Green Bay Common Council Meeting Summary - December 16, 2025

The Green Bay Common Council convened on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, for a holiday-themed meeting beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Alder Moore. The meeting focused heavily on the City's new data strategy, urban zoning updates, and contentious public safety technology initiatives, culminating in a debate over police surveillance drones.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
• Approved the Mayor's 2026 committee and council schedule.
• Approved reappointments to various boards and commissions (Alder Prophet moved, Alder Stevens seconded).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Raven Moilen (ESA Advocate): Expressed strong support for the appellant's request to keep four dogs, stating they are well-behaved, emotionally supportive animals provided for after the owner's father's passing. They noted the dogs are senior citizens with limited life spans left and argued the apartment complex has no issues with the animals. They expressed a position of full support for the appeal based on the dogs' behavior and age.
• David Badio (District 8 Resident): Expressed full opposition to the Flock drone and camera program, citing FTC lawsuits against Flock, lack of security (no two-factor authentication), and the risk of data being used for surveillance similar to "Gaza." They argued the program is a "creepy disaster" and that police resources should not be used for drone surveillance.
• Jay Gibbs (Labor Union Representative): Expressed full opposition to the $1.3 million surveillance agreement, arguing it prioritizes surveillance over community needs. They stated that funds should be redirected to affordable housing, public transportation, and warming shelters to address crime at its root causes.
• Dalton Panski (Nursing Student): Expressed full opposition, stating the system is ineffective, insecure, and that the technology cannot be trusted with data. They argued the city should invest in infrastructure and poverty alleviation rather than surveillance.
• Gloria DeGrave (Commuter): Expressed full opposition, stating they feel unsafe with drones and do not want to be constantly watched. They argued that outsourcing human touch to drones erodes the community's character and that data violations are inevitable.
• Pete Borcart (District 8 Resident): Expressed full opposition, highlighting that Flock cameras run on outdated, hackable Android systems and lack basic security. They argued the technology is dystopian and linked to Palantir data systems.
• Ryan Mertz (DFR Consulting/Flock): Stated that Flock systems have security certification and the specific YouTube hack video cited by opponents referred to a factory-default device with no security installed, not their operational systems.
• Fritz Reber (DFR Consulting): Stated that all citizen data access is fully audit-logged and transparent.

Discussion Items

• Data Strategy Presentation (Ishu Gupta): Presented the city's performance management system, aiming to unify 500 data inventories and create KPIs across five focus areas (Organizational Excellence, Fiscal Responsibility, Community Development, Public Safety, Infrastructure). Speaker Position: The project sponsor stated the initiative is about building alignment and transparency, not just an IT project, requiring collaboration across all departments.
• Alder Johnson on KPIs: Expressed a position that metrics must show advancement (e.g., road quality) rather than just activity (e.g., potholes filled), asking if the new system would focus on meaningful progress.
• McDonald's Property Rezoning (Item 5): Director Renierwig explained a compromise zoning plan involving a buffer zone between downtown and general industrial areas. Speaker Position: Staff stated the proposal allows continued work on a Planned Unit Development (PUD). Speaker Position: Alder Prophet expressed support, noting the buffer allows time for the PUD and dispels hesitation regarding the mixed zoning.
• Over-the-Permit Dog Appeal (Raven Moilen): Officer Mavis recommended denial based on city ordinances limiting 2 dogs per unit and historical issues with animal-related nuisance at the Broadway Lofts. Speaker Position: The Appellant argued the dogs are well-behaved ESAs, the owner followed all rules, and the denial was due to unrelated property management issues and a cap on dog numbers rather than behavior. Speaker Position: Officer Mavis expressed that the volume of animals in a high-turnover rental property with previous incidents creates a high likelihood of nuisance and safety risks. Speaker Position: Alder Johnson argued for granting the appeal to navigate individual nuance and senior animal welfare, while Speaker Position: Alder Galvin and Alder Hinkfis expressed concern that granting the appeal ignores the systemic management failures and safety risks at the apartment complex. Ultimately, the council voted to grant the appeal.
• Flock Drone & Surveillance Camera Program: Chief Davis and Fire Chief Davis presented the drones as a first-responder tool to improve officer safety and efficiency by providing situational awareness before ground units arrive, specifically for false 911 reports and emergency scenes. Speaker Position: The City Staff and Chiefs expressed strong support for the technology as a safety tool, clarifying it is not for random surveillance and is covered by existing policies protecting First Amendment activities. Speaker Position: Multiple public speakers expressed full opposition based on privacy concerns, data security risks, and the potential for mission creep. Speaker Position: Alder Johnson expressed support, noting the cost efficiency and safety benefits, provided the contract is legally secure. Speaker Position: Alder Grant expressed full opposition solely based on the vendor's lack of direct response regarding data access permissions. Speaker Position: Alder Galvin expressed conflict, seeing the value but demanding stronger policy language regarding data sharing. Speaker Position: Alder Prophet expressed full support but requested written confirmation from the vendor regarding data access restrictions before voting.
• Equal Rights Commission Ordinance: Discussion centered on reducing the commission from 9 members to 7 to ensure a quorum can be met, as the current size has led to frequent meetings without a quorum. Speaker Position: Staff and Alder Morgan supported the reduction to seven to improve efficiency and meeting capability. Speaker Position: Alder Grant initially opposed the reduction, preferring to keep nine seats to maintain representation, and introduced an amendment to keep nine seats while granting the Alder voting privileges. The amendment passed, followed by the ordinance approving the change to seven seats.

Key Outcomes

• Data Strategy: The City Council acknowledged the performance management presentation and approved the continued development of 200 KPIs across five focus areas, with a directive to engage Alders in identifying valuable data visualizations for the public.
• McDonald's Zoning: Approved the specific buffer zone zoning (150 ft) for the McDonald's property parcel (Item 5, Committee of the Whole), with the southern portion remaining downtown and northern portion general industrial.
• Dog Permit Appeal: Approved the appeal by Raven Moilen to keep her four dogs (7 ayes, 5 nays), granting the requested variance despite Officer Mavis's recommendation for denial.
• Equal Rights Commission: Approved the amendment striking the number of commissioners from 9 and setting it at 7 (9 ayes, 3 nays), with the Alder on the commission receiving voting privileges.
• Flock Drone Program: Approved the motion to approve the Flock drone and camera agreement as amended (9 ayes, 3 nays). The amendment mandates the Law Department review the contract to ensure data security, log access, and allow for contract termination if unauthorized access occurs. The Chief of Police is instructed to incorporate these security provisions into the final agreement.
• Water Utility: Approved the agreement to wholesale sell water to the Village of Pulaski, expected to generate over $300,000 annually.
• Other Actions: Approved resolutions, first reading of ordinances related to the Equal Rights Commission, and advancement of ordinances for second/final reading.