Green Bay City Council Meeting - October 8, 2025

The Green Bay City Council met on October 8, 2025, at 2:02 PM. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation led by Tanya Matoxin of the Oneida tribe. The council approved the minutes from September 16, 2025, and the agenda. Major discussions included the comprehensive plan, Shawnee Avenue improvements, alley closures, and the mayor's salary. The meeting adjourned after addressing all agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes and Agenda: Approved unanimously (September 16 minutes and current agenda).
• Appointments and Reappointments: Motion to approve by Alder Prophet, seconded by Alder Ritterbush; all approved unanimously.
• Ordinances – Second Reading: Suspended rules and adopted by unanimous roll call.
• Committee Reports: Reports from Protection & Policy, Police Department (operator licenses), Finance, Sustainability, and others were approved with noted exceptions. Resolutions adopted unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report: Mayor thanked planning staff for a workshop on the comprehensive plan and requested council advance it to a second reading, noting openness to changes. No vote taken.
• Improvement and Services Committee – Shawnee Avenue Agreement: Alder Johnson reported meeting with DOT; the resurfacing agreement (Monroe to Taylor) is for 2031, which is undesirable. Alder Johnson moved to approve the agreement but direct staff to explore improving the Oakland-Shawnee intersection design. The motion passed with a voice vote. Alder Johnson and Alder Profit also advocated for moving the project timeline earlier.
• Plan Commission Item 1 – Vanderbrack Street Alley Closure: Alder Prophet moved to amend the motion to follow staff recommendation to close a small portion of Vanderbrack, citing safety and railroad orders. Director Juza explained the closure is needed due to track layout and accident history. The amendment and the amended motion were approved by voice vote.
• Plan Commission Item 6 – Liquor License Expansion and Alley Closure: Alder Johnson moved to hold the item until the October 21 meeting, citing incomplete petitions and concerns from property owners. The city attorney noted differences in notification requirements for closure vs. vacation. The hold was approved unanimously.
• Personnel Committee – Mayor’s Salary: Extensive discussion on raising the mayor’s salary from $92,221 (2019) to $140,000 (committee recommendation). Alder Grant moved to amend to $128,000 (staff recommendation), but the amendment failed 3-9. The final motion to approve $140,000 passed 9-3. Alder Grant argued that consultant recommended $114,000 and average salaries for similar cities are lower; Alder Profit and others cited the scope of work and comparisons to other cities. Alder Eck noted taxpayer concerns.
• Public Arts Commission – Poet Laureate Term: Alder Hutchison moved to correct the term from three years to two years (December 31, 2028 to January 1, 2028). The amendment and the amended motion passed by voice vote.
• TBNP Item 3 – Crosswalk/RRFB Installation: Alder Johnson and Alder Prophet submitted a joint communication for a crosswalk near the railroad. After discussion on funding (estimated <$10,000), the council approved the item with staff to seek funding.
• Equal Rights Commission Report: Alder Presley moved to refer the report back due to a quorum issue at the commission meeting. Approved.
• Ordinances – First Reading: Items 2-6 were advanced to second reading; item 1 (related to earlier alley closure) was held to October 21; item 7 (mayoral salary) was advanced to second reading after the salary vote.

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan: Council will advance to second reading; changes remain possible.
• Shawnee Avenue Agreement: Approved with directive to staff to pursue earlier timeline and intersection improvements with DOT.
• Vanderbrack Street Closure: Approved as amended (partial closure per staff recommendation).
• Liquor License Expansion: Held to October 21, 2025, for further review.
• Mayor's Salary: Set at $140,000, effective for future mayor. Vote: 9-3 in favor.
• Poet Laureate Term: Corrected to two-year term (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027).
• Crosswalk/RRFB: Approved; staff to identify funding source.
• Equal Rights Commission Report: Referred back due to quorum issues.
• Ordinances First Reading: Items 2-6 advanced; item 1 held; item 7 advanced.