Green Bay Common Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Green Bay Common Council met on October 7, 2025, with all 11 members present. The meeting included approval of routine agenda items, a public hearing with no speakers, and discussion on several key items including road improvements, street closures, and the mayor's salary. The council voted to advance the comprehensive plan, approved a partial alley closure for safety reasons, held over a liquor license expansion, and set the mayor's salary at $140,000 after a lengthy debate.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from September 16, 2025, and the meeting agenda were approved unanimously.
• New appointments and reappointments were approved unanimously.
• Second reading ordinances were adopted unanimously under a single roll call vote.
• Reports from the Protection and Policy Committee, Green Bay Police Department operator licenses (except as noted), Finance Committee, Parks Committee, Sustainability Commission, and informational items (Building Report and Municipal Court Report) were approved without objection.
• Resolutions were adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A public hearing was held on a request for a partial alley closure near 409 West Walnut Street, but no members of the public appeared to speak. The record reflects no testimony.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report: Mayor encouraged moving the comprehensive plan forward to a second reading, noting that changes can still be made.
• Improvement and Services Committee – Item 2 (Shawn O Avenue Agreement): Alder Johnson reported on a meeting with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding two projects: resurfacing from Monroe to Taylor (current agreement) and reconstruction west of Oakland to Hudson. The projected timeline of 2031 was deemed undesirable. Alder Johnson moved to approve the agreement but direct staff to continue conversations with DOT on improving the Oakland and Shawno intersection, which has a high accident rate due to a tight bend. The motion passed unanimously. The mayor noted he had taken the Secretary of Transportation to see the road and advocated for an earlier schedule.
• Plan Commission – Item 1 (Vanderbrack Street Closure): Alder Prophet moved to amend the motion to align with the Plan Commission recommendation, which was to close a small portion of Vanderbrack Street. Director Juiceon explained safety concerns due to railroad crossings and difficulty seeing approaching trains, as well as orders from the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads. The amendment passed, and the item was approved as amended.
• Plan Commission – Item 6 (Alley Closure and Liquor License Expansion): Alder Johnson requested to hold the item to the October 21 meeting due to concerns about the sufficiency of the property owner petition and a report that one signatory may not have understood the petition. Staff confirmed no urgency and the temporary use permit would remain. The hold motion passed.
• Personnel Committee – Mayor's Salary: A lengthy discussion occurred on setting the mayor's salary for future terms. The consultant recommended $114,000, staff recommended $128,000, and the committee recommended $140,000. Alder Grant offered an amendment to set the salary at $128,000, citing comparisons to other cities and median household incomes in Green Bay. The amendment failed 3 to 9. The original motion for $140,000 then passed 9 to 3. Supporters of $140,000 argued that the mayor's responsibilities (e.g., negotiating with the NFL team, state advocacy) warrant higher compensation and that the increase represents a tiny fraction of the city budget.
• Public Arts Commission – Port Laureate Term: Alder Hutchison noted that the term dates as written (January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028) were three years, but the intent was two years. The amendment changed the end date to January 1, 2028 (a two-year term). The amendment and the item as amended were approved.
• Traffic, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Committee (TBNP) – Item 3 (RRFB Installation): Alder Johnson submitted a communication, co-sponsored by Alder Prophet, requesting installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at an intersection near a railroad crossing. The cost was estimated under $10,000. After discussion on whether to refer to Infrastructure and Services Committee, the council approved the item directly.
• Equal Rights Commission Report: The report was referred back to the Equal Rights Commission because the item had been passed without a quorum.

Key Outcomes

• Mayor's Salary: Set at $140,000 for the next term (effectively an increase from $92,221 in 2019). The amendment to $128,000 failed (3-9). The motion for $140,000 passed (9-3).
• Shawn O Avenue Agreement: Approved with direction to staff to negotiate with DOT on earlier timeline and study the Oakland-Shawno intersection. (Unanimous)
• Vanderbrack Street Closure: Approved as amended, closing a portion of Vanderbrack Street for safety. (Unanimous)
• Liquor License Expansion/Holdover: Held to the October 21, 2025 council meeting to allow further review of petitions and compliance.
• Port Laureate RFQ: Amended to a two-year term (January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2028). Approved as amended.
• RRFB Installation: Approved for installation at the specified intersection.
• Equal Rights Report: Referred back to commission for proper quorum.