De Pere · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in De Pere, WI public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Street tree requirements in new subdivisions
New subdivisions will have to include street trees, with a fee letting the city plant them so the urban canopy is even and healthy instead of patchy. Alderperson Hansen has pushed this for years.
Future of plastic film recycling in De Pere
The city's plastic bag drop-off program has outgrown its outlets — Festival Foods stopped taking the city's collected film and there's no storage space during the service center renovation. Staff wants to end collection and point residents to nine local stores, but commissioners want a recycling partnership explored first.
Stormwater recognition and Wisconsin Stormwater Week
Stormwater Week runs September 19-27 with social media pushes and a mayoral proclamation. Commissioners want to do more — email campaigns to Adopt-a-Drain participants, yard signs, and possibly billboards — to grow the program.
Compost reimbursement program sustainability
The city's composting reimbursement program has grown to about 24 active properties, with nearly all participants requesting their reimbursements. Members think more promotion could grow it further.
Green Tier progress with the DNR
The city is in phase two of its green energy scorecards, tracking energy use and electric vehicles, with submission expected in December. Members also discussed leveraging the Green Tier program to get local businesses on board with sustainability.
New yard waste site opening June 1
The new fenced, code-access yard waste site is residents-only, and the board confirmed it stays that way after a landlord complained. Non-resident property owners can still use curbside brush and yard waste pickups.
2026 Fox-Wolf IMPACT Award for De Pere water quality work
The city — Public Works plus the Sustainability Commission — was anonymously nominated for an award recognizing water quality efforts like pond sweeping and Adopt-a-Drain outreach. The ceremony is October 1st, with the award presented at the October Common Council meeting.
Westwood Elementary orchard removal
Commissioners learned Westwood Elementary cut down its school orchard without notifying the city, possibly to maximize space on the school site. The commission had hoped the conservation corps might help replant there.
De Pere Canopy Growth Plan
The commission is exploring how to grow the city's tree canopy, but the