Joanne Irene Bungert

The council held a meeting that included public hearings regarding a zoning map amendment for the Kingston Preserve subdivision to remove an outdated PDD overlay, and a zoning map amendment for a parcel at 12,200 Employers Boulevard. Additionally, a project update was provided regarding the Southbridge Connector, focusing on aesthetic treatments for bridges, piers, and related infrastructure, including discussions on stone veneer, stain options, railings, and lighting configurations.

The committee discussed and acted on community service grant policies, approved the overhire of a police officer and a firefighter to preemptively manage staffing and training needs, reviewed a redevelopment agreement for a multi-tenant commercial space at 303 Reed Street, evaluated a project involving a construction supply business in the West Business Park that requires utility easement coordination, and addressed the financial closure of Tax Increment District 8, recommending the city's surplus portion be transferred to the capital equipment fund.

The Sustainability Commission received a presentation from ICLEI USA regarding their climate resilience and sustainability support tools, specifically the Clear Path 2.0 emissions tracking software. The presentation covered the benefits of membership, including technical assistance and peer learning cohorts, and discussed how the software can be used for climate action planning, emissions inventories, and modeling the shift to sustainable energy alternatives. The commission also discussed its ongoing engagement with the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition and reviewed requirements for state emissions reporting.

The meeting included public comments regarding the lack of regular bus routes in DePere since 2019 and concerns about controlling the local deer population. Key agenda items addressed new business, including the approval of revising the arboriculture specifications manual concerning tree planting to allow steering towards large stature trees, the approval of a pop-up beer garden fundraiser hosted by Stubborn Brothers to benefit the DePere Dog Park, approval for K Distributing as the beer vendor for 2026 to 2028 beer gardens, and approval of the beer garden revenue policy. Additionally, authorization was sought to use up to $10,000 from unassigned reserves to repair the Fox Point boat launch. Old business involved the redirection of community service grant funds and consideration of the first amendment to a development agreement between the city and William Street Investment Partners LLC.

The committee reviewed and approved an application for a Class A fermented malt beverage and Class A intoxicating liquor license for Homegrown Farmshed LLC.