[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6694094,"mediaKeyId","2157837-16484c4e0117d2c48544c4ea1d6fc46e","parentId",2157837,"title","Votes at a glance: Janesville council approves rezoning, pawn‑shop reporting repeal, TID extensions and dissolutions, and other items","audioSeconds",837,"startMs",2795000,"endMs",3632000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157837-16484c4e0117d2c48544c4ea1d6fc46e&start=2795&end=3632","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157837-16484c4e0117d2c48544c4ea1d6fc46e/thumbnail_2795000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6694094/Janesville/Rock-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-Janesville-council-approves-rezoning-pawnshop-reporting-repeal-TID-extensions-and-dissolutions-and-other-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6694094-416e04aab244eaf7d4e94f59530a0b23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203207&Signature=E8geFoKg11s8jflWqcKroaD3XwbUv-a136H-CqxzBXJ~26tweKozdpNbD-C7NlFv7y7Aa-GZswcQRadfiGGNhRlItGdcRe4IYMmgXcl-wS3rlWnK4WXlSc985ITTk6spRKRA2kAxGj5DmQ~Hlv1UJqFEosuU0Ax1MVK-QgVpqTdYki5XVzqENxZLrtaHM8wxGV4zyM~EkCZUWA-fWJ7tGuXfgyR~6usCBbcRjsQO9-Ib4fh2PoG8jqkwIhX5-tYrSIbYvWtCM3d2F6I28XItO3CDpjymjDwx1NrdOIRDaIdKx-ZovtYxtjnHByDgw-Q-UFBjIOEHl02sOJxJBaIYsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Janesville","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Janesville City Council handled multiple ordinance and resolution actions on Jan. 27, 2025. The council approved a mix of land‑use decisions, administrative cleanups and finance actions. Below are the decisions recorded in the public transcript with key details and where they were discussed.

- Resolution 2025‑2295 (commendation): The council adopted a resolution recognizing Karen E. Burdick for more than 27 years of service to the City of Janesville. The resolution was read into the record and the council approved it under motion; the transcript records the item passing under consent.

- Ordinance 2024‑908 (rezoning): The council adopted the second reading and public hearing for an ordinance rezoning property at 331 South Crosby Avenue from B‑2 (Community Shopping) to R‑3 (General Residence). Staff said the approximately 16,000‑square‑foot lot had previously been rezoned for an office that was never built and that the city's comprehensive plan designates the site for single‑ and two‑family residential use. The council approved the ordinance on second reading; the transcript records the motion and a unanimous passage.

- Ordinance 2025‑910 (junk/secondhand dealer reporting repeal): The council adopted a repeal of certain reporting requirements previously imposed on junk dealers, secondhand dealers, secondhand jewelry dealers and pawnbrokers, removing an obsolete leads‑online requirement in favor of current investigative practices. The chief described the change as an efficiency and said the department now uses other online sources to investigate stolen goods; the ordinance was adopted unanimously.

- Tax Incremental District (TID) extensions: The council approved amended resolutions to extend TIDs for affordable housing purposes as requested by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The items included extensions for TIDs 25 and 33 (additional year each) and for TIDs 26 and 27 (an additional four months each) to align fiscal year references and council policy language; staff said the amendments do not change the substance of the prior December approvals. The council adopted the amended resolutions.

- TID dissolutions (new business): The council adopted resolutions authorizing dissolution of TID 26 and TID 27 for tax year 2024 (payable 2025) to allow increment to be used in the specified tax year; staff noted the dissolutions need to be recorded before April 15. The actions were adopted on the council floor.

- Resolution 2025‑2299 (TIF for 37 South Main): The council authorized a pay‑as‑you‑go TIF development agreement for 37 South Main Street (see separate article for details); the motion passed unanimously.

- Resolution 2025‑2305 (general obligation promissory notes): The council adopted an initial resolution authorizing issuance of $22,375,000 in general obligation promissory notes (non‑taxable) to finance capital projects including street reconstruction, water/wastewater/storm improvements and public building improvements. Staff said the package includes about $12.9 million in general‑fund purposes and $9.4 million in enterprise/non‑general fund purposes. Staff projected a borrowing rate assumption of about 3.4% for planning; actual interest rates will be set when notes are sold. The council adopted the initial resolution.

- First reading / referral: The council referred Ordinance 2025‑914, rezoning a portion of property at 3301 Sand Hill Drive from R‑1 to R‑3, to the plan commission and scheduled a public hearing for March 10, 2025.

Many consent items (city minutes, financial statements, licenses and four employee commendations and one final plat/certified survey map) were approved under the consent agenda as listed in the meeting packet. Several retiree commendations and other routine resolutions were read and adopted under the consent agenda.

