Janesville Plan Commission: Clarity and Public Trust are Essential

The Case for Transparency: Janesville’s Public Trust at a Crossroads

This Monday, the Janesville Plan Commission will revisit a resolution to declare 214 E. Wall Street “surplus”—a key step in advancing Bear Development’s proposed multi-family rent-controlled housing project. On its face, this may appear to be a routine procedural matter. In reality, it marks the reemergence of a controversy that speaks to deeper issues of public process, transparency, and trust in local government.

Just two weeks ago, this same item was pulled from the Plan Commission agenda without explanation. The only guidance offered at the time came from the Commission Chair, who noted that any future surplus declaration must originate with the Plan Commission—not the City Council—as a matter of protocol. That process now resumes Monday night. But what has not returned is a meaningful commitment to public engagement or clear communication.

The agenda lists the item under “New Business” with no scheduled public hearing. Unlike City Council meetings, the Plan Commission does not offer a public comment period. This raises serious concerns: Will the clerk read aloud the numerous letters already submitted into the record, the majority of which express opposition? Or will their presence merely be acknowledged and filed away?

Commentary:

In the wake of the previous meeting, community members and downtown business leaders called for a good-faith dialogue between city officials and those directly impacted by the proposed development. That call has gone unanswered. There have been no public listening sessions. No Housing Policy Summit. No indication that city staff or decision-makers have tried to include community voices in the process.

Instead, there is silence—and with it, growing frustration.

The only formal response appears to have come from the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Board, which respectfully urged the city to improve its communication practices. Outside of that, the public has remained largely quiet—not due to lack of concern, but due to a lack of clarity about when and how to engage.

This is not simply about a building or a development. It is about public confidence in how decisions are made and whether those decisions are reflective of community values. The city may believe it is following proper procedure. But perception matters. And from the outside, it appears that key voices—especially those in the downtown core—are being left out of the conversation.

This is not the Janesville we know!

Janesville is a city that prides itself on collaboration, fairness, and listening. The current approach—characterized by minimal public input and a lack of transparency—undermines that legacy. It is a case study in how silence from government breeds mistrust, even when intentions may be sound.

Meanwhile, developers from Janesville are finding more success outside city limits. In Edgerton, Harmony Township, and Milton, projects are breaking ground. Why not here? The answer may lie in something as simple—but as vital—as communication. When developers and residents alike do not feel heard, they look elsewhere.

Now, the Plan Commission stands at a decision point. It can rubber-stamp the resolution and move the project forward—or it can send it back, with a clear message that process matters, communication matters, and the public’s voice must be part of both.

It is worth remembering the fundamentals of public service: listen carefully, plan completely, and respond respectfully. None of those values have been on display in the handling of this issue so far. But it is not too late.

A city that listens is a city that thrives. Convene the Housing Policy Summit. Open the lines of communication. Invite the public in, not as an afterthought, but as a partner. That is the way forward—not just for this project, but for all who want to see Janesville grow responsibly and inclusively.

Because in government—as in life—we have two ears and one mouth. Let us begin using them in proportion.

Hypothetically Speaking — But Critically Important:

Trust is the foundation of effective governance. Without it, development stagnates and civic confidence declines.

We urgently need three immediate actions:

1. Go back and read Council Policy 47, regarding redevelopment project procedures and considerations, and determine compliance.
2. Convene a Housing Policy Summit to identify actionable strategies for multifamily and single-family housing.
3. Engage the public directly to rebuild trust and create clarity.

If the Council will not lead, the Plan Commission must. Janesville needs bold action—now.

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Janesville “Workshop” Raises Accessibility Concerns

Commentary:

The upcoming Janesville City Council “workshop,” previously referred to as a “retreat,” raises significant concerns regarding transparency. The event is scheduled for Saturday at Batterman Engineering, a private venue with limited public access and no listed public comment period. The agenda, posted on Friday morning, provides the location and time but does not indicate if the public is welcome.

This day-long meeting will address important topics such as the city’s financial outlook, capital improvement plans, housing studies, Rockport Pool improvements, and the much-anticipated Woodman’s Center business plan. However, the limited space available for the public and the uncertain plans for recording or broadcasting the session create a barrier to citizen engagement. This represents a missed opportunity for the city to enhance understanding of our strategic position and inform the public about the challenges we face.

