Common Council meeting summary

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Comments made during the public comment period shall pertain only to matters under the jurisdiction of the Common Council. §6-3(f) DPMC

Consent Agenda items are those items of a routine administrative nature that are voted on by the Council in a single roll call vote. Staff recommends approval of all items. Common Council may request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.

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Kevin Gerwing My name is Kevin Gerwing, and I am a Freshman at De Pere High School. I want to join the City of De Pere Sustainability Commission because I believe in keeping my world clean. Sustainability is really important to me, because I know that the people of my generation are the ones that are going to live on this planet for the rest of our lives, and a beautiful Earth full of life is a lot better than a dark and polluted one. One positive attribute about myself is my ability to work hard and persevere. An example of how I used this ability of hard work and perseverance is how I earned my black belt in karate – I pushed myself to keep working through difficult training and tests. This attribute of mine would benefit the Sustainability Commission by bringing the skills of someone who can push past obstacles to the table. Another positive attribute about myself is that I am invested in my community. I volunteer around De Pere and the surrounding area a lot, such as when I volunteered as a Junior Parkee for the De Pere Park Playground Program, supervising children and doing activities with them at playgrounds in De Pere. Olive Pantzlaff Olive Pantzlaff will be a freshman at West De Pere High School next year. She has been involved in Junior National Honor Society, Student Council, Leadership Club, and Junior Parade (Patriot Park), and she enjoys playing soccer. She has a strong interest in sustainability and has completed research projects focused on environmental issues. Olive looks forward to learning more about the City’s sustainability initiatives and hopes to help raise awareness and support efforts that strengthen our community’s long‑term environmental stewardship. | reports=1

The Police Department conducts background checks twice a month for all applications received during the previous two weeks. Due to the timing of this practice, results have not been received as of the agenda publication deadline. If approved, the Clerk's office will not renew the licenses until the background check results have been confirmed. | reports=1

Aldi, Inc. Wisconsin (DBA Aldi #53), 1100 Main Av. Agent: Michael Haasch, De Pere WI. Country Visions Cooperative (DBA De Pere Country Store), 1221 Grant St. Agent: Steven Zutz, Brillion WI. RSL Petroleum LLC (DBA Lawrence Food Mart), 1017 4 th St. Agent: Lok Raj Bhatta, De Pere WI. True North Energy LLC (DBA True North #811), 841 Main Av. Agent: Michelle Knox, Brillion WI. True North Energy LLC (DBA True North #812), 1511 Lawrence Dr. Agent: Michelle Knox, Brillion WI. True North Energy LLC (DBA True North #813), 1010 S Broadway. Agent: Michelle Knox, Brillion WI. True North Energy LLC (DBA True North #814), 1063 N Broadway. Agent: Michelle Knox, Brillion WI. WI Foodliner, Inc. (DBA Festival Foods), 1001 Main Av. Agent: William Chizek, Black Creek WI. Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy LLC (DBA CVS #2214), 800 Main Av. Agent: Kendra Charlier, De Pere WI. | attachments=9 | reports=1

Radue Cinemas Inc (DBA De Pere Cinema), 417 George St. Agent: Vicki Radue, Green Bay WI. | attachments=1 | reports=1

Bryan Vander Bloomen (DBA Replay), 1731 Fort Howard Av. Agent: Bryan Vander Bloomen, De Pere WI. De Pere Hotel Group LLC (DBA Cobblestone Hotel & Suites/Wissota Chophouse), 499 Main Av. Agent: Stephanie Brooks, Oshkosh WI. Gallaghers Pizza LLC (DBA Gallaghers Pizza), 330 Reid St. Agent: Vanessa Miller, Green Bay WI. HC Gemini, Inc. (DBA The Abbey), 303 Reid St. Agent: Kerry Counard, De Pere WI. Hoffman Investments (DBA Old No. 7), 121 N 10 th St. Agent: Raymond Hoffman, De Pere WI. Nightlife, Inc. (DBA The Woodpecker), 302 Main Av. Agent: Tye Hartwell, De Pere WI. Orsa Hospitality LLC (DBA Orsetta Craft Kitchen & Bar), 109 N Broadway. Agent: Kelly Qualley, De Pere WI. Pasquales Café, Inc. (DBA Pasquales International Café), 305 Main Av. Agent: Tye Hartwell, De Pere WI. Smeckett Adventures LLC (DBA Cycling Brews Taproom), 1109 Honey Ct Ste B. Agent: Joshua Smits, Wrightstown WI. | attachments=9 | reports=1

Birder Studio of Performing Arts, Inc. (DBA Birder on Broadway), 123 S Broadway. Agent: Alicia Birder Bakken, De Pere WI. | attachments=1 | reports=1

