Public Meetings - Janesville, Wisconsin

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 5:30 PM, the Janesville Plan Commission held a special meeting in City Hall Council Chambers. The primary purpose was to receive a presentation from consulting firm GRAEF on the full working draft of the zoning ordinance recodification (zoning code rewrite), and to discuss an upcoming public open house. Six commissioners were present, establishing a quorum. Dwayne, the city staff lead, opened with remarks noting this was the tenth review session for the code rewrite, following nine previous sessions. The meeting included a detailed presentation, commissioner Q&A, and public comments. Presentation and Update by Consulting Firm GRAEF - Craig Hebner (GRAEF Planning and Urban Design Practice Team Leader) presented alongside Dominic Marlowe (GRAEF) and Tim Schwecky (Civitech Consulting). - The project began in 2024 with public engagement; 2025 was spent drafting the code. The proposed draft includes eight articles (down from 16 in the existing code) and 17 zoning districts (down from 24). - Key changes highlighted: code reorganization, district consolidation, a comprehensive land use table (with P1, P2, P3 permitted use designations), updated dimensional standards (e.g., reducing minimum lot widths for R1 from 50-70 feet to allow more flexibility), adjusted parking requirements (reduced minimums for multifamily/mixed-use to 1.5 spaces per unit or less, and added parking maximums for certain uses), objective landscaping standards, and expanded alternative development options (Article 8) including accessory dwelling units and cottage housing. - Dwayne presented real-world examples: the Idlewood residences, GLAD, Oak Park Place, a two-building multifamily project near Harding, and a duplex project on Mayapple. Under the new code, many of these would be permitted by right or require only administrative review rather than a PUD or conditional use process, depending on the number of buildings. - Brian (staff) covered commercial examples (P2 and P3 designations), explaining that large developments (e.g., buildings over 50,000 sq ft) would still require conditional use permits, while certain uses in residential zones (like a veterinary clinic) could be permitted with site plan review by the commission. Discussion Items - Commissioners asked clarifying questions: Commissioner Williams inquired about parking lot size flexibility when a daycare use ends; Commissioner Bowerman questioned the removal of public hearings for previously contentious multifamily projects like Rockview; Commissioner Bosco raised details from the consultant’s memo (e.g., expanded commencement window from 12 to 24 months, split zoning clarification, new submittal requirement sections, and use-by-right clarification). - Commissioner Bowerman also pressed for examples of parking maximums and their rationale; staff explained they apply to certain uses (e.g., large format retail) with administrative flexibility (up to 15% increase or 40% reduction via study). - Commissioner Madare questioned the proposed 30-foot minimum lot width for fee-simple townhouses; Dominic noted narrower units could be built on multifamily parcels. - Commissioner Bosco suggested the open house should acknowledge prior public concerns and show how they were addressed. The proposed open house format includes a short presentation followed by three stations: zoning map/districts, site/building design standards, and review procedures. - Date discussion: May was ruled out as too soon. June 10 and June 18 were proposed; consultant availability favored June 18 for Dom but June 10 for others. The commission leaned toward June 10, with staff to confirm feasibility. Commissioner Madare noted a vacation conflict but was okay with June 10. - Commissioner Williams requested an interactive zoning map for the open house; staff indicated it would be available on the website. Public Comments & Testimony - Bledon Grajcevci (3841 Lucy Street) expressed support for mixed-use development and reduced parking to encourage walkability, drawing from experiences in Europe and noting his generation (Gen Z) views driving as an inconvenience. He appreciated the code’s potential to promote foot traffic. - Bill Connors (Smart Growth Greater Madison) spoke on his own behalf. He expressed concern that the new code may locate mixed-use developments only in business districts rather than allowing limited commercial uses in residential neighborhoods, and urged flexibility. He noted Forward Janesville could not attend but would submit written comments. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken. The commission expressed general support for the draft code and directed staff and GRAEF to finalize the open house date (targeting June 10, 2026, time to be determined, likely early evening). - The presentation and updated code materials (including the memo and scenarios) will be posted on the project website. - Staff will coordinate with the consultant team to confirm availability for June 10 and inform the commission. - Public comments will be considered as the open house is finalized. The code is expected to move toward formal adoption later in summer 2026.

