OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Janesville City Council Meeting - February 9, 2026: Referendum on GM/JATCO Development Ordinance

Meeting Portal — Monday, February 9, 2026
BodyJanesville, Wisconsin
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, February 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:09:18

Transcript — Verbatim
7:03

I'm gonna call to order the Jamesville City Council meeting for Monday, February 9th, 2026.

7:08

If you could stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

7:33

In case of emergency, use the stairs and not the elevator to exit, walk to the north side of the police department and wait for further instructions.

7:39

And due to our uh capacity tonight, I'll have the clerk read the occupancy load um for us, please.

7:46

Good evening.

7:46

The Janesville Fire Department, following the international fire code and international building code has advised that standing is not permitted inside council chambers for safety reasons.

7:57

Everyone must be seated.

7:58

There are eighty-four chairs.

8:04

So if you do not have a thirty-six-inch aisle on each side, um please do that.

8:09

The hallway outside the council chambers can accommodate up to 15 standing individuals.

8:14

And in room four sixteen next door here, there are 42 chairs.

8:30

If you wish to speak during public comment on items on the agenda, not requiring a public hearing and on matters which can be affected by council action.

8:40

Please make sure that you have signed up with one of these sheets.

10:00

If you could uh provide roll calls, president verdict here, vice president squire here, council member Cass, Councilmember Erdman, here council member millard here, Councilmember Nino, Councilmember Williams here.

10:07

All are present, we do have a quorum.

10:09

All right, thank you.

10:10

Item three recognition.

10:12

There are none.

10:13

Uh item four public comments on items on the agenda not requiring a public hearing and on matters which can be affected by council action.

10:19

So, like the clerk had just talked about, we do have a public hearing tonight, which is uh item 7A, reference the GM Jacko site or the petition or any development on that site.

10:31

So if that's what you wish to talk about, please save that for the um uh public hearing.

10:37

If there's any other items that you wish to speak about, this is the time to do so.

10:42

Clerk, do you have anybody signed up?

10:44

Ty, are you speaking on items on the speaking on both?

10:47

Okay, well, you have four minutes for both.

10:49

Yeah, I got four.

10:51

You want me to do the other four right now, too?

10:53

Yes, please.

10:54

Both four?

10:55

Yes.

10:56

Okay.

10:56

My first one.

11:00

You'll be starting your camera.

11:02

The first four, then okay.

11:03

I'll hold off on my second four.

11:04

You get four minutes per person.

11:06

Okay, GM got torn down.

11:09

Uh that's that's industrial sabotage.

11:12

That was American steel building that uh the railroad hooked up uh with the American uh bridge.

11:20

So American steel, like US seal, U.S.

11:23

Britt.

11:25

And it wasn't one bridge has been retired out since 1907.

11:29

And that bridge that come over, that's because we have JP Cullen, uh, Ryan Central, all sorts of really good people.

11:36

That's who we should be talking to about a lot of things, by the way.

11:39

Um, and and Mike Payne.

11:41

We shouldn't kick him out of the conversation either.

11:43

That's retarded.

11:44

Um, and so basically um when they built that, uh Joseph Craig, um the hydroelectric plant, and then Wisconsin Power and Light, he died as the director of Wisconsin Power and Light.

11:59

That's the Wisconsin River, he damned all that.

12:02

He he uh he he has different uh um like the and transfer and all the things that the power uh and service commission uh he did for the employees, and basically we should look back at at Janesville, Jamesville truck and railroad, because that's what it was the Samson truck and tractor, that union was uh uh Janesville truck and railroad, and and how they built them railroads is off the water power, and it's as easy as you can see.

12:35

Fourth uh it was called Fourth Street, now it's Center Street, and on the other side is Acadine, they weighted that, and you can see it in the old photos once you figure out the engineering on the bridge.

12:47

So I don't want to complicate anything.

12:50

Basically, I'm talking about the union that the American uh uh steel bridge because they are in desperate need of somebody that cares about them.

12:58

And right now we we can't get anybody.

13:01

I I suppose we'd have to get somebody that worked at north uh northwestern, Chicago and Northwestern, but them guys ain't around anymore.

13:08

We fired them guys just like we fired GM.

13:10

So a lot of them protections that we used to have aren't there anymore.

13:13

Here's a picture.

