Green Bay · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Patrol officer hiring
The Commission screened six Patrol Officer candidate backgrounds: two candidates withdrew, two were removed, and two advanced in the hiring process — part of ongoing police staffing efforts.
Firefighter candidate retention
Great intern candidates are being lost because the fire department only hires once or twice a year. The Commission president asked HR to find a way to grab good candidates when they appear.
City Forester nuisance tree authority
The committee approved an ordinance change making fines for cutting down or damaging public trees clearer and potentially costlier — at least $500 per incident, up to the tree's appraised value. It also adds a public webpage notice so people know the rules before they act.
Grass and weeds abatement charge appeal at 811 Ernst Drive
The city cut long grass and weeds at 811 Ernst Drive and billed the owner $451.54; the owner is appealing. Staff say the work was done per ordinance and recommend denying the appeal.
Fire Station 6 remodel
Design work is moving forward on Fire Station 6 upgrades — HVAC, windows, and a new SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) room — to keep firefighters' equipment and working conditions up to standard.
Sex offender residency appeals
The board decides where registered sex offenders may live in Green Bay. Three people asked to live at specific addresses; one was denied, two were approved.
Lincoln School area signage changes
The Traffic Engineer's recommended sign modifications around Lincoln School were approved, aimed at keeping kids safer around the school.
Electric motorcycle fleeing and enforcement trends
Police report a jump in fleeing cases — about a third involve electric motorcycles, often ridden by young riders — plus two September fatal crashes and 13 serious-injury crashes in the third quarter.
School pickup congestion at Lincoln Elementary
Cars parking both sides of narrow Caroline Street during pickup are jamming the road, made worse by school consolidation and nearby construction. New signs will restrict parking to one side while allowing quick student loading.
West Side Municipal Garage HVAC improvements
The city hired an engineering firm to design heating and cooling upgrades for the West Side Municipal Garage, the first step of a facility improvement project.
Fire Department equipment purchases
Firefighters get 30 new thermal imaging cameras now, and the CIP discussion covered replacing aging fire hose (some 30-35 years old), med units, gas detectors with failing charging stations, and phasing in diesel particulate filters that cut station exhaust and cancer risk.
Firefighters grievance (GBPPA Grievance 2026-01) finalized
The committee wrapped up a grievance filed by the Green Bay Firefighters by adopting the official written findings. It stems from a decision made at the September 29 meeting, and the document will be signed and issued, ending the process.
Thermal imaging camera purchase
The city is buying 30 Bullard TXS thermal imaging camera bundles — gear that helps firefighters see through smoke and find people in the dark.
Rewrite of alcohol beverage licensing code
Chapter 4 of the municipal code gets its first full overhaul in years, swapping stipulation agreements for correction meetings and dropping a blanket 24-hour surveillance camera mandate.
Operator's license appeal and application disclosures
A bartender's license denial over an undisclosed old felony got a unanimous recommendation of approval, with members noting a broader problem: people mistakenly think old convictions don't need to be disclosed, and the police are required to deny those applications.
Firefighter intern hiring pipeline
Thirteen former fire department interns never got a shot at applying under the old one-time hiring process. The commission approved giving them first chance through the same Public Safety Answers test and interviews before opening recruitment to the public.
Police promotional processes (Commander, Captain, Detective)
The police department is running Commander, Captain, and Detective promotional processes with healthy applicant pools for the first two, and the Detective posting just opened. The commission will later approve the selection panels and final picks.
Police and Fire Department staffing levels
The Commission approved several key promotions, including an Assistant Fire Chief, a Battalion Chief and two Police Sergeants, plus promotional lists for Detective, Lieutenant and Sergeant. These moves shape the leadership of both departments that residents rely on for emergency response.
2025 Justice Assistance Grant acceptance
The city can accept $62,043 in federal JAG money to buy portable police radios at no local cost. But new federal conditions about sharing immigration info with DHS spooked some alders, who wanted to know whether these terms are new and whether they apply beyond the radios before signing on.
Firefighters union grievance over mold remediation kit deliveries
The committee ruled that ordering firefighters to deliver mold remediation kits a week after the flooding violated Section 8.4 of the labor contract. This sets limits on what the fire chief can direct crews to do during disaster recovery, and could affect how the city responds to future floods.
Automated license plate readers (ALPR) policy
Commissioner Sherman asked Police Chief Davis about public controversy around Flock camera systems elsewhere in the Fox Valley. Davis detailed the city's five-year contract, data protections, a completed audit, and planned limits on data sharing with distant agencies.
Excess animal permit denial — Gottlieb dogs
Two of Doug Gottlieb's dogs bit a delivery driver on September 11, after the committee had given him extra time to show training progress. The committee denied his permit appeal, calling it a public safety matter for the neighborhood.
Flock camera public support request
A resident came to ask about public support for Flock cameras, but the topic wasn't on the agenda.
Alcohol server license appeals and application clarity
Four residents appealed denials of their bartender/operator licenses, and the committee keeps running into confusion over the conviction disclosure question. Members signaled they may ask staff to rewrite the application wording.
Huron Road pedestrian crossing at Highland Center Drive
After years of enhancements and repeated study, a 24-hour count found only about 26 pedestrians crossing Huron Road at Highland Center Drive — far below warrants for more signs, markings, or a flashing beacon. The request was placed on file, though the coming Eaton Heights expansion could justify looking again.