The Alcohol Licensing Advisory Committee (ALAC) met on May 5, 2026, at 8:00 AM in Council Chambers. The committee handled several license applications, an operator's license appeal, a temporary extension request, a discussion of ordinance amendments, and received information on a proposed Designated Outdoor Recreation Area (DORA). All members were present except one vacancy. Votes and discussions are summarized below. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the April 14, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote. - Renewal of Alcohol Licenses: All renewal applications were approved unanimously, with the following abstentions: Committee Member Sickich abstained from the vote on Mo's Tas Bag (he is the owner) and Council Member Nino abstained from Sandwich Bar Lark Market (he is the owner). The remaining licenses were approved as a block by voice vote. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public addressed the committee outside of the public hearings held on specific license applications. Discussion Items - Temporary Extension of Class B Premise for Genisa Wine Bar and Jack & Jenny's (July 3, 2026): The applicant, Joshua Pickering, requested an extension onto the sidewalk, terrace, and closed street (Main Street from Wall to Milwaukee) for a musical event from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, with setup/cleanup from 4:00 to 10:00 PM. Committee Member Bumpus expressed concern about parking removal on a holiday weekend and the impact on other venues, noting that nearby bar owners had agreed but not in writing. The applicant cited a parking garage as an alternative and stated he sold tickets to control entry. The committee voted 5-0-1 (Knox abstained) to approve. - Original Application – Butter Me Up Breakfast & Lunch (3360 Milton Ave): The owner, Saftia Limani (Cindy), applied for a Class C Wine Only and Class B Beer Only license to offer beer and wine (e.g., mimosas) at her new Janesville location. The police department had no concerns. Storage would be behind a coffee bar in a locked area. The committee voted 6-0 to approve. A public hearing was held with no opposition. - Original Application – Papa Docs Axe (401 W. Milwaukee St.): Nathan Herzig, the new owner of the axe-throwing venue, applied for a Class B Beer Only license to continue beer sales. Police had no concerns. The committee voted 6-0 to approve after a public hearing with no opposition. - Original Application – Stride Fuel (714 Center Ave.): Applicant Sharia Cooler (and her mother Simi) applied for a Class A Intoxicating Liquor and Fermented Malt Beverage license for the gas station. Discussion focused on the proposed 43-square-foot display area (exceeding the 40-square-foot limit), storage accessibility, and lockable coolers. The applicants clarified measurements and agreed to comply with restrictions. Deputy Chief Ratzloff had no concerns. The committee voted 4-2 to approve (Knox and Sickich opposed). - Operator's License Appeal – Randi Roehl: The applicant appealed a police department denial due to a second OWI conviction (2024) within five years. She argued the arrest was in 2020 and the court delay was due to COVID. She held an operator's license in another municipality. Committee Member Bumpus noted an outstanding fine balance. After discussion, the committee voted 5-1 (Miller opposed) to approve the appeal, with the directive to visit the clerk's office. - Temporary Class B License – Ballet Folklorico Juvenil Sangre Mexicana de Beloit: Representatives applied for a one-day permit for a food truck festival on June 6, 2026, at 1820 Center Avenue. They described using wristbands, caution tape, and security to contain the area. Police had no concerns. The committee voted 6-0 to approve, advising the applicants to obtain licensed bartenders. - Review of City Ordinance 6-20 (Temporary Extension of Premises): City staff proposed amending the ordinance to remove limits on the number of events and allow multiple consecutive days at ALAC's discretion. After discussion, Committee Member Miller moved to set a finite number of six events per year while leaving the number of days unlimited at ALAC's discretion. The motion passed 6-0 via voice vote. Staff will forward this recommendation to the City Council for a public hearing on May 26. - FOR INFORMATION ONLY – Proposed DORA Ordinance (File 2026-933): Committee Member Knox presented on behalf of the Downtown Janesville Business Improvement District (BID) Marketing Task Force. The DORA would allow possession and consumption of alcohol in a designated downtown area during specified times, using uniform cups. Nine other Wisconsin municipalities have similar ordinances. Knox addressed