Janesville City Council Regular Meeting - August 24, 2026
Janesville City Council Regular Meeting - August 24, 2026
[Introductory paragraph] The Janesville City Council held a regular session on Monday, August 24, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered public comments on several topics, a city manager recruitment update, unanimous approval of the consent agenda, a detailed discussion on the future of the former Ice Arena property, and adoption of the 2027 budget development timeline.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ray Jewell (624 Cherry Street): Expressed gratitude to the council and staff, then proposed considering a partnership with Habitat for Humanity for the GM Jacko site to develop affordable housing. He described the organization's philosophy as "a hand up, not a handout" and noted the need for housing for fixed-income individuals and single mothers.
- Unnamed speaker: Proposed converting the former Ice Arena into a family entertainment center with roller skating, a large arcade, laser tag, expanded food options, and a separate adult beverage area. He expressed willingness to be involved via lease or purchase of the property.
- Sly Flynn (3890 Lucy Street): Stated serious interest in purchasing and redeveloping the former Ice Arena property. He urged the council to consider private-sector interest before committing to further study that could delay a sale.
City Manager Update
- Interim City Manager Jay Shambaux updated the council on the city manager recruitment: two finalists will participate in interviews on August 26, 2026, including meetings with council, department heads, a community panel, and a city tour. He also reminded the council of civility and governance training provided by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities on the second September meeting at 5 PM.
Consent Calendar
- All items were approved unanimously without separate discussion. Items included: minutes from August 10, 2026, and other earlier meetings; mid-year investment report; July financial statements; CSM for GEA North America; final plats for Arbor Ridge Second Addition and Ridges of Rock County No. 5; and developer MOUs for infrastructure extensions at both subdivisions. Councilmember Pope commended contractors for expanding neighborhoods and adding much-needed housing.
Discussion Items
- Old Business: Future Sale of the Former Janesville Ice Arena – Neighborhood and Community Services Director Jennifer Petrozello presented five options: (1) a no-cost redevelopment planning process with KSU TAB and Stantec (including market analysis, focus groups, community forum, concept plans, estimated 3–4 months); (2) an RFP-based sale; (3) hiring a real estate broker; (4) independent posting on the city website and CoStar; or (5) other council guidance. Council members expressed frustration that earlier directives to sell the property were not followed. After debate, a motion to proceed with Option 1 (planning process) passed 5–2, with Councilmembers Nino and Miller voting against.
- New Business: 2027 Budget Development Guidelines and Timeline – Finance Director Dave Godak presented the proposed timeline: budget distribution October 7; council presentation October 12; council questions due October 14; budget amendments due October 19; budget workshop October 22 (with backup October 29); public hearing November 10; adoption November 24. Guidelines (e.g., minimum $25,000 for amendment deletions) are unchanged from prior years. The council unanimously adopted the timeline and guidelines.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the redevelopment planning process for the former Ice Arena (Option 1) by a 5–2 vote. The process will begin immediately with KSU TAB and Stantec, with results expected before the end of 2026.
- Unanimously adopted the 2027 budget development guidelines and timeline.
- The meeting adjourned after announcements, including a reminder about the August 31 FEMA deadline for April storm damage and the upcoming Downtown Wine Walk on August 26.
Meeting Transcript
City Council meeting uh for Monday, August 24th. Uh, if we'd stand uh for the Pledge of Allegiance. I guess we should do that. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands with liberty and justice for all. And 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. Uh 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. Councilmember Seaman. Here. All are present. We have a quorum. Very good. Item number three for recognition. There are none tonight. Item four public comments on items on the agenda not requiring a public hearing and on matters which can be affected by council action. So individuals wishing to address the city council are asked to complete a speaker form that's outside in the lobby and provide it to the clerk. And then please keep your comments to under four minutes. I have one, and it looks like we have two coming up here. So we'll start with Ray Jewel. Name is Ray Jewell, 624 Cherry Street. First of all, I want to thank once again all of you council members, our interim city manager, our city attorney, and our city clerk for your dedicated service to the city of Janesville. Your jobs are often a thankless one, and having been a pastor, I know what that means. And I do appreciate the time commitment and the stress that your position can bring. I would also like to thank your families for the sacrifice they make that allows you to be here. This evening I want to share with you an alternative that I've raised before concerning the GM Jacko site. Listen to these comments from uh Melissa Song Ko, Chief Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Walkershaw, Jefferson and Rock Counties. I found this saw this on Indeed this morning. It's been sweet to be completing Dominica Park and celebrating the milestone of our first ever subdivision in the city of Walkershaw. Boy, did we learn a lot. I compare my feelings to those of raising a child, and now they're going off to college. Now the thing about habitat, they continue to be on the cutting edge of housing opportunities for those who cannot afford affordable housing, as defined by the government in the housing industry. They are expanding their horizons by building subdivisions, and I think that's a wonderful idea. This is an idea that merits an examination when we consider the Jack Ho site part of the GM Jacko site project. Habitat does an excellent job of getting volunteers for labor and donations for materials, often at uh low cost or no cost. Their philosophy is a hand up, not a handout. The people who live in these homes have to put in a certain amount of sweat equity as the purchase price of the home. I know that because I served as an exec director down of Habitat down in Illinois for a while. Now I believe this would solve a couple of issues here in Janesville. First, we need to do something with the jackal part of the site in question. Many want to see some form of housing go in that place, and Habakat can do that.
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