Janesville City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Janesville City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered the recognition of outgoing City Manager Kevin M. Lahner, public comments on the April 17 flood and other issues, a public hearing and vote on a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), a second reading on temporary alcohol license extensions, and authorization of $26,095,000 in general obligation promissory notes. The council also addressed the impact of the flood on city finances and project capacity.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from May 11, 2026, licenses, financial statements for April 2026, and citizen committee appointments (items A, B, C, E).
• Item D (motion to cancel the second regular meeting in June) was pulled and debated. Councilmember Miller moved not to cancel the meeting, citing the need for regular meetings amid administration changes and flood recovery. The motion passed unanimously, so the June 22 meeting will be held.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Edie Barron (308 N. Pine St.) spoke about flood damage from April 17, now 38 days past. She stated damages in the county exceed $30 million, and many residents, including seniors on Social Security, face repair costs of $15,000 to $30,000 without working furnaces or air conditioning. She requested the city provide emergency no-interest or low-interest loans, similar to business loans offered, and urged the council to protect community health and safety.
• Jane Graves (2804 Bond Place) described her home flooding during the storm, with $170,000 in damage not covered by insurance. She echoed the call for low-interest loans to help families rebuild.
• Kathy Erdman (1516 S. Ridge Dr., representing Snow Janesville) addressed the ongoing zoning rewrite, arguing that data centers must be treated as a separate land use in the zoning code. She proposed requirements including a base zoning designation, larger setbacks, full cost payment by developers, decommissioning bonds, public community benefits agreements, independent impact studies, and strong public notice. She noted that under current draft language, data centers could be approved by right without public hearings, which she said is insufficient for community protection.
• Andrea Briarmon (339 S. Locust St.) criticized the council's unanimous votes, suggested they create a false sense of security, and objected to city debt, the GM/JATCO site acquisition, and the potential for a large data center. She argued that city employees have violated property rights and urged the council to reject the $26 million debt issuance.

Discussion Items

Recognition of City Manager Kevin M. Lahner

• Resolution 2026-2447 recognizing Mr. Lahner for his service from May 2023 to May 2026 was read and adopted unanimously. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for his leadership on projects including the Woodman Sports and Convention Center, acquisition of the GM/JATCO site, Palmer Waiting Pool reconstruction, a new employee health center, innovation park expansion, and housing partnerships. Mr. Lahner thanked the council and staff, encouraging the council to overcome differences and focus on long-term priorities.

City Manager Update: Recruitment and Rockport Pool

• Human Resources Director Tara Sheminek updated on the city manager search. Consultant Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) has scheduled four public input sessions: May 28 (11:30-1 and 5:30-7) in Council Chambers, and June 4 (same times) at UW-Whitewater Rock County. A survey was sent to residents; a link is available on IPA's website and city social media.
• City Manager Lahner reported that a forum on the Rockport Pool reconstruction will be held June 11 at 5 PM at Peace Park Pavilion, including guided tours and input on design priorities.

Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) – Ordinance 2026-933

• Steve Knox, BID marketing task force, presented the proposed DORA. He explained that it allows patrons 21+ to carry alcoholic beverages (16 oz max, in unbreakable transparent containers with official stickers) within designated boundaries downtown from 10 AM to 10 PM daily, with a sunset provision through June 2027. The district includes Main Street, Milwaukee Street, River Street, and the riverwalk, excluding Fireman's Park. He noted that nine Wisconsin communities have DORAs with few issues.
• Public hearing: Several speakers testified.
  • Jennifer O'Connell (31 Marshall Place) raised concerns about underage drinking, enforcement costs, and impacts on family-friendly areas like the Children's Museum and farmers market. She urged the city to adopt a youth prevention lens.
  • A representative from a youth prevention organization cited research linking increased alcohol availability to greater harms and youth risk factors, and requested robust safeguards.
  • Stephen Atkinson Jr. (449 N. Parker Dr.) spoke in support, proposing a "Plus One" concept to use the DORA for fundraising to address homelessness and hunger.
  • A representative from Forward Janesville supported the DORA, noting it is a tested concept in other Wisconsin cities and would create natural surveillance and vibrancy.
  • Andrea Briarmon argued against the DORA, calling it unnecessary and burdensome, and suggested simply allowing open containers without a formal district.
  • Paul Murphy, BID chair, reported that the BID board unanimously supported the DORA after education and outreach.
  • Edie Barron returned to express concern about the 10 AM start time, especially during the farmers market, and about proximity to youth facilities.
• Council discussion: Councilmember Miller moved to table for further study; the motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Pope then moved to approve with an amendment changing hours from 10 AM-10 PM to noon-10 PM daily. The motion was seconded.
  • Questions were raised about enforcement, liability, signage, and tracking. Sergeant Seaverson of JPD stated that officers would initially give warnings and document contacts; the department can track DORA-related incidents. Knox confirmed that a list of participating establishments would be published, and the BID will track cup reorders to gauge usage.
  • Councilmember Pope noted that the one-year trial will allow data collection and adjustments. The amendment passed unanimously.

Temporary Extension of Alcohol Licensed Premises – Ordinance 2026-935

• Second reading and public hearing. No public speakers. The ordinance amends JGO 6-20(i) to allow up to six temporary extensions per year (previously two). Councilmember Erdman expressed support for enabling more special events. The ordinance passed unanimously.

General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026 – Resolution 2026-2441

• Finance Director Dave Godak presented the $26,095,000 note issuance. The general fund will pay $12.9 million; non-general funds (water, wastewater, stormwater) $13.2 million. Key projects include $4.96 million in street infrastructure, $3.5 million for DAFT construction at the wastewater plant, and $4.7 million for public building improvements. The debt service increase is $1.2 million, raising property taxes on a median home by $32.07 per year. Outstanding debt will be $124 million, 1.46% of equalized value (policy limit 2.5%).
• Godak noted that the April 17 flood caused an estimated $10.5 million in damage to city-owned properties, with no funding mechanism yet. He expects to need to borrow for repairs, and suggested the council may want to defer some projects to free up staff capacity and funding.
• Public Works Director Mike Payne confirmed that staff are stretched; the flood recovery will take about a year. He and Godak identified three projects that could be deferred: Fire Station 3 design ($130,000), Oak Hill Cemetery maintenance building design ($1.2 million), and hardened vehicle barriers ($233,000 split over two years), saving about $1.5 million.
• Council discussion focused on the need to evaluate the CIP and capacity. Councilmember Miller requested more time to consider options, noting that some projects have been deferred for years. Godak indicated that the council can still delete projects before the June 8 details resolution. Councilmember Erdman moved to approve the resolution as proposed, with the understanding that Godak will return on June 8 with recommendations for deferrals. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: Resolutions recognizing Kevin M. Lahner (2026-2447); approving DORA with amendment to noon-10 PM daily (2026-933); approving temporary alcohol license extension ordinance (2026-935); authorizing $26,095,000 in promissory notes (2026-2441).
• Vote not to cancel June 22 meeting: Council voted unanimously to keep the second regular meeting in June.
• Next steps: City manager recruitment public input sessions May 28 and June 4; Rockport Pool forum June 11; June 8 council meeting will include details resolution on the debt issuance with potential project deferrals; closed session on GM/JATCO site sale was convened at 8:09 PM without intent to reconvene.