[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6145951,"mediaKeyId","5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e","parentId",5529896,"title","Council approves HOME funds award of $94,700 to NeighborWorks Blackhawk for homebuyer assistance","audioSeconds",155,"startMs",3596000,"endMs",3751000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e&start=3596&end=3751","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e/thumbnail_3596000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145951/Beloit/Rock-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-HOME-funds-award-of-94700-to-NeighborWorks-Blackhawk-for-homebuyer-assistance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145951-cc0141133393fc51e733c892f2fe4080/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500831&Signature=LXgIzqgj-fkbYAthpo3V7T1UvGBtyxXXX9G2IR9PBb89z8LcE6WktgyAouI4B6wKJqyzwG0ftFln8Qd7SvWR-XS2jhMybJ5K1rwQiGc4yAWc4cxq1hmTjwkrc26nssAn4lVo4UpDvPKr89h0FcknGxefo~MTal13KO0~3rKj84Fk78rZOAVjPnYnacmtznevPihidGM60kxk5H7Mll-SVq6r4T5mWEaV1NFaMen-QIPWpWEBQweLfrt7ETiYtTKFFuL4D1HlNqvrmeY994Qp2tQ8VtAKHdgSqYpQQpgXGuw8AZywXia4MuE6MDNd6n5Vu2KLWyxKhV76b8KTdiDZ4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Beloit, WI","date","2025-08-04T22:12:51Z","article","The Beloit City Council approved a resolution to award HOME Investment Partnership Program funds to NeighborWorks Blackhawk Region for homebuyer assistance. Staff said the city issued an RFP, received a single application from NeighborWorks Blackhawk for $94,700, and recommended awarding the funds to support down-payment assistance and homebuyer training for low- and moderate-income buyers.

Staff explained that the city budget previously set aside $175,000 for homeownership assistance and that carryover funds and timing of federal receipt delayed the RFP until staff confirmed funding. The staff presentation listed recent uses of HOME and related funds: down-payment assistance for properties at 1235 Dewey (a Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development project), 1418 Prairie (a Community Action / Fresh Start project), and straight down-payment assistance at 1023 McKinley, 1722 Forest and 2029 Nelson. Staff said NeighborWorks had withheld approximately $31,000 of an earlier $75,000 allocation to reserve funds for four new houses coming online this fall; awarding the $94,700 would help fund those units and additional buyers.

Councilor Terrell moved approval; the motion was seconded (recorded as Dents). Council voted in favor by voice vote and the resolution passed. Staff noted NeighborWorks also provides homebuyer training and post-purchase support.

The measure is intended to help low- and moderate-income households move to homeownership, with staff characterizing the NeighborWorks programs as offering counseling and training that increases participant success rates. No public comments were made on the item during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beloit City Council Meeting - Aug 4th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a resolution awarding HOME Investment Partnership Program funds to NeighborWorks Blackhawk Region to provide down-payment and homebuyer assistance for several new and existing homes in Beloit.","taxTitle","Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin","taxId",52805,"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},6145955,"City staff outline plan to boost bicycling, pursue Bicycle Friendly Community recognition",183,3009000,3192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e&start=3009&end=3192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e/thumbnail_3009000.jpg","/articles/6145955/Beloit/Rock-County/Wisconsin/City-staff-outline-plan-to-boost-bicycling-pursue-Bicycle-Friendly-Community-recognition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145955-415a0f8ccf8f3da77c5e6b2c8044b87d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500831&Signature=CxCpOH8ze9jw1V~14cHo7jLmvHJUBuudjcmdtSl6FsMtJSBHiaNkfokd1aRweAzUR367eioNItTEAWGz-89Od6eFao2dPhUvkius1tnRhOv3JSiQdhFqCDx5jtGlwfxAnL9VJG7j0m1lRUlk71NFje6ZGgN8mB80O8pF2pmo5UTV~juF3hnSP8cCVyOuMm-lwUsvT0h2df0WvUnUlFfu4TVtHGGJTzZIdiktk92MUHl2h6DR8YQv5NtsntJVzced1xQybNjxGKnJ3GOuZwZGJFnc3WY0J68MA6ulfHhdsU4RzE~gzz0OpbTSL349W0JqTenN5YzbKIdzjHT4u5dBwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented sketches and an outreach strategy designed to increase utilitarian bicycling in Beloit, linking new infrastructure to data-driven outreach and a formal Bicycle Friendly Community application process.

