Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
18 issues in environment with medium priority
School food waste composting pilot
A school district survey last spring showed families and staff are concerned about how much food schools throw away. The waste work group is pushing for food rescue or composting programs — no Wisconsin school currently does this, so Green Bay would lead the state. Cold, unopened food could go to food pantries, but the district lacks a process.
Recycling contamination at Bay Beach Amusement Park
Bay Beach's recycling bins are heavily contaminated — about 25-35% garbage — so much of what's collected ends up in the landfill anyway. The commission wants better recycling but a reverse vending machine costs around $6,000 plus reward tickets, and the park's self-funded budget can't cover it. The idea was sent to the Waste Workgroup to find funding partners and possibly better locations.
Green Bay Packers Foundation grant for Conservation Corps
The Conservation Corps gave an update on its work in city parks and greenways, an AmeriCorps-based program that also recruits local crew members.
Reverse vending machine pilot at Bay Beach Amusement Park
The idea is a machine at Bay Beach that takes cans and bottles and rewards recyclers with ride tickets. Right now about a quarter to a third of what goes into the park's recycling bins is garbage, so a reward-based machine could cut contamination.
Nuisance tree ordinance and UWGB trees
The city will study giving the City Forester power to declare trees nuisances, and will raise the UWGB tree issue with the Board of Regents after resident comment.
Nuisance tree ordinance for private property
A proposed ordinance would let the City Forester declare dead or diseased trees on private property a nuisance and force removal. Supporters say it protects neighbors from hazardous trees; the city forester warns it would mean a big inspection and enforcement workload with no current budget.
Household food waste reduction grant
Commission members joined the school district's new Waste Reduction Subcommittee and found Green Bay Area Public Schools is behind on basic recycling and food waste — a partnership is forming to help.
Stormwater pond safety near Star Elementary
Alderpersons raised resident concerns about a dry stormwater pond next to the new Star Elementary holding water during heavy rain, raising child-safety questions. Staff explained it's designed for only about six inches of water and that construction fencing is in place.
Neighbors for Nature pollinator program
The plant kit giveaway has drawn over 400 registrations, capped at 300 households due to space, funding and staffing. Commissioners want press coverage to publicize the program that replaced No Mow May.
Native plant kit giveaway and pollinator corridor
The pollinator-friendly plant kit program is a hit — 95 of 300 kits went out on the first pickup day, with two more dates at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. Three residents have already registered their yards under the city's natural landscape ordinance after picking up kits.
Food waste reduction with schools and community partners
Commission members joined the school district's new waste-reduction subcommittee and hosted a composting education series at the Brown County Library. Broader plans include bringing in representatives from farms, grocers, and food recovery groups to cut food waste.
Atkinson Marsh Restoration (AOC) Project
Northeast Asphalt won the $1.71 million contract to restore Atkinson Marsh.
Connect the Bay coastal resilience grant
The city accepted a $913,482 federal grant to fund final design for community coastal hazard risk reduction along the Fox River.
Flood resiliency projects and Green Tier reporting
The city authorized its annual MS4 stormwater report to the Wisconsin DNR — the yearly paperwork showing Green Bay is managing stormwater runoff to state standards.
Storm flooding and green stormwater infrastructure
Recent storms caused localized flooding, sewer backups, and an East River above bank level. The director reported the Webster swales and Ashland-area upgrades appear to be helping.
800-tree donation for the East River Greenway
The city accepted a donation of 800 trees funded by a federal grant to the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, to be planted along the East River Greenway.
OneEnergy solar land lease
The city's solar land lease with OneEnergy would pay $1,000 per acre, rising 2% a year — the council let the Mayor finalize terms worked out in closed session.
Stormwater grant and complete-and-green-streets program
A DNR stormwater grant could fund a 'complete and green streets' program, but the planning-grant round apparently slipped to 2027. Staff suggested the construction-grant cycle instead could fund GSI projects like the East River project or a stormwater pond at Bay Beach.