Green Bay Common Council Meeting - March 5, 2026
Green Bay Common Council Meeting - March 5, 2026
The Green Bay Common Council met on March 5, 2026, to address a range of items including road improvements, short-term rental regulations, a designated outdoor refreshment area, and several committee reports. The meeting featured extensive discussion on the Shawnee Avenue mill and pave project, amendments to short-term rental ordinances, and public comment on the proposed DORA.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes and agenda, reappointments, and several routine committee reports were approved unanimously by voice vote.
- Reports from the Redevelopment Authority, Green Bay Police Department (operator licenses), Plan Commission (items 1 and 3 handled separately), Finance, Park, Personnel, Public Arts, Traffic/Bicycle/Pedestrian (item 4 held), and Sustainability commissions were approved with exceptions noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kristen Johnson (115 East Walnut Street) spoke against the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) ordinance, citing concerns about noise, late hours (10 p.m.), safety of children, and traffic safety at Walnut and Washington. She requested a neighborhood meeting to educate residents about the program. Alder Prophet committed to holding such a meeting.
Discussion Items
- Shawnee Avenue Mill and Pave (Informational): Mayor reported the project will proceed in early summer 2026. Director Justin estimated cost at $400,000–$500,000. Alder Johnson questioned the lifespan (10–20 years vs. 5 years before state reconstruction in 2031) and expressed disappointment that the city is spending wheel tax funds on a state road. Alder Galvin noted the state provides roughly $650,000 annually for state road maintenance, but the city still bears costs. No vote was taken.
- Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Item 3, Plan Commission): Alder Hinkfuss moved to amend the application to include occupancy (marketed number) and whether the property is owner-occupied. After debate, the amendment was amended to specify "owner's primary residence" instead of "owner-occupied." Another amendment to change "maximum occupancy" to "maximum sleeping occupancy" was withdrawn. The final approved amendment requires the application to include marketed occupancy and whether the property is the owner's primary residence. The ordinance was approved as amended.
- Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) (Item 5, Protection & Policy): After public comment, the council approved the draft ordinance to allow outdoor drinking in a designated area. Alder Prophet committed to neighborhood meetings and informational materials. The ordinance will have a second reading at the next meeting.
- Appeal of Dangerous Dog Designation (Item 1, Protection & Policy): Alder Stevens moved to refer the item back to committee after additional records were provided. The petitioner agreed, and the item was referred back for further review at the next PNP meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinances (Second Reading): Adopted 10-2 (roll call) after suspension of rules.
- Shawnee Avenue: No action taken; informational only.
- Short-Term Rental Ordinance: Approved as amended (occupancy and owner's primary residence on application).
- DORA Ordinance: Approved (first reading), with second reading pending.
- Appeal Referral: Referred back to Protection & Policy Committee.
- Item 4 (Traffic): Held to next Traffic/Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission meeting after Alder Johnson's comments on Washington Street parking restrictions.
- Finance Committee Item Q5 (Innovation Fund): Reconsidered and approved with amendment clarifying that all funds over $50,000 require council approval.
- Committee of the Whole: Approved wellhead protection ordinance, special assessments for three resurfacing projects, and final authority for Irish Temper expansion.
- Resolutions: Adopted unanimously.
- Ordinances First Reading: Advanced to second reading, with item 3 (short-term rentals) advanced as amended.
Meeting Transcript
I would call to order the meeting of our common council for Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026. Clark. Thank God we have 12 members for present to the room and 12 members of the voting cloud. All right. Now please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for an invocation offered by Alder Presley. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and which it stands. Alder Presley. Approval of the minutes. Motion to approve made by Alder Prophet. Seconded by Alder Stevens. Any changes here. Seeing none, all in paper say aye. Oppose nay. The ayes have it. The minutes are approved. Approval of the agenda. Motion to approve made by Alder Presley and seconded by Alder Hinkfus. Any changes here. Seeing none, all in paper say aye. Oppose nay. The ayes have it and the agenda has been approved. Report by the mayor. Um plenty of things to say, but I'll keep it to uh Shawnee Avenue and short-term rentals. So um just an informational item on the uh INS report, but um want to thank Director Houston and Assistant Director Brunette uh for both providing an update on a kind of a recap on what was done in 2025 and then also sharing with the council and the community what is planned for 2026. I think the highlight there is Shawnee Avenue um being improved with our our mill and pay program. Um yes, everyone's very excited. Uh we wished uh the state would have moved a little faster and um and take taking care of this obligation which which is theirs, but recognizing how much this street has deteriorated over the years. Um I think everybody agrees that this is the right move. Um so very excited to see that happen in uh in early summer of 2026. Next, uh short-term rentals. We've had a lengthy conversation about short-term rentals um in this body here and in the community, and I think we're we're at a good spot given the constraints that our council gave us the constraints we're operating under with state law, so just want to recognize Chief Walds and uh and our planning folks, um, our Alders who uh initiated a lot of this conversation, Equal Rights Commission citizens who've been very actively engaged. Um as I said, I think we we got to a good point with it. Um so looking forward to approval on that item later this evening. Uh announcements from council. No announcements. Reappointments. Motion to approve the reappointments was made by Alder Prophet and seconded by Alder Galvin. Any comments? Seeing none, all paper say aye. Aye. Oppose nay. The ayes have it, and those reappointments are made. We have one public hearing. This is miscellaneous ordinance number zero one-26, an ordinance adopting an amendment to the Go Big Green Bay 2050 comprehensive plan of the city of Green Bay related to the property located at 801 and 821 Lime Film Road from neighborhood commercial to regional commercial, CPA 26-01. Anyone here would like to speak to that item? Anyone here who would like to speak to that item? Anyone here who would like to speak to that item? Uh clerk, please let the record reflect there's no one here to speak to that item. Next uh ordinances, second reading for adoption. Motion to suspend the rules made by Alder Prophet.
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