enforcement, the homeless population, and impact on Music at the MARV. Committee Member Bumpus expressed concern about potential misuse (e.g., homeless individuals collecting cups). The ordinance includes a sunset provision. No action was taken; it will proceed to City Council for first reading on May 11. Key Outcomes - Approved Licenses: - Temporary extension for Genisa Wine Bar/Jack & Jenny's (5-0-1) - Butter Me Up Breakfast & Lunch (Class C Wine & Class B Beer) (6-0) - Papa Docs Axe (Class B Beer) (6-0) - Stride Fuel (Class A Liquor & Beer) (4-2) - Operator's License Appeal for Randi Roehl (5-1) - Temporary Class B for Ballet Folklorico (6-0) - License Renewals: Approved unanimously with two abstentions (Sickich and Nino). - Ordinance Amendment Recommendation: The committee voted 6-0 to recommend amending Ordinance 6-20 to allow up to six temporary extensions per year with unlimited consecutive days at ALAC's discretion. - Next Steps: All approved licenses and the ordinance amendment recommendation will appear on the May 11 City Council agenda. The DORA ordinance will have a first reading on May 11 with a public hearing May 26.

The Janesville Historic Commission met Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Six members were present, establishing a quorum. The meeting covered Historic Preservation Month, officer elections, approval of minutes, a certificate of appropriateness, two preservation awards, a state conference report, and continued zoning code rewrite discussion. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Proclamation and Introductions - Nick Faust, assistant to the city manager, read a proclamation from City Manager Kevin M. Laner declaring May 2026 as Historic Preservation Month in Janesville. The proclamation cited the city's 13 historic districts listed on state and national registers, plus additional historic properties outside those districts. - Commission members introduced themselves, including new member Robert Beer; continuing members described their backgrounds and service. Officer Elections - Dale Griffa was re-elected chair by voice vote, with one abstention noted. - Mitch Goth was elected vice chair by voice vote, with one abstention noted. Approval of Minutes - The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the April 21, 2026 regular meeting as presented. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments or written comments were submitted. - During the certificate of appropriateness discussion, applicant Alan Bates, husband of property owner Jessica Southworth Bates, answered questions from the commission. New Business Certificate of Appropriateness 2026-02, 219 Jackman Street - The proposal was for a natural cedar privacy fence on the alley side of the property, spanning both sides of the garage to the property line. Existing shrubbery and evergreens would remain; the fence would sit inside the lot line and outside the arborvitae, with possible trimming. - The commission found that the project met the criteria for a certificate of appropriateness and approved it unanimously. Historic Preservation Awards - North Side Brewery: The site operated from 1857 until 1939, was later demolished and overgrown for about 80 years, and has had original brick walls rebuilt since 2022. The agenda listed Michael Palmer as the award recipient. - 403 N Pearl: The agenda identified Margret Delaney and Jackie Wood as award recipients, but the spoken ceremony appears to present the award to Brian Schweigel on behalf of himself and wife Mary, with Delaney and Wood having nominated them. This discrepancy is noted. WAHPC/WAPAC 2026 Spring Conference Report - Staff liaison Mackenzie Wilcox reported on the conference in Sturgeon Bay, including sessions on bathhouse preservation collaboration and maritime archaeology, and an update that the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office website is being redesigned. - The agenda uses WAHPC for the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions; the transcript repeatedly says WAPAC. - Mitch Goth reported that Janesville received two state awards: an Award of Excellence in Advocacy for historic district street signs, and an Award of Excellence in Identification and Designation for listing Adams, Roosevelt, and Washington schools on the National Register, all three on April 1, 2025. Janesville was the only commission in the state to receive multiple awards among the nine awards given. Old Business: Zoning and Subdivision Code Rewrite - Staff reviewed current and proposed zoning code provisions for the historic preservation overlay, certificate of appropriateness process, and historic overlay district designation. - A major proposed change would