Common Council - Regular Meeting

Recording in progress. I call to order the meeting of our common council for Tuesday, May 5th, 2026. Clerk. Yes. Thank you, your honor. We have 12 members in the room and 12 members voting in civic clerk. All right. Thank you, clerk. Now, please rise for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for an invocation offered by Alder Debbaker. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Alder Debaker.

All right. So, some words to guide us tonight as we go through the meeting. Uh we gather tonight with shared responsibility to serve the people of this community with integrity and purpose. Let us approach each decision with clear thinking and openness to different perspectives especially when they challenge us. Let us practice patience and respect even when the discussions are difficult. May we keep in mind that every item before us affects real people, neighbors, families, and businesses who depend on a steady, thoughtful leadership. Let our decisions reflect not short-term pressures but long-term well-being of the community. And let us leave this leave this community knowing we have acted with accountability, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to public service.

Thanks, Alder. Appreciate that. Uh, next we have approval of the minutes. Motion to approve made by Alder Dele to approve the minutes from our April 21st meeting. Seconded by Alder Ritterbush. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor say I. Oppos. Nay. The eyes have it. The minutes are approved. Approval of the agenda. Motion to approve by Alder Presley. Second. Seconded by Alder Orlowski. Uh any changes here. Seeing none, all in favor say I.

Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it and the agenda has been approved. Uh report by the mayor. Um just a couple quick comments. Um, we have two items on tonight's agenda that, uh, I think are related to city county collaboration. And so, um, just wanted to thank the county for moving forward with the, um, the library and ADRC and job center consolidation, uh, project. We're going to be hopefully moving forward with the second reading of a PUD on that project. Um, have also worked, you know, pretty extensively with the with the county on the coal pile relocation effort. uh that seems to be moving forward well. Um we have the Renard Island easement that um our parks committee and and council approved within probably the last few months to allow for a permanent easement and access to Renard Island. Um and then we've got the museum resolution uh on the agenda tonight. And just wanted to to make the point that all of this has been done in the spirit of of collaboration. And I know we've got some county board supervisors in the audience who who might want to weigh in on on a couple of those questions. Um, but from my perspective, you know, just wanted to appreciate what's been done jointly between the city and the county in recent times. And um and not to speak for the author of the the Neville uh resolution, but I think that's uh the spirit under which this resolution was offered to is just to sort of recognize the community asset that we have in the Neville Museum and and really just make the point that the city's here uh to assist wherever possible um to make sure that it's a it's a treasured institution now and into the future. Um so with that, we'll move along to announcements from our council. Any announcements? Oh, Alder Dee, I just wanted to make everyone aware that the first Grooves on the Green event kicks off this month on the 29th

from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kennedy Park. There'll be live local music and food trucks. Excellent. Thank you, Alder. Alder Hinkfists, just to recognize Debbie Dean, who uh is 30 years. She's originally part of the Green Bay Neighborhood Association. She serves with me on the RDA. She's been a fabulous uh person for this community and I just as a council member want to recognize her and thank her for her service. Very good. Thanks Alder. Any other announcements? Seeing none, we'll move along to appointments. Understand a motion on the new appointments.

Motion to approve made by Alder Ritterbush. Seconded by Alder Debaker. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say I. I. Post nay. The eyes have it. The new appointments are made. Reappoints to approve. Motion to approve made by Alder Dee. Seconded by Alder E. Any discussion here? Seeing none, all in favor say I. I.

Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it and those appointments are made. Next up, we have a public hearing. So this is a public hearing on a request to adopt an amendment to the go big green bay 2050 comprehensive plan the city of Green Bay related to the property located at 1696 Janice Avenue from multifamily residential to low density residential CPA 26-02. Uh is there anyone here who'd like to speak to that item? Anyone here who'd like to speak to that item? Anyone here who'd like to speak to that? Clerk, can you uh let the record reflect that no one is here to speak on that item? Um next we have ordinances second reading for adoption. Motion to suspend the rules for one, two, and four.

Alder Profett makes a motion to suspend the rules and take up items one, two, and four. Seconded by Alder Dele. Any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say I. Post nay. The eyes have it and the rules are suspended for one, two, and four. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt made by Alder Profett, seconded by Alder E. Discussion here. Seeing none, we'll use the board.

You may vote. Alder Hank, how would you like to be reported? All right, those ordinances are adopted unanimously. On to item three, zoning ordinance number 03-26. Motion to open the floor. Motion to open the floor made by Alder Profett. Seconded by Alder Dele. All in favor will say I.

Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. The floor is open. And I have uh Dan Teters who would like to speak.

Not required to say it, right? No. [laughter]

All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um good evening, [clears throat] council members. Uh thank you for allowing me to speak tonight on the request for a PUD for the Brown County Library, otherwise known as Third on the Square Project. Um, at the city council meeting on April 21st, we discussed the fantastic relationships that this project has the potential to create both inside the library walls and in the downtown amongst current and future developments. Not all relationships are the same, however, and Brown County would like to express uh some concern over some of the language that is included within the PUD ordinance. Um, I'd like to direct your attention to section C, land use regulation subsection two. The ordinance states that starting at the second sentence, a surface parking lot for users of Brown County Library, ADRC Grounded Cafe and Job Center shall not be constructed or used as surface parking if the ADRC Grounded Cafe and Job Center is not constructed within the Brown County Central Library site at partial 11263 or if use operations uh for the ADRC grounded cafe or job center cease. operations within the site. It's important to point out the problem with this language and why the relationship with job center is a sticking point within the PUB. The Job Center is a lee of the Brown County Library. Job Center is not a Brown County entity and is subject to state budgets. As written, the 54 parking stalls to be constructed as part of the surface parking lot on the north half of the Bank Mutual site is dependent on all four entities operation. As a state entity, Brown County doesn't have a say in the job center choosing to terminate the lease. If the state decides to terminate the lease, it would effectively end the parking allowed on

the bank mutual parcel if the PUD were to be approved as written. Secondarily, if the [clears throat] PUD terminates with cessation of the job center use, the ADRC will not be able to meet their state and federal contractual obligations to provide free and accessible parking stalls at their facility. The library and grounded cafe will also have a more difficult time providing the necessary parking for their uh operations to continue. Brown County has worked carefully with all four of these entities to ensure that the surface parking requested made through this PUD would be adequate for our patrons but not overzealous. The times uh the times at which the library and ADRC programs occur are well staggered, enabling us to maximize the shared parking model that's being expressed here tonight. Um secondarily the uh I'm sorry the grounded cafe is also a bit of of concern as well. Um so the grounded cafe is a program of the ADRC. Um the grounded cafe largely runs on um donations to the ADRC. Um, and if for whatever reason the ADRC wasn't able to continue the grounded cafe specifically, um, we would have to find another agency or another restaurant to take up that space. Um, so whether the Grand Cafe is included within the PUD uh, as a use is okay, although it could be generalized to a cafe or restaurant, not specifically identified as grounded cafe. Um, but being tied to the parking is equally as problematic as the job center. We hope that the city council members will see the concerns of Brown County and agree that the requested changes are in the best interest of the

project long term. I appreciate your time tonight and respectfully ask you to consider the amended language as presented. Thank you, Mr. Ters. Any questions for guests? Lick. Um, can you just repeat where that was the the where in the ordinance that changes? Sure. Yep. That's under subsection C or I'm sorry, section C, land use regulations subsection two. That's where the uses are tied to the the parking. Thank you.

Any other questions? Alder Hanks. So basically from a job center perspective, you'd like that removed and then also change instead of saying ground a cafe that we just talk about a cafe. Yeah. A cafe or general restaurant use. Yep. Okay. Thank you. Anything else? All right. Thanks again. Appreciate all that work. Thank you. Anyone else who'd like to speak on this item? Motion to close the floor made by Alder Hutchinson, seconded by Delelder Dele. All in favor will say I. Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. Floor is closed. Alder profit.

Um, so I do have an amendment ready to kind of reflect what was brought forward by the county. Um, and just want to echo the sentiments that the mayor expressed earlier. Hopefully this is the first of two tonight where we display our collaboration with our county partners. Um, I'm going to read it um and let it breathe because there's a lot of words in it. So, the the job center I think it is important to call out is kind of the funding mechanism is out of the county's control. So, I do think it's important to replace that language. It is called out as the job center um in seven locations within the PUD and there's an eighth section where it's referred to as the Wisconsin job center. So the language that I have prepared is to replace the language quote job center from the following sections and replace with quote public or semi-public users. Section two subsection A it's named twice. Section two subsection C subsection one section two subsection C subsection 2 four times which is what um our speaker mentioned because that's that section. but then to also replace the language quote Wisconsin Job Center end quote from section two subsection H subsection one and replace with quote public or semi-public users end quote. Um so that replace language just reverts back to the original PUD that was in front of plan commission originally. Um so that just cleans up that language um regarding the job center being called out for all of the reasons that were mentioned. Is

there a second for that? Second by Elder E. discussion. Um, does this Hutcherson? Yeah. Does this uh address the cafe? Go ahead.