13:15

You look at the at the one the the the iron going to with the river, they're like they're like big springs, and there's a reason on that.

13:24

If you go out in there and check it, it's an engineering school, and here's the thing if we dedicated 10 acres down at that GM site.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement███████████████████████████████31%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Zoning And Land Use███████████11%
Environmental Protection████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Pending Litigation████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Data Center Regulation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Janesville City Council Meeting - February 9, 2026: Referendum on GM/JATCO Development Ordinance

The Janesville City Council met on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The primary agenda item was a second reading and public hearing on a proposed ordinance (File Ordinance 2026-926) that would require voter approval for any development project or development agreement exceeding $450 million in costs, or any transfer, conveyance, or encumbrance of the GM/JATCO site. The meeting also included a consent agenda, a city manager update, and extensive public testimony.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution 2026-2412 (Peace Park Playground Renovation) was pulled by Councilmember Williams for discussion. The council discussed that the project is a renovation, not a complete redo, preserving the iconic playground's original features. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • All other consent agenda items (Riverside Golf Course bunker renovation, solid waste collection vehicles, IT room HVAC study, commendations for Jane E. Burr and Michelle Wilson-Smith, and licenses) were approved unanimously without discussion.

City Manager Update

  • City Manager Kevin Laner announced a $5 million federal grant earmark from Senator Tammy Baldwin's office for blight elimination, originally focused on the GM/JATCO site and expanded to 21 additional properties. The funds will be administered by the EPA or Economic Development Administration. Laner thanked Senator Baldwin and noted that Janesville was one of the largest recipients in Wisconsin.

Public Comments & Testimony (General and Public Hearing)

General public comments (before public hearing):

  • A resident (Ty) spoke about the history of the GM site, railroads, and water power, urging the council to consider an electric railroad on 10 acres of the site and criticizing the data center proposal.

Public hearing on Ordinance 2026-926:

