Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
25 issues in environment
Solar for Good grant opportunity
The city is pursuing rooftop solar at its east and west side DPW garages (30% federal tax credit, plus 10% extra for the west side's legacy energy community), solar on the JBS urban barn, and a 53-acre solar lease with One Energy on farmland near a WPS substation.
Recycling contamination at Bay Beach Amusement Park
The Commission is spreading recycling education resources — an ABC book for elementary teachers, the Waste Wizard, and the Betterbin barcode app — and plans to revisit trash and recycling receptacles at Bay Beach with suggestions for the parks crew.
School food waste composting pilot
The waste reduction group is running small food-scrap pilots at a few schools, trucking scraps to UW-Green Bay's composter to prove the concept before asking the school board for bigger investment.
Green Bay Packers Foundation grant for Conservation Corps
The Corps wrapped its program year with 36 people serving nearly 50 terms and 22,000+ hours of restoration, trail, and education work. It met its pollinator corridor goal, is recruiting fall crews, and got a donated UTV to boost efficiency.
Safe Streets for All grant project
A federally funded street-safety project spanning 30 to 36 months kicked off this summer, with the first community listening session planned this fall.
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.
Waste Reduction Work Group activity
The commission's waste reduction work group shared its latest update, covering ongoing efforts to cut landfill waste citywide.
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.
2027 recycling agreement with Brown County
A free annual renewal that keeps Brown County's recycling education and outreach going, which the city needs to keep its state grant funding.
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.
EPA Brownfields program progress
The first $500,000 assessment grant is fully spent — 13 sites, about 58 acres assessed — and a new $500,000 grant was awarded in June. Over $364,000 has gone to Badger Sheet Metal cleanup, and the greenway construction contract was recently awarded.
Home Electrification seminar
Menasha Utilities is hosting a free beginner-friendly seminar on switching gas appliances to electric, including rebates and incentives. Open to all residents, not just Menasha customers.
Flood resiliency projects and Green Tier reporting
Two major East River flood projects are moving forward: Emily Park ($2.1M, construction early 2027) and Van Beaver Park ($8M). About half of the Emily Park cost is secured through grants, and baseball fields in the park will be relocated out of the wetland area.
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.
East River flood warning system
After six years of work, roughly seven communities along the East River have verbally committed to cost-share a new river gauge near Bellevue — a key step toward the region's first flood warning system for one of its largest watersheds. Brown County's emergency manager is helping coordinate.
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.
Badger Greenway stormwater corridor
A $374,000 green-infrastructure project on the old Badger Sheet Metal site will connect Seymour Park to the shipyard, filter stormwater before it reaches the Fox River, and help fix a flooding problem created when the old slough was filled in.
Historic preservation survey grant
The city accepted a $20,000 state grant requiring no local match to designate a new historic district — the fifth round of such funding the city has used.
DPW rooftop solar design
A $53,000 design contract with Berners-Schober Associates moves the city toward solar panels on the Public Works building.
Rooftop solar at Public Works
The city hired an architect to design rooftop solar panels for the Public Works building — a step toward lower energy bills.
Energize Green Bay clean energy campaign results
The Clean Energy workgroup delivered a routine update, received and filed with the other workgroup reports.
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.
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.
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.