The presenter said the program goal is to make bicycling an alternate mode of transportation rather than solely a recreational activity. Staff identified data collection as a priority: a planned survey with \"Slats\" to learn why residents do not bike, the use of traffic counters to measure lane use, and event-based outreach such as school health fairs and \"Rediscover Your City by Bike.\" \"We're going to start collecting data,\" the presenter said, noting that qualitative and quantitative input would guide decisions on infrastructure and programming.

Staff outlined the Bicycle Friendly Community application process as a method to organize work and catalyze action: the effort requires addressing the \"five E's\" (engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation) and completing items on a checklist. The presentation included an example comparing typical driving and biking commute times and argued that modest trips are feasible by bicycle for many residents.

Councilors and staff discussed enforcement and the traffic-calming effect of bike lanes; the presenter said narrower lanes tend to slow vehicle speeds and that prior engineering work showed lane additions reduced car speeds on certain corridors. Staff also proposed repurposing one underused bus route to increase school access and noted bike racks on buses can carry two bikes per vehicle.

Staff plans include branding (a logo created by communications staff), a landing page and promotional materials, and coordination with transit marketing to reach families and students ahead of the school year. The city will pursue data collection and community engagement before making major infrastructure commitments.","City staff presented sketches and outreach plans aimed at increasing bicycling, including data collection, a public survey, traffic counters, events, and pursuit of Bicycle Friendly Community designation to guide investments and education.",{"_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},6145961,"Council hears presentation on real-time transit tracking and reporting upgrades funded by CARES and ARPA",120,1727000,1847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e&start=1727&end=1847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e/thumbnail_1727000.jpg","/articles/6145961/Beloit/Rock-County/Wisconsin/Council-hears-presentation-on-real-time-transit-tracking-and-reporting-upgrades-funded-by-CARES-and-ARPA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145961-3797521e5ca7ba7d3f720a2fb6d1567d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500831&Signature=l~kchzqSCzW837CuOm9Bofn1OtEMFNmIkuuWfmL13ykjk5Dui7FX3tv2mxSK9uVAetqC16uzaHZCutBUi7Nwb~0tqZVPGcjW1lYx7pl3rKiTw30ujgqp6zUcxN7LH3nDYJQWu4Twm5XWQjbeK~KrDzzg7zfaIyHB1icoLdnbLXoCQXR2rJ9owlgk3WRp-EJom7IaD3cnJZFAEdwvHNQO6NFwCo0xgktULgqGZLX-ws34VV~Oc3MUEA7DMkTBXvZIcaKX75kcOxzz66RsF3xNslhyuDIB9zIEB8lhPAXcAuvyxW869uoPn98mmOLtTmOK8Wf2MY27Dan3UQi-qkv46Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and Passio Technologies briefed the council on Phase 1 of a transit-technology upgrade that provides riders and staff with real-time vehicle tracking, passenger counting, stop alerts, on-vehicle announcements and enhanced reporting tools. Staff said the work was financed with CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds and was 100% grant-funded.

Scott McLaren, vice president at Passio Technologies, described the package as an integrated rider app, web viewer (passiogo.com) and public-display solution. \"You have 3 solutions in 1,\" McLaren said, demonstrating live vehicle tracking and telling the council the system shows vehicle crowding and real-time ETAs at specific stops. He said the system can push notifications for detours or special events, create set-stop alerts (for example, notify a user when a vehicle is within 20 minutes of a chosen stop), and provide ridership and stop-level reports to inform service changes.

Transit staff said the upgrades were paid for with CARES and ARPA funds. \"These tech upgrades were made possible through the CARES funding and the ARPA funding. So they were 100% paid for with grant funding,\" a transit staff member said. Staff also described plans to present Phase 2 — a cashless fare system using the Wisconsin-wide \"Wisco\" platform — at a future council meeting.

Council members asked whether the system could support schedule and route adjustments driven by demand (for example, late-night or third-shift employment areas) and whether drivers could summon help in a safety emergency. McLaren replied that both features are available: ridership and stop data can be broken down by route and time to highlight demand peaks, and the vehicles' mobile data terminals can include a covert alarm that sends text, email and automated-call alerts to designated contacts while displaying the alarm on the dispatch live map. The vendor also showed that vehicle infotainment displays could be monetized with ads to generate incremental revenue.