rename the Historic Commission to the Historic Preservation Commission and the overlay to the Historic Preservation Overlay. Commissioners also discussed the title of secretary in the draft text. - Commission members asked for additional review time. Staff said the completed draft still needs vetting by the Plan Commission and the public, so further comment opportunities are expected. - The chair clarified that Janesville has 13 historic districts but only Courthouse Hill currently has the overlay, which requires approval for exterior work. Announcements - Commissioner Jim Terrell asked staff about a Courthouse Hill commercial building's exterior air-conditioning units that were moved from a screened location to the roof, noting a neighbor complaint. Staff said they would check permit requirements and flag air-conditioning unit regulations for future discussion, while noting the year-old installation could be grandfathered. Key Outcomes - May 2026 was proclaimed Historic Preservation Month in Janesville. - Dale Griffa was re-elected chair and Mitch Goth was elected vice chair. - April 21, 2026 minutes were approved. - Certificate of Appropriateness 2026-02 for 219 Jackman Street was granted. - Two Historic Preservation Awards were presented. - The zoning code rewrite discussion was continued with no final action. - The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

The Janesville Plan Commission met on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Six commissioners were present, establishing a quorum. The meeting included approval of consent items, a public hearing for a rezoning set for May 18, 2026, and approval of two conditional use permit amendments for drive-thru modifications at 1247 Milton Avenue and 645 Midland Road (Culver's). The Director's Report highlighted upcoming meetings and the ongoing zoning code rewrite. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the April 6, 2026 Plan Commission meeting were approved under consent. - Certified Survey Map 26002-C (SHM Properties LLC): A one-lot certified survey map along Midland Road was approved under consent. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public hearings for either conditional use permit amendment. Staff confirmed that no public comments had been received regarding either application. Discussion Items - Set for Public Hearing (Rezoning): A proposed ordinance (File No. 2026-934) to rezone property at 265 E Memorial Drive from M1 (Light Industrial) to R1 (Single-Family and Two-Family Residence District) was set for a public hearing at the May 18, 2026 Plan Commission meeting. - Conditional Use Permit Amendment – 1247 Milton Avenue: Planner Trey Meyer presented a request to alter the drive-thru configuration at a multi-tenant commercial building (approximately 6,320 sq ft). The proposed changes included removing a bypass lane to allow for outdoor seating, adding a menu board, and adding one parking space. City staff and traffic consultant analysis concluded the alteration would not decrease safety or efficiency. Commissioner Bowerman noted the safety improvements. A friendly amendment was added to include signage conditions (stop signs, no left turn signs, right turn only signs, and do not enter signs) in the site plan review letter. The motion carried 6-0. - Conditional Use Permit Amendment – 645 Midland Road (Culver's): Planner Trey Meyer presented a request to expand the drive-thru queue from 12 to approximately 20 vehicles (with an additional 8 storage spaces in a waiting area), install a second menu board, and construct a 4,000 sq ft office and storage building (1,040 sq ft office, 2,960 sq ft storage). The project also added 25 parking stalls, including four oversized stalls for buses and vehicles with trailers. Commissioner Williams noted the proactive addition of bus parking. The motion carried 6-0. Key Outcomes - Votes: Both conditional use permit amendments were approved unanimously (6-0, with Commissioner Madeir absent). - Next Meetings: - May 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM – Special Plan Commission meeting for final review of the zoning code rewrite (Article 6 and other sections). - May 18, 2026 – Regular Plan Commission meeting, including nomination and election of Chair and Vice Chair, and the public hearing for the proposed rezoning at 265 E Memorial Drive. - Director's Report: The Director reminded commissioners that meeting materials for the zoning code rewrite are available on the city website under the "Announcements" section, and encouraged direct contact for questions prior to the May 6 meeting. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after Plan Commission announcements, with no further business.

