Janesville City Council Regular Session - June 8, 2026

The Janesville City Council met on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Key actions included adoption of a Pride Month proclamation, approval of a wireless equipment licensing agreement with amendments, rezoning of a property, issuance of $24.59 million in promissory notes with project deferrals, and special assessments for street improvements. A bartender license appeal was denied.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from May 26, 2026 Regular Council meeting; Closed Session minutes from April 27, May 11, and May 26, 2026.
• Approved license recommendations (refer to license agenda).
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-2448 acknowledging Wastewater Utility 2025 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report.
• Approved commendation resolutions for Barbara J. Seichter (File No. 2026-2431) and Glen R. Hageman (File No. 2026-2432) for over 26 years of city service.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ty Ballrood (criticized city manager Walt, alleged improper handling of documents and a pending trespass fraud case; urged council to address issues under Chapter 68).
• Edie Barron (308 N. Pine Street): Shared ongoing hardships from the April 17 flood, 52 days later; thanked Councilmembers Pope, Cass, and Seaman for attending a community meeting with State Senator Mark Spreitzer on May 30; requested the city create low- or no-interest loan program for affected residents, similar to existing small business loans.
• Ray Joel (public comment): Opposed the proposed data center on the GM Janesville Assembly Plant site, citing studies showing limited financial benefits and environmental hazards (water, wildlife, temperature rise). Urged council to reject the data center and improve council-manager governance.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation: Pride Month (File Resolution No. 2026-2449)

  • Unanimously approved. Lowe Villarreal Black (queer Latina resident, drag performer, board member of Janesville Pride, Diversity Action Team, and HIV prevention coordinator) accepted the proclamation, emphasizing the need for continued support for LGBTQ+ residents, especially transgender individuals and Black trans women.

• Licensing Agreement – Ubiquia (Item 6g)

  • Discussion on the agreement for attaching wireless communication equipment to city streetlights. Councilmember Cass raised concerns about undefined devices (cameras, public safety equipment) and requested specificity. Amendments added: defining equipment as "small cell devices" (12x9 inches, no cameras), and requiring rental fees at the maximum allowed under state statutes. Motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Seaman voting no).

• Rezoning – 265 E. Memorial Drive (Ordinance No. 2026-934)

  • Public hearing held; no speakers. Approved unanimously to change zoning from M1 (Light Industrial) to R1 (Single- and Two-Family Residence) to facilitate sale of the single-family home. The property had been zoned M1 since the 1980s.

• General Obligation Promissory Notes – $26,095,000 (Resolution No. 2026-2442)

  • Finance Director Dave Godak presented. The council amended the resolution to defer three projects: Fire Station #3 building design ($1.2M), Oak Hill Cemetery maintenance building design ($130K), and small building projects/emergency repairs ($175K). These deferrals free up $6.685M in borrowing capacity in 2027 and 884 staff hours for flood response. The reduced note issuance is $24,590,000. Councilmember Miller voted no due to the deferral of the Oak Hill building, noting a long history of delay. Motion passed 6-1.

• Special Assessments – Anthony Avenue (Resolution No. 2026-2408)

  • Public hearing held; one speaker (Cecil Piper, lot owner) objected to property owners bearing costs. The council approved the final resolution unanimously. Total project cost: ~$240,000; special assessment portion: ~$157,000 for curb, gutter, and paving. Storm sewer and street lighting (~$82,000) funded from other sources. This will convert the last gravel residential street to an improved urban roadway, enabling infill development on two lots.

• Contract Award – Anthony Avenue Improvements (Bid Schedule D, C2026-11)

  • Awarded to Beyond Limestone, low bidder at $213,295. Unanimously approved.

• Appeal: Alcohol Beverage Operator License – Montana Marie Wilson

  • Ms. Wilson appealed Police Department denial due to failure to disclose a 2023 possession of THC citation on her application. She stated it was an honest mistake. Council discussion focused on ordinance requiring complete applications; prior Family Leave and Licensing Committee had overturned about 58% of such appeals. A motion to grant the appeal and require reapplication in 3 months failed 4-3 (Councilmembers Squire, Erdman, Miller, Nino against; Cass, Pope, Seaman for). No subsequent motion to deny was needed, so the denial stands.

Key Outcomes

• Pride Month Proclamation: Unanimously adopted.
• Ubiquia Equipment Agreement: Approved as amended (6-1).
• Rezoning (265 E. Memorial Dr.): Unanimously approved.
• Promissory Notes ($24.59M): Approved with project deferrals (6-1); Miller dissenting.
• Anthony Avenue Special Assessments & Contract: Both approved unanimously.
• Bartender License Appeal: Motion to overturn failed (4-3); denial upheld.
• City Manager Update: Interim City Manager Jay Shhambeau reported on recruitment process; over 800 survey responses received; community input sessions held. He committed to maintaining momentum and supporting flood recovery.
• Upcoming Events: June 10 – community meeting on Rockport Pool upgrades (5 PM at Peace Park pavilion); June 18 – Zoning Forum (5:30-7 PM at library).