Janesville City Council Regular Session – June 22, 2026

The Janesville City Council met on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM for a regular session. The meeting featured extensive public testimony regarding a proposed data center development on the former GM/JATCO site, followed by council actions on a letter of intent extension, direction to establish data center zoning standards, and approval of city manager recruitment materials.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the June 8, 2026 regular council meeting.
• Approved licenses and recommendations as listed.
• Approved Resolution 2026-2451 to relocate the First Lutheran Church polling place to the Craig Center at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds.
• Approved Resolution 2026-2433 commending Troy E. Egger for 36+ years of city service.
• Confirmed the interim city manager's appointment to the Downtown Business Improvement District Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Angelina (Southside resident) asked the council to decline the 60-day extension of the Letter of Intent (LOI) with Viridian Acquisitions LLC, to focus on developing zoning standards and supplemental ordinances for data centers, and to pause further data center proposals until protections are in place. She emphasized the stress on families and children near the GM site.
• Tyler (Southside resident, one year) seconded the above, arguing data centers would diminish the vibrancy of the community, especially for black and brown youth.
• Aaron (1435 Ruger Ave) opposed hyperscale data centers, citing environmental concerns (Beaver Dam creek contamination, dust), noise, and water use. He noted 70% of Wisconsin voters (per Wisconsin Watch) believe costs outweigh benefits. He suggested smaller-scale, micro data centers in existing industrial spaces.
• Sam Nemitz (Southside resident) opposed extending the LOI, called for a moratorium, and criticized lack of transparency, citing a closed-door luncheon in Beloit. He expressed support for community-controlled AI development.
• Brennan (1259 E. Walker St) opposed the data center on environmental grounds (climate change, pollinator loss) and proposed adopting No Mow May and restricting pesticides on city land.
• Thomas Kavanaugh (1422 Alden Rd) questioned water usage (50,000 to 880,000 gallons per day), thermal pollution, and generator emissions. He urged that data centers be self-supporting and not harm the environment.
• Alyssa Capazello (1360 N. Sumac Dr) read paraphrased testimony from a Beaver Dam resident (Maile Kaczynski) describing creek disruption, dust, and elevated strontium levels after data center construction. She argued that regulatory systems favor corporations over residents. She asked to decline the extension, terminate negotiations, and implement protections before any proposals.
• Brent Businger (4210 Braxton Dr) supported redevelopment but called for ordinances on noise, closed-loop cooling, and limited water use (no river cooling).
• Stephen Atkinson Jr. (449 N. Parker Dr) made three requests: decline the 60-day extension, develop strong data center ordinances, and terminate negotiations on Viridian proposal until protections are in place. He cited lack of public environmental reports and argued that public resistance signals need for a new approach.
• Julie Backenkeller (719 N. Grant Ave) noted SpaceX plans for orbital data centers by 2028, suggesting the technology may become obsolete. She asked the council to let the LOI expire and let residents weigh in.
• Aaron Agather (526 Laurel Ave) asked to decline the extension, stating that hyperscale data centers harm health and environment and that Janesville's 18,000 residents deserve better.
• Ray Jewell (624 Cherry St) praised the city manager search process but opposed renewing the LOI. He said his research confirmed negative impacts and urged the council to prioritize community and creation care over industry.
• George Cullen (board chair for Janesville, organization not specified) thanked council and staff. He previously supported the LOI in November but now asked to let it expire due to unanswered questions. He supported the GM JATCO Redevelopment Board, the upcoming visioning workshop, and staff research on data center guidelines.
• Brandy Martinez (no address) raised concerns about surveillance, data control, and human rights. She referenced astrological transits and asked for transparency and scrutiny of contracts.
• Brendan Pulkinghorn (2502 Galahad Way) supported letting the LOI expire to allow broader redevelopment options from the advisory board and Stantec. He urged open discussion and compromise.
• Rhonda Dell (1409 Tyler St) asked to decline the extension, citing rapid pace, environmental and health risks, and lack of transparency. She quoted the Anthropic CEO on the need for responsible AI development and criticized the least responsible players advocating against regulation.
• Laura Linick (Bond Place) noted the LOI expected 600–800 MW of power (more than a Point Beach nuclear reactor), and that all energy becomes thermal heat with unknown long-term effects. She recommended a pause and special zoning for data centers.
• Todd Wyman (no address) supported extending the LOI, noting negotiation is normal. He argued the GM site is polluted and unsightly, data centers have existed for decades, AI is inevitable, and energy costs will rise regardless. He supported research but not a halt.
• Kathy Erdman (1516 S. Ridge Dr, with Snow Janesville) summarized the public sentiment: call to decline the 60-day extension, focus on zoning standards and supplemental ordinances, and defer future data center proposals until protections are adopted. She emphasized community-driven redevelopment and transparency.
• Unnamed speaker (no name given, but spoke of border collie and chihuahuas) expressed anxiety about losing nature and community to a data center that emits infrasound. Asked to not extend the LOI and to implement regulations.

Discussion Items

• 8A - Rezoning 4750 Milton Avenue: First reading of an ordinance to rezone from Agricultural and B2 to B2 Community Shopping District. Referred to Plan Commission with a public hearing scheduled for August 10, 2026.
• 8B - 60-Day Extension of LOI with Viridian Acquisitions LLC: Economic Development Director Jim Zuborn presented background: the LOI was initially approved November 10, 2025, with two prior administrative extensions. The proposed extension would maintain a bridge to a purchase and sale agreement, allow for further community outreach, zoning code update, and advisory board work. Viridian proposes $10M land purchase, $30M cleanup, no TIF, and return of clean land to the city. Estimated annual tax revenue $4M. Councilmember Squire moved to not extend, seconded by Cass. An amendment by Miller (seconded by Pope) to terminate any extensions and discontinue all discussions with data center developers until a companion ordinance is approved failed 4-3 (Squire, Cass, Nino, Seaman no; Miller, Pope, Erdman yes). The original motion to not extend the LOI passed 7-0. The LOI will expire July 13, 2026.
• 8C - Expanded Provisions for Data Center Development: Director Zuborn proposed creating a companion ordinance (beyond zoning code) to address long-term monitoring, enforcement, construction hours, cost recovery, etc. The administration requested council direction to proceed with public feedback sessions and drafting. Councilmember Erdman moved to direct staff to establish expanded provisions, seconded by Seaman. Passed unanimously.
• 8D - City Manager Recruitment: Jess Wilde of Innovative Public Advisors reported on engagement: 4 public input sessions, 12,741 emails sent, 835 survey responses. Key desired traits: strong communication, visibility, municipal management experience, economic development, integrity. Presented position description and profile with a recommended salary range of $240,000–$275,000. Council discussed language regarding a deputy city manager; agreed to add “or complementary role.” Councilmember Squire moved to approve documents with the amendment and the proposed salary range, seconded by Nino. Passed unanimously. Recruitment will post immediately; first review date July 27, with interviews in August and potential appointment August 24.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on 8B: Motion to not extend the Viridian LOI passed 7-0. An amendment to also discontinue all discussions with data center developers until a companion ordinance is in place failed 4-3.
• Vote on 8C: Unanimous direction to staff to develop a companion ordinance for data center development citywide, including public feedback sessions.
• Vote on 8D: Unanimous approval of recruitment materials and salary range ($240k–$275k) for the next city manager, with adjusted language on deputy role.
• Next Steps: The GM JATCO Redevelopment Advisory Board will hold a community visioning workshop on June 24. Staff will begin drafting the companion ordinance. The city manager recruitment will launch immediately.