Um, so no, my motion does not address the cafe. Um, I can understand the county's perspective on that. However, I do think, you know, a restaurant user that's privatized versus a restaurant user that's operated by the ADRC may potentially change the parking needs. Um, I don't know that a traditional restaurant operated through the library would need the same type of parking stalls that the ADRC's Grounded Cafe may need. Um, so no. Um, my personal amendment does not reflect the changes to grounded cafe. Um, I guess the question is what would happen if the grounded cafe ceases and we need someone else? Do we have to reward this?

Question maybe for attorney coachart. um or our planning staff. Um if the Grouded Cafe would cease operations, what would that mean for the the PUD that exists? I think John's ready to go first. Yeah, as needed. Sounds good. The language is specific to the users. So, if one of those users was not in place, then the parking would not be a use. You've lost one of the specific requirements. We'd have to amend the PD. Yes. To to uh reflect those changes and that would be up for debate with the council at that time. Sure. Okay.

All right. Comments on all the profits amendment. Seeing none. All in favor say I. I. Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. That amendment has been approved. Motion to approve as amended. Motion to approve as amended made by Alder Profett. Seconded by Alder Presley. Adopt. I apologize. Uh additional comments or questions? Seeing none. Uh yeah, Alder to Baker.

So is that a large process um that he just described to amend that? Um because you know restaurants fail all the time. Um and it you could have two, three different names that they operate under. Would it be better to um take the suggestion of making it a generic type uh name um based off of being operated by the ADRC? Maybe a question to Mr. Leroy as far as how long uh an amendment to a PUD would would take.

About eight weeks to go through plan commission and then two readings here at common council. Any other questions or comments? Alder, I am actually going to um make an amendment to make that a generic um to the just cafe. Okay. Um so to remove specific references to grounded cafe. Yeah. To make it more general to cafe. Okay. Is there a second for that? Second that. Second by Alder Baker. Was it discussion on that? Um, Alder Prit Infus.

Um, I'll just go on record and say I'm opposed to that amendment. Um, I think 8 weeks you you know within operating a restaurant when that cease operation will happen and I think it'll be easy enough to engage and I still stand with parking lots in our downtown are very frowned upon from a planning perspective. So, I do think we've allowed enough wiggle room within this PUD already that I think this is an okay line in the sand to draw. Um, I I think the Grounded Cafe will have different parking needs than a traditional restaurant. So, I would like to see it come back before council if that change of operator does happen. Alder HF, [clears throat]

Alder Profett, what was the term you used to um you used municipal something when we made the amendment on the first one? Public or semiublic users? Public or semi-public users. So why couldn't we do the same thing for the cafe and just say public or semi-public users for the grounded cafe? I can answer that.

I was in planning commission. Yeah, you bet older. Um, I was in plan commission and one of the hanging points was the number of parking stalls that are going to be left in place downtown. And that number of parking stalls is related to the ADRC and that ADRC coffee. Okay. Now, if the ADRC coffee goes away, they don't need that many parking stalls. Okay. So then it becomes an issue of can we reduce the number of parking. So it's kind of a um okay you can change it. I don't think this body would be adverse to changing the PUD if the parking stall situation was uh was then addressed which the county would do. They would just okay we don't need this many. We'll do this and then we'll go forward. So, it's a way to keep a handle on it. If we change it now, then they can change to a private entity and not have to change the parking. I think that's the reason. Okay.

Uh yeah, Alder Shelton.

Yeah, I'm I'm opposed to this amendment as well. Um, I think we've talked about the the idea that we need to be really cautious about um, you know, using our downtown for parking spaces and we would be giving up a lot of our discretion over this as as common council if we were to vote for this amendment because I mean who this isn't a question about what's going to happen in the next year or two, but like five years from now if there's a move to say put a Starbucks in there, which you know, I'm not opposed to Starbucks, but we would want to have that conversation and we want to keep those options open. Thanks, Alder. Additional comments. Um, we have an amendment on the floor made by Alder X, seconded by Alder Deb Baker. All in favor, we'll say I. Oppose. Nay.

N. Nays appear to have it. Entertain a motion. We have a motion to approve as amended. So motion to approve as amended is on the floor. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say I. Oh, we need the board, don't we? We'll use the board.

This is uh to adopt as amended.

Alder. Alder. Alder Hankas. Yes. Oh. All right. And that passes 11 to one. On to the report of the redevelopment authority. Motion to approve. Motion to approve made by Alder Profett. Seconded by Alder Dele. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor say I. Post. Nay. The eyes have it. That report has been approved. Improvement and services committee. Motion to improvement by Alder Profett.

Seconded by Alder Rush. Items here to be handled separately. Seven number seven will be handled separately. Hearing none others all in favor of the remainder of the report signify by saying I oppos nay. The eyes have it. The report has been approved the exception of item seven. Your wishes on that. Alder Henus

in discussion um at the committee meeting. This has come numerous times before the finance committee and we made made an approval and now it's coming back and they're approving the contract. There's $400 and some odd thousand dollar that is Well is up for for this barn and that um approval is going to come through next Tuesday. So if that approval comes through, I think we should make this contingent on that coming through before we go into any other type of funding. Um

so I'm basically saying um we can approve it with the contingency we receive the 400 and some thousand. If we don't then it comes back to council. Um, so Alder Hankis makes a motion to make this acceptance of the bid contingent on um the non-state grant funding coming in. Seconded by Alder Grant. Um, on that, Director Ditchite, you want to weigh in? Yes, I think that would be acceptable since the the grant award is coming next week. Okay. And we have how many days to accept? I believe it's 60 days we can hold a contract um

how it's written. Okay. Any other comments from staff on that? Um all in favor will signify by saying I oppose. Nay. The eyes have it and that amendment is adopted. Entertain a motion to approve as amended. Motion to approve as amended offered by Alder Profett and seconded by Alder Ritterbush. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor say I. I. Oppos. Nay. The eyes have it. That item has been approved as amended. Protection and policy committee.

Motion to approve made by Alder Profett. Seconded by Alder Dele. Any items here to be handled separately. Hearing none. All in favor say I.

Okay. Alder Morgan uh notes an abstension on item nine. Uh any opposed? Seeing none, all uh the report has been approved. On to the report of the Green Bay Police Department granting operator licenses. Motion to approve by Alder Profett. Seconded by Alder Presley. Any abstensions or named to be handled separately? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Post. Nay. The eyes have it. That item has been approved. A report has been approved onto the plan commission. Motion approve. Motion to approve made by Alder Profett. Second. Seconded by Alder Hutchson. Items here to be handled separately.

Two. Two. One. Two. Any others? One and two will be handled separately. Hearing none others. All in favor of approving the remainder of that report signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Nay. You guys have it. The report has been approved with the exception of items one and two. your wish is on item one.

Thank you, mayor. I'm going to motion to approve, but I just wanted to due to the discussion at the plan commission want to draw attention to the fact that um just have staff one more time clearly state what the amendments are to the PUD that this does not affect the density or lot widths. It's ultimately the structure of some of the roads where they're cut um the flow of them, but this does not add additional units or housing or lots. So, I just want to make that public before we vote on this so that everybody understands because like I said, the discussion after that still alluded to the apartments and higher density and I want people to understand what we're voting on.

Okay. So, that you offered the motion to approve. Is there a second second by Alder Profit? Um, development staff just want to weigh in on Alder Grant's point.

Sure. I'll I'll keep it brief. um two different developers have come forth looking to keep similar uses to what was already proposed in the original PUD from back in 14 and 18. Um on the north in a northwest parcel and a southeast parcel of the overall PUD um they're looking for some changes to um street patterns and just general amount of uh different housing types in different areas. But that said, what they bring forth the final site plan is still contingent on density standards that were established back in 2014 and in 2018. Um, additionally, some language cleaned up uh for the overall PD that reflects changes to the code. The code used to have chapter 13 is a zoning statute. It's now chapter 44. There are some differences for land use development. Those claims were made. And then there were some changes to um a density table that reflected the changes this council made back in October and November, December uh relating back to affordability, principally setback standards um in areas. That's what was changed.

Okay, thanks for that. Uh any additional comments or questions? Seeing none, all in favor say I. Post nay. The eyes had have it. That item has been approved. Uh on to item two to approve a conditional use permit to allow rooming house at 828 Cherry Street. Motion to open the floor. Alder profit makes a motion to open the floor. Second. Seconded by Alder Hutcherson. All in favor say I. Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. The floor is open. And we have uh Kevin Platt.

