Councilmember Michael Cass - Janesville City Council

05/28/2026

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁!
Today is the first community engagement session for the City Manager recruitment process.

📍 Thursday, May 28 - City Hall Council Chambers (18 N. Jackson St.)
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

📍 Thursday, June 4 - UW-Whitewater at Rock County (2909 Kellogg Ave.)
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit public-advisors.com/janesville.

05/22/2026

Give your input on what you would like to see for Janesville’s next City Manager! Link to the website dedicated for our search, which also includes a community survey, and important dates for community meetings below!

The City of Janesville is inviting residents to participate in the recruitment process for Janesville’s next City Manager through a public survey and upcoming community input meetings facilitated by Innovative Public Advisors (IPA).

The survey, which will focus on the leadership qualities, experience, and priorities desired in the City's next City Manager, will remain open through Friday, June 5, and can be found online at public-advisors.com/janesville.

In addition to the survey, IPA will host several public input meetings to gather valuable feedback:

📍 Thursday, May 28 - City Hall Council Chambers (18 N. Jackson St.)
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

📍 Thursday, June 4 - UW-Whitewater at Rock County (2909 Kellogg Ave.)
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit public-advisors.com/janesville.

05/10/2026

🗓 May 11, 2026 - City Council Meeting
📍Council Chambers, 18 N. Jackson St., - City Hall
🕰 6:00 p.m.
📄 Agenda linked below: ⤵

At tomorrow night's City Council Meeting, the Council will take action on several important items. One of the most critical items on the agenda will be taking action on the next steps for hiring a new City Manager (more information in the comments).

OLD BUSINESS:
-Consideration and action on a proposed ordinance authorizing
modification to Janesville’s Impound Vehicles Engaged in Reckless Driving. Currently, officers can only impound a vehicle for reckless driving only if the operator at the time of the reckless driving is the registered owner AND the person has a previous conviction for reckless driving. The modification would align the ordinance to 2025 Wisconsin Act 46, which permits the adoption of an ordinance authorizing law enforcement to impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses at the time the operator is cited or arrested, regardless of whether they are the registered owner and previously cited/arrested for reckless driving.

NEW BUSINESS:
-First reading and scheduling of a public hearing of the modification of Janesville General Ordinance 6-20(i) concerning temporary extensions of alcohol licensed premises.

-First reading and schedule a public hearing on an ordinance creating a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) for alcohol possession and consumption, with a sunset provision.

-Consideration and Action on a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Janesville and DK Partnership, LLP, to extend public infrastructure at McCormick Drive and Huntinghorne Drive. This infrastructure is needed to support future multi-family housing.

-Consideration and Action on a TIF Development Agreement between the City of Janesville and River Street Renaissance LLC for the construction of a multi-family residential building on 20 S. River St. This agreement will help support much needed multi-family housing on a empty parcel of land in our downtown.

In case of emergency, use the stairs and not the elevator to exit; walk to the north side of the Police Department and wait for further instructions.

04/28/2026

Following the April 27 City Council meeting, City Manager Kevin Lahner and the Janesville City Council mutually agreed to part ways, with his resignation effective May 29, 2026.

City Manager Lahner has served in the role since 2023, providing leadership to the organization and helping advance key priorities.

We are thankful to City Manager Lahner for his service to the City of Janesville and for his leadership during his tenure. We appreciate his contributions to the community and wish him the very best moving forward.

The City Council will begin discussing next steps regarding interim leadership and the process for selecting the City’s next City Manager in the coming weeks. We have an excellent, dedicated City staff that will ensure City services and day-to-day operations will continue without interruption during this transition.

This is a very pivotal moment for our City and I am excited to do the work to ensure we continue moving our City forward.

04/24/2026

More information for those impacted by last week's flooding ⤵️

Rock County will be hosting a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for Rock County residents on Saturday, April 25th from 10:00am – 4:00pm at Blackhawk Technical College.

❓Were you impacted by the recent storms and flooding?

Rock County will be hosting a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for Rock County residents on Saturday, April 25th from 10:00am – 4:00pm at Blackhawk Technical College.

A MARC is a temporary, one-stop service hub established to help those impacted by the recent storms and flooding.

The MARC brings together government agencies, nonprofits (like the Red Cross), and community organizations to provide:

• Disaster Recovery Support: Information on aid applications, guidance on damage repairs, and insurance information
• Essential Needs: Distribution of emergency supplies
• Health and Wellness: Mental health counseling and emotional support
• Case Management and Referrals: Referrals to local social services
• Personal Support: Help replacing documents, identity theft resources, and senior services

If you were affected by the recent storms and flooding, please join us at the MARC on Saturday, April 25th.

