Actions:
– Organize steering committee to explore feasibility of
project and organize fund-raising effort.
– Kick-off fund-raising event featuring state cultural
leaders including Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton.

16. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Current Status:
 Job market not particularly appealing to minorities
 Very difficult to make cultural awareness a salient issue
for current employers/employees due to tradition and
time constraints

17. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status:
Business community champions cultural
awareness

18. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
Actions:
– Forward Janesville includes diversity award in its
business awards program.
– Forward Janesville sponsors diversity training
programs.
– Diversity Action Team study circle program is
incorporated into the LDA curriculum.

19. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Current Status:
 Newcomers, non-English speakers, and others may be
intimidated by government.

20. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status:
City champions cultural awareness

21. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Actions:
 City launches three-year effort (2006-2008) to promote
cultural awareness throughout all departments.
 Grassroots design by staff: “How can my department
better serve citizens of differing cultural backgrounds?”
 Possible components:
 Incentives to staff who learn Spanish as second
language/participate in a DAT study circle/take other
cultural awareness training.
 Web site, newsletter, key city literature available in
Spanish.

22. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
Current Status:
High School Human Relations Clubs creating
model for awareness training.
Difficulty recruiting minorities to teach in
Janesville.
Superintendent viewed as community leader on
diversity.

23. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status –
Public Schools Champion Cultural Awareness

24. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Actions –
 Schools launch three-year effort (2006-2008) to
promote cultural awareness throughout all departments.
 Continue support for human relations clubs at Parker,
Craig, and Franklin.
 Development of human relations clubs at Marshall and
Edison.
 Support minority recruiting specialist and continue push
to recruit more minority teachers.
 Continue presence of multi-cultural issues in the K-12
curriculum.

25. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Current Status:
 No particular welcome mat from faith-based
communities for minorities.

26. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status
– Churches champion cultural awareness

27. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Actions:
– Janesville’s faith-based communities launch three-
year effort (2006-2008) to promote cultural
awareness/outreach within their congregations.
– Possible component: sister church relationships
between minority and non-minority churches.

28. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Current Status:
 Few white attendees at cultural celebrations.

29. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status –
– Ethnic festivals become community events for all
colors/ethnicities

30. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Actions –
– Cultural affairs board organized to plan inclusive ethnic
festivals.
– Partner with other community organizations such as Jr.
Women, Rotary, Exchange Club, etc.
– Collaborate with advocates for a festival park to create
home for ethnic festivities.
– Other partnerships could include JPAC, Library and DT
Riverfront Park site so that event includes
entertainment, education, food and fun.

31. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Current Status –
– Motivated leaders in Diversity Action Teams but
efforts are not well known.

32. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Future Status –
– Diversity Action Teams viewed as important
community cultural resource.

33. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Actions –
 Marketing intern from Blackhawk Technical College
assigned to Diversity Action Team.
 Promote efforts and create linkages to community
businesses / organizations.

34. Ethnic DiversityEthnic Diversity
 Current Status –
 Diversity improvement efforts are not being tracked by the
community at large.
 Future Status –
 Diversity improvement efforts and goals are understood by the
community at large.
 Action –
 Committee comprised of leaders from city, business, schools,
faith organizations and minority groups organizes to assess
diversity efforts and provide leadership.

35. Ethnic Diversity - Q & AEthnic Diversity - Q & A

36. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Team Members:
– Tom Athmann, GM/UAW
– Brian Donohue, Janesville Police Department
– Jeanns Lee-Daskam, Epilepsy Foundation of
Southern Wisconsin
– Peter Messina, Angus-Young AEI
– Gale Price, City of Janesville, Community
Development
– Teresa Smithrud, Mercy Health System

37. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Current Status
Reliance on a few major employers
Strong sector of low-tech, manufacturing
industries
Diversification of industrial base needed
“Brain drain”
Low incentive to obtain higher education

38. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Current Status
Limited support for small business
development
Limited capitalization on tourism
Perception of “red tape” for project approval
Low cost of living/housing is not promoted
Limited downtown redevelopment

39. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
 Future Status
 Regional employment city
 Attraction for diverse business opportunities
 Diversity in skills for employment base
 Community retains young professionals
 Strong development of small businesses

40. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
 Future Status
 Regional production hub for other industries
 Tourist destination
 “Win-win” development review
 Continued strong residential growth
 Downtown development is a catalyst

41. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Several areas of focus to achieve the future
state
– Look at varied approach to diversification
– Capitalize on existing resources
– Development of underutilized resources
– Focus on some new key areas

42. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Promote the diversification of the local
economy
– Actions needed:
 Create competitive incentives for businesses
 Political influences regarding incentives
 Target/recruit/seek diversification in business
opportunities

43. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Grow our own employee development
– Actions needed:
 Continue development of post-secondary
educational programs (UW-Rock Co. & BTC)

44. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Grow our own employee development
– Actions needed:
 Development of four-year degree programs at UW-
Rock County
 Evaluate the possibility of a satellite agricultural
college

45. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Grow our own employee development
– Actions needed:
 Evaluate the possibility of creating incentives for
professional retention (e.g. internships, scholarships,
etc.)
 Create a formal database
 Incentives for retention/returning

46. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Business Incubator Development
– Actions needed:
 Evaluate the potential for business incubator

47. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Business Incubator Development
– Actions needed:
 Develop partnership for evaluation and development
 Identification of funding
 Identification of site/existing structure

48. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Promotion of manufacturing related to region
– Actions needed:
 Encourage supply chain partnerships
 Promotion of community to supply nearby facilities

49. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Promotion of manufacturing related to
region
– Actions needed:
 Encourage Lemans Corporation to have suppliers
locate here
 Ethanol based fuel
development hub

50. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Capitalization on Tourist Activities
– Actions needed:
 Partnership between Kutter HD, hotels, Forward
Janesville for marketing

51. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Capitalization on Tourist Activities
– Actions needed:
 Provide “safe” cycle parking
 Provide transportation for nighttime activities

52. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Capitalization on Tourist Activities
– Actions needed:
 Tours of motorcycle related facilities

53. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Capitalization on Tourist Activities
– Actions needed:
 Promotion of specific motorcycle tours
 Marketing through motorcycle magazines.

54. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Streamlining of development review
– Actions needed:
 Continued evaluation of development review
process
 Work with development community to identify
problems/develop solutions
 Identify areas where outside agency review can be
completed in-house

55. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Market community’s low cost housing/cost
of living
– Actions needed:
 Market residential developments to
Madison/Rockford
 Promote fiscally responsible growth

56. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Market community’s low cost housing/cost
of living
– Actions needed:
 Allow creativity within development market
 Maintain development densities
 Continue review of local regulations

57. Economic DiversityEconomic Diversity
Redevelopment of downtown
– Actions needed:
 Downtown Plan Development
 Incentive program - equalize costs
 Downtown Development Alliance
 Utilize riverfront as an amenity
 Capitalize on
JPAC/Arts as a catalyst

58. Economic Diversity - Q & AEconomic Diversity - Q & A

59. IntermissionIntermission

60. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Team Members:
– Dennis Beggs, Alliant Energy
– Shelton Evans, Boys & Girls Club
– Amy Golackson, Forward Janesville
– Tim Kitzman, City of Janesville
– Kurt Rebarchek, Hufcor, Inc.
– Katie Runkel, School District of Janesville
– Laurie Welch, Aurora Health Care

61. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Current Status:
– The Janesville City of Parks has 62 developed
parks. This represents 30-35 acres per 1000
people whereby 11 acres/1000 people is the
national average.
– Minimal dollars for park maintenance & almost
no money for growth (2005 budget has a 0.85%
increase)

62. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 Future Status:
– Develop the parks, bike trails, ice arena, create a skate
park, create a water park. Make them self-sustaining.
– Create a city committee to oversee future concepts
– Create a vision
Photographs courtesy Village
of Pleasant Prairie, 2005

63. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 Actions:
– Raise money by selling parks, campaign for
investors/sponsors collaboration, research other
communities for best in class, fundraisers, benefactor,
land swap, hire volunteer coordinator
– Research regulatory measures
– Community meetings for public education in parks
direction
– Create business plan or cost/benefit analysis of
“potential revenue”

64. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Future Status:
– Hire a program coordinator/fundraiser
coordinator to facilitate projects such as “Adopt
a Park,” grant efforts, and other concepts

65. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 Actions:
– Ask the DOT and Friends of the Library how they
organize their adoption programs
– Partnership between Blackhawk Technical College,
Rotary Gardens, the high schools
– Partnership could extend to K& W Greenery, Oak
Village, LaPrairie Plant Farm, etc.
– Plaques put in place to promote the program, identify
the parties responsible for the landscaping, and at the
same time, benefit the community

66. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Future Status:
– Unused parks are eliminated
– Equal elimination by quadrants of city

67. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Actions:
– Survey park usage
– Neighborhood meetings
– Develop a plan for the parks that will be
eliminated

68. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
ParksParks
– Current Status:
There is not enough draw to all of the parks or
a knowledge of park locations.

69. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Future Status:
– Create an identity for each park

70. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Actions:
– Focus on a main theme for each park. Promote
that theme.
– Create a “park directional pamphlet” that can
be stocked at key point areas in Janesville (i.e.
restaurants, hotels, I-90 waysides).

71. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Future Status:
– Create a “Garden Park” where people can grow
their own fruits and vegetables
Actions:
– Cost/benefit analysis
– City survey for possible usage
– Determination for site location

72. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Current Status:
– Our river frontage is uninviting

73. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 Future Status:
– Clean river frontage by allowing more river bank
improvements
– Make the river frontage a destination
– Continue Rock River Bank
Restoration project which is a
collaborative effort through
the UW-Rock County,
Blackhawk Technical
College, Janesville City Parks,
and DNR

74. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 Actions:
– Research environmental issues with DNR; talk with the
Rock Aqua Jays; create an “Adopt a Riverfront”
– Talk with the City of Beloit about their river bank
improvement project
– A task force is created to study the river and find key
areas for improvement
– Use the resource of community service workers
– Start a campaign to raise money for the City of
Janesville river improvements

75. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
Current Status:
– The river is not being utilized to it’s full
potential as a positive community “draw.”

76. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 Future Status:
– The River Walk is expanded as a fitness/walking trail
incorporating benches, flowers, lighting, public art, and
other aesthetics.

77. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 Actions:
– Collaborate with Rotary Gardens to expand their vision
around Janesville to key areas (flowers, plants, etc.)
– Build partnerships between K & W Greenery, Prairie
Plant Farm, Oak Village, etc. to maintain certain areas.
Then allow the businesses/groups recognition within
the landscaping
– Ask local businesses like Home Depot, Menards, State
Electric, etc. about donations for lighting fixtures
– Talk with local electricians about the need for some
volunteer effort to install lighting

78. Parks, River, and DowntownParks, River, and Downtown
 The Downtown Design & Development Center,
Downtown Development Alliance, and Downtown
Janesville, Inc. have been making great progress.
 Ideas and concepts:
– Convention center, hotels, and entertainment
– Close Main Street to motorized vehicles
– Parking structures
– Create a family environment
– Farmer’s Market
– The “hub”

79. Parks, River, and Downtown -Parks, River, and Downtown -
Q & AQ & A

80. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Team Members:
– Shelley Hansel, City of Janesville Leisure
Services
– James Joiner, JR Jetkey, LLC
– Amy Loasching, GM/UAW
– Chris Mulae, Cedar Crest, Inc.
– Mike Rundle, Janesville Fire Department
– Jon Wangerin, M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank

81. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhoods
– Current Status
 Neighborhood leadership teams are currently being
formed
 City Administration has defined some
neighborhoods by demographics, political
geographic, or historic boundaries.
Fourth Ward/Monterey, Look West, Courthouse Hill
 Neighborhood Watch groups (JPD)

82. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhoods
– Future Status
 Formation of multiple neighborhood associations
 Not necessarily divided by boundaries, such as
wards or specific population numbers
 Annual meeting/banquet with awards
 City provides single source for information and
support

83. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhoods

84. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhoods

85. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhoods

86. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhoods
– Future Status Continued
 Website developed
 Grant Program- Allow associations to apply for
grants to enhance physical environment or develop
programming
 Neighborhood Center- Programs that involve youth
and adults

87. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhood Associations
 HOW??
 Formed by citizens with support from city
government
 Designed geographically around a hard asset, such
as a school or park
 Each association defines its own
boundaries

88. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhood Associations
 WHY??
Improvements
Welcome new neighbors
Social events
Reduce crime
Increase safety
Direct link for citizens to reach local government

89. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Neighborhood Associations
 Actions
 Gather information from other communities
 Identify potential organizers/leaders or current
neighborhood associations
 Network with current neighborhood watch groups
 Apply for Community Development Block Grants
 Seek an intern to assist city staff
 Work with Community Action to develop
neighborhood leadership teams

90. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Collaborative Partnerships
– Current Status
 Numerous organizations exist in Janesville and
Rock County that can offer assistance.

91. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Collaborative Partnerships
– Future Status
 Organize a directory of organizations, businesses,
and individuals, listing skills and other assets
 Directory could help the formation of partnerships
 Information could be available as links on high
profile websites: City of Janesville, Rock County,
United Way, Forward Janesville

92. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
PartnershipsPartnerships
Collaborative Partnerships
 Actions
Working group to create directory
Formation of a committee made up of a
cross-section of directory’s members

93. Neighborhoods/CollaborativeNeighborhoods/Collaborative
Partnerships - Q & APartnerships - Q & A

94. SummarySummary
Vision
Alliance – neighborhoods, partnership,
leadership, government
L oyalty – to the community and businesses
Unity – embrace diversity
E ducation =
S uccess

95. In conclusion…In conclusion…
While we consider ourselves future leaders,
we do not believe we can do it alone. It is
our hope and desire that others in the
community will embrace our values and
vision for the future of Janesville.

96. MissionMission
AccomplishedAccomplished
??

97. Or,Or,
Mission has just begun…