Common Council - 2026-03-17
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Green Bay Common Council meeting on March 17, 2026 was largely procedural with limited substantive real estate decisions. The council approved a Downtown Open Recreation Area (DORA) ordinance with amendments restricting hours to Thursday-Sunday 11AM-10PM and limiting patrons to one alcoholic beverage at a time. A Redevelopment Authority item was denied following closed session deliberations regarding public property negotiations. The council also approved personnel policy changes allowing up to $10,000 in moving expense reimbursement for hard-to-fill positions with candidates living more than 100 miles from Green Bay.
Key Decisions (6)
Downtown Open Recreation Area (DORA) Ordinance
Council approved ordinance establishing a DORA district with amendments: operating hours set to Thursday through Sunday 11AM to 10PM, and possession limited to one alcoholic beverage per person within DORA boundaries. Amendments proposed by Alder Prophet based on input from business owners and downtown BID.
Redevelopment Authority Item 2 - Public Property Negotiation
Following closed session pursuant to Wisconsin statutes 19.851e regarding negotiating sale of public properties, council voted to deny the item and directed staff to proceed as discussed in closed session. Amendment response was due but nothing was received.
Personnel Recruitment and Selection Policy Amendment - Moving Expenses
Council approved amendment to recruitment policy section 6.8 allowing reimbursement of moving expenses up to $10,000 for director-level and hard-to-fill positions. Amendment added requirement that candidates must live more than 100 miles from Green Bay to qualify. Policy change enables national recruitment for Assistant Director of DPW position vacant over nine months.
Benefits Administration Contract
Council approved new benefits administration contract following extensive interview process by HR team. Director Rollefsen noted the change will result in minimum $500,000 in administrative cost savings to the budget.
Dangerous Dog Appeal - Karl Grossi
Council denied appeal of dangerous dog designation for American Bulldog owned by Karl Grossi at 1283 Crooks Street. Dog previously involved in two incidents: May 2025 attack on Great Dane causing severe ear injury and biting owner ($2,842 in expenses), and February 2026 attack on lab mix causing puncture wounds to dog and handler ($900 in expenses). Protection and Policy Committee previously voted 4-0 and 3-1 to refuse appeal.
Tree and Landscape Appraisers Ordinance Amendment
Council approved housekeeping amendment to parks ordinance adding clarifying language for Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) abbreviation in section 1A for consistency throughout document.
Development Activity (1)
Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Music Hall of Fame
Music Hall of Fame facility to celebrate and preserve regional music history. Tentative grand opening May 15 with live bands and facility tours.
Market Signals (3)
Labor
City experiencing difficulty filling senior positions - Assistant Director of DPW position vacant over nine months, prompting policy change to offer up to $10,000 moving expense reimbursement for national recruitment.
Commercial Demand
Downtown business district establishing DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) with support from business owners and downtown BID, indicating focus on activating downtown commercial activity.
Infrastructure
City experienced second-worst blizzard in history and one of largest fires ever faced, demonstrating infrastructure and emergency response capacity.