  • Eileen Newcomer (League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Janesville resident) expressed concern about the process, stating that the petition with over 4,000 signatures shows the public wants a voice. She urged the council to respect the direct legislation process.
  • Kevin Algiers (Janesville south side resident) shared personal experience from Mount Pleasant with the Foxconn project, warning against repeating mistakes. He asked the council to think carefully and not be swayed solely by dollar signs.
  • Adam Schultz (Coldwell Banker Commercial) supported the data center proposal, citing the site's contamination and high remediation costs ($30-40 million). He argued that no other developer has been willing to invest, and the project represents a unique opportunity for Janesville. He noted that the site's economics do not work for other uses.
  • Katie Myers (Janesville small business owner and content creator) stated she is still undecided about the data center. She urged the council to allow more time for informed discussion, avoid extremes, and maintain respectful dialogue. She supported the city's recommendation to refer the ordinance to the November ballot.
  • Amber Manny (Janesville resident with chemistry background) requested the council adopt the ordinance outright, giving citizens a vote. She highlighted concerns about water use and trust in government.
  • Sean Kennedy (lifelong Janesville resident) argued the ordinance would complicate redevelopment and recommended sending it to referendum in November for more public education.
  • George Cullen (community member) requested the council not adopt the ordinance directly but refer it to the November ballot. He expressed concern that the $450 million threshold would hinder all large development, not just data centers, and could deter future investment.
  • Mick Gilbertson (IBEW Local 890, Southern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council) strongly supported the data center, emphasizing that the developer is prepared to invest $30-40 million in remediation. He noted that the site has been vacant for over 10 years and that this project would create union construction jobs, drive infrastructure investment, and generate immediate property tax revenue (TIF district closing). He urged the council to move forward.
  • Garrett Harwick (union representative, IBEW Local 890) echoed support for the data center, highlighting the remediation commitment and the need for progress.
  • Brett Halsey (gubernatorial candidate) addressed the broader AI concerns and suggested the council work with petitioners to narrow the ordinance scope to avoid lawsuits, while allowing a referendum.
  • Casey Peterson (U.S. Navy veteran) supported the petition as a pro-voter measure, stating that projects over $450 million should have a public vote. He recommended adopting the ordinance.
  • Cassandra Pope (organizer of No Janesville Data Center, city council candidate) clarified that the petition is not anti-data center but pro-community involvement. She urged the council to adopt the ordinance, arguing that referring to November would delay and potentially bypass voter input. She criticized the city administration for one-sided information and urged the council to represent the community.
  • Kathy Erdman (Janesville resident) asked the council to adopt the ordinance, noting that over 4,670 citizens signed the petition. She criticized the delay and asked whether the council would delay the land sale until after the November vote.
  • Nick Reed (Janesville resident) urged adoption, citing NDAs and lack of transparency. He quoted principles of public service.
  • Brad Schmidt (Janesville resident) expressed skepticism about the data center's job numbers and asked for checks and balances to avoid a Foxconn-like situation.
  • Alyssa Capazello (Janesville resident) urged adoption, citing environmental concerns (air quality, water use, pollution). She challenged the council to think with compassion and empathy.
  • Lisa McAfee (lifelong Janesville resident) raised concerns about air pollution, water usage, and lack of AI regulation. She asked the council to adopt the ordinance to give citizens a voice.
  • Sam Nemitz (Party for Socialism and Liberation, petition organizer) stated the petition is about democracy, not stopping development. He urged adoption, warning that a November referendum could be a delay tactic. He called on the council to stand with constituents.
  • Andrea Breyer Moon (Fourth Ward resident) questioned the viability of data centers due to AI advancements and space-based alternatives. She criticized the city's handling of the site and urged the council to step back.
  • Noah Mills (Janesville resident) cited multiple studies on water consumption, climate change, and health impacts of AI data centers. He urged the council to send the ordinance to referendum or vote against the data center.
  • Charlene Negus (Janesville resident) noted that weather and holiday season limited signature collection. She asked for greater transparency and for the council to adopt the ordinance or put it on the November ballot.
  • Brendan Pokinghorn (Janesville resident) praised the petitioners' efforts but expressed concern that the $450 million threshold could deter redevelopment. He did not make a specific recommendation but urged caution.
  • Mark Fuller (Janesville resident) urged adoption, noting that the petition process brings community voices. He suggested that a full voter turnout would provide the truest picture.
  • Ty Bularud (Janesville resident) spoke about railroad history, mercury poisoning, and criticized the data center proposal. He suggested a percentage-based deal for the site.
  • Sean Nishaus (U.S. Army veteran, event organizer) promoted a military gala and motorcycle ride, not directly related to the agenda.
  • Yusuf Adamo (Beloit resident) spoke about data centers as sacrifice zones, citing air quality and energy justice. He urged the council to take a pause and consider the broader regional impacts.
  • Diane Dooley (Milton resident) raised concerns about CO2 emissions, the AI bubble, and property taxes. She favored a different development for the site.
  • Riley Pitkin (Janesville native, age 20) expressed feeling that opportunities are being taken from young people. He opposed the data center but wanted growth, asking the council to consider the future.
  • John Wangren (Janesville resident) thanked the council for due diligence. He supported referring the ordinance to the November ballot to allow all voters to decide, cautioning against misinformation.
  • Stephen Gainon (Janesville resident) supported referring to the ballot, noting that the $450 million threshold could limit development. He highlighted long-term infrastructure jobs.
  • Tony Capazello (former restaurateur and educator) cited a Harvard Law article on data center electricity costs and ratepayer impacts. He urged caution.
  • Angelina (petition organizer) stated the petition is valid under Wisconsin statute 9.20 and is not anti-development. She urged adoption or a guaranteed November vote.
  • Taylor Ransom (Janesville resident) criticized the council for patronizing tone and urged adoption of the ordinance.
  • Aaron Agater (Janesville resident) expressed concern about the purchase agreement deadline potentially bypassing the vote. He asked the council to adopt the ordinance.
  • Stephen Atkinson Jr. (Janesville resident) spoke in support of the petition, asking for a motion to withhold any final agreement with Viridian until after the petition process concludes.
  • Lynn Retzloff (Janesville resident) urged adoption, stating that health and environment outweigh dollar signs.
  • Brian Newmeyer (Sheet Metal Workers Local 18) argued that adopting the ordinance only hears 7% of the population; a referendum in November would give all voters a voice. He noted that construction jobs are permanent for workers.
  • Zaley Pope (17-year-old Janesville resident) suggested the city could clean the site itself for $30 million instead of relying on a data center. She preferred a park or grocery store.
  • Patrice Wilson (Janesville resident, AI company employee) urged balance between economic benefit and community/environmental impact, emphasizing transparency.