On Monday, April 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Janesville City Council met in Council Chambers. The meeting featured a detailed update on recent severe flooding, public comments on data centers and transparency, passage of ordinances allowing off-premises signage for nonprofits and permitting domestic ducks, contract awards, and a closed session resulting in acceptance of the City Manager's resignation. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from the April 13 regular meeting and April 21 special meeting, licenses, March 2026 financial statements, a utility easement to Alliant Energy, resolutions commending Camille S. Rammer and David L. Wreford, and ratification of the City Manager's emergency proclamation (all passed unanimously). - Items E (citizen committee appointments), F (councilmember committee appointments), H (final plat of Rockport Ridge Estates Eighth Addition), and I (MOU for infrastructure extension) were pulled for separate discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Ty Bularin (PO Box Chains of Wisconsin) voiced strong opposition to data centers, linking them to what he described as government and medical malfeasance. - Ray Jewell (624 Cherry St): Welcomed new council members, expressed concerns about proposed data centers (noise, emissions, heat, obsolescence), and criticized the city for charging over $1,000 for an open records request while Beloit provided similar information free. - Stephen Atkinson (449 N Parker Dr): Petitioned council to grant Snow Janesville's open records request from September 2025 and waive the $1,380.61 fee, emphasizing the public interest and need for transparency. - Ryan Brough (north of Flipville): Urged caution and humility regarding a potential data center, recalling past economic development deals (Foxconn), and asked council to listen to residents. - Susan Hunt (Terrace St): Described flood damage to her basement (lost artwork), suggested creating a block captain program to clear storm drains, and asked for city guidance on recovery. Discussion Items City Manager Update – Flood Event - City Manager Kevin Lahner presented a detailed update on the April 18, 2026 flash flood: 4–6 inches of rain fell in six hours directly over Janesville after days of saturated soil. - 151 public safety calls; over 100 stalled vehicles; 22 million in personal property damage and 7 million in public damage (including Washington Elementary School and First Lutheran Church). - EOC activated at 7:15 PM; water receded by midnight. Over 1,000 city staff hours expended. - Damage assessments ongoing; state emergency declaration yields limited funds; federal declaration difficult but may unlock SBA assistance. Residents urged to report damage via 211. - Also presented a "State of the City" video highlighting 2025 achievements: new Palmer Pool (21,757 guests), youth hockey programs, library bookmobile fundraising, 246 new residential lots, 500,000+ sq ft industrial space, and more. Consent Agenda Items Pulled - Item E (Citizen Appointments): Councilmember Miller noted a potential conflict on the Alcohol Licensing Advisory Committee (ALAC) because Kyle Reddy works in the alcohol industry. Motion to send that appointment back to the ACA passed unanimously. A separate motion to deny the appointment of Cynthia Childs to the Library Board (because the ACA recommended someone else) failed 4-3 (Squire, Cass, Nino, Seaman no; Erdman, Miller, Pope yes). The remaining appointments were approved unanimously. - Item F (Councilmember Appointments): Councilmember Miller moved to deny Councilmember Nino's appointment to ALAC due to conflict of interest (Nino holds liquor licenses). The motion failed on a 3-3 tie (Nino abstained). The remaining appointments were approved unanimously. - Items H & I (Rockport Ridge Estates): Councilmember Miller highlighted the importance of housing development. Motion to approve both the final plat and the MOU passed unanimously. Old Business - Sign Ordinance (Ordinance 2026-929): Second reading and public hearing. Rebecca B.M. (Boys & Girls Club CEO) spoke in support for recognizing major donors (e.g., Prent