More here: www.co.rock.wi.us/residents/marc

:::

Rock County Sheriff's Office

04/23/2026

‼️If you experienced damage to your home or business during last week’s storm, please call 211 or visit tinyurl.com/211ReportDamage to report the damage.

Residents whose structures were damaged during the April 17 flooding event are asked to call 211 to report damage to their homes, mobile homes, apartments, or businesses. Community members may also utilize 211's online reporting form by visiting tinyurl.com/211ReportDamage. This reporting helps local agencies identify impacted areas and plan damage assessments.

04/18/2026

Following the April 17 flooding event, staff from the City of Janesville and cooperating public agencies will conduct damage assessments across the community this Sunday, April 19, and Monday, April 20. These assessments will help the City of Janesville and Rock County gauge the scale of the disaster and guide ongoing response efforts. Assessment teams may visit your property to document damage. Visits are brief, and all staff will display official identification while in the field. Residents may also call 211 to independently report damage to their home, mobile home, apartment, or business.
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Tras las inundaciones ocurridas el 17 de abril, el personal de la Ciudad de Janesville y de las agencias públicas colaboradoras llevará a cabo evaluaciones de daños en toda la comunidad este domingo 19 de abril y el lunes 20 de abril. Estas evaluaciones ayudarán a la Ciudad de Janesville y al Condado de Rock a determinar la magnitud del desastre y a orientar los esfuerzos de respuesta en curso. Es posible que los equipos de evaluación visiten su propiedad para documentar los daños. Las visitas son breves y todo el personal portará su identificación oficial mientras se encuentren haciendo las evaluaciones. Los residentes también pueden llamar al 211 para reportar de manera independiente los daños sufridos en su vivienda, casa móvil, apartamento o negocio.

04/18/2026

Joint statement from the City of Janesville, WI and Rock County regarding today’s flash flooding ⤵️

In response to the flash flooding that occurred on the evening of April 17, the City of Janesville and Rock County are sharing the following information to help keep community members safe and informed.

The City of Janesville and Rock County have declared emergencies and activated their emergency operations centers. Residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid flooded areas, and monitor official updates for safety instructions.

Several roadways throughout Janesville and Rock County remain impassable due to flash flooding and related storm damage. Community members are urged to avoid all unnecessary travel until conditions improve. Emergency personnel from agencies throughout the area continue to respond to active incidents.

A train derailment has occurred near North Washington Street and Maple Court in the City of Janesville. The train was transporting corn, and the contents of its cars are not hazardous. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is responding to the derailment, and residents are asked to avoid the area.

Community members are reminded to dial 911 only in the event of an emergency. This helps ensure emergency services are available for those in urgent need, supporting community safety and reassurance.

Residents whose structures were damaged are asked to call 211 to report damage to their homes, mobile homes, apartments, or businesses. This helps local agencies identify impacted areas and plan damage assessments. Please note that staff will not contact homeowners or conduct detailed site inspections like insurance adjusters.

The City of Janesville and Rock County will continue to inform the community of updates as they become available. Information will be shared on Rock County’s Facebook and website, and via the City of Janesville’s Facebook, website, and emailed press releases.

04/18/2026

Be safe out there Janesville! Don't make unnecessary journeys, don't take risks on treacherous roads, and don't swim in the flooded streets.

UPDATE (4/18/26 10 a.m): Most major roadways in the City of Janesville are open to traffic. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and not go around barricades. City crews are continuing to assess and remediate localized traffic disruptions. Residents may report debris in roadways by calling the non-emergency line at (608) 757-2244.
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Several streets in Janesville are currently impassable due to flash flooding. For your safety, avoid unnecessary travel and do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Emergency crews are actively responding, but conditions remain hazardous and may worsen.

Janesville Transit bus service has been suspended for the remainder of Friday evening.

Please avoid travel, monitor local updates, and seek higher ground if you are in a flood-prone area.

Additional information will be provided as it is available.

01/17/2026

Help shape the future of transportation in the Janesville! Whether it’s making Janesville safer to walk or ride bikes, expanding or improving bus transit, or limiting highway expansion and working towards creating commuter rail!

Help shape the future of transportation in the Janesville area 🚶‍♀️🚲🚍

Join the Janesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (JAMPO) for the Long-Range Transportation Plan Open House on Thursday, January 29, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hedberg Public Library Program Room.

This will be an open-house style meeting with no formal presentation. Participants may arrive at the event any time between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to provide input.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4qUYizE.