A set of citizen appointments Janesville City Manager Kevin Lahner recommended for several city committees will stand — even if some city council members opposed how Lahner went about filling a pair of openings on the Hedberg Public Library Board.

Monday night, city council members including the newly seated Michael Cass, suggested Lahner might have been “biased” in his decision to disregard a recommendation of the city’s Citizen Advisory Committee on appointments.

The committee had sought to re-appoint veteran library board member Cathy Erdman. Lahner rejected the committee’s pick in favor of local educator Nicole Ryan.

Erdman in recent months has been a vocal opponent of Lahner’s moves earlier this year to assume control of Janesville public access TV station JATV, removing the Hedberg Library Board’s authority over the TV station.

Council member Heather Miller raised a motion to overturn Lahner’s decision on the Library Board appointments. City Attorney Wald Klimczyk says state law prohibits a city council from forcing a city manager to change their citizen committee appointment.

The council shot down Miller’s motion down 4-3. Cass, one of those critical of Lahner’s choice, ultimately voted against overturning Lahner’s choice.

Lahner told the council if they rejected his committee choices, he might come back with the same picks a second time, saying he has legal “discretion,” and his decisions were based on “multiple factors.”

The council then voted unanimously to approve Lahner’s original committee appointments.