OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

April 27, 2026 Janesville City Council Meeting: Flood Update, Duck Ordinance, and City Manager Resignation

Meeting Portal — Monday, April 27, 2026
BodyJanesville, Wisconsin
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, April 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:03:44

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting for the city of Janesville on Monday, April 27, 2026 to order.

0:12

Let's do the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

0:14

Please stand.

0:17

A pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands on a indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:33

In case of emergency, please use the stairs and not the elevator to exit.

0:38

Walk to the north side of the police department and wait for further instructions.

0:43

Will a clerk please call the roll?

0:46

President Squire?

0:47

Here.

0:47

Vice President Cass?

0:49

Here.

0:49

Councilmember Erdman.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Councilmember Miller.

0:52

Here.

0:52

Councilmember Nino.

0:53

Here.

0:53

Councilmember Pope?

0:54

Here.

0:55

Council Member Seaman.

0:56

Here.

0:56

All members are present.

0:57

We do have a quorum.

0:59

Thank you.

1:00

Number three, there are no recognitions this evening.

1:03

And before we move to uh public comment, I guess just for the new council members and new president up here, new vice president.

1:10

As we go through the meetings, especially these new ones, if we have any questions or you're uh not sure how some things should play out or go, uh that's why we have Laurie and Wald down on the other end.

1:21

And uh they're very knowledgeable and will keep us on track, but certainly let's uh ask questions if you if you're not comfortable with how something's proceeding and make sure we do it right the first time to the extent possible.

1:33

All right, uh number four, uh public comments on items on the agenda not requiring a public hearing and on matters that which can be affected by council action.

1:43

Uh an individual wishing to address the city council are asked to sign in before, and then to keep their comments to under four minutes.

1:50

Uh Lori, do we have anyone signed up?

1:53

We do.

1:53

I would just note that we do have two public hearings this evening.

1:57

One is on the sign district and one is um on the duck ordinance, and so you will have an opportunity to speak at that public hearing.

2:06

So if you signed up and and uh those are the things you want to speak about, you can just let us know that and we'll move you to that time.

2:12

First speaker is Ty Bularin.

2:20

Ball Rud 216, P.O.

2:23

Box Chains of Wisconsin.

2:25

You know, if I was uh the medical mob like Merrick, and I poisoned 65% of 65 and older people and they have um my dad was one of them.

2:37

I tried to sue him, you can't sue them.

2:39

It's impossible.

2:40

You gotta get a hold of federal representation, it's a waste of time.

2:43

Um, and I had the records.

2:46

Uh the uh they hide it and they're good at hiding it.

2:51

So I at the end of the day, like in a couple years, when when when all the dust is settled and we see all them bodies, I think I think they would want to cover it up.

3:03

I think they'd want to brush it up on the table.

3:05

So they probably want some people to build it like a data center for the medical mob to go ahead and take credit for all that murder.

3:13

And them are the people that will be remembered.

3:16

They'll be remembered for basically uh taking credit for all that murder.

3:21

Uh basically it's never happened in the history of our country.

3:26

Uh, you know, they they didn't we end up going to World War One in the last pandemic as 1918.

3:33

Um, you know, I don't know what to say.

3:35

America was in 66 countries, not just the United States.

3:39

So you know, there's been a lot of warfare.

3:42

I would not want to take the credit if I were you for all that murder.

3:47

I mean, I hate Merrick.

3:49

If I could uh find a uh one-on-one fight, I would.

3:53

You can't.

3:53

They they they hide like cowards, they hi uh hide behind government, and there's a lot of government that's uh guilty about it, including Wall.

4:02

You know, why would you want to take that credit?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████████18%
Governance Structure██████████████████18%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Safety███████████11%
Disaster Recovery██████████10%
Animal Welfare█████████9%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Liquor Licensing████4%
Public Works████4%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Regular Meeting – April 27, 2026

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.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting for the city of Janesville on Monday, April 27, 2026 to order. Let's do the Pledge of Allegiance, please. Please stand. A pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands on a indivisible with liberty and justice for all. In case of emergency, please use the stairs and not the elevator to exit. Walk to the north side of the police department and wait for further instructions. Will a clerk please call the roll? President Squire? Here. Vice President Cass? Here. Councilmember Erdman. Here. Councilmember Miller. Here. Councilmember Nino. Here. Councilmember Pope? Here. Council Member Seaman. Here. All members are present. We do have a quorum. Thank you. Number three, there are no recognitions this evening. And before we move to uh public comment, I guess just for the new council members and new president up here, new vice president. As we go through the meetings, especially these new ones, if we have any questions or you're uh not sure how some things should play out or go, uh that's why we have Laurie and Wald down on the other end. And uh they're very knowledgeable and will keep us on track, but certainly let's uh ask questions if you if you're not comfortable with how something's proceeding and make sure we do it right the first time to the extent possible. All right, uh number four, uh public comments on items on the agenda not requiring a public hearing and on matters that which can be affected by council action. Uh an individual wishing to address the city council are asked to sign in before, and then to keep their comments to under four minutes. Uh Lori, do we have anyone signed up? We do. I would just note that we do have two public hearings this evening. One is on the sign district and one is um on the duck ordinance, and so you will have an opportunity to speak at that public hearing. So if you signed up and and uh those are the things you want to speak about, you can just let us know that and we'll move you to that time. First speaker is Ty Bularin. Ball Rud 216, P.O. Box Chains of Wisconsin. You know, if I was uh the medical mob like Merrick, and I poisoned 65% of 65 and older people and they have um my dad was one of them. I tried to sue him, you can't sue them. It's impossible. You gotta get a hold of federal representation, it's a waste of time. Um, and I had the records. Uh the uh they hide it and they're good at hiding it. So I at the end of the day, like in a couple years, when when when all the dust is settled and we see all them bodies, I think I think they would want to cover it up. I think they'd want to brush it up on the table. So they probably want some people to build it like a data center for the medical mob to go ahead and take credit for all that murder. And them are the people that will be remembered. They'll be remembered for basically uh taking credit for all that murder. Uh basically it's never happened in the history of our country.

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