Beloit City Council Regular Meeting – August 3, 2026

The Beloit City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall Forum. The meeting included public comments, approval of routine items, a school crossing ordinance, a presentation on the city's strategic plan, a detailed presentation on proposed changes to the Beloit Janesville Express route, and action on property development and sale resolutions. The council also adjourned into closed session for property negotiations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution 2026-109 approving applicants for an Alcohol Beverage Operator's (Bartender's) License for years 2025-2027.
• Approved referral to the ABLCC of an application for a new “Class B” Intoxicating Liquor License for La Jaiba Loco Corp, d/b/a La Jaiba Loco Corp located at 2640 Prairie Ave, Beloit, WI, with Leticia Topete Guzman as agent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vicky Brown expressed safety concerns about the lack of sidewalks or bikeways from Murphy Woods to Cranston, stating “somebody is gonna get killed there.” She urged the council to develop a plan for sidewalks, especially with 100 new homes planned in the Murphy Woods area, and also noted hazards from broken glass on bike paths.
• Brandon Mixon posed questions and comments about the proposed changes to the Beloit Janesville Express line, effective August 17, 2026. He requested improved signage, painted bus bays, and passenger waiting areas at the proposed Piggly Wiggly transfer station; asked how the realignment would affect route 4 and whether it would create a frequency corridor on Prairie Ave; and expressed concern that relying solely on a transfer at Piggly Wiggly would cause hardship for Janesville riders needing downtown access, including Blackhawk College. He stated that redirecting service to Prairie Avenue is an overall benefit and encouraged continued investment in transit.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance No. 3920 (Second Reading) – Adding a school crossing on Townline Avenue between Poff Street and Whipple Street. Approved unanimously.
• City Manager Strategic Plan Update – The City Manager reported on the selection of CP2 Consulting to facilitate a comprehensive strategic planning process. Key elements include: a community survey launched on July 31 and open through September 3; focus groups (resident, business, community partners, frontline city employees, and youth at Memorial High School and Lincoln Academy) from September 4–15; and a council planning retreat on October 3. The plan covers 2027–2030. The City Manager also highlighted facility needs (police department, city hall with stairwell cracking, community pool) and road conditions, stating the strategic plan will help guide how and when these are addressed. Council Member White asked about including college student voices; the City Manager agreed to follow up. Several council members emphasized that the “point extension” issue should remain a priority throughout the process.
• Beloit Janesville Express Route Changes – Jim Meyer of AECOM presented study findings and recommendations. The Express provides regional transit between Beloit and Janesville; 2019 ridership was ~45,500, with a post-pandemic rebound underway. The study identified rider demand for later evening and weekend service. The recommended realignment moves service to the Prairie Avenue corridor, with the southern terminus relocated to Piggly Wiggly (a transfer point with local Beloit Transit System routes). Three potential new consortium members (Beloit Health, Mercy Health, Dollar General) expressed interest. Phase 1 (baseline realignment) is set for August 17, 2026. Phase 2 would add new members. Phase 3 would add a casino loop to serve the Ho-Chunk casino (opening fall 2026, ~1,500 jobs) and the Gateway area, requiring a 90-minute headway (currently 60 minutes). Consortium members have agreed to the 90‑minute runtime. Transit Director Terry noted that evening and weekend service is not included in current budget but is being explored through other studies (microtransit, transit development plan) and internal revenue ideas. Council Member Forbeck expressed strong interest in moving forward with later service hours given employer and casino needs. Council Member Levy asked about ridership projections for the casino, and Terry clarified that the route is a public service, not profit-based.
• Closed Session – The council voted to adjourn into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate on the development of properties at 500 Willowbrook Road and 2300 Colley Road, and to consider the potential sale of 507 St. Lawrence Avenue, 1223 St. Lawrence Avenue, and 514 Highland Avenue. (The council reconvened in open session to take action on these items; see Key Outcomes.)

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved by voice vote.
• Ordinance No. 3920 approved by voice vote.
• Strategic plan update received; no formal action taken.
• Beloit Janesville Express route changes presented; no formal action taken, but council directed staff to continue exploring options for extended service hours and later service.
• Approved Resolution 2026-111 (exclusive negotiation agreement) with FDG for the development of the properties at 500 Willowbrook Road and 2300 Colley Road. The agreement grants FDG 20 weeks to perform market study, development program testing, and financial analysis at no cost to the city; the city is not obligated to proceed with FDG beyond this period. Motion carried unanimously.
• Approved Resolution 2026-110 approving the sale of 507 St. Lawrence Avenue, 1223 St. Lawrence Avenue, and 514 Highland Avenue to Habitat for Humanity (Waxhaw, Jefferson Rock) for one dollar, with conditions: a two-year repurchase agreement requiring the buyer to obtain a certificate of occupancy for each property within that time, or the properties revert to the city at the same purchase price. Motion carried.