Discussion Items

  • City Manager Kevin Laner gave a detailed presentation on the proposed data center project, including the letter of intent with Viridian Partners, site remediation costs ($30 million), projected economic impacts ($2 billion direct economic benefit, $3.7 billion total impact, 21,000 jobs supported, 600 permanent jobs, $12 million annual tax revenue at full buildout). He outlined the city's control over the development process and the legal constraints of the ordinance, noting that the council's options were limited to either passing the ordinance or referring it to the electorate. He stated that the city would likely face legal challenges regardless of the council's action and recommended referring the ordinance to the electorate.
  • Councilmembers discussed the two options: adopt the ordinance outright or refer it to the November ballot. Several councilmembers (Squire, Williams, Nino, Burdick) expressed support for the November referendum, citing the need for broader public input and more time for community education. Councilmember Miller noted a preference for the spring election but supported the November date. The council voted unanimously to refer the ordinance to the November 2026 general election.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda (except 6B): Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-2412 (Peace Park Playground): Approved unanimously after discussion.
  • Ordinance 2026-926 (Referendum on large projects at GM/JATCO site): The council voted unanimously to submit the proposed direct legislation ordinance to the electorate at the fall general election (November 2026) pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 9.20. The city attorney was authorized to draft ballot language for approval at a future council meeting.
  • The meeting was adjourned after council announcements.

Meeting Transcript

I'm gonna call to order the Jamesville City Council meeting for Monday, February 9th, 2026. If you could stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance, please. In case of emergency, use the stairs and not the elevator to exit, walk to the north side of the police department and wait for further instructions. And due to our uh capacity tonight, I'll have the clerk read the occupancy load um for us, please. Good evening. The Janesville Fire Department, following the international fire code and international building code has advised that standing is not permitted inside council chambers for safety reasons. Everyone must be seated. There are eighty-four chairs. So if you do not have a thirty-six-inch aisle on each side, um please do that. The hallway outside the council chambers can accommodate up to 15 standing individuals. And in room four sixteen next door here, there are 42 chairs. If you wish to speak during public comment on items on the agenda, not requiring a public hearing and on matters which can be affected by council action. Please make sure that you have signed up with one of these sheets. If you could uh provide roll calls, president verdict here, vice president squire here, council member Cass, Councilmember Erdman, here council member millard here, Councilmember Nino, Councilmember Williams here. All are present, we do have a quorum. All right, thank you. Item three recognition. There are none. Uh item four public comments on items on the agenda not requiring a public hearing and on matters which can be affected by council action. So, like the clerk had just talked about, we do have a public hearing tonight, which is uh item 7A, reference the GM Jacko site or the petition or any development on that site. So if that's what you wish to talk about, please save that for the um uh public hearing. If there's any other items that you wish to speak about, this is the time to do so. Clerk, do you have anybody signed up? Ty, are you speaking on items on the speaking on both? Okay, well, you have four minutes for both. Yeah, I got four. You want me to do the other four right now, too? Yes, please. Both four? Yes. Okay. My first one. You'll be starting your camera. The first four, then okay. I'll hold off on my second four. You get four minutes per person. Okay, GM got torn down. Uh that's that's industrial sabotage. That was American steel building that uh the railroad hooked up uh with the American uh bridge. So American steel, like US seal, U.S. Britt. And it wasn't one bridge has been retired out since 1907. And that bridge that come over, that's because we have JP Cullen, uh, Ryan Central, all sorts of really good people. That's who we should be talking to about a lot of things, by the way. Um, and and Mike Payne. We shouldn't kick him out of the conversation either. That's retarded. Um, and so basically um when they built that, uh Joseph Craig, um the hydroelectric plant, and then Wisconsin Power and Light, he died as the director of Wisconsin Power and Light. That's the Wisconsin River, he damned all that. He he uh he he has different uh um like the and transfer and all the things that the power uh and service commission uh he did for the employees, and basically we should look back at at Janesville, Jamesville truck and railroad, because that's what it was the Samson truck and tractor, that union was uh uh Janesville truck and railroad, and and how they built them railroads is off the water power, and it's as easy as you can see.

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