Carey Danen

The meeting addressed several agenda items including receiving public comment on matters not on the agenda. A commendation for the De Pere Baseball Boys Baseball Team championship was postponed. The Council considered and took action on Community Service Grant applications from organizations such as Compassionate Home Healthcare and Loving the Skin I'm In, resulting in awards of $600 to each applicant, totaling $1,200. The Council also approved a request from Rock the Dock to use public parking lots. A significant portion of the meeting involved a presentation by Camoin Associates regarding the final DP Comprehensive Housing Study and Action Plan, which detailed key findings on population growth, job growth, housing starts, market performance (for sale and rental), housing cost burden (notably high for renting seniors), and projected housing unit demand over the next five years. Recommended goals included increasing rental and ownership production.

The Board of Park Commissioners meeting included several key agenda items. The board approved the minutes from the November 20, 2025 meeting and the main sponsor for the 2026 Beer Gardens. A donation proposal from Depier Baseball for $5,000 to purchase robotic mowers for Kelly Danon and Southwest Park baseball fields was approved after discussion regarding mower operation schedules and capabilities. The approval of the first and second quarter financial statements for the Deure Ice Arena was noted, although it required abstention from one member, potentially necessitating a future review to confirm quorum. The agenda included a discussion concerning the naming of a new park in the Waterford Waterview Heights subdivision, which was tabled until the next meeting to ensure a decision by a more fully constituted board. Furthermore, the board initiated a discussion regarding Wilson Park improvements, noting that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for technical design and construction oversight has been released, including provisions for the consultant to review the conceptual design in light of recent substantial changes at St. Norbert College, such as changes to majors and student population, which may impact the park design. Ideas for incorporating features like a pollinator garden and a small urban dog park were discussed in relation to the new park and future planning, with concerns noted regarding the feasibility and safety of such installations in smaller areas.

The Plan Commission meeting included public comment periods for matters not on the agenda. Key agenda items involved consideration and possible action on land division requests, specifically a three-lot extraterritorial CSM at 2609 Lawrence Drive and a two-lot CSM at 215 North Broadway (corrected to North Wisconsin Street) for future business and commercial uses. Both CSM requests were recommended for approval subject to specified conditions. Additionally, the commission reviewed site plans received since the April 2025 meeting and discussed the status of recently approved development projects, including a query regarding the site plan for 550 William Street concerning metal paneling percentages relative to current and previous regulations.

The Board of Public Works meeting included discussions and decisions regarding new entrance signs for the city. The board reviewed two design options for affixing new welcome signs to existing population signs, noting concerns about clutter versus emptiness in the presented mockups. A motion was passed to advance sample signs to the City Council for consideration. Additionally, the board addressed the security and monitoring for the new yard waste drop-off site at 2000 Commerce Drive. Staff presented three options for site security, recommending the swipe card access system (Bicada system) without the license plate reader, which would require residents to pay a one-time fee for a card to ensure access is restricted to city residents. The board accepted the recommendation to move this item to the council meeting with sample signs for consideration.

The meeting included a period for public comment on matters not on the agenda. Key actions involved approving license applications. Specifically, approval was granted for a Class B fermented malt beverage and Class B intoxicating liquor license application for Pasqual International Cafe 305 Main Avenue, transitioning to operate under a new corporation. Additionally, approval was granted for a Class A fermented malt beverage and Class A intoxicating liquor license application for Country Visions Cooperative DBA Deer Country Store located at 1221 Grand Street, with a note that final approval rested with the police department.