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Brunner’s Janesville City Council seat to be vacant until April

JANESVILLE — The vacant seat on the Janesville City Council will remain open until the April election.

The council was considering appointing someone to finish the term of George Brunner, who recently resigned.

The council on Monday also recognized Brunner for his years of service with a standing ovation.

Brunner resigned earlier this month after he was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer after a family disturbance.

Kathy Voskuil said the position should remain open because it is so close to the April election. She said all those serving on the council now are “publicly vetted.”

Voskuil didn’t think it was appropriate for council members to choose a person.

Councilman Tom McDonald said he originally had suggested appointing someone to fill the opening because he thought it could be done quickly. But it appears the council needs time to figure out how to fill the position, and it wouldn’t make sense to appoint someone for the handful of meetings that remain before April.

Although some members had raised concern that a six-member council could result in tie votes, several big issues have been decided, and McDonald said he does not see any big issues on the horizon.

It makes sense to leave the position open, he said.

Brunner, a former Janesville police chief, served on the council for more than six years. He was president for two years (he was president when he resigned) and vice president for one.

The council voted unanimously that Russ Steeber serve as new president. The vote was 3 to 1 to name Rashkin new vice president, with Rashkin abstaining and Voskuil voting “no.”