2026-930ORDINANCE NO. 2026-930
An ordinance amending Janesville General Ordinance 38-5, empowering the impoundment of motor vehicles operated recklessly, with costs, fees, penalties,
and other relief therefore as set forth in the ordinance 2026-930, Janesville General Ordinance 38-3, and related state statutes and ordinances.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Section 38.05 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of Janesville is
hereby repealed and recreated to read as follows:
“Sec. 38-5. – Impoundment of Vehicles Used in Reckless Driving Offenses. (New)
(a)Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 349.115, as from time to time amended or renumbered, theCommon Council of the City of Janesville hereby authorize any law enforcement officer,at the officer’s discretion, to impound a vehicle used in the commission of a violation of
Wis. Stats. § 346.62 (reckless driving) or a local ordinance in strict conformity therewith,
at the time the operator of the vehicle is cited or arrested for the offense. Impoundmentunder this section is authorized regardless of whether the operator is the owner of thevehicle.
(b)A vehicle impounded under this section may be held until all reasonable costs of
impounding the vehicle, including towing, transportation, storage, and related charges,and all outstanding fines or forfeitures owed by the vehicle’s owner have been fully paid.
(c)Upon impounding a vehicle under this section, the law enforcement officer shall makea reasonable attempt to determine whether the vehicle has been reported as stolen.
1.If the vehicle is confirmed to have been reported stolen, the officer or the
impounding authority shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the lawful owner.2.A stolen vehicle shall be released to its lawful owner without payment of any feeor charge.
(d)If a vehicle that has been reported stolen remains unclaimed for more than 60 daysafter impoundment, the City may dispose of the vehicle as an abandoned vehicle in
accordance with Wis. Stats. § 342.40 or other applicable law.
(e)If a vehicle that has not been reported stolen remains unclaimed for more than 90days after the disposition of the charge for which the vehicle was impounded, the Citymay dispose of the vehicle as an abandoned vehicle in accordance with Wis. Stats. §342.40 or other applicable law.
(f)The Janesville Police Department and/or the City may contract with private entities tocarry out towing, immobilization, impoundment, storage, and disposal responsibilitiesunder this section.
(g)A vehicle impounded under this section shall be released to its owner upon payment
of the required costs and fees as specified in subsection (b), unless otherwise providedin this section.
APPROVED: May 11, 2026
Kevin M. Lahner, City Manager
ATTEST:
Lorena Rae Stottler, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
Proposed by: Chief of Police Chad Pearson Prepared by: JPD and City Attorney
Motion by: Miller
Second by: Cass
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Cass
Erdman
Miller
Neeno
Pope
Seeman
Squire
CA Office/Word/Shared/ Reckless Driving Impoundment Ord 2026
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2026-930
Final Audit Report 2026-05-12
Created:2026-05-12
By:Lorena Stottler (stottlerl@janesvillewi.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAOWrXciuf_4VEJNbjDObPqQokVwRS6TPJ
"2026-930" History
Document created by Lorena Stottler (stottlerl@janesvillewi.gov)
2026-05-12 - 4:33:04 PM GMT
Document emailed to Kevin Lahner (lahnerk@janesvillewi.gov) for signature
2026-05-12 - 4:33:08 PM GMT
Document emailed to Lorena Stottler (stottlerl@janesvillewi.gov) for signature
2026-05-12 - 4:33:09 PM GMT
Email viewed by Lorena Stottler (stottlerl@janesvillewi.gov)
2026-05-12 - 5:09:37 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Lorena Stottler (stottlerl@janesvillewi.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-05-12 - 5:09:47 PM GMT - Time Source: server - Signature Appearance Selected: IMAGE
Email viewed by Kevin Lahner (lahnerk@janesvillewi.gov)
2026-05-12 - 5:48:49 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Kevin Lahner (lahnerk@janesvillewi.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-05-12 - 5:49:18 PM GMT - Time Source: server - Signature Appearance Selected: IMAGE
Agreement completed.
2026-05-12 - 5:49:18 PM GMT