Would like to speak. Then if you could just offer your name and address for us. My name is Kevin Slotty and I live at 117 North Van Beerren Street which is the property adjacent to uh I guess well it's an office building now so housing. Um I had never approached a group like this before and thank you. Um I just have some questions. I see Mr. Nelson is here. Um, I was told if this comes to fruition, the the reszoning, uh, that it's a maximum of 20 men will be living there. And is that is that a final? I mean, not 25, not 30, be 20, 20 men.

Yeah. And then I was told that there would be 24hour onsite management. Is that true? Is that um we Yeah. So, I appreciate you having addressed the council before. We typically don't do like a a question and answer sort of thing, but if if you wanted to kind of pose those rhetorically and then Oh, yes. We can we can tease out those those answers for you. And uh from what I understand, there's supposed to be a privacy barrier between my property and their property. And those are some of the things that I'm concerned about. Um, I hope everything goes well with it, but thank you for your time. Yeah. Thanks so much for your testimony.

Any questions for our guest? See none. Anyone else on this item? All right. Undertain a motion to close the floor. Motion to close the floor made by Alder Dele.

Um, I not obligated to speak. Um, Alder Grant is curious if the applicant would like to say anything to council. If so, just uh approach the podium and state your name and address for us.

My name is David Nelson. I live at 1230 Spartan Road in uh New Franken. And in answer to the comments, we uh the maximum number of people that were to be rooming there would be 20. And we did agree to put I as I understand was a matter of uh that we had to put some privacy fencing and buffering and those things. And we're definitely um willing to do that. We plan to do that. These are the we spoke with uh the uh Mr. Elliot also and uh that is something we plan to do.

Right. Any questions for the applicant? Alder Hinkfist in the next. Um just uh validating is there going to be a 24-hour like a house manager? Yes. Okay. Thought so, but I just want to make that that public that there is a house manager. There's a manager and a co- co-manager. Okay. Alder. Thank you, mayor. Um, and you had a community meeting or neighborhood meeting to get feedback and um, how did that go? What was the response?

Well, it was we had a few people there that had concerns about the density and uh, the use and management, those things that have been brought up here. and we discussed those things and uh I think you know some some people are still concerned. Um but uh we had about 15 20 people there 15 or 16 and I think three three people were opposed. Okay. So and you've addressed the concerns? Yes, I believe we have. Okay. Thank you. Any other question Grant?

Thank you. Hi David. Thank you. And as I don't know if Monty is here, but what is I know he mentioned that he would be he's the executive director. He is going to be living there. Um I guess I'm just curious as to what background and training the staff and you know the executive director has to make this a successful program. I believe Monty's on the Zoom.

Um but Monty had is certified and he's not going to be living there by the way. It's a it's a rooming house. There's going to be a resident manager. Um he's the uh Monty is uh the executive director and there are all kinds of rules and accountability processes that Monty can I believe he went into with some of the paperwork that we submitted uh with the city. Um did I miss a question? Okay, sorry. I'm just reading his email. Okay, it just says on-site management will be me as executive director, a house manager who will be living there, and a backup assistant house manager.

Um, do we have a house manager and an assistant house manager already chosen? No, we're taking applications. I think we have one serious uh candidate for that position.

Okay. And do they have a background in this? They will be in recovery. They'll be um working a a program. Um that's what this this uh building is for. Men that are uh working a program in recovery that are sober u montas would be managing but not be living there. Um and none of the people are going to be certified or reg. I mean, we don't plan to have those things as requirements for the house manager. They will have a certain amount of, from what I understand, if Monty can probably speak to, they'll have a an amount of required um length of sobriety.

Okay. Is I don't know if Monty wants to add to that at all. Yeah, if you if you could just state your name and address, sir. Name is Lamont Jensen or Monty. I live at 12.7 Emily Street Indian Bay. Alder Grant, did you want to restate? And Yep. I'm just curious as to um you know, your background in this and you know, I know you don't have someone yet picked for the house manager, but you know, what are you going to have any requirements for them in order to be the house manager?

Okay. Um my my background is um I am also in recovery but I also um did get certified as a recovery coach. Um as far as a house managers as long as they're in recovery long term they can't you know somebody comes in for you know in two weeks they can't become house manager. It has to be somebody that has have uh have experience living in a sober living home like the gentleman Dave was talking about. um he was coming he would be coming from a different sober living home that uh he has been approved by them to become older and that you know we talked with the with the people that own that sober living home and if they recommend that they're ready in their in their recovery they've handled something like this then that's when they need to go And will you have a house manager and assistant manager decided before the facility is open?

Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thanks. Can I make a question comment? Yeah. This it's not a a treatment program. the the managers aren't going to be administering any kind of, you know, correct uh any kind of training or um they're merely going to be supervising the the um the building in the premises. Just want to kind of make that clear that uh any other questions. All right. Thanks for your testimony, sir. Okay. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Anyone else on this item? Entertain a motion to close the floor. Motion to close the floor. Made by Alder Dee, seconded by Alder E. All in favor will say I. Post nay. The eyes have it. Floor is closed. Entertain a motion. Motion to approve made by Alder Dele, seconded by Alder Ritterbush. Question.

Yeah. Alder Hutcherson.

Has the staff like I'm sorry that's right. Uh at plan commission I requested a review of nuisance calls of surrounding uh large buildings like this with many people. Was there anything found regarding nuisance issues bec because the perception was this is a potential nuisance and I wanted to make sure it wasn't just perception and not reality. Who's ready for that one? Mr. Leroy. All right. Uh, so staff did look into um data that we have internally and from nuisance complaints. Um and uh when looking at the other congregate living facilities that are located in the city, uh as far as inspections there, when we were looking around back through, uh complaints of dated over the past say eight years or so, uh of the 16 different facilities, um most of them had no inspection complaints or at least about half of them. um up to one had a handful um that had things like uh there was an elevator not working. Um uh there was no hot water in the basement. Um there was a pipe leaking at one of them. But as far as um specific uh complaints that go back to being a nuisance property, no, it didn't exist.

Okay. Well, thank you for looking into that. And I wanted to make sure if we were thinking in nuisance terms, it was actual. And it sounds like it's more internal dealing with the renter and not external dealing with things in the sidewalk. Thank you very much. Thanks, Alder. Anything else? Alder Grant?

Uh just a question for staff. If we're starting out with 20 residents, if we are having complaints, is ultimately the options to uh pull the conditional use permit or can we restrict residents down to a lesser amount to make sure that it's being managed well and that the problems are decreasing or like I guess what are our options as a city if this does become a nuisance? Mr. Right.

So there's five approvals for condition and one is one that you as a council always see and that's compliance with all regulations of the cream municipal code. So if the property became a nuisance property that would be reason to revoke a cop. Otherwise, as far as the amount of folks who are in the capacity at the uh at the residence, it's based off of the max capacity for a dormatory. And that goes into ideas like living space, bathrooms, kitchen, parking stalls, things of that nature. The maximum that we have listed is 20 because we think that's the most that can possibly happen. I do not think based off the parking situation at the site that 20 will be achieved on the site. It'd be more like potentially 18 would be the most that could possibly be at the site.

Okay. Thank you. That's all there. Anything further? Yeah, one more from Alder Grant.

So, I guess there's I do have a little bit of hesitation approving this. I don't think there, you know, is a a clear plan as to that I've seen addressing the residents concerns. There was a lot of concerns brought up at the plan commission. There was some at the public hearing. Um, I I just think sometimes as a city we struggle with having residents voices being heard and I'm not seeing a very clear plan and I yeah, I worry about the concerns of the neighbors and it not being addressed. So I I wish it was better laid out a better, you know, we knew who was going in as the manager and the assistant manager, what their background was, how long have they been sober, how many facilities have or housing places have they lived in sober, how many people have they lived with. This we're talking 18 to 20 adults and it is in very close proximity to an all women's shelter. There's a reason we don't, you know, mix some of these homeless shelters by men and women. I just want to make sure that the existing organizations are being respected um in the area already. So that's just the concerns that I have with this. Thank you.

Alder profit.

