Janesville City Council Regular Meeting Summary - March 23, 2026
Janesville City Council Regular Meeting - March 23, 2026
The Janesville City Council met on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a recognition of a retiring deputy fire chief, public comments on a conflict-of-interest allegation and a petition to freeze the Veridian project, reports from the city manager, and approval of two major construction contracts. The council also voted to enter closed session to discuss the city manager's performance.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of March 9, 2026 Regular Meeting – Approved unanimously.
- 2025 Annual Investment Report – Received and filed.
- Resolution No. 2026-2425 – Authorized expenditure to replace the uninterruptible power supply for the IT network. Approved unanimously.
- Note: Resolution No. 2026-2421 (commendation for John M. McManus III) was pulled from consent and adopted earlier under Recognitions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mick Gilbertson (3400 North Edgewood Drive) – Addressed a reported conflict of interest involving James Otterstein (economic development director) and his role on the redevelopment board. Gilbertson stated he does not believe a conflict exists, noting that Otterstein's work on the Coron Mays project fell within his professional duties and that Otterstein would not gain personally. He urged the council to allow the redevelopment board to continue as currently composed, emphasizing that board decisions are collective and the council holds final approval authority.
- Stephen Atkinson (address not given) – Recalled previous city issues (mass eviction in February, data center debate, Beloit Avenue housing meeting) and expressed concern that residents’ voices are not being heard. He requested that the council affirm or deny a previous request to freeze the Veridian proposal at the letter-of-intent stage pending a November referendum. He noted that 4,000 residents signed a petition supporting that referendum and challenged the city to test the legality in court if it believes the petition is invalid. He urged the council to stand with the working class and common residents.
Reports
- City Manager Kevin Lahner – Announced the release of the spring/summer acticity guide (mailed and online). Reported that the city and DOT will complete roughly 10.3 miles of street rehab in 2026, with schedules available on the city website. Promoted the Pulse Point app for cardiac alerts and AED locations. Reminded that in-person absentee voting begins March 24 for the April 7 election and that election workers are still needed.
Discussion Items
- Bid Schedule B – Street Rehabilitation (C2026-6) and Dawson Field Complex Improvements (C2026-9) – City Engineer Brad Rentz presented two contracts. For street rehab, three bidders were received; low bidder was Payne and Dolan at $4,368,528. The work includes full reconstruction (48% of streets) and resurfacing (52%). For Dawson Field, low bidder was Parisi Construction at $1,911,703, covering LED lighting replacement, irrigation, infield curbing, fencing, dugouts, and hard-surce improvements. Work will start after Labor Day and finish spring 2027. During discussion, Councilmember [unidentified] questioned why the city funds adult recreation (Dawson Field, pickleball) but not the youth baseball/softball complex, stating that a contract requires parents and users to pay for upgrades while adult facities receive public support. City Manager Lahner responded that this should be debated during the budget process. The Parks and Rec Committee had previously approved the Dawson Field improvements. A motion to award both contracts and express intent to fund passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Recognition – Resoution No. 2026-2421 commending John M. McManus III for 29+ years of fire department service was adopted unanimously. McManus spoke briefly, thanking the community and colleagues.
- Consent Agenda – All items (minutes, investment report, and UPS replacement) approved unanimously.
- Contract Awards – Bid schedule B contracts for street rehabilitation (Payne and Dolan) and Dawson Field improvements (Paris Construction) awarded unanimously.
- Closed Session – A motion to convene into closed session under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), (e), and (g) to discuss performance evaluation of City Manager Kevin Lahner was approved unanimously. The meeting did not reconvene into open session.
Meeting Transcript
The uh City of Janesville um council meeting for Monday, March 23rd, 2026. If you could stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation on your guy and the visible liberty. All right, in a case of emergency, use the stairs and up the elevator to exit, walk to the north side of the police department and wait for further instructions. Clerk roll call, please. Council President Burda. Here. Vice President Squire. Here. Councilmember Cass. Councilmember Erdman. Councilmember Miller. Here. Councilmember Nino. Here. Councilmember Squire. Still here. Present. I did do you twice, didn't I? I skipped Councilmember Williams. Here. You were just checking to see if I was paying attention, weren't you? All right. Uh thank you. So uh item three recognitions. We have one uh consideration action on a proposed resolution and commendation of John M. McManus the third for his more than 29 years of service to the City of Janesville. Resolution number 2026-2421. Clerk, if you read that, please. Resolution number 2026-2421, a resolution recognizing John M. McManus the third for his employment at the City of Janesville. Whereas John M. McManus the third retired from the City of Janesville employment after having diligently served the people of the City of Janesville and the community for more than 29 years, retiring as a deputy fire chief with the fire department. And whereas during John M. McManus the Third's employment with the City of Janesville, he provided exemplary professional service and demonstrated conscientious devotion to the duties of his position, which he performed with skill, ability, sincerity, honesty, and dedication. And whereas John M. McManus III began his employment with the City of Janesville as a firefighter paramedic in August 1996. And whereas John M. McManus III spent his entire employment with the fire department and held several positions, including firefighter paramedic, preceptor, driver EPM, Lieutenant EPM, Captain EPM, and Deputy Fire Chief. And whereas John McManus III was a recipient of the VFW Paramedic of the Year Award in 2004, the VFW Firefighter of the Year Award in 2011, and the Mighty Oak Award in June 2014. He was a member of the Tech Rescue, has Matt, has Matt, Dive and Swiftwater, Swiftwater Teams. He was the chair of the communications committee, explorer post, station planning committee, ambulance replacement committee, and the safety committee. He was a member of the Wisconsin Task Force One, and whereas it is direct desired with such commendable service to the City of Janesville, you be properly recognized. Now therefore be it resolved that the people of the City of Janesville through the City Council do express their grateful appreciation to John M. McManus III for his more than 29 years of loyal public service. All right, can I get a motion? I move to adopt uh file resolution number 2026, 24, 21. I got a motion by Williams, the second by Squire. Anything further. He will be missed.
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