Janesville City Council Regular Meeting - January 26, 2026

The Janesville City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers, 18 North Jackson Street. The meeting focused on the recognition of a former council member, public comments on the proposed data center and a referendum ordinance, and the first reading of an ordinance that would require voter approval for development projects exceeding $450 million at the GM/JATCO site. The council voted on motions to expedite the ordinance to the April ballot, but both motions failed.

Recognitions

• The council observed a moment of silence for former council member and council president Doug Markline, who passed away. Markline served from 2013, holding multiple leadership roles including council president, Plan Commission chair, and MPO Policy Board chair.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the January 9, 2026, Special City Council Meeting and the January 12, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
• Approved licenses and recommendations.
• Approved financial statements for November 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ty Bullrood (Milton, WI) raised concerns about a potential railroad derailment downtown, alleging the city is ignoring safety issues. He urged the council to invite engineer Mike Payne back to inspect the tracks.
• Julie Backen-Keller (719 North Grant Avenue, Janesville) read from a blog by Rich Gruber, criticizing the city's lack of transparency, particularly regarding the data center proposal. She argued that the advisory committee on appointees has been bypassed by the city manager, and that public input has not translated into influence.
• Aaron Aguilar (526 Laurel Avenue, Janesville) opposed the data center, stating it is not appropriate for the urban GM/JATCO site. He noted that previous plans had called for a centennial park honoring General Motors, and that the proposed 8–11 building hyperscale data center (165 million square feet) would negatively impact the neighborhood. He supported putting the ordinance to a referendum so citizens can vote.
• Kathy Erdman (1516 South Ridge Drive, Janesville, Snow Janesville volunteer) thanked council members who placed the direct legislation petition on the agenda. She argued that the city staff's memo overstates the impacts of a $450 million threshold, noting that no such project has ever been proposed in Janesville until now. She stated that a referendum would force better due diligence and community engagement, and urged the council to adopt the ordinance or send it to the April ballot.
• Sam Nemitz (resident near Center and Burbank, organizer with Party for Socialism and Liberation) emphasized that the petition gathered 4,600 signatures despite cold weather and holidays. He argued that the process has lacked transparency and that the people deserve a direct say in massive projects.
• Samantha Doukas (statewide data center activist) testified that she has worked with multiple Wisconsin communities facing data center proposals, all of which have been opposed by residents. She stated that the 4,600 signatures represent the will of the people and that the council should adopt the ordinance immediately or send it to a referendum, as allowed by Wisconsin Statute 9.20. She noted that Port Washington sent a similar petition to the ballot without delay.
• Alyssa Capozziello (Sumac Street, Janesville) spoke in favor of the ordinance, saying she collected signatures out of love for the city. She asked the council to pass the ordinance without alteration or submit it to the electorate.
• Erica Lund (no address given) spoke briefly in support of the ordinance, echoing earlier speakers.
• Mark Fuller (320 East Holmes Street, Janesville) thanked the council for including the petition on the agenda. He urged the council to apply curiosity and listen to the people, and to put the ordinance on the April referendum.
• Kimberly Liebergen (Kennedy Road, Janesville) asked the council to adopt the ordinance without alteration. If not, she urged putting it on the spring election ballot. She stated that doing nothing would be a slap in the face to the 4,600 residents who signed the petition.

City Manager Report

• Assistant City Manager Ryan McHugh reported that emergency warming sites have been open due to cold weather and will continue through Saturday. Sites include Giftsman's Shelter, Mercy Health ER lobby, and First Congressional UCC Church.
• Employee of the Year awards were announced: Sue Arnt (payroll clerk, administration), Sergeant Benji Thompson (JPD, public safety), and Beth Johnson (public service representative, public works).
• Winter weather response: 4 weather events, 3 citywide plows, 48 hours of response with 40 staff members, operators averaging 12.25 hours of work. Total snow accumulation of 11.6 inches from January 16–22. JPD wrote 567 citations during the snow emergency on January 20.
• Upcoming data center workshops: February 9 (energy), February 23 (economic/tax impacts), March 9 (Wisconsin Data Center Coalition), March 23 (water usage), April 13 (labor, education, jobs). All workshops at 5:15 PM in council chambers.

Discussion Items

• First Reading of Ordinance 2026-926 (Referendum for Projects >$450M at GM/JATCO Site)
  • The ordinance proposes that any development project or development agreement exceeding $450 million in project costs, or any transfer, conveyance, or encumbrance of the GM/JATCO site, must be approved by the electorate.
  • Councilmember Miller moved to submit the ordinance without alteration to the April 7, 2026, spring election pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 9.20(4). However, the city attorney advised that the city's rules require a second reading and a public hearing before the ordinance can be adopted. Councilmember Miller then amended his motion to suspend the rules requiring multiple readings and a public hearing.
  • Vote on suspension of rules: Failed 5–2 (Councilmembers Burdick, Squire, Nino, Williams, Cass voted no; Miller and Erdman voted yes).
  • After the suspension failed, Councilmember Miller moved to move the ordinance to the April ballot without alteration. The city attorney stated that the motion is in order but its legal effect is likely moot without a second reading and public hearing.
  • Discussion ensued. Councilmember Williams and others argued that a public hearing should be held to allow all residents, not just those following social media, to participate. Councilmember Squire emphasized the need for more information through the upcoming workshops and stated that putting it on the November ballot would give more time for informed decision-making. Councilmember Erdman argued that the county clerk's timeline could still accommodate an April referendum if the language was provided by the statutory deadline.
  • Vote on motion to move ordinance to April ballot: Initially reported as 5–2, then corrected to 4–3 (Miller, Cass, Erdman voting yes; Burdick, Squire, Nino, Williams voting no). The motion failed.

Key Outcomes

• The first reading of Ordinance 2026-926 was held. The council scheduled a second reading and public hearing for the February 9, 2026, meeting.
• A motion to suspend the rules to allow immediate adoption and referral to the April ballot failed 5–2.
• A motion to directly move the ordinance to the April ballot without a public hearing failed 4–3.
• The council will proceed with the public hearing and second reading on February 9, 2026. The ordinance could potentially be placed on a later ballot (likely November 2026) after full council consideration and public input.