Janesville advisory committee approves multiple alcohol-license actions, grants operator appeal

The Janesville Alcohol License Advisory Committee on Tuesday, Oct. 7 approved several local alcohol-license actions, including forwarding a new full-liquor application to the City Council, granting temporary extensions for two weekend events, approving a one-time extension for a restaurant still completing occupancy corrections, and granting an operator-license appeal by a Festival Foods employee.

The actions affect five separate applications and will control whether businesses may serve alcohol at specified addresses or proceed through the city’s licensing process. Several items will return to the City Council for final consideration when required by ordinance.

Committee chair Vicky Miller opened the meeting and confirmed a quorum before the committee heard applications and public testimony. The committee approved its minutes at the start of the meeting.

Rudacayera El Pancho — original class B application

Maria Sanchez, who identified herself as the applicant and owner of Rudacayera El Pancho, told the committee the business at 1445 Center Avenue (suite 150) was a reconfigured location formerly known as the Wander Inn. Sanchez said the space seats about 20 people and that, if the liquor license is issued, she would be the initial licensed server while she trains a second employee.

Sanchez said an operator-training certificate included in the packet was an expired document and that she understood she must have a current operator’s license to serve when she is not present. The committee asked about store layout and whether liquor would be behind the counter; Sanchez replied it would not be self-serve and that liquor would be kept behind the counter and provided to customers on request.

A motion to approve the application passed on a committee vote; the committee recorded that the approval will be forwarded to the City Council for final action at its Monday evening meeting. Committee members urged the applicant to be present at the council meeting. (Motion by Committee member Sikich; second by Anne Struntz.)

Temporary extension: Bad Brad (celebration of life) — Oct. 18, 2025

The committee approved a temporary extension of premises for an outdoor event hosted by Bad Brad (911 Rockport Road) on Oct. 18, 2025. Linda Jelenic signed the record for that application and described the event as a customer-appreciation party tied to a celebration of life for an individual named Brad Vincent. The Janesville Police Department reported no concerns. The committee approved the extension by acclamation.

Temporary extension / sampling: Unity Group (Liquor and Cloud cabinet) — Oct. 11, 2025

A representative identified as Moore (address on file) said Unity Group planned an outdoor product launch and tasting for a locally bottled bourbon on Oct. 11. Moore said the event would use a small tent on the west side of the property at 1924 East Milwaukee Street, that all transactions would be handled inside the building, and that identification checks would be performed.

Committee members discussed whether state sampling statutes and the city ordinance align for a Class A seller conducting sampling, because the city’s ordinance language references Class B extensions. A staff member told the panel the city attorney had not yet responded and that the statute permits small samplings (committee quoted a state sampling standard of roughly a half ounce and limited servings). Several members said the city ordinance language is ambiguous and requested follow-up clarification in the minutes and from city counsel.

Despite the ordinance question, the committee moved and approved the temporary extension for the October 11 tasting (Motion by Committee member Sikich; second by Councilperson Ria Squire). Staff told the applicant that if sampling occurred inside the premises only, a formal extension could be unnecessary; the applicant said the outdoor setup was requested for better crowd flow and visibility.

One-time extension: Rio Brazilian Steakhouse (2701 Milton Avenue)

City staff reported that Milton Food Services LLC / Blooming Ocean, Inc., doing business as Rio Brazilian Steakhouse at 2701 Milton Avenue, had exceeded the city’s 240-day opening limit under City of Janesville ordinance 6-6-d and had only applied for the one-time extension the day before the committee meeting.

Xin Li, who identified himself as the property owner and said he would help manage the business initially, told the committee the tenant had experienced family health issues that delayed work. Staff reported the restaurant’s temporary occupancy was denied after two failed inspections; the last inspection (Sept. 5) listed nine corrections, including replacement or repair of a large air-handling unit that must be ordered and installed. Li said the HVAC/air-handling unit was on order and expected to be installed in about two weeks, after which remaining items would be completed and the tenant would schedule reinspection.

Committee members expressed concern about the timeline but approved the one-time extension so the applicant could finish work and pursue occupancy, noting this is the single extension allowed by the ordinance and reminding the applicant that the extension would expire if required corrections were not completed. (Motion by Chair Vicky Miller; second by Councilperson Ria Squire.)

Operator-license appeal: Lucas Jesse

Lucas Jesse appeared to appeal a denial of an operator’s license. The Janesville Police Department said the only issue was a failure to disclose an arrest on the application; the department explained the arrest had been expunged and did not appear in public court-access records. The committee discussed the applicant’s written statement and the difference between an expunged record and the application question that asks about arrests in the previous five years.

After discussion the committee granted Jesse’s appeal. The committee recorded the vote as 5–1 with Committee member Knox voting no. The clerk was instructed to notify the treasurer’s office so Jesse could obtain his license.

Other business and closing

The police department reported no alcohol-related incident reports. The clerk provided standard reports on temporary licenses and licenses with conditions. With no further public comment, the committee adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes: unanimous (motion carried). - Rudacayera El Pancho (1445 Center Ave., suite 150) — motion to approve; forwarded to City Council for final action (motion Sikich; second Struntz; committee approval). - Temporary extension, Bad Brad (911 Rockport Rd.) — event 10/18/2025; approved by acclamation. - Temporary extension / sampling, Unity Group (Liquor and Cloud cabinet, 1924 E. Milwaukee St.) — event 10/11/2025; motion Sikich; second Squire; approved (committee approval). - One-time extension, Rio Brazilian Steakhouse (2701 Milton Ave.) — motion Miller; second Squire; approved; applicant told extension is the single one allowed under ordinance 6-6-d and must complete corrections before extension expires. - Operator-license appeal, Lucas Jesse — motion Squire; second Sikich; approved 5–1 (Knox voted no).

Contact and next steps

Several items approved by the advisory committee will return to the City Council where city code requires council action. Committee members asked staff to obtain clarification from the city attorney about sampling by Class A sellers and to record that clarification in the meeting minutes.