Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
36 issues in public safety with high priority
Patrol officer hiring
The Commission screened six Patrol Officer candidate backgrounds: two candidates withdrew, two were removed, and two advanced in the hiring process — part of ongoing police staffing efforts.
Firefighter candidate retention
Great intern candidates are being lost because the fire department only hires once or twice a year. The Commission president asked HR to find a way to grab good candidates when they appear.
City Forester nuisance tree authority
The committee approved an ordinance change making fines for cutting down or damaging public trees clearer and potentially costlier — at least $500 per incident, up to the tree's appraised value. It also adds a public webpage notice so people know the rules before they act.
Fire Station 6 remodel
Design work is moving forward on Fire Station 6 upgrades — HVAC, windows, and a new SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) room — to keep firefighters' equipment and working conditions up to standard.
Sex offender residency appeals
The board decides where registered sex offenders may live in Green Bay, weighing restrictions against individual housing requests. Two appeals were approved this month, one with a 60-day limit.
Electric motorcycle fleeing and enforcement trends
Police report a jump in fleeing cases — about a third involve electric motorcycles, often ridden by young riders — plus two September fatal crashes and 13 serious-injury crashes in the third quarter.
Fire Department equipment purchases
Firefighters get 30 new thermal imaging cameras now, and the CIP discussion covered replacing aging fire hose (some 30-35 years old), med units, gas detectors with failing charging stations, and phasing in diesel particulate filters that cut station exhaust and cancer risk.
Operator's license appeal and application disclosures
Brian Sanchez won his appeal of a denied operator's license on a 10-2 council vote.
Police and Fire Department staffing levels
Alderperson Hinkfuss flagged that the police department has been running short-staffed for years — 15 officers down as of March 3 — and pressed for recruitment incentives like relocation money to apply to officer recruiting.
Automated license plate readers (ALPR) policy
Commissioner Sherman asked Police Chief Davis about public controversy around Flock camera systems elsewhere in the Fox Valley. Davis detailed the city's five-year contract, data protections, a completed audit, and planned limits on data sharing with distant agencies.
Excess animal permit denial — Gottlieb dogs
A couple wants to keep three dogs where city law allows two, after documented dog complaints dating back to 2018 and neighbor objections. The committee delayed its decision two weeks so all parties get the police reports and objection letters.
May 2026 Traffic Safety Plan and June enforcement deployments
The Police Department's monthly safety plan shows traffic complaints are the city's number one complaint. June brings OWI, speed, seat belt, and pedestrian/bicycle enforcement sweeps, with priority crash areas at University Avenue/Elizabeth Street, East Mason Street/Alpine Street, and University Avenue/Sturgeon Bay Road.
Sex offender residency approvals in Green Bay neighborhoods
The Board approved five appeals letting registered sex offenders move into specific Green Bay addresses, including a motel on N. Monroe Avenue and units on Day Street and Deckner Avenue. Approvals are address-specific, so any change of residence requires the person to return before the Board.
Fire Station 3 repairs
Flooding on June 24 displaced the Station 3 crew, who've been spread across Stations 3 and 6 for over a month. An emergency declaration fast-tracks about $250,000 in repairs, mostly covered by insurance.
Fire Station No. 3 flood restoration emergency
Following June 24 flooding, the council declared a public emergency so Fire Station No. 3 repairs can move quickly, including contracts over $50,000 without normal delay.
Excess animal permit appeal at 408 Columbia Ave
Police told the committee the property had three large dogs on a small lot, a yard covered in feces and mud, a rat infestation, and open inspection orders — plus a prior animal mistreatment conviction. The committee denied the appeal unanimously.
Bart Starr Elementary School opening traffic plan
The new Bart Starr Elementary School opens August 31 with over 500 students merged from three schools. The district got ahead of the problem by proposing parking zones, drop-off lanes and a crosswalk before opening day.
Speeding on Pleasant Lane near Brown County Dog Park
Speeding on the narrow, winding stretch of Pleasant Lane between West Mason Street and the dog park entrance worried nearby residents, especially with a new Oneida visitor center coming that will increase traffic. The commission approved a 15 mph speed limit sign as a first step.
Parking restrictions near Martin Luther King Elementary School
Parents picking up kids at MLK Elementary were getting tickets for stopping in no-stopping zones because the neighborhood school has almost no legal parking for the roughly 50-60 cars at dismissal. The commission voted to ease restrictions so parents can legally wait and park during pickup.
Sex offender residency approvals and community safety
The board decides where registered sex offenders may live in Green Bay under the residency ordinance. This session saw two approvals and one denial, with treatment completion and remorse as the deciding factors.
Jam Rock liquor license non-renewal upheld
The committee signed off on four licensing items at once, including a one-day outdoor tent expansion for Blue Collar Bar & Grill and new Class "B" licenses for two downtown-area venues.
Fire Chief selection process
Green Bay is choosing its next fire chief, and the Police and Fire Commission has cut 28 applications down to a shortlist for screening interviews. The eventual choice will lead the city's fire department and its emergency response for years.
Tobacco license non-renewal appeal (Holy Smokes)
A smoke shop owner's tobacco licenses were recommended for non-renewal because of a 2020 felony conviction — the first case under the city's new PD background-check process for tobacco licenses. The committee approved his appeal after hearing he'd completed probation and stayed out of trouble since.
Homelessness services funding (HOME-ARP)
The fund paying for the city's two homeless outreach case coordinators is running out faster than expected, mostly because of vehicle maintenance. That meant cutting St. John's request from three years to one so the outreach workers can stay funded through 2029 — they've housed 25 of the city's most chronically homeless people this year.
New fire station funding
The city accepted $5 million in federal HUD money toward the new fire station, plus a $50,000 TUFCO donation. This is a major boost for a project residents will see under construction.
Quincy Street railroad crossing compliance
The city is spending $87,532 of TID 21 money on design work to bring the Quincy Street rail crossing into compliance.
Police fleet replacement with hybrid vehicles
The city is spending nearly $700,000 to replace police cruisers with hybrid Ford Interceptors. Hybrids could cut fuel costs over time, but that's a big chunk of fleet money in one go.
Liquor license non-renewals and compliance crackdown
Police are recommending non-renewal for three establishments with ongoing liquor violations, and Jam Rock was struck from the list for not applying. Compliance checks have resumed, and ID-scanner violations are the recurring problem.
Fire Department radio and siren purchases
Aging radios get swapped out so firefighters can communicate at Lambeau and big events like the Colts concert. Old units become the special-event spares.
Hardship review of traffic signal damage invoice against Ayan Ahmed
The city billed a low-income refugee $52,515 for damaging a traffic signal cabinet, but her insurance will pay only $10,000 and she can't afford the balance. The committee chose to file with the city's own insurer, which covers the cost minus a $10,000 deductible, rather than keep chasing her for the money.
Tornado siren replacement
Four aging outdoor warning sirens (sites 3, 8, 11, 12) are being replaced to keep severe-weather alerts working across the city.
Traffic enforcement and first-quarter crash report
The police department laid out March and April enforcement plans — OWI, speed, seat belt, and pedestrian/bicycle sweeps — and reported first-quarter serious injury and fatal crash data.
Dangerous dog declaration — Daisy at 1283 Crooks Street
A pit-mix dog named Daisy bit two people and two dogs in separate incidents, and the committee upheld the dangerous dog declaration. The owner argued the bites were rough play and that he lacked proper notice and reports; the humane officer cited outstanding medical bills and public safety concerns.
Interim leadership of the Green Bay Fire Department
With the chief's seat open, the commission picked an interim leader behind closed doors. The public won't know who it is until the press release goes out.
Reckless driving ordinance (Draft G.O. 01-16)
The city is updating its rules so police can impound a vehicle for reckless driving without waiting for a prior incident or unpaid judgments. Vehicle return can hinge on paying what's owed to the city. Supporters see it as a tool to curb dangerous driving.
2026 state EMS funding award acceptance
The city accepted $394,596.34 from the state's EMS Funding Assistance Program, supporting emergency medical services.