May 2026 Traffic Safety Plan and June enforcement deployments
The Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Unit reported slightly lower August enforcement numbers due to officer leave, with upcoming OWI, seat belt, speed, and pedestrian deployments and new grant applications for the fiscal year starting October 1.
Homeless outreach funding
The authority authorized a roughly $25,000 donation to support homeless initiatives with the Brown County Housing Authority and House of Hope, helping get a new service effort off the ground.
Sex offender residency approvals in Green Bay neighborhoods
The board decides where registered sex offenders may live in the city. This meeting approved four residences in Districts 6, 7, and 10, with all approvals address-specific. Residents who move again must return to the board.
2026 Commission Goals and Priorities
The commission kicked off planning for 2027, asking members to submit ideas by November 1 and urging alignment with the city budget calendar so proposals aren't doomed by timing.
Liquor license near a school at 510 S. Monroe
The council said no to waiving the 300-foot school buffer for a liquor license, but allowed a beer license for a food pantry at the same address.
New Fire Station 1 at 420 S. Broadway and $15 million borrowing
A $5 million HUD Community Project Funding award keeps the full three-story design of the new Broadway fire station on track — officials had considered shrinking or cutting a floor if costs came in high. The building will include individual dorms, a mother's room, health-and-safety improvements, and space for an aerial truck.
Station 7 HVAC replacement
A $384,000 replacement of aging HVAC equipment at Fire Station 7, keeping the station functional for crews and equipment.
Temporary speed tables for neighborhood traffic calming
Up to $40,000 in CDBG funds will buy three sets of temporary speed tables for neighborhoods where speeding is a top complaint. The city will pilot them, collect speed data, and install permanent versions where they work.
Temporary speed tables in CDBG neighborhoods
Up to $40,000 in federal block grant money buys three sets of temporary speed tables to slow traffic in eligible neighborhoods.
Operator's license appeals for applicants with criminal records
Four people appealed denials of their alcohol-serving licenses, mostly over old felony convictions. The committee weighed rehabilitation, disclosure, and time since offense, recommending approval for all who appeared — with the full council making the final call September 15.
Brown County All Hazards Mitigation Plan
The committee backed a resolution supporting the county's all-hazards mitigation plan at the fire department's request — a step toward coordinated emergency preparedness.
Liquor license within 300 feet of Howe Elementary
The gas station at 510 S Monroe Ave wanted to add intoxicating liquor sales, but state law bars licenses within 300 feet of a school unless waived. The committee refused the waiver, citing complaints from Howe parents and teachers about litter and alcohol-related issues near the school and a nearby park frequented by homeless residents.
Excess animal permit and chronic nuisance calls on Nicolet Drive
Doug Gottlieb's three-dog permit denial was appealed amid 29 police calls and 19 animal citations since October 2025. The committee gave him a month to bring neighbor and trainer letters showing conditions have improved.
Phishing scam targeting COA applicants
An applicant at 837 S Jackson Street got a fake email impersonating the commission chair and city finance director demanding payment to 'satisfy' his COA. Staff said they'll redact applicant contact info from online packets.
Fire Station 3 repairs
Flooding on June 24 displaced the Station 3 crew, who've been spread across Stations 3 and 6 for over a month. An emergency declaration fast-tracks about $250,000 in repairs, mostly covered by insurance.
Fire Station No. 3 flood restoration emergency
Following June 24 flooding, the council declared a public emergency so Fire Station No. 3 repairs can move quickly, including contracts over $50,000 without normal delay.
Excess animal permit appeal at 408 Columbia Ave
Police told the committee the property had three large dogs on a small lot, a yard covered in feces and mud, a rat infestation, and open inspection orders — plus a prior animal mistreatment conviction. The committee denied the appeal unanimously.
Bart Starr Elementary School opening traffic plan
The new Bart Starr Elementary School opens August 31 with over 500 students merged from three schools. The district got ahead of the problem by proposing parking zones, drop-off lanes and a crosswalk before opening day.
E-bike and e-scooter regulation gaps
Police reported many vehicles marketed to families as e-bikes are actually motorcycles capable of very high speeds, and is working on state law clarification and judge education.
Parking restrictions near Martin Luther King Elementary School
Parents are getting photo-enforced tickets near the school during pickup and events, and the school lacks an adequate pickup/dropoff setup. The commission held the item so the alder and district can agree on less restrictive school-side parking and event-day coordination before the next meeting.
Speeding on Pleasant Lane near Brown County Dog Park
A request to study speeding on Pleasant Lane found average speeds below 25 mph, no crash history, and very low traffic volumes, so no action was taken beyond placing the request on file.
Second-quarter serious injury crashes
Green Bay recorded 18 serious-injury crashes in the second quarter of 2026, with no fatalities, though a few cases brought criminal charges. Enforcement is concentrated on crash-prone corridors like East Shore Drive.
Signage around new Bart Starr Elementary School
The school district's plan for signage locations around the new Bart Starr Elementary School at 7th Street and Chantel Street was approved, setting up traffic signage for the new school's surroundings.
Clarification of Assistant Fire Chief Lateral Transfer
News reports wrongly said Eric Jeltema was promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations; he'd actually already made assistant chief in January. The commission only votes on promotions, not lateral moves at the same level.
Detective vacancy filled in Police Investigations Division
The Green Bay Police Department's Investigations Division had an open Detective position, and promoting Officer Eric Elbe fills it. That means staffing for investigating cases that matter to residents — from property crimes to more serious investigations.