Um I too was in attendance at the neighborhood input meeting that Dave spoke about. So I'm happy to go through the notes I was taking. Um that I I think it does speak soundly that a lot of the neighbors that were at that meeting aren't here tonight because I do think um we work to address the issues. So, occupancy limit, what was originally proposed was 21 to 30. Um, everyone felt comfortable with 20. That's what's before us tonight. There was some comments about rent. What's the minimum? What's the maximum? I think that was answered. It's not necessarily black and white in what's before us, but it was at least answered at that meeting. Um, those neighbors initially didn't know, is there a house manager? Is there not that answer that's been answered? Um, even if we don't know who that point person is. Um, neighborhood contact point person proactively shared. Um, I know in discussions with Dave and Monty both that that is happening or will be happening when the project's completed. There was a neighbor who was concerned that you'd be able to see into our house once this turns into residential. Um, there was lots of conversation about existing neighborhood issues that I know Pey is very much on top of. Um, a report out to council was suggested. Um, in talking with staff, that's really something we do more for our homeless shelters, not necessarily a sober living facility. And there was the desire to regulate some certain site improvements which a neighbor mentioned tonight and those have been added. Um so those were all of the notes I took in the hour hour and a half meeting that we had with the neighborhood. Um and I think it speaks soundly that many of them aren't here tonight besides the neighbor who just wants to ensure the fencing will go up. Um since he is directly next door and we will make sure that fencing and burm um is up for you. Um, I personally live directly next to one of these properties that is already washcertified. Um, which is the gold standard in the sober living community. Um, they are some of the best neighbors I could ask for. I think I've spoke at every meeting about that. They are they were mowing before anyone else on our block did this past weekend. Um, they are just always out there and very respectful neighbors. We have a nuisance process. Um, and we I will put on record

right now we'll be happy to follow that as we do with any other property that might change use like this. So, I'm comfortable with this proposal. I think um I've seen since plan commission and the neighborhood input meeting a reduction in the number of neighbors reaching out to me because they do feel like their questions have been addressed. So, I'm comfortable approving tonight knowing that we have answered those questions for them. Excel. Anything else? See none. Alder Hankfus. The only thing that I would add is having the watch standards and already having that certification that is a big deal. Um, so the in my mind these people know what they're doing. So that should put us a little at ease. All right. All in favor will say I. I.

Opposed? Nay. The eyes have it. That item has been approved. Uh, finance committee. Motion to approve by Alder Profett. Second by Alder Presley. Items here to be handled separately. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Oppos. Nay. The eyes have it. That report has been approved. Park Committee. Motion to approve made by Alder Debbaker. Second or Dele second by Alder Ritterbush. Items here to be handled separately. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Nay. The eyes have it. That report has been approved. Personnel committee. Motion to approve.

Motion to approve made by Alder Profett. Seconded by Alder Dele. Items here to be handled separately. Number three. Any others? Hearing none others. All in favor of approving the remainder of the report. Signify by saying I. Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. The report has been approved with the exception of item three. Alder grant your wishes.

Um I would like to make a motion to refer this back to staff. We're not in any major hurry to change our process. We've only been doing the current process for about 6 months. When we're talking about ultimately the agenda item was amended to create a report that goes onto the agenda. So at the end of the day, what work is being reduced from what we're currently doing? So I I would like to allow staff time to possibly think of other ideas. If the goal is to reduce their time, I don't think the proposed ideas actually doing that. So due to the there not being any urgent rush in this, I would like to see what other ideas we can come up with. So my motion is to refer back to staff.

All right. Alder Grant makes a motion to refer back to staff, seconded by Alder Morgan. Uh Mr. Rolliffson, Director Rollson, you want to weigh in on that at all?

Sure. Um, as it relates to uh what could be placed on theformational part of our personnel committee agenda, it would be in addition to what we already have on there, which is new hires, transfers, reclassifications, grade and step changes, and end of employment for employees. Uh we would recommend if this were to go through that we place um a um open positions roster which would be right above our new hires and that would that would detail out every position that's currently open within the city the department and then the posting date of that position. Um, as far as saving time, uh, this is an automated report that could be run from our HRIS system, which will in in essence make it a really simple transfer onto the agenda, which would eliminate the need for any communication back and forth on uh, the position requests.

Okay, thanks for that. Um, additional comments, Alder Shelton. Yeah. So, uh, I was on the committee where we had this conversation. I I I don't think this needs to be referred back to staff. We we had a pretty robust conversation about how this requirement is possibly restricting us from being able to hire the best people. And I believe what we heard is that only one alder had flagged something over the past year when we had this conversation. So, I don't think this amendment is necessary.

Anything else from council? Alder Hinkfist. The only thing that I would say, yes, we did have a robust conversation, but this ultimately comes down to oversight and making sure that we understand employees that are leaving, employees that are coming. Um, and you know, the committee did approve, but I think it's really important that all four of us on the committee um support that, and I don't think there's a problem with referring it back to staff, talking about it at our next committee meeting, and bring it back. So, I would support that. So, we understand exactly what the oversight is and it's more from that perspective. All right. Thanks, Alder. Alder Presley.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah, I it seems like staff is okay with the plan as it is now. Um, and that referral to staff, the way it was phrased was that it's for the benefit of staff to look at how much time they're spending. Um, based on director's response, um, I feel comfortable just putting it forward as it is. I mean, if the elders want to look at a different approach, I think they can put in their own communication, but I wouldn't ask staff to do additional work when they're already um at at peace with uh the motion as it is now. Thanks, Aler. Anything else? Alder Grant for a second time.

Just want to explain the process for the new alders. So, what used to happen is every single physician that was that we used to get these emails. So you, it was explained in that email that you would experience that this actually used to be all on the personnel committee agenda and it would take time for us to approve those and it would go to council and that's where the delay was coming in. So about 6 months ago we relooked at that and the idea was brought up that staff would email us. If there were no objections, they could move forward as is and it streamlined the process. But it gave council an option to or an opportunity to have oversight and understand what's going on with our personnel, which is what personnel committee does. Um, it also gives us an opportunity that when budgets are tight, if a position is open, we're not cutting a position while someone is in it and earning income off of that, which makes it a lot harder to cut positions in our budget. So, it was an opportunity and it has happened in the past where a position opened up and as a council we waited six months to fill it on purpose to see if that position was truly needed within our budget because we are going to have another tough budget coming up. Um, and it was a time to evaluate and see if some of those rules could shift to other positions and we could still function as a city in the best way possible for our residents. So, I want to make sure that if this is getting passed the way it is, that every single person is actually going to be looking at that report because now it's out of sight, out of mind. And I just want to make sure that as a personnel committee and a council, we are doing our due diligence and fully understand our staffing positions and what goes into it, how many people are in it, is there a lot of turnover in that, why is that? It's a very easy checkpoint to kind of evaluate those things or ask staff questions. Well, hey, I haven't heard this role before. Can you tell me a little bit more about this position and what they do and how long has this

person been in this position? Or that's weird. I've seen this position come up every six months. Why is that? So that is the main reason why I don't think it's okay to completely lose over and I don't want to say completely lose oversight but we did reduce this down and streamlined it. I don't understand I guess completely giving that away to really not be able to get these reminders and notice of what's happening with our personnel staff. Thanks Alder. Uh, anything else prophet for a second time?

No, I don't I don't think I spoke on this one quite yet. Um, so I did bring forward this communication. Um, we had six months to kind of re-evaluate a new process for how we do this. I do think it's important to remember these are budgeted positions. Um, so that that's an important equation. Um, but I also think it's important to understand the historical landscape and our director positions. We didn't have director Roliffson before taking um a deeper dive. We had um director FS kind of having having to wear multiple hats. So appreciate the addition of Director F Roliffson and what he's done. And this was initially six plus months ago a suggestion on his behalf to kind of streamline our our sometimes dire uh vacancy rate for our city positions. We want those positions filled. We at this body have the perfectly within our purview to take a peek at any moment and put forward a communication and say we see we'd like to see the data surrounding exposition. How long has it been vacant? How many people have been in that seat over the past 10 years? Like we have that and I would encourage anyone who's interested in that. We have budget season coming up. So let's do that if you're interested in that. But these are vacant budgeted positions. We're already six months through. We have a budget coming up where we can hash out some of those conversations. But I do think it's um good and with Alder Hankfish's amendment at committee we arguably have more insight we will be getting in thatformational report. We will see from my understanding of what the system pulls how long it's been vacant as well. So I would argue that we would have even more discussion at personnel with this change if it were to go through tonight.

Anything else? Alder Shelton for if I could just ask I know I brought this up. Director Rolson. Um so under this system where the you know common council has had to basically approve uh these or or basically flag something um for an open pos position. How many how many times has an alder actually done that since the system has been in place? Uh the current process of emailing on Wednesday and awaiting for a potential return on Friday. There was one question that was posed on one of the positions and I think we had 20 to 22 open positions in that time frame that were uh budgeted budgeted and no change in classification.

Okay. Thank you. Anything else?