If a reader needs a record of a specific vote tally or the council member roll call for any item, the public transcript does not provide individual roll‑call counts for every motion; in such cases the transcript notes adoption or unanimous passage but not the numeric vote ledger.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Janesville - City Council Meeting - Jan 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Janesville City Council handled a string of ordinances and resolutions Jan. 27, approving land‑use changes, administrative ordinance updates and finance authorizations including a rezoning at 331 South Crosby and authorization to issue $22.375 million in promissory notes.","taxTitle","Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin","taxId",4654,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6694104,"Janesville adopts wider \"anti‑cruising\" powers for Milton Avenue to reduce congestion and safety risks",1807,2837000,4644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157837-16484c4e0117d2c48544c4ea1d6fc46e&start=2837&end=4644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157837-16484c4e0117d2c48544c4ea1d6fc46e/thumbnail_2837000.jpg","/articles/6694104/Janesville/Rock-County/Wisconsin/Janesville-adopts-wider-anticruising-powers-for-Milton-Avenue-to-reduce-congestion-and-safety-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6694104-990c9abb26afa6bf860296c2f42f2684/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203207&Signature=Ysk6UjDM5kIvXZGsoanFLkKeosSk6Y7cagpLj~ha8J6cz2VCHC34hxmLcrhWdg-2QCPGnj4PrEAjyrJ8slnYaKHu16MD586BZPqRQCZsoEo6J0-uwQ1V3BpH2XZz1JRUs8iT8Sux~zozH0PHjr8uOCI5dd2nRUvMRam-FSc4VyFLyt2BzNdA~qQ6Iety00x~tV4wV67ysxV96YLgb~F5-P1VyD1EaMdekmrRrJHt0RWYPADpkLkAFPUuFynoCT6uAZLRi07d968MxhvTvXtLaMbq5eh0CvB61LFTpygc24fJqv20qxoYpDN1wRY4QuTiErO9DR6z4MrSCNjK3kI6Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Janesville City Council moved to adopt file ordinance number 2025‑911 on Jan. 27, 2025, amending the city's anti‑cruising laws to expand enforceable hours and create vehicle impoundment, storage and disposal authority tied to reckless driving and nonregistration violations. The measure was offered following a police presentation that said cruising on Milton Avenue creates traffic congestion, safety hazards and a drain on department resources.

City officials and the police department said the ordinance is intended as a tool to reduce recurring traffic congestion on a defined stretch of Milton Avenue and adjacent connectors. \"This ordinance amendment is a resource. It's not an end all change,\" Janesville Police Chief Chad Pearson told the council, adding the department expects to begin with an education campaign and signage before moving to heavier enforcement.

Police staff outlined the problem with multi‑year incident data. According to the presentation, the department recorded 2,497 total traffic calls for service on Milton Avenue in 2022, with roughly 33% of those occurring between the hours the department has identified as cruise time (7 p.m. to 1 a.m.). In 2023 and 2024 the department reported similar patterns: 2,226 calls with 36% in cruise hours in 2023 and a comparable share in 2024. Chief Pearson said the incidents include traffic complaints, disorderly conduct and trespassing, and that the activity increases demand for overtime, mutual‑aid and grant resources.

The ordinance changes the cruising definition and associated enforcement window (the presentation said the city is changing the relevant hourly window from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and adds discretionary authority for officers to impound vehicles when reckless driving or nonregistration violations occur in a context that justifies removal. On enforcement, Pearson said impoundment will not be automatic: \"It's discretionary, decision making by the officers that are enforcing those matters,\" and officers will consider the totality of circumstances before towing a vehicle.

Pearson also described operational steps the department plans to use: targeted patrols, point monitoring and automatic license plate readers on squad cars to document repeated passes. He emphasized an initial public‑education phase: social media outreach, possible signage and increased officer presence to deter cruising before issuing citations. Asked about legal exposure, Pearson said the city modeled the draft on ordinances used elsewhere and that Waukesha's version has been tested in court and upheld, saying the city attorney worked with police on the language.

Public comment at the council meeting was sharply divided. Longtime resident Jim Farrell, who said he lives three blocks from Milton Avenue, urged immediate action: \"It's a disgrace to our city. We don't need a raceway in the middle of our city,\" Farrell said, describing noise, litter and a negative impression for visitors. By contrast, other speakers who described themselves as car enthusiasts asked the city to consider safe alternative sites and warned that removing a circuit without options could simply move the activity elsewhere. One commenter suggested repurposing an underused industrial parcel; another urged the council to balance enforcement with respect for people who said they are not breaking other traffic laws.