Staff and the vendor said Janesville's transit system also uses Passio, enabling cross-system routing visibility in the same app. Transit staff reported the system has been installed for about three months and that early data already allow analysis by day, hour, route and stop. Staff described outreach and marketing plans — QR codes, short social media videos and coordination with the communications director — to get riders to download and use the app. Phase 2, the cashless fare presentation and public hearing, was scheduled for an upcoming meeting.","Staff and Passio Technologies presented Phase 1 of transit technology upgrades — a rider-facing real-time tracking app, public displays, passenger counting and reporting tools — funded entirely with CARES and ARPA grants, and previewed a cashless fare system to come at a future meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145966,"Council approves PUD and rezoning for 103 Eighth Street to legalize mixed uses",296,1066000,1362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e&start=1066&end=1362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529896-b81cca65451774c265293f12acb6e62e/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","/articles/6145966/Beloit/Rock-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-PUD-and-rezoning-for-103-Eighth-Street-to-legalize-mixed-uses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145966-e93ff5a03daf8a3f9ae632d5ba1266f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500831&Signature=LHBrg7uNpwEoH9iFBlU7W9ZALTCdn1j5dO74bMXLPsvycP6AwqUr94iPOpbqmBWua5225LwbMTUaWb0lRZbj2Ou1IU5qfpYUOWco-22C0monH8II40iTSoeFKJ~Zo63bPYFGIy~y5xxW0QdVWfdw68-VX484D3AuZiiEKMQV0kkHzbsfIcPHp~3yVGXdCEUe5iLHZIJ0CnrKxk28eu-RI-Npukbe0eQMYAdepldJXinoBI1fyXXJuDMXRtMCAOL7HEcMDODv8~zxXiv-UqMiKiKzabmxg3gycZUaVRdHp51M1pnxxxALNop-wt2OiVa63jz1WiKn9CQf2pPgMuFq6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beloit City Council approved a planned unit development (PUD) master land use plan and an accompanying rezoning for the property at 103 Eighth Street, legalizing existing mixed uses and clearing the way for a food truck and other on-site activities. The council voted to approve the PUD by voice vote after a public hearing produced no speakers, and later unanimously suspended rules to allow immediate second-reading and final approval.

The approval matters because the property contains multiple nonconforming uses that predate its current R-1B zoning; the PUD package formalizes allowed uses and site standards so the owner can operate without repeated conditional-use filings. Planning staff described the PUD as permitting retail sales and service (clothing and related accessories), office use, a food-truck use, surface parking and ancillary uses matching the existing built footprint. \"Manny is hoping to have a food truck on the site,\" said Manny Sandoval, who spoke on behalf of the owner, Annabelle Salgado, summarizing the applicant's intent.

City staff said the site was downzoned to R-1B in 1999 and that a 2002 conditional use previously authorized retail on part of the parcel; the PUD would consolidate and legalize the current pattern of uses. Staff described the site standards included in the PUD: an existing two-story principal structure with roughly a 0-foot setback on the north boundary, about 10 feet on the west and south, and roughly 75 feet on the east; a maximum overall building coverage of 4,710 square feet; a two-story height limit; a requirement that at least 15% of the gross land area be open space (the current building footprint covers roughly 24% of the lot); and an off-street parking requirement of 11 stalls (the site currently has 25). The presentation noted the food truck would use two spaces in the southeast corner of the lot and that existing signage did not conform to city code; any new signage must comply with the sign ordinance under development.

Councilor Fort Beck moved to approve the PUD master plan (item 4a); Councilor Blakely seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote. On the rezoning (item 4b) the council opened a separate public hearing (no speakers), then Councilor Terrell moved to suspend the rules to allow a second reading immediately; a second was recorded by Dentsch, and the suspension passed by voice vote. Terrell then moved to approve the rezoning to PUD; a second was recorded by Dench, and the motion passed by voice vote.

Discussion at the hearing was limited: staff emphasized that major changes would return to the public process while minor administrative changes could be approved by staff. The PUD ordinance language presented limits accessory structures to conforming standards at the time of future application. The applicant indicated a desire to begin operations quickly in order to participate in a local \"taco take down\" event.

Council action therefore combined two related agenda items — the PUD master plan and the rezoning to PUD — into immediate final approval, allowing the owner to move forward with the uses described, subject to the PUD conditions and applicable sign-code compliance.","The council approved a planned unit development master land use plan and rezoning for 103 Eighth Street to legalize existing nonconforming uses, including retail, office space and a food-truck area, and cleared the applicant for immediate implementation after suspending the usual second-reading timing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves HOME funds award of $94,700 to NeighborWorks Blackhawk for homebuyer assistance

City staff outline plan to boost bicycling, pursue Bicycle Friendly Community recognition

Council hears presentation on real-time transit tracking and reporting upgrades funded by CARES and ARPA

Council approves PUD and rezoning for 103 Eighth Street to legalize mixed uses