Thank you, mayor. Um yeah, so it's been in process for about 6 months and yes, there is one inquiry. Um, so just wanted to point out um that there was a process that took longer and this was to streamline it. And so now it seems like um I [clears throat] it doesn't sound like we're reverting back to what was happening before that. Um but it's taking away both of those things. So I feel like it's it's we're going backwards here as far as oversight. So um I am I'm against this uh change. Anything else? Alder Debaker,

the report that they put together, is that going to be emailed out or do we have to search that report out? Director Olson, the the proposal is to put an open positions roster on theformational section of the personnel committee. Currently, there is no open position roster there. Uh, so that's where it would be. Thank you. Anything else? All right. Yeah, Hankas, go ahead.

I think the biggest change here is that we're going to get an open roster. We're going to be able to see the positions that are open at the meeting, we can now take action because it's informational, but these are budgeted positions. So, I agree with that. However, a budget is passed in November. Come summer, I mean, things change, processes change, new things get implemented. So, we should always be able to um question that. I am comfortable with the report that he talked about, but I think it's really important that we're all comfortable that we have that oversight and that all of that information is out there. Presley for a second time.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to clarify this uh is on the referral to staff, right? The vote that we're what we're currently discussing. It seems like that discussion is over. Um, we I don't know if we need a a referral to staff right now. I think folks have made their points on why they think this should continue as it has been or it shouldn't continue as it has been. I think a vote on that will allow us to um see what the will of the council is, but I a referral to staff seems like it would just be additional work for staff uh just to delay what we sounds like we've already decided our staking our views on it. [snorts]

Thanks, Alder. Uh yes, good reminder, this is a the referral motion uh offered by Alder Grant and seconded. So on the motion to refer, all in favor will say I. Post. Nays appear to have it. That motion fails. Uh Alder profit makes a motion to approve. Second. Seconded by Alder Ritterbush. Discussion on that. Seeing none, all in favor say I. I. Post nay.

The eyes appear to have it. Can always request. Board [clears throat] vote has been requested by Alder Presley and this is on motion to approve the item. Vote. Yes. Right, that passes nine to three. Um, we are on to report of the public arts commission. Alder profit.

Um, so I know we have members of the audience here to speak to it. But before we before I make a motion to open the floor, I'd just like to offer a thought and potentially a motion. Um, it's going to be a motion that's a little different than this body has historically done. Um, but I think it's important to recognize since this communication was brought forward a little over two weeks ago, there has been such an increased level of communication and collaboration with our new county supervisors, with Supervisor Evans. Um, there's just been a lot of good dialogue and I think it's really important to recognize that. So, before we open the floor, I would like to entertain which is allowed by our city ordinance. So, I'm going to be a nerd here for a second, but article 2, section 2-27, um, subsection C, subsection 3, which is a motion, um, entitled to lay on the table, which is what I think is an appropriate action with this item at this time to just recognize the increased engagement from our county supervisors and their willingness to take a closer look at this and continue to seek engagement with their um, city reps as well in just future conversations around again, as the mayor alluded to in his opening remarks, like this is a treasure in our community and I think across the board we can all agree on that. So um my motion would be to lay on the table which this body has historically done like a hold or receive on place on file. A hold really requires a date for it to come back. A receive and place on file essentially kills it. We're no longer allowed to talk about that item for the remainder of this council session. A lay on the table would allow it to um hang out and allow our county supervisors to have further discussions. So, um, that would be my motion before we entertain a motion to open the floor. Still definitely want to hear from the members of the public on this, but that would be, um, just a comment I'd like to add before we do.

Uh, there's a second uh, for the motion to lay this item on the table. Alder profit makes it, seconded by Alder Shelton, and then motion open the floor. Motion to open the floor by Alder Profit, seconded by Alder Dele. All in favor will say I. Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. The floor is open. Uh, so we've got first Supervisor Patrick Evans. And if you could just state your name and address for us.

Certainly. Brown County Supervisor Patrick Evans 1692 Nancy Avenue on the uh northwest side the best side of Green Bay. So right Alderman Dele of course. So and E understands that too. So um okay. Well um first of all I appreciate very much the uh motion. Uh, I would like to um acknowledge first of all Supervisor Tom Lond. He's going to be the chair of the ed education and recreation committee. He came here tonight. And supervisor Dixon Wolf who will be the vice chair. And uh what I really like about this is there are a lot of county supervisors watching this online. So um maybe they could learn something about getting a meeting online, but that's a discussion. That's a discussion for another day. But hello guys and gals online. See how that works. So, but uh mayor, I really I want to uh thank you for your comments that you made under your remarks uh explaining the city's reasoning behind the resolution. I want to thank specifically President Profett for um her um her her comments uh and the great discussions that we've had last week, weekend, even today. and certainly want to acknowledge uh Alderman Shelton for uh the work that he has done and reaching out to me and we had just great conversations. Uh and so I very much appreciate that and I appreciate all the alderers that I had the opportunity to talk with. Um the uh um and and um starting off with I wanted to make sure that we we we have the understanding and I explained this to my supervisors who were very upset by this especially in the outlying areas. I said the Neville Public Museum is in the city of Green

Bay. Okay, it's in downtown Green Bay. So the city has a vested interest in the the success of the Neville Public Museum and I equated this to our library branches that we have in Ashwabanon that we have in Palaski that we have in Denmark. When I talked to some of the outlying supervisors, I said, uh, those communities came to you as a supervisor and came to the county board saying, you know, hey, we want this X, Y, and Z, and blah, blah, blah. I said, that's how we have to take this, okay? I said, don't take it that they're they're trying to tell us what to do. I said, maybe it came out that way and that's how a lot of you feel and felt. And I I also felt the same way, and you guys all know that. But I said, but what's happening is now we're being able to have conversations where I'm the messenger, right? I'm the guy that all these supervisors are like, "Hey, Evans, you know XYZ blah blah blah. You know all the alders, you talk to them. Okay, I'll do that." Um, and that's what I'm doing. But this is what good government is about. when even if the intentions are great but it comes across okay but we have that open dialogue and we have that discussion and then we come to an agreement saying okay yeah we we understand what you're saying I understand what you're saying okay let's talk and then it's where we're at now fantastic right I hope that you uh uh pass uh alderman or yeah older person prophet and alderman uh Sheldon second on that because I think it it'd be appropriate and it sends great message to this to the county board. I'll go back and talk to them. Um, as I said, many of them are are watching tonight and um so so I just I just want

to thank you for for this and um also I think the uh um for having the city be interested in the Neville. I I support that because I represent the the city of Green Bay. So, so then we've got into let's do some things here where I think everybody knows it here, but we're, you know, in the public realm. So, there's a bunch of rumors going on, right? One, the Neville isn't moving from downtown. Two, the Neville isn't going to be uh privatized. Uh three, we are going to work on getting an executive director, but that director of course minimum is a master of uh li of museum science. It takes some time. There's not, you know, 50 applicants running around northeast Wisconsin. Um and we're going to keep the accreditation of the library. These are all important things. Now, it's taking time to get the director. Um, I understand that. I don't support it. I would because there are talks. Um, I know the mayor and executive streenbach have talked, executive streenbach and the, uh, children's museum. They had a meeting on Monday. I would like to see uh, an executive director in on those talks. Okay? Because if we're going to try to find somebody who is going to be maybe, as we would say, a little more aggressive than what we've had in the past, the going out doing a lot more marketing and and going out getting more different events and trying to look at these synergies with organizations to partner with. I'd like to see that and I so I appreciate what the the resolution says in that. Now I nor Supervisor London or Supervisor Dixon or any of the other supervisors, we don't have any authority over that. That's the hiring

process and how it works in the county. So it could be five years from now and if they decide not to hire somebody, we don't have any say over that. But I'm anticipating we will have um I'm anticipating we'll probably have a a director sooner than later and probably because of the uh the discussion that we've had and and all the media attention that has been brought to it. So I think that's a real big positive. So, um it's just yeah, one of those things I I I'm all open there. There is the discussions for uh maybe a outside partner potentially. It's been known that the children's museum. Um but there is no proposal on the table. I confirmed that with executive sterebach last night. They had their meeting on Monday. I said, "Have have they even given you a proposal?" No proposal. said, ' Do you have any proposals from anybody else to partner with us or come in or some synergies? None. Said, ' Okay, then that's going to be public knowledge tomorrow when I and I go to in front of the city council. So, no, there are no no proposals out there. So, that's that's good. Um, I said it today and it made the the uh children's museum upset from what I understand is the Neville is a museum. Okay. I'm not against partnering potentially with the Children's Museum. The Children's Museum is not a museum in my eyes. It's a learning recreational center. I know they do some great things with STEM and all that. That's cool. If there's ways to incorporate what they're doing, that'd be that'd be neat. I think we could do that. But I, you know, I've been to the Louv. I've been to the British Museum. I've been to the Vatican museums. I've been to the Mayan Museum. I just in in November or October when it first opened to the gem, the great

