Green Bay Common Council Meeting - September 16, 2026

Note on date discrepancy: The raw transcript identifies the meeting as occurring on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The summary below follows the instruction to use the provided date of September 16, 2026, but notes this inconsistency.

The Common Council convened on September 16, 2026, at 21:02 UTC (local time not specified). The meeting covered multiple public hearings, planning commission items, committee reports, and administrative actions. Key topics included a request to vacate a future road, a comprehensive plan amendment, water commission elections, and public art funding.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from previous meeting (motion by Alder Delee, second by Alder Ritterbush) – unanimous.
• Approval of the agenda (motion by Alder Presley, second by Alder Orlovsky) – unanimous.
• Mayor's report: Remarks supporting the fire station and apartment development project, thanking fire chief, deputy director Matt Buchanan, developer General Capital, and attorney Coachart.
• Appointments and reappointments: Approved without opposition.
• Water commission election: Thomas Carman was elected to a seven-year term (through October 2033) by acclamation after no other candidates were nominated. Alder Morgan spoke in support.
• Report of the Redevelopment Authority – approved.
• Report of the Improvement and Services Committee – approved with an abstention on item one from Alder Debaker.
• Report of the Protection and Policy Committee – approved with exception of item six (held to October 6, 2026 per Alder Prophet).
• Report of the Green Bay Police Department grant of operator licenses – approved.
• Report of the Finance Committee – approved.
• Report of the Park Committee – approved with exceptions (items one and four handled separately).
• Report of the Public Arts Commission – approved.
• Report of the Traffic, Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission – approved.
• Sustainability report (informational).
• Building report for August 2026 (informational).
• Resolutions (items 1-3) – adopted unanimously under suspended rules.
• Ordinances first reading: Zoning Ordinance 1026 advanced to second reading; items two through six referred back to staff.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing #2 (Official Map Amendment for Sussex Road area): Brad Reimer (Vierbicher, 400 Security Boulevard) presented a request to remove a small section of officially mapped future road between Sussex Road and Future Durham Road on behalf of property owners Mai Chong and Jack Ying. He explained that the 3.29-acre parcel owners want to build a home further south due to overhead power lines, that a neighborhood meeting had no opposition, that drainage issues were raised by neighbors, and that the cost of building the road would exceed potential development value. A resident from Scottwood Drive spoke via Zoom, expressing strong concern about existing water drainage issues exacerbated by recent development and a culvert from the Town of Scott; he supported eliminating the road. Mai Chong, property owner, testified that they purchased the lot knowing of the mapped road but now want to place their home on the higher ground where the road is planned to allow for gardening for elder parents; they stated they could not afford to build the road themselves. During council discussion, Alder Grant clarified that the house placement would be behind existing homes due to the power line easement.
• Public Hearing #3 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Humboldt Road): Brad Reimer spoke for applicant Steve Bead (not present), describing a low-plan development with townhomes, condos, and single-family lots on the site. No neighbors spoke in opposition. Alder Grant asked about the process; staff explained the comp plan amendment is the first policy step before rezone and platting.
• Park Committee Item 1 (Dead Trees on Nicolay Drive): Eric Rakers (2775 Classic Drive) spoke in favor of city action to remove dead ash trees overhanging Nicolay Drive, a county highway with 8,500 cars per day. He reported that UW-Green Bay deferred responsibility to the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, which has no funds; a tree had already hit a car in 2026. He requested council assistance to prompt removal.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing #2 – Official Map Amendment (Sussex Road): Extensive debate followed public testimony. The Plan Commission had recommended denial; city staff (Director Rainier Wig) explained that removing the road would permanently forfeit future connectivity and development potential, and that the owners purchased the property knowing the road was planned. Alder Grant argued the 3-acre parcel is small, development can still occur without the road, and the family's plan is supported by neighbors. Alder Shelton noted staff and Plan Commission recommended denial. Alder DeBaker questioned how long the land sat vacant. Alder Act highlighted that the planned road connects to the future Kosmoski development. Alder Hinkfist noted the water issues and favored the exception. Alder Morgan reminded council that similar road blocks had been approved in the past (in Alder Hinkfist's district). Alder Hutchison asked if the house could be moved north to avoid the road; staff confirmed the city would not require the road to be built. Alder Delee asked for a map of the proposed house placement; staff noted no formal plan was in the packet. Motion to approve (Alder Grant) failed 5-7. Motion to deny (Alder Prophet) passed by voice vote.
• Public Hearing #3 – Comprehensive Plan Amendment (3290 Humboldt Road): A motion to hold the item until October 20 (Alder Grant) was debated. Alder Grant argued that a formal plan existed and that changing the comp plan pre-decides future development; staff said no formal plan had been submitted and that rezoning would come separately. Alder Prophet opposed holding, noting the developer needed assurance before spending on engineering. The hold motion failed 5-7. The adoption motion (Alder Prophet) passed 8-4.
• Park Committee Item 4 – Public Art at JBS Development: Alder Morgan questioned the $90,000 sculpture, suggesting the money could be better used elsewhere. Staff clarified that the developer is required to spend at least $80,000 on public art under the city's percent-for-art ordinance; the remaining $10,000 is city funds. Alder Presley and Alder Prophet supported the art as interactive and community-valued. Alder Grant suggested interactive art tied to the playground. After discussion, the motion to approve (Alder Presley) passed by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Official Map Amendment (Sussex Road): Request to vacate road denied (5-7 vote); subsequent motion to deny approved.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Humboldt Road): Adopted 8-4, changing future land use from low-density residential to mixed residential.
• Water Commission Election: Thomas Carman elected to a seven-year term.
• Protection & Policy Committee Item 6 (Shell Station at 510 South Monroe): Held to October 6, 2026.
• Park Committee Item 1 (Dead Trees): Referred to staff for follow-up.
• Park Committee Item 4 (Public Art): Approved, committing $90,000 (including developer's $80,000 obligation).
• Zoning Ordinance 1026: Advanced to second reading.
• Ordinances items 2-6 (related to Plan Commission item 6): Referred back to staff.