These actions, whether intentional or not, convey a concerning message: that transparency may not be a priority. In an era where public trust must be continually nurtured, closed-door governance is a misstep the city should strive to avoid.

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Civic Engagement in Milton, Janesville, and Beyond: Transparency and a Call To Action

Commentary:

Leadership practices and public engagement are on full display across Rock County—and the tone, transparency, and inclusivity of local governance are under increasing scrutiny.

Milton School Board: A Shift at the Top

Last week, the Milton School Board elected new leadership. In a narrow 4–3 vote, newcomer Annette Smith was chosen as Board President, with John Dummer selected as Vice President. They replace a more experienced leadership slate, including outgoing president Joe Martin, who led the board for much of the last six years. We extend our appreciation to Mr. Martin for his steady stewardship.

This leadership change follows contentious discussions over technology procurement and signals broader philosophical differences among board members. Such keenly contested votes are becoming more common across Wisconsin, reflecting deeper divides around key issues like academic performance and school finance.

Academic achievement remains a local responsibility, requiring strong leadership and active community involvement. In contrast, meaningful reform in school finance demands legislative action at the state level. Until both are addressed, local divisions are likely to persist.

But beyond the policies, tone matters. If our school boards begin to mirror the dysfunction seen in higher levels of government, the entire community suffers. Civility, mutual respect, and a focus on shared goals must remain guiding principles, especially when decisions affect future generations.

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Milton City Council: Transparency in Action

Milton is also leading by example on another front: civic transparency. Following Mayor Eric Stockman’s election, five residents applied to fill his vacant Council seat. Public interviews will be conducted during Tuesday’s regular Council meeting at City Hall, with a finalist likely to be selected shortly thereafter. This open process is a model of good governance and should be applauded.

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Janesville: Progress in Communication, but Gaps Remain

In Janesville, recent efforts to improve public communication are showing promise. The City’s communications team has launched two new video segments—City Council Wrap-Up staff commentary and a Council President recap—available on JATV Channel 994 and YouTube TV. Additionally, the newly released State of the City video, produced in partnership with JATV Media, exemplifies what’s possible when transparency is treated as a civic priority.

To build on this momentum, we recommend that the city form a – Blue-Ribbon Committee of community members and media professionals to assess and enhance public communication practices. With the infrastructure already in place, Janesville has the tools to lead—but it needs a strategic, community-driven plan to do so.

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A Grassroots Response: Community Driven Action

In response to both progress and gaps in civic engagement, local residents have stepped up. The volunteer-led Rock County Civics Academy has launched two new weekly programs:

• Hypothetically Speaking: News You Can Use
• Hypothetically Speaking: Newsmakers, this week featuring guest Rosalyn Ryan of the Emersion Orchestra.

Both programs air Fridays on YouTube TV and Channel 994, providing short, accessible updates on civic affairs. In addition, live segments air every Monday morning on WCLO 1230 AM with host Tim Bremel.

These initiatives are shaped by community feedback and aim to meet the growing demand for clarity, context, and accessible civic information.

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Looking Forward: A Call to Action

As Hypothetically Speaking reaches its eleventh edition, we remain proud of what a committed group of volunteers has built. Our mission is simple: increase understanding and participation in local governance. Yet systemic challenges persist—chief among them, the delayed release of public meeting agendas, often posted at the last possible minute. This undermines transparency and limits informed participation.

We propose a clear solution:

1. Require agendas be posted at least three business days before any public meeting.
2. Establish a “Public Engagement Officer” for each public body to improve communication and trust.

More broadly, we again urge the Janesville City Council to create a citizen-led committee to develop a public engagement and communications strategy—within 90 days. The city has talent and infrastructure; what it needs now is intentional leadership.

Democracy does not thrive on autopilot. It demands vigilance, courage, and above all, public trust. Let us make transparency the rule—not the exception.

Our Communities Need You More Than Ever

A Call to Leadership

Our communities’ future depends on actions, not words. Waiting for the “perfect time” may mean missing chances to improve our future. We all share the responsibility to create high-quality communities, and the time to act is now. Volunteer for a committee or run for office. Hillel the Elder’s words, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” are relevant today. Step up and serve now!

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Hypothetically speaking… what if we could bring greater transparency and engagement to local government?