Council Member (at-large)· 2026-04-14 to 2030-04-01 (start 2026-04-14 per City of Janesville election page (newly elected councilors take office April 14, 2026); won April 7, 2026 election per April 21, 2026 reorganization roll call; month-level end: April 2030 (four-year term from April 2026))
Cassandra Pope
Janesville
About
Cassandra Pope's campaign centered heavily on opposing local data center developments, alongside addressing housing and improving community communication. As a key organizer of the 'No Data Center' movement, she successfully transitioned her activism into a successful run for the Janesville City Council.
Campaign promises (1)
- developmentOppose the establishment of a data center in Janesville.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 1
- Total speaking time
- 3:07
- Avg per meeting
- 3:07
- Segments
- 41
Want every word Pope has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Pope said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Zoning and Subdivision Code Rewrite
The redevelopment could significantly reshape the tax base depending on what's built.
New City Manager selection
The city manager's salary and the direction of city administration affect how your tax dollars are spent, but no specific figures were discussed publicly.
Former ice arena redevelopment
Potential sale of city property; financial terms not yet presented.
Proposed 208-unit multifamily development near Humes and Sandhill drives
The proposal includes a new TIF district, whose costs and benefits are not yet detailed.
Affordable Housing Fund policy overhaul
Funds come from tax increment financing district extensions; at least 75% must support affordable housing by state statute.
Historic overlay district repair standards
The applicant told the Commission that alternative window materials were not financially feasible for the project.
Creation of Tax Incremental District No. 44
TIDs can shift how tax revenue funds improvements in the district — details will come out in the project plan.
Historic preservation public outreach and CLG grant funding
Grant funding could cover brochure updates at little to no local cost.
2400 Beloit Avenue redevelopment
Land and TID terms are still to be negotiated; Next Generation proposed $17,000 per acre and pay-go residential TID financing with no city bonding risk.
Pine Ridge Estates Sixth Addition and McCormick Crossing infrastructure
Homeowners will pay for sidewalks along Hemingway Drive before occupancy, and parkland fees will be paid in lieu of dedication.
April 17 flood recovery assistance
Residents can receive up to $6,000 in FEMA assistance; SBA loans available; applications due August 31.
Pedestrian safety and accessible crossings
Cost of any new crosswalks or signals not yet estimated.
Kwik Trip rezone and neighborhood traffic
The Wright Road–McCormick connection could cost millions and would likely fall on the developer through special assessments unless the council changes its policy; the Kwik Trip project itself is privately funded.
Woodman's Center financial oversight
The facility needed a city subsidy of about $95,000 in 2025 and $67,500 through August 2026, with a projected ~$110,000 room tax contribution offsetting losses.
Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use map amendment
2027 CDBG and HOME fund planning process
About $80,000 in federal grant money is being divided among local nonprofits, with amounts shifting if final 2027 funding changes.
Bartender license denial standards
Future of the former Janesville Ice Arena
The planning process costs the city nothing (EPA grant funded), and the property will likely still be sold eventually to eliminate ongoing city costs.
Remaining Class B quota licenses drawing interest
A shrinking license pool could limit future restaurant and bar openings in Janesville.
School District of Janesville operating referendum
About $150 a year on a $300,000 home, though state aid offsets lower the actual taxpayer cost.
Decisions during term (245)
Recorded while Pope was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Traxler Park Veterans Memorial redesign permission
Consent agenda (items 6.a-6.f, 6.h, 6.i)
2027 Business Improvement District Operating Plan and BID levy (6.e)
Pine Ridge Estates 6th Addition developer MOU (6.g)
Award of contract for Bid Schedule G - 2026 (C2026-14 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Lining)
Motion to convene into closed session
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 12, 2026
Licenses and recommendations (refer to the license agenda)
Resolution 2026-2466 — Pedestrian Safety Month and White Cane Safety Day proclamation
Consent agenda items 6.a, 6.b, 6.d, 6.e approved
Resolution 2026-2643 — Purchase of nine police vehicles with intent to borrow
Resolution 2026-2459 — Woodman's Center alcohol agreement extension
Motion to convene into closed session re: DJF litigation
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting and City Council Workshop of September 28, 2026.
Licenses and recommendations (refer to the license agenda)
Approval of minutes of September 8, 2026
CSM 26013-C, Campbell Trust — one lot along Greenwood Drive
Extension of conditional use permit — car wash at 2328 Humes Road
Resolution 2026-2462 — Fire Prevention Week recognition
Consent agenda items 6.a-6.c approved
Voting record (8)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Traxler Park Veterans Memorial redesign permission
Proceed with redevelopment planning with KSU-TAB & Stantec.
Future of the former Janesville Ice Arena — Option 1: redevelopment planning with KSU-TAB & Stantec
No neighborhood strategic plan exists, so the community should be asked what it wants for the site.
Kwik Trip rezoning and certified survey map (Ordinance 2026-936 / CSM 26009-C)
terminate any extensions of the current LOI and discontinue any and all discussions with data center developers until guardrails, known as a companion ordinances are approved
Miller amendment to cut off all data center discussions until ordinances pass
Appeal of bartender license denial — Montana Marie Wilson
The omission would not have disqualified her, so it did not look like concealment.