This item was unanimously approved by the Finance/Personnel Committee at its May 12, 2026, meeting. | attachments=2 | reports=1

The Finance/Personnel Committee voted unanimously at its May 12, 2026 meeting to recommend approval of the proposed applicant eligibility and first-time applicant criteria for the Community Service Grant program, with the guidelines to take effect immediately. The Committee also voted to recommend transitioning to a single annual application window beginning in 2027. In March, the Common Council discussed potential guidelines for the Community Service Grant program and requested that staff research comparable programs in other Wisconsin municipalities. To gather this information, staff submitted an inquiry to the statewide Wisconsin Municipal Clerk’s listserv. No responses or examples of similar grant structures or criteria were received. In the absence of external models, staff met internally to brainstorm ideas and build upon the suggestions raised at the Council meeting. To guide the development of program criteria, staff revisited the original intent of the Community Service Grant Program. When the program was established, the goal was to encourage individuals and small local groups to take an active role in improving the community. Specifically, the program was designed to support projects that: Contribute to community infrastructure Enhance public safety Promote community awareness Improve the aesthetic quality of the City Strengthen City culture and the overall sense of community These principles reflect the City’s commitment to fostering civic engagement and empowering residents to make meaningful, visible contributions to De Pere’s public spaces and community life. The modest grant amount was intentionally structured to support grassroots, volunteer-driven initiatives rather than large-scale projects. Based on these discussions, staff recommends the following criteria and structural adjustments for the program: Applicant Eligibility Applications must be submitted by a De Pere-based organization, or the proposed project must occur within City limits or directly benefit City residents. Preference for First-Time Applicants To encourage broad community participation, preference may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Community Service Grant. Annual Application Window Staff recommends shifting from the current twice-per-year award cycle (June and December) to a single annual application window. The specific timing of the application period and award date would be determined based on what best aligns with community needs and program goals. Under this structure, the Council could award up to five $600 grants using the amount currently budgeted for the program. Staff recommends continuing the biannual cycle for 2026 and transitioning to the annual process in 2027. If the Council supports these recommendations, staff will update the program materials, application form, and public communications to reflect the programs’ revised structure and criteria. Staff welcomes Council feedback on the proposed criteria and any additional considerations the Council would like incorporated into the program. | reports=1

The Finance/Personnel Committee voted unanimously at its meeting on May 12, to approve the hiring of Stafford Rosenbaum LLC. Seeking to retain outside counsel to assist with the petition and hearing process to obtain authority from the Public Service Commission to extend public utility infrastructure to service parcels recently annexed into the City. | attachments=1 | reports=1

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This item was unanimously approved by the Finance/Personnel Committee at its meeting on April 14, 2026. | attachments=4 | reports=1

The Board of Public Works voted unanimously to recommend approval of this item at its May 11, 2026 meeting. | attachments=2 | reports=1

The Board of Public Works voted unanimously to recommend approval of this item at its May 11, 2026 meeting. | attachments=3 | reports=1

The Board of Public Works voted unanimously to recommend approval of this item at its May 11, 2026 meeting. | attachments=7 | reports=1

The Board of Public Works voted unanimously to recommend approval of this item at its May 11, 2026 meeting. | attachments=3 | reports=1

The Finance/Personnel Commission unanimously approved an agreement with BerryDunn for ERP consulting services, along with the allocation of $56,000 from unassigned reserves, at its meeting on May 12, 2026. The City currently utilizes Incode 9 as its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This system supports a range of essential functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, employee management (such as hire dates, pay rates, and benefits), payroll processing, and building permit administration. Incode has been in use since 2005. Given that the typical useful life of an ERP system is between 10 and 20 years and considering the significant technological advancements that have occurred during this period, the City’s existing ERP system is due for a comprehensive update. The City seeks to enhance system functionality and improve transparency between the Finance Department, other City departments, and the Common Council. A formal needs assessment is a critical first step in the process of replacing the ERP system. This assessment will help clearly define the City’s requirements and ensure that any future ERP solution is well-aligned with operational needs and long-term objectives. See attached staff memo for further details. | attachments=6 | reports=1

Section 130-5 of the city municipal code allows for the disposal of abandoned bicycles via donation to an area nonprofit or governmental entity. This abandoned bicycle donation to Counting Stars, Inc., a local nonprofit, is made by resolution under the municipal code. | attachments=3 | reports=1

Consideration and Possible Action to Provide Interim Fire Chief Services to the Town of Ledgeview. | attachments=2 | reports=1

This resolution relates to Item 8D under New Business. It is the approving resolution for the retainer of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP. | attachments=2 | reports=1

Parks Director Marty Kosobucki will provide an informational presentation reviewing the 2025 Aquatic Report and status of Legion Pool. | attachments=2 | reports=1