and Goax). No other testimony. Motion to adopt passed unanimously. - Duck Ordinance (Ordinance 2026-932): Second reading and public hearing. Nick Faust presented the ordinance permitting domestic ducks under similar rules as chickens (up to 4 birds, 6-foot coop height, water feature, no mixing with chickens due to HPAI risk). Public hearing had no speakers. Motion to adopt passed unanimously. Councilmember Erdman suggested later amending chicken limit to 6, but legal counsel noted proper notice would be required for a future meeting. New Business - Bid Schedule C – Basketball Court Improvements: City Engineer Brad Rentz recommended awarding to WN YOS Construction ($146,597) for replacing courts at Bond, Nantucket, and Loch Lamont parks. Motion passed unanimously. - Bid Schedule C – Sanitary Landfill Maintenance & Storage Building: Awarded to Gilbank Construction for base bid plus alternates 1, 3, and 4 (outdoor storage, interior painting, steel floor plates), total $3,526,950. Motion passed unanimously. - Rezoning at 265 E Memorial Dr (M1 to R1): First reading; referred to Plan Commission with public hearing scheduled for May 11, 2026. - Reckless Driving Impound Ordinance (Ordinance 2026-930): First reading; referred to Plan Commission with public hearing scheduled for May 11, 2026. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar: Approved all items except those pulled and individually considered. - City Manager Resignation: After closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) for performance evaluation of City Manager Kevin Lahner, the council reconvened and unanimously accepted a resignation and severance agreement (4 months severance, signer amended to Larry Squire). A press release and employee notification were announced. - Ordinances Adopted: Sign ordinance allowing off-premises nonprofit donor signage and clarifying sandwich board signs; duck ordinance permitting domestic ducks under specified conditions. - Contracts Awarded: Basketball court improvements and landfill maintenance/storage building. - Items Referred: Rezoning (265 E Memorial Dr) and reckless driving impound ordinance to Plan Commission with public hearing on May 11, 2026.

The Janesville City Council held a special session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 8:00 AM, primarily to swear in newly elected council members and reorganize the council by electing a president and vice president. All seven council members were present, and the session concluded with brief announcements and adjournment. Discussion Items - Oath of Office: The newly elected council members were sworn in by the presiding officer, affirming support for the U.S. and Wisconsin constitutions and faithful discharge of duties. - Election of Council President: Nominations were opened. Councilmember Larry Squire was nominated and seconded. Councilmember Heather Miller was also nominated, noted as the longest-serving current member and highest vote-getter. No other nominations were made. A paper ballot was conducted, resulting in a 4–3 vote in favor of Larry Squire. Squire then assumed the role of presiding officer. - Election of Council Vice President: Under Squire’s leadership, nominations were made for Mike Cass, Joshua Erdman, and Heather Miller. A second ballot gave Cass 4 votes, Erdman 2 votes, and Miller 1 vote, electing Mike Cass as vice president. - Reseating of the Council: Members rearranged seats to reflect new roles and past seating arrangements. - Council Announcements: One council member—though not explicitly identified—thanked the community for its response to recent flooding, praising cooperation between the city and county and the effective work of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The member expressed hope for quick recovery and gratitude for the community’s solidarity. Key Outcomes - Larry Squire was elected Council President (vote: 4–3 over Heather Miller). - Mike Cass was elected Council Vice President (vote: 4 for Cass, 2 for Erdman, 1 for Miller). - New council seating was implemented. - The meeting was adjourned by motion (Miller, second by Cass) with unanimous voice vote.