Egyptian museum in Cairo. Okay. Uh I've been to Floren Fenci in Florence. That's where David is, the statue of David. And then the Gloopenkine, which is in Lisbon, uh Portugal, which is a private museum. Fantastic. So I'm probably the one that has the greatest appreciation for museums. So I understand when you go to a museum, it's a cultural, it's educational. Okay. Do I want to have things for children? Of course, because the children need to go to the the the museums and then they can enjoy themselves, but then they're going to want to come back and use it. But, as I said, I don't want to turn it into a Chuck-E-Cheese. Okay? I just don't want to do that. And so, we got to keep that in mind. How can we do that? There might be opportunities as we talked. Maybe we have to add on to the back and maybe we have to talk with the city and get you have some property back there as well. Maybe there's that opportunity because when I'm looking at the Mona Lisa or I'm looking at at David or I'm reading a transcript of something that happened in ancient Egypt, I don't like want to hear little kids running and screaming, you know, and it it's it to me it's a just a not a great mix. I'm one of 26 supervisors. I'm not the county executive. Um, but I think we have if we're gonna do this, we have to do it right. And so I I just want to say again, I just I very much appreciate the spirit that uh the resolution was brought forward. I very much appreciate the art uh is it the art council? I kind of missed I mean that's what we have them there for, right? I mean they're doing their job. I I appreciate that. Okay. Um, and I appreciate the discussions that we have all had and that the the resolution that hopefully will come. So that's good government and

I thank each and every one of you for being part of that good government in having these discussions and bringing it forward and coming to that collaboration and cooperation that the mayor has has talked about before and that we've all individually talked about. So, uh, I thank you for your time and I look forward to working with the, uh, the city and I know my fellow supervisors, um, will also be extremely happy and for the record, I will bring this to our county board uh, meeting and, uh, tell them how the results were. We'll go from there. So, thank you very much. I appreciate you. Thanks for your testimony, Supervisor, and for your service. Any questions for Supervisor Evans?

All right. See none. I do like kids. I substitute and I help little kids, but I just don't want them in the Thank you. Uh, next up we've got Mary Papus.

Hello. And I appreciate your comments, uh, Supervisor Evans, very much. Uh, I I'm here because I want to voice my strong support for, um, the the resolution that supports Neville Museum. Um, can we also just get your um address, ma'am? What's that? Your address.

Oh, sorry. 1947 Lakeside Place. Um, I really appreciate speaking up in in the spirit of collaboration and that's really kind of why I really appreciate Supervisor Evans comments because collaboration is is the thing. This is a community, institution, um, city, county, and beyond. Uh, so I I appreciate that very much. Um there's a lot of urgency I believe in terms of addressing the uh the leadership vacuum that exists at the museum right now and I think that the overall future of the of the museum is is important to be talking about uh in that context. Uh and I believe that it is wise in terms of the resolution and and the county's consideration wise to be thinking about having a director who helps lead a rediscovery or a discovery of a new vision. Um the museum is certainly a pride, a piece of pride for us. Um tells our stories, expands our thinking, our understanding, our appreciation about arts, culture, science. Uh and I going back to the original resolution which may be set on the table now. Uh I want to specifically address what I I'm not sure how to address it. paragraph five uh of of the resolution. And that paragraph uh that where is statement um advocates a transparent and inclusive community engagement process before any long-term strategic changes are made. That's is so critical, just so critical. Uh right now there's a sense that I have that that we're just kind of looking for looking for options and and there's not a grand vision drawing us uh or pulling us and leading us. Uh, and again, someone who is a director may be very helpful to have that be the first task of the job. Um,

I don't know that I have a whole lot more to add except that the museum needs our collective attention and not only does it need our collective attention, but it definitely deserves it. It is a gem. It is an absolute gem and and it has just begun, I think, to see some some expansion in terms of what it covers and what it can do and what it can deliver and that takes a while to to to ferment. Uh, and again, I think there's a there's a need for vision. So, that's all I would like to share with you and and again, offer my support. Thank you.

Thanks so much for your testimony, ma'am. Questions? Great. Then we've got uh David Corey up next. Thank you. Uh my name is David Corey, 1917 Lakeside Place in Green Bay. And um it's my understanding that this resolution was to affirm the vital the Neville Museum is a vital cultural institution. I also read that speakers had about three minutes, so I wrote out my remarks, so I was about to ramble, so please uh indulge me in that. Uh for the past 25 years, I've been the director of the Green Bay Film Society, which has held its international film series at the Neville Museum. Uh the Neville has welcomed us and co-sponsored the series, which we provide free of charge to the community. Our hope is that we can contribute to the cultural life of Green Bay in a small way with the support of the museum with its location in the heart of the city. In fact, it's always been my hope that the Neville could serve as the cultural and intellectual heart of the area by bringing people into the downtown. Many people and scholars have written about urban centers, the rise of the creative class and how museums can serve as an economic engine and many communities have embraced this role. Just uh down the road, Depier has a world-class cultural center in the Mulva that was designed by the architectural firm Skidmore Owings and Merryill out of Chicago. Appleton has an excellent new library also designed by Skidmore Owings and Merrill as well as the Trout Museum designed by the LA based firm Frederick Fischer and partners. And of course, Milwaukee has the Santiago Calrada Design Milwaukee Art Museum which is worldrenowned. All of these buildings and museums have become destination spots for people interested in the arts, culture, and history. And they help the local economy because visitors then shop in local stores, have a coffee or a drink in a local cafe, or eat in surrounding restaurants. I know this because I've

done this myself and have visited all of them and then gone and had a meal or a drink or a cafe in those um uh areas. And we've seen this with the city deck and the Neville Museum here as well in Green Bay. But it has the potential to do more. And I'd like to offer a specific example. For the past five or six years, Green Bay Film Society has partnered with the local Italian-American Club. And each season, we've co-sponsored two Italian films as part of our series. The club's members meet for dinner at a Green Bay Italian restaurant before attending the film. Thus, The Neville and its programming has a direct economic impact on the city. But the value of a museum is more than just economics. It's a keeper and showcase of the city's history. its artists and its cultures. As we know, Green Bay is the third largest city in the state, and it deserves a strong, vibrant, and properly funded museum now more so than ever. And downtown revitalization just doesn't happen by accident. It requires a clear vision and a balanced mix of experiences that draw people in and keep them coming back. Across the country, cities are seeing a renewed interest in these urban cores. People want to live, work, and spend time in walkable, vibrant downtowns that offer culture, entertainment, and community. Our city has made meaningful progress in that direction. The success of the Broadway's Farmers Market, the continued draw of the Meyer Theater, of the Tarlton Theater, and other recent initiatives, uh, the new amphithe for instance, show that there is real momentum. But to build on that success, we knew it to expand beyond seasonal and outdoor activities. A truly thriving downtown also depends on strong indoor cultural options. Places can vis people places that people can visit all year round. As more residents move into the new downtown developments, including retirees and young entrepreneurs, expectations are changing. That's why investing in a museum or a cultural center is so important. It would complement what we already have, creating a more complete and appealing environment. At the same time, our small

businesses need continued support. Incentives, programming, and partnerships can help ensure that downtown remains active, accessible, and attractive to both residents and visitors. Thus, I support this resolution in the spirit of collaboration, as we've heard from uh county supervisor Evans, with a shared commitment to work with the county in its efforts to enhance cultural life, strengthen our downtown, support local businesses, and improve the lives of residents and visitors alike. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Any questions? Uh, see, Alder, Professor Corey, Oh, you got we got a question. Yeah, we're allowed to ask questions. Um, you have a film screening there tomorrow, right? We do. Yeah. Uh, could you tell everybody because I've been to a few of them like uh how well attended they are.

So, we generally average between 40 or 50 people per screening. And um it's the first Wednesday of each month. We run it uh from September to May. In summer, there's a lot more things going on. in the farmers market, outdoor activities, then it's harder to get people to come inside when the weather's finally nice. But um it's we've had on occasion um a full audience of up to 100 people there. And so our uh we encourage constantly that the people who attend those become members of the museum um that they patronize downtown um businesses. And we also try to collaborate with as many cultural organizations as we can. The Italian-American Club, the Polish American Heritage Society. Um we work with a lot of um partners. We've received a grant for next year from the French government that we're going to have um six uh French films free of charge uh courtesy of a grant through um the culture embassy of the of of France. Thank you.

Very cool. Thank you. Anything else? All right. Thanks again for your testimony. Thank you. Anyone else on this item? Yeah. if you can just state your name and address for us.

