Common Council Meeting - September 16, 2025

The Green Bay Common Council met on September 16, 2025, to approve various reports, ordinances, and resolutions. Key actions included advancing a development agreement for the Fire Station Flats affordable housing project, approving a conditional use permit expansion for St. John's Ministries women's shelter, referring a personnel ordinance back to committee for salary review, and amending the notification process for department head appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as amended after a correction regarding a held item on fire inspection fees.
• Agenda was approved as amended to move item J3 to W5 for a first reading.
• Reappointment to a board was approved.
• Report of the Redevelopment Authority was approved except items 2 and 6.
• Report of Improvement and Services was approved except item 4.
• Report of the Protection and Policy Committee was approved.
• Report of the Green Bay Police Department granting operator licenses was approved.
• Plan Commission report was approved except item 2.
• Report of the Finance Committee was approved.
• Park Committee report was approved.
• Traffic, Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission report was approved.
• Municipal court report was received and filed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sig Stroke Manus (representing General Capital, developer) spoke in support of the Fire Station Flats project, thanking the city for collaboration and noting the project expects to begin construction next spring/summer.
• Jesse Brunette (Executive Director, St. John's Ministries) requested a conditional use permit amendment to increase the women's shelter capacity from 58 to 70 and remove seasonal restrictions, citing compliance and a desire to pilot year-round services to better address homelessness.
• Dave Boyce (neighbor of the women's shelter) expressed support for the expansion while raising concerns about fencing and security; offered to donate fencing materials.
• Frank Torres (former security at St. John's) supported the expansion, emphasizing the vulnerability of women experiencing homelessness and the need for consistent shelter.

Discussion Items

• Fire Station Flats Development Agreement (Item 2 of RDA Report): Alder Johnson praised the developer and noted the project's importance for the TID and community. The item was approved.
• Evidence Storage Lease Improvements (Item 6 of RDA Report): Alder Johnson questioned unexpected cost increases (approaching $1 million) and sought better future analysis. Staff explained that asbestos removal led to additional code upgrades. The item was approved using TID 21 funding.
• Triangle Hill Infrastructure (Item 4 of Improvement & Services): Alder Johnson requested clarification on the scope; Director Dich confirmed it covers underground utilities but not a garage. Approved.
• St. John's Ministries Conditional Use Permit (Item 2 of Plan Commission): After testimony, Alder Prophet asked about fencing requirements; staff confirmed they are part of compliance. Approved.
• Personnel Ordinance for Local Health Officer (Item 4 of Personnel): Alder Johnson moved to approve but refer the salary discussion to the next Personnel Committee. After discussion, the motion was withdrawn, and the item was referred back to committee for further salary review.
• Department Head Appointment Process (Item 5 of Personnel): Alder Grant moved to amend to send notification to all council members (instead of just Personnel Committee) before setting the agenda. Amendment approved, then item approved as amended.
• Ordinances – Second Reading (J1-J2): Suspended rules; adopted 12-0.
• Resolutions (1-5): Suspended rules; approved 12-0.
• Ordinances – First Reading (1-3): Suspended rules; advanced.
• Ordinance Item 4: Held over to next council meeting.
• Ordinance Item 5 (J3): Received and placed on file.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Fire Station Flats development agreement; evidence storage lease improvements (using TID 21 funds); Triangle Hill utility infrastructure contract.
• Approved: St. John's Ministries conditional use permit amendment (women's shelter capacity increase and seasonal restriction removal).
• Referred: Personnel ordinance for local health officer salary back to committee for reevaluation.
• Approved as Amended: Department head appointment notification process now includes all council members.
• Adopted/Advanced: Multiple ordinances and resolutions passed unanimously (12-0).
• Held Over: One first-reading ordinance item postponed until next meeting.