Green Bay Common Council Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Green Bay Common Council held a regular meeting on May 5, 2026, covering a range of topics including city-county collaboration, land use amendments, a conditional use permit for a sober living rooming house, and a resolution regarding the Neville Public Museum. The meeting featured public testimony, committee reports, and several votes on ordinances and resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from April 21, 2026, meeting.
• Approval of the agenda.
• Approval of new appointments and reappointments.
• Reports from the Redevelopment Authority, Protection and Policy Committee, Finance Committee, Park Committee, Traffic Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, and Sustainability Commission were approved.
• Operator licenses from the Green Bay Police Department were approved.
• Committee of the Whole report on fire truck antitrust litigation was approved.
• Resolutions 1-13 were adopted unanimously, including creation of Ward 48 due to a land swap.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing on CPA 26-02: No members of the public spoke on the amendment to the comprehensive plan for 1696 Janice Avenue.
• Public Testimony on Conditional Use Permit for 828 Cherry Street: Kevin Platt, a neighbor at 117 North Van Buren Street, expressed concerns about the number of residents (20 men), 24-hour management, and privacy fencing. David Nelson, the applicant, stated that the maximum would be 20 residents, a house manager would be present, and privacy fencing would be installed. Monty (via Zoom) clarified that the facility is a sober living home, not a treatment program, and that managers would be in recovery. Alder Grant expressed hesitation due to lack of detailed plans for management and proximity to a women's shelter, but Alder Prophet noted that neighbor concerns were addressed at a community meeting.
• Public Testimony on Neville Museum Resolution: Multiple speakers voiced support for the resolution and the museum's public mission:
  • Supervisor Patrick Evans (1692 Nancy Avenue) emphasized collaboration, stated the museum is not moving or being privatized, and that a new executive director will be hired.
  • Mary Papas (1947 Lakeside Place) urged a transparent community engagement process.
  • David Corey (1917 Lakeside Place) highlighted the museum's cultural and economic impact, citing the Green Bay Film Society's screenings.
  • Lisa Rose Lambson (2575 Wodell Avenue, UW-Green Bay teaching professor) argued that a public history museum is not interchangeable with a children's museum and warned of irreversible loss of collections.
  • Dr. Rebecca Netsvet (118 South Washington Street) praised the museum's complex exhibits and opposed privatization or merging with a children's museum.
  • Charl Knight, owner of the Tarleton Theater, proposed public stewardship and opposed privatization.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Ordinance 03-26 (PUD for Brown County Library/Third on the Square Project): Dan Teeters of Brown County expressed concern about language tying parking to the Job Center and Grounded Cafe, as the Job Center is a state entity and the cafe is ADRC-funded. The council approved an amendment (by Alder Prophet) to replace "Job Center" with "public or semi-public users" (11-1). A subsequent amendment to make the cafe generic (by Alder Eck) failed. The PUD was adopted as amended 11-1.
• Plan Commission Item 1 (PUD amendments): Amendments to street patterns and density table cleanup were approved; no change in density or units.
• Personnel Committee Item 3: A motion to refer back to staff (to reconsider a process change for open positions) failed. The council then approved the change (9-3) to place an open positions roster on the informational agenda, aimed at streamlining hiring.
• Neville Museum Resolution: The council debated a resolution affirming support for the museum. A motion to lay the item on the table (to allow further county collaboration) was made and passed, with several council members noting the importance of not interfering with county operations while supporting the museum.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes and Agenda: Approved.
• Appointments: Approved.
• Public Hearing (CPA 26-02): Closed with no speakers.
• Ordinances 1, 2, 4 (Second Reading): Adopted unanimously.
• Zoning Ordinance 03-26 (PUD): Adopted as amended 11-1.
• Redevelopment Authority Report: Approved.
• Improvement and Services Committee Item 7 (Barn Contract): Approved with amendment making acceptance contingent on receipt of non-state grant funding.
• Protection and Policy Committee Report: Approved with one abstention on item 9.
• Plan Commission Item 1 (PUD Amendments): Approved.
• Conditional Use Permit (828 Cherry Street): Approved.
• Personnel Committee Item 3: Approved 9-3 (motion to refer back to staff failed).
• Neville Museum Resolution: Laid on the table (motion passed).
• Resolutions 1-13: Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 14: Tabled.
• Ordinances First Reading: Advanced to second reading.
• Meeting Adjourned.