Hi, my name is Lisa Rose Lampson. I live at 2575 Wooddale Avenue. Um, and uh much like David, I read there was a time limit, so I also wrote my remarks. Please forgive that. Um, I'm also speaking in support. Um, but beyond the sort of notes that David uh mentioned, I want to speak as a public history professional. So, I am an associate teaching professor of history and I teach our public history classes at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. And the Neville is a core part of what my students and I do. And I want to be precise about something because I think it matters for this conversation. A public history institution and a children's museum edutainment venue are not the same thing and they are not interchangeable. And this is not a criticism of what a children's museum does. They do important work but it is fundamentally different work and for nearly a century the Neville has been the institution responsible uh for holding this community evolving from bringing the world to Green Bay to bringing Green Bay to the world. The Neville holds over a million objects and permanent collection. It is our artifacts, our photographs and films, our oral histories, our art, our traditions and all of that is held on site in that building. If you can go to the film freezer, it's very cool. Um, and it also uh employs professionals who make decisions about acquisition, preservation, and interpretation according to professional standards and metrics. And there are a lot exhibits about us created by us have earned the American Association of Museums award for excellence which is the highest achievement a museum professionally can earn. That is a peerreview process in which the field says this is good

community history and not only is it good, it is the best. It maintains the type of institutional memory that cannot be recreated once it has been dismantled or consolidated with institutions with different missions and purposes. And when I bring students there, they are not on a field trip. They are in fact working in a professional public history environment, learning what it means to interpret the past responsibly and to be stewards of that for our community. And that last word matters quite a bit. Community. The Neville's job is to reflect the full history and full population of northeast Wisconsin. Not a cultivated version of it, not a comfortable version, but the actual record. A museum that only reflects history of one that is comfortable isn't preserving community memory. It is editing it. And I want to be very clear with what that means in a professional sense. Photographs become inaccessible. Artifacts that document who this community actually was, not who we wish we were, or the narratives we tell, lose their professional stewardship. They are lost to time. That is not a renovation. That is not a consolidation. It is a foundational irreversible loss. The community cannot undo.

Is that my time? You go ahead.

Oh, okay. Um, you cannot reconstru I'm sorry I talk a lot. Uh, you cannot reconstruct collections that are once dispersed or rephotograph things that were never digitized. You cannot reacquire artifacts that were donated in trust over a hundred years ago in some cases to a public institution that no longer exists in the forms that it was given to. In doing so, we permanently limit how our community tells its story across time. Those who study northeast Wisconsin 50, 100, 150 years from now. Those who want to understand who lived here, what they built, the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, about our community. That is not a decision that any elected body should make quietly without um collaboration behind doors, without the people and the voices whose histories are at stake. Thus, I support the resolution and the continued collaboration between county and city, not only to protect Neville as a museum space, but the intergenerational narrative that creates the core of what Green Bay is and could be. Thank you.

Thanks for your testimony. Any questions? Um, I'm sorry. Clerk is just asking for your name and address again. Uh, Lisa Rose Lamson, 2475 Wooddale Avenue. Uh, Alder Shelton. Dr. Lamson, thanks so much for being here. Um, you know, you're uh an expert in public history. I believe it was Supervisor Sam Dunlop who told me that there's reminded me that there's only three public uh history museums in the state of Wisconsin, one of which is the Neville. Can you tell us in your opinion if it's significant to have a museum, you know, being governed by the public and if so, why?

That's a great question, John. Um, one thing about museums and community spaces is that they're reflective of narrative building as a whole. And that determines who and how a community can organize truthfully, honestly, transparently. When that is moved behind institutional, particularly corporation or privatiz, you lose some of that community control about what is and is not said and how it is said. And so if the community wants to be in charge of the stories we tell about ourselves, for ourselves, and for not only Green Bay, but to the world, then that is something that needs deep community impact and input. And it is through not only in donations, but attending, going to exhibits, talking about how much you love it. Um, when it is restricted, the questions you can ask about the past and about the communities therefore become restricted.

Thank you. Anyone else? Yeah, I was just checking on questions first, but great. Thanks so much for your time. Yeah, come on up.

Hello, my name is Dr. Rebecca Netzvet. Um, I'm a colleague of some people who have spoken already. I'm not speaking on behalf of any institution and my address is 118 South Washington Street, apartment A33154301. Um, I too have written down my comments. The Neville Public Museum is a treasure because it is a museum, not a play space, and because it's accessible to people of many ages and many educational levels without being euphemistically familyfriendly. I have learned so much from exhibits on difficult complex subjects such as African-American Packers contribution to desegregation and the recent exhibit on state LGBT history that was praised by WPR. The film screenings literally bring the world to Green Bay. It's hard to tell from the media exactly what changes are being proposed or what the rationale for those changes are, what kind of problems they're intending to solve. So, I will address one that seems to be implied and rumored. And I apologize if um this is the result of my speculation and not actually what's going on. People on social media are saying that the LGBT history exhibit wasn't familyfriendly. It was, of course, but I don't want the supposed or imagined needs of children and families to be invoked to censor some of the best work that the Neville does. And for that reason um among others I I think that the museum the children's museum that is is a play space um needs to be somewhere else in Neville. Secondly the Neville doesn't have unlimited space. There's only so much we can put in one building and there's quite a lot that's there already and there's even I've been behind the scenes on the third floor and there's even more that there just isn't space to show um all at once and that makes me concerned that if we add a play space

what are we taking away um from the Neville and thirdly I feel incredibly privileged one of the things that I consider one of the biggest privileges of my life is that I grew up in central Virginia a two-hour bus field trip away from the Smithsonian Institution and almost everything I know about American history because I'm I wasn't a history major but I was interested in it um comes from those field trips as a K to2 student to the various Smithsonian museums and some of that material was challenging and I literally got nightmares in third grade from some of the disasters that I learned about at the Air and Space Museum. Um, and there was definitely sexy pictures at the East Wing, um, you know, the Italian Renaissance part of the art gallery. And all of that is amazing for K to2 students and for adults who are there to learn, which is not the same thing as being there to play. And I never felt that anything in the Smithsonian was being censored. Um, may maybe it is, maybe I I have too much naive about that, but it didn't seem like that. So I when I first came to the Neville it was like great this is our Smithsonian and I hope it continues to be our Smithsonian. Thank you so much

your testimony. Any questions? Thanks again. Anyone else who'd like to offer testimony?

All right. I wasn't planning to speak, but I was inspired by some of the folks uh in attendance. My name is Tarl Knight and I'm the owner of the Charlton Theater located at 405 West Walnut Street, downtown Green Bay. I reside at 711 South Broadway in the city of Green Bay. In our years of operation, the Tarlton Theater has proudly presented over a thousand free and affordable shows and performances in our historic venue because we understand families in Green Bay and Brown County deserve opportunities to preserve and celebrate local northeast Wisconsin history and participate in local original live arts and cultural programming. In 2023, US News and World Report ranked the city of Green Bay the number one city in their annual best places to live in the United States list, citing affordability and quality of life. The Neville Public Museum contributes so greatly to the quality of life in our community, providing affordable and free interactive historical and arts and cultural opportunities. In the last year, thousands of Brown County residents attended the Neville on its free museum dates and participated in its free programming in the Neville Theater, like our friend David Corey. In the last 10 years, the American Associated Association for State and Local History awarded not one but three prestigious uh annual awards to the Neville for presenting worldclass communitydriven stories about our community. While I'm immensely proud of the contributions of the Charlton Theater, my team and I recognize along with our peers at the Mayer Theater, the Widner, or any other performing arts institution will never really come close to reaching the impact of the Neville in preserving and showcasing the history of Northeast Wisconsin. Last year, I spoke to the Brown County Board of Supervisors and urged them to support the annual $1 million levy for

the Neville Public Museum in its budget filled the open director position and continue to fund historic preservation, arts and culture, and the vital community resources we have in Brown County like the Neville Public Museum, which contribute to our creative freedom, cultural togetherness, and lasting democracy. Since then, the Neville, its staff, its funding, and its creative autonomy to continue telling the stories of people in Brown County have continued to be under fire in public and private conversations. Protecting and further democratizing its ownership and funding is vital to maintaining one of our community's greatest history, arts, and cultural institutions. The Neville was founded as a Green Bay institution in 1927 by Green Bay residents and was transferred to Brown County in 1981 with its current facility constructed through a joint capital investment by Green Bay and Brown County. It belongs to our community. Rather than threaten its limited space with a private public partnership or move closer to the privatization of a publicly owned asset, I propose a public negotiation in support of passing full stewardship of the Neville back to the residents of the city of Green Bay or joint stewardship between both the city and county in order to continue funding and protecting its creative autonomy free from further political threat. The Neville is limited in its capacity to build out its current facility and accommodate its current archives. Occupancy by another organization will only further challenge the creative autonomy and opportunity of the Neville to continue to present worldclass award-worthy stories which drive attendance and income and represent Brown County and historically the city of Green Bay. Thank you.

Thanks for your testimony. Any questions? Thanks again. Thanks. Anyone else from the public? Motion to close the floor made by Alder Profett, seconded by Alder Dele. All in favor say I. Post nay. The eyes have it. Floor is closed. Uh there's a motion on the floor which is to table the resolution. Motion was made by Alder profit and seconded. A discussion on on that motion. Seeing none, all in favor? Oh, all hang.

Thank you, mayor. as as a member of this council, I'm also a member of the foundation board for the museum. So, I have two ways to look at this. I'm very pleased that we are tableabling the resolution, putting it on the table. I think that is the absolute right way to go while still having influence. However, as a governing body, we need to make sure that we're not governing based on things that are going out there that we don't know because there are two governing uh boards. There's the museum board that's made up of county board people along with um people from the museum um and board members of the museum. So, there are and then there's the foundation board that is responsible for raising money of which I'm a part of. There are two boards that are working very closely to move the museum forward and the one thing that this resolution did not recognize was the work that they were doing and that was very difficult because none of us were contacted before this resolution. And so when we're putting resolutions through, and this is for us as a body, we need to do the research and we need to talk about talk to those leaders in our community that are already uh working on this and what is the best way for the city of Green Bay to help. So I would just it's just something that I'm raising as we on the council as we think about these things, we need to ask those questions uh before we pass something like that. So, I'm very pleased that we're passing it as on the table. Thank you.

Any other comments, Eric?

Thank you, mayor. Yes. And I'm for um putting it on the table. Kind of a new term here, but uh for for all of us anyway. Um but I I do want to make a few comments um just kind of based on what was shared. Um, I don't think any of us here on council, I'm pretty sure I could speak for everybody that I think we're all um uh we like the Neville Public Museum. You know, we're we appreciate it in our community. And I do want to point out that um uh Mary Papas who spoke, she's also my cousin. And um she's been very um uh good to the museum and and um loaned out some of our family um art artifacts to the museum to be on display. Um, so I wanted to just say that, but um, and I appreciate that. Thank you, Mary. Um, but I have concerns about a resolution like this. Again, I'm for your motion, but I would say in the future, I would I would like to have the city stay out of the county's business. So, I just want to I just want to make that very clear that I think that we don't want them coming and telling us how to run the city and we don't want to do the same thing. So, I would like us to be careful with that and so that we don't um cause friction in that relationship because I think we've had some collaboration and I'd like to continue on with that. So, uh just keeping that in mind in the future. Thank you.

Exc.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um yeah, I'm also in favor of laying it on the table. Um I do want to say I'm very glad that this resolution came up though and I was very glad to co-sign onto it. um just because of what we saw today which was uh a number of members of our community coming from various areas of expertise or just you know the membership of the museum speaking about how important it is um not just to Brown County but to Green Bay. It is a public institution. It is all of ours. Um so I appreciate the opportunity for this body to speak on what it hopes for for the future. Um, and I was very glad to hear Supervisor Evans speak about what he wants for the future of the museum. Um, that was very heartening. It makes me feel very, you know, secure that, uh, he says we're going to get an executive director and it's not going to be privatized. Uh, but those, if he was making that decision unilaterally, um, I would feel more secure, but I know that there are more supervisors, there are more voices in this, and I want to make sure that one voice uh, that is always represented is the public. Um, and we have just by bringing forward this resolution have given the public another opportunity to weigh in, um, to be heard, uh, to get some media coverage. I appreciated, uh, what Mary said as well. We're all shouting out Mary. Thanks, Mary. Um, but the, she said, the museum deserves our attention. Um, and I think that's really important that as the steps go forward, our attention has to be on the museum. And that's, you know, not trying to meddle in the county's business, but it is our business, too. It's it's our public institution that belongs to all of us. Um so as members of the public, as members of the council, I think it is our business to make sure that what happens to the museum has our attention. Um and I hope we will continue to do so in that spirit of collaboration, cooperation with the county. Um building continuing to have that very strong relationship that results in the betterment of that museum and our community. So

thanks Alder Alder Shelton.

Yeah, I'm obviously going to support tableabling this. I second it. But um you know I I I think a lot of youall know I'm a historian. I could talk about the the reasons for public history, but you heard a lot of smarter people than me point all that out. You don't need that. Um I I I've lived here 13 years. I'm not from here. And I think for people who grew up here, sometimes they take for granted how special this place is. And to have this kind of public history that we have here of things like the Neville Public Museum, again having only one of three public museums in the state, Bay Beach, the these entities that make life good for people here and enrich our lives and are also affordable and accessible. We need to defend those things. And you know, I'm really glad that we're having this conversation. It might not have worked out, you know, exactly the the perfect way, but we've got everybody in a room talking about this and, you know, really hope that we can work with the county supervisors uh to help support their work um in in uplifting the Neville and making sure that it remains public um because we owe it we owe it to this community to do that. And so I just hope that we continue these conversations and that we can all work together to do that.

Thanks, Alder. Anything else? Alder Ritter Bush. I am that resident that's lived here my whole life. I remember attending the museum when I was down where the federal courthouse was. So, I've seen the transformation of the whole museum be moved to several different locations. Um I was proud to sign on to this uh referendum or whatever. I we didn't do it to make anybody ticked off. We just did it because we wanted to bring it to attention to the citizens and the county so that we can work together collaboratively to to make it better for all. That's all I got to say. Thank you. That's all there. Anything else? All right. All in favor will say I

oppose. Nay. The eyes have it. And that motion succeeds. Uh traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian commission approve. Motion to approve made by Alder Profit, seconded by Alder Hinkfist. Items here to be handled separately. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I oppos nay. The eyes have it. That report has been approved. Sustainability. Motion to approve made by Alder Presley. Seconded by Alder Shelton. Items here to be handled separately. Seeing none. All in favor say I.

Opposed? Nay. The eyes have it. And that report has been approved. Next is committee of the whole consideration with possible action on involvement in the firetruck antitrust litigation against firetruck manufacturers pending in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Green Bay Division. Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Maybe Alder Alder profit. Seconded by Alder Hinkfist. Discussion. Seeing none. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Nay. The eyes have it. And that report is approved. Uh under resolutions. Motion to suspend the rules for 1 through 13. Alder profit makes a motion to suspend the rules and take up items 1 through 13 with one roll call vote. Seconded by Alder Shelton. All in favor will say I. I

oppos nay. The eyes have the rules are suspended. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt made by Alder Profett and seconded by Alder Dele. Any discussion? Uh yes. We are on this resolution. We're creating Ward 48 way on the other side of the city. Can we explain why we're doing it as 48 versus like I don't know 3C or like we have on the other ones? Just I just don't know if it's going to cause confusion. Our clerk can clerk Jeff.

Thank you so much, Alder Hank, for that great question. Um, so this is a result of a land swap with Belleview. Um, so these are three parcels that are currently uninhabited. Um, they're through residential parcels that we expect to have three houses on. So the way that these um when these sort of in the middle of the year new wards happen, we have to do we have to use the next number which is 48. It is uh my intention once November is finished um again there aren't any residents on those three parcels just yet to incorporate those three parcels into I think it's I'm not 100% sure but it's 111 11A 12 and 12A are the uh ws around it. So basically to absorb [clears throat] those because I do not want a 48 actually it would be a 52nd ward to be honest with you. So, um that's thank you for asking that question, but we have to do this now and then like I said, our intention is to incorporate uh after the November election is over.

You um so there was a motion and a second. Any further discussion? We use the board on 1 through 13. You may vote. Oh, I'm sorry. Now you can

All right, those are approved unanimously. On to 14. Alder Prophet make a motion to lay on the table. Alder profit makes a motion to lay this item on the table. Seconded by Alder Dele. All in favor for will say I. Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. That item has been tabled. Ordinance is first reading. Rules. Motion to suspend the rules made by Elder Prophet. Second by Alder Hankfist. All in favor will say I. Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. Rules are suspended. Motion to advance. Motion to advance made by Elder Prophet. Seconded by Elder Hankfist. That's advancing items one and two. All in favor will say I

oppos nay. The eyes have it. And those ordinances are advanced to a second and final reading. Journment. Motion to adjurnn. Made by Alder Dele. Seconded by Alder. All in favor say I. Oppos. Nay. The eyes have it. We're adjourned. Thanks everybody. Recording stopped.