The Janesville Historic Commission met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Six members were present, constituting a quorum. The meeting covered approval of minutes, a certificate of appropriateness for a property, continued discussions on local historic preservation award nominations, Historic Preservation Month, the Tallman Arts Festival, and state historic preservation awards. The commission awarded two local preservation awards and made plans for upcoming events. Consent Calendar - The minutes of the April 7, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were received or read into the record. Discussion Items - Certificate of Appropriateness 2026-01 (605 Saint Lawrence Ave.): The property owner, Aaron Mare, presented plans to replace certain materials on the main house and carriage house roof with like-for-like materials, matching existing colors and textures. The project involves adding gutters to a portion of the carriage house. Commission members found the project straightforward and consistent with preservation criteria. The owner confirmed materials would be primed, then painted to match. A motion to find the project meets criteria for a certificate of appropriateness passed unanimously. - Local Historic Preservation Award Nominations: Two nominations were considered: - 403 North Pearl Street: A residential property within the Look West Historic District where vinyl siding was removed and the original wood was painted. The owners plan to restore missing decorative trim. The project is ongoing. - North Side Brewery Excavation Site: An archaeological and restoration project uncovering a historic brewery along the Ice Age Trail. Lead volunteer Robert Beer presented a detailed overview of progress, including reconstructed walls, plans for a park-like picnic area, replica boiler, and future tunnel restoration. The project has transformed a previously blighted area into a community asset. Commission members discussed the philosophy of awarding in-progress projects. They agreed that the award recognizes progress and intent, and that future sub-projects could also be eligible. A motion to award both nominations passed unanimously. - Historic Preservation Month: The commission discussed a proclamation for May. Due to staff priorities, a resolution from the City Council cannot be obtained this year, but a proclamation signed by the city manager will be issued. Nick will attend the May 5 meeting to read the proclamation. Social media engagement and a press release are planned. - Tallman Arts Festival: Registration with the festival is being coordinated. The commission discussed improving their table display with materials about award winners, and possibly acquiring a tablecloth or tent. Follow-up with the historical society for seating coordination is pending. - State Historic Preservation Award Programs: The commission learned that they have won two state awards. Commissioner Mitchell and McKenzie are requested to attend the award ceremony on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Sturgeon Bay. The awards may be used to enhance the Tallman Arts Festival booth and Historic Preservation Month activities. McKenzie noted that the Rotary Gardens in Janesville previously won a similar award. Key Outcomes - Unanimously approved motion to grant Certificate of Appropriateness 2026-01 for 605 Saint Lawrence Ave. - Unanimously approved motion to award local historic preservation awards to both 403 North Pearl Street and the North Side Brewery Excavation Site. - Confirmed that a Historic Preservation Month proclamation will be signed by the city manager and read at the May 5 meeting. - Commission will proceed with registering for the Tallman Arts Festival and enhancing table materials. - Commissioners Mitchell and McKenzie will attend the state award ceremony on April 23. - The meeting adjourned following recognition of outgoing Commissioner Randall for six years of service. The next regular meeting is set for Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

This summary is based solely on the published agenda, as no minutes or transcript of the meeting were provided. The scheduled meeting took place on April 21, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in the Woodruff Room, with a virtual option available via TEAMS. Due to the absence of a record of the actual proceedings, the following outline reflects the anticipated agenda items; no discussion outcomes, votes, or public comments can be reported. Consent Calendar - Approval of the April 21, 2026 agenda. - Approval of the March 17, 2026 meeting minutes. - Approval of financial reports: 2026 Operating Statements through March 31, 2026 and Expenditure Approval for 3/12/26–4/15/26. - Approval of the Activities Report. Public Comments & Testimony - A period for public comments was listed on the agenda, but no comments were recorded due to the lack of a transcript. Reports - Prairie Lakes Library System Report – To be presented by the Assistant Library Director. - Friends of the Library Report – To be presented by the Library Board Representative. - Activities Report – Written reports from department heads. - Library Director Report – Presented by Eric Robinson, Library Director. Old Business - Discussion of Retiree Health Benefits – Listed as a possible action item, but no discussion or decision is recorded. New Business - Approval of update to policy A701b (Collection Policy and Plan) – Listed as an action item. - Approval of update to policy A201b (Materials Circulation Policy) – Listed as an action item. - Approval of appointees to the Nominating Committee – Listed as an action item. - Approval to move the next board meeting to May 12, 2026 for a strategic planning workshop – Listed as an action item. Closed Session - A motion to convene into closed session under Wis. Stats. Sec. 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of the library director (Eric Robinson) was scheduled. A motion to return to open session and adjournment were also planned. No record of these actions exists. Key Outcomes - No votes, decisions, or directives can be confirmed from the available materials. The agenda suggests several action items and a closed session, but the lack of minutes or transcript prevents reporting any definitive outcomes.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. As a result, no summary of discussions, public comments, or decisions can be generated. The meeting date is 2026-04-20 at 12:00 UTC. Note - No record of consent calendar, public testimony, discussion items, or key outcomes is available.