Green Bay Common Council Meeting – July 7, 2026

The Green Bay Common Council convened on July 7, 2026, at 22:59 UTC (approximately 6:00 pm local time). The meeting was called to order by the Mayor and included routine approvals, committee reports, and a quasi‑judicial hearing on the non‑renewal of a Class B liquor license for Jamrock (700 Bodart Street). After hearing evidence and testimony, the council voted to deny the appeal, upholding the police department’s recommendation not to renew the license.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous two meetings were approved unanimously.
• The agenda was approved without amendment.

Mayor’s Report & Announcements

• The Mayor thanked staff and community for a successful Fourth of July celebration, noting smooth operations and partnership with community organizations.
• City Night at Joanne’s (baseball game) was announced for Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm, honoring first responders.
• The Mayor welcomed new Chief Ray Feeton (Green Bay Police Department) and congratulated him on joining the senior staff.
• Alder Delee announced “Grooves on the Green” at Badger Park on Friday, July 10, 2026 (6–8 pm).
• Alder Presley announced the Green Bay Fringe Festival (July 16–19) at downtown locations.

Appointments & Reappointments

• One new appointment and several reappointments were approved by voice vote.

Ordinances, Committee Reports, Resolutions

• Ordinances (second reading) were adopted on a single roll‑call vote (12‑0).
• Committee reports from INS, Protection & Policy, Green Bay Police Department (operator licenses), Plan Commission, Finance, Park, and Traffic Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission were approved, with items 1 and 3 of the Traffic Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission referred back to committee.
• Resolutions and first‑reading ordinances were advanced unanimously.

Quasi‑Judicial Hearing: Non‑Renewal of Liquor License for Jamrock

Parties and Procedure:

• The hearing considered the non‑renewal of a Class B liquor license for Jamrock (700 Bodart Street) under Green Bay Municipal Code § 4‑9F.
• The City was represented by Attorney Mays; the licensee, Mr. Record O’Neill (owner), was represented by Attorney Heather Richmond.
• Each party was given approximately 10 minutes for presentation, plus rebuttal; council members asked questions of both sides.

City’s Case (Attorney Mays):

• Grounds for non‑renewal cited: (1) activity interfering with police officers or violating law substantially related to the licensed facility (§ 4‑9‑B2), (2) violations of statutory restrictions (Wis. Stat. ch. 125 and ch. 4 of municipal code) (§ 4‑9‑B6), and (3) violations of stipulation agreements entered with the city (§ 4‑9‑B8).
• Key incidents:
  • January 27, 2024: An extremely egregious incident. Mr. Neal invited an intoxicated person into the bar at 3:30 am (after bar close), served him a shot, and a physical altercation occurred. A firearm was retrieved from the office; the video showed Mr. Neal punching the patron and the firearm being handled. The patron alleged Mr. Neal pointed the gun at him; bullet fragments were found. Police were not called by the establishment.
  • March 28, 2024: A correction meeting was held; a remediation plan was submitted but did not adequately address concerns.
  • June 16, 2024: Minor disturbance outside the bar.
  • July 1, 2025 (first day of license year): Disturbance inside and outside; no call to police by the bar.
  • October 1, 2025: Controlled substance transactions (cocaine) arranged in front of the bar.
  • November 7, 2025: Physical disturbance between two males; one approached police.
  • December 19, 2025: Underage drinking complaint; ID scanner not working; video not turned over within five days as required by stipulation agreement (two violations).
  • February 25, 2026: Follow‑up check; still no working ID scanner; cited for stipulation violation.
• Attorney Mays stated the 2024 criminal case (refiled as 26 CF 674) was dismissed due to witness unavailability but was refiled and is pending. She argued the totality of circumstances—including the video evidence—warranted non‑renewal.

Appellant’s Case (Mr. Neal & Attorney Richmond):

• Mr. Neal testified that the January 2024 incident was self‑defense: the patron claimed to be a “killer from Chicago” and threatened him. He retrieved the firearm only after the patron became aggressive; he did not fire it at anyone. He stated the gun accidentally discharged while he was clearing a jam after the patron left.
• He explained he did not call police because he was terrified and wanted to leave the area.
• He argued that most disturbances occurred outside the bar or involved patrons who had been no‑trespassed; he could not control events outside the premises.
• Regarding the ID scanner: He used an app on phones; a payment issue caused a temporary lapse, but it was corrected. He showed the app to the council during the hearing.
• He claimed the video was made available for pickup within five days, contrary to the city’s assertion of non‑compliance.
• He noted that other nearby bars (e.g., 607 Bodart, 718 Bodart, 1100 Main St., 201 N. Washington St.) had many more police calls (19 to 69 calls) but their licenses were not threatened, suggesting he was being targeted.
• Attorney Richmond argued the 2024 incident was dismissed and should not be used to penalize Mr. Neal now, especially since the license was renewed in subsequent years.

Council Questions & Discussion:

• Council members questioned Mr. Neal about why he did not call police, why he turned off the lights, and why he physically engaged the patron. Mr. Neal said he was in “fight or flight” mode and wanted to protect himself and his staff.
• Chief Davis confirmed that bullet fragments were found and that the victim alleged a shot was fired, though no witnesses other than Mr. Neal’s girlfriend (who said she heard a gunshot while in the bathroom) corroborated the accidental discharge narrative.
• Chief Davis and Attorney Mays clarified that the ID scanner requirement was part of the stipulation agreement and that Mr. Neal had multiple opportunities to comply.
• Council members noted a lack of accountability and follow‑through on the remediation plan (e.g., no‑trespass orders not enforced, ID scanner not consistently working).

Key Outcomes

• Motion to deny the appeal (i.e., uphold non‑renewal) was made by Alder Grant, seconded by Alder Morgan. The motion passed by voice vote (ayes majority).
• The council thereby denied the licensee’s appeal and did not renew the Class B liquor license for Jamrock.
• The meeting was adjourned immediately after the vote.

Note: The meeting agenda and minutes were not provided, so the summary is based solely on the transcript. The date of the meeting is July 7, 2026, as indicated in the transcript.