Council members and the police emphasized the ordinance is intended to reduce the most disruptive, unsafe behaviors rather than to target casual motorists. Chief Pearson said officers will prioritize the \"egregious\" actors and use the ordinance as a tool to clear traffic that interferes with emergency response and business access. Vice President Karen Burdick made the motion to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded by Council Member Miller. The transcript records the motion and the council moving on to subsequent business, but the roll‑call vote tally is not recorded in the public transcript.

The council instructed staff and police to publicize the ordinance and begin the education/outreach steps before full enforcement, and the police said they have sought grant support and discussed coordination with the sheriff and state patrol for operational coverage. The ordinance text authorizes civil penalties and vehicle‑removal procedures as allowed by state law.

The council's action follows years of complaints from neighbors and business owners about recurring weekend congestion on Milton Avenue. City staff and police said they will monitor outcomes and report back to the council on enforcement patterns and community response.

","The Janesville City Council moved to adopt an amended anti‑cruising ordinance that expands enforceable hours, authorizes discretionary impoundment for reckless driving and unregistered vehicles, and directs an initial public‑education approach before heavier enforcement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6694099,"Council approves TIF aid for $3.5 million renovation at 37 South Main to add downtown housing",350,3205000,3555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157837-16484c4e0117d2c48544c4ea1d6fc46e&start=3205&end=3555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157837-16484c4e0117d2c48544c4ea1d6fc46e/thumbnail_3205000.jpg","/articles/6694099/Janesville/Rock-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-TIF-aid-for-35-million-renovation-at-37-South-Main-to-add-downtown-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6694099-fe9c910aed082240486df31478a7a1f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203207&Signature=Esc7TMLliWITO5bpGfWFVQTGPcBwc-KSf7KDaLK5e8-LRfiqHrffriM5EID~3zxFGi6Ca0UeTpA8di~cOmHw9zMFoktGxa-E1B-dR-T6cFrmhy5w0-ehjuVhvpIgO7SJWGvOrUopd~Lr8Y0uBXlXgjfyEkaLEz8Whq6NSFNkTyoT6Ju~yjqv0UEiko9aZH8PCjRnkvZnLC8MQqGy2dm0E6wxpIJJkvGxCR1VC50K03htuCKjPuhkgicXOoZ2boG19Vk1kWX1~8KsvyGGwCep-lzr4Qprp~OHdk-OZPJnXjR0CbhLOrV3VBl4XccLhQU7y6e9Mcr5cYzFglmJukyAlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Janesville City Council on Jan. 27 authorized a tax incremental financing development agreement with Friedenall LLC to renovate 37 South Main Street in the downtown historic district, using a pay‑as‑you‑go TIF over a 15‑year term with maximum assistance capped at $375,305.

City staff described the project as a $3.5 million renovation of a four‑story, historically designated building that will retain first‑floor retail space and convert the second and third floors into about 10 market‑rate residential units, totaling roughly 9,000 square feet of residential area. The property's current assessment is listed at $522,000; staff projected the post‑rehabilitation assessed value at $1.7 million. The project will combine bank financing, owner equity, historic tax credits and the proposed TIF assistance.

\"We're really looking at this as an impact investment in downtown,\" Charlie Johnson, representing the ownership group, told the council. Johnson said the family has deep local ties and intends to hold the property long term; the project team is pursuing historic tax credits and expects to retain the building for at least 10 years to realize that program.

Staff and the council discussed the gap between the developer's capital cost and the expected assessed value. A city staff member explained that renovation of historic downtown buildings has high per‑unit costs (fire suppression, code upgrades and historic compliance), making total project investment substantially higher than the initial post‑rehabilitation assessment. The proposed TIF package targets redevelopment of a historically designated building and aligns with the city's downtown reinvestment goals.

The council approved the resolution authorizing the TIF agreement; the motion was made by Council Member Squire and seconded by Council Member Nino and passed unanimously.

Officials said the project is consistent with council policy for commercial economic development and fits inside the life of Tax Incremental District 36, which runs through 2043. The developer estimated a roughly one‑year construction timeline and said the project team includes a preservation‑focused architect working through the historic tax credit process.

The city recommended adoption of file resolution number 2025‑2299 to finalize the pay‑as‑you‑go TIF assistance for the 37 South Main rehabilitation, and the council voted to authorize the agreement with the specified cap on TIF assistance.","The council authorized a pay‑as‑you‑go tax increment financing agreement supporting renovation of a historic downtown building at 37 South Main into retail plus 10 residential units, with a maximum TIF assistance of $375,305 over 15 years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Janesville council approves rezoning, pawn‑shop reporting repeal, TID extensions and dissolutions, and other items

Janesville adopts wider "anti‑cruising" powers for Milton Avenue to reduce congestion and safety risks

Council approves TIF aid for $3.5 million renovation at 37 South Main to add downtown housing