Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in public safety with high priority
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.
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.
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. Three people asked to live at specific addresses; one was denied, two were approved.
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
A bartender's license denial over an undisclosed old felony got a unanimous recommendation of approval, with members noting a broader problem: people mistakenly think old convictions don't need to be disclosed, and the police are required to deny those applications.
Police and Fire Department staffing levels
The Commission approved several key promotions, including an Assistant Fire Chief, a Battalion Chief and two Police Sergeants, plus promotional lists for Detective, Lieutenant and Sergeant. These moves shape the leadership of both departments that residents rely on for emergency response.
2025 Justice Assistance Grant acceptance
The city can accept $62,043 in federal JAG money to buy portable police radios at no local cost. But new federal conditions about sharing immigration info with DHS spooked some alders, who wanted to know whether these terms are new and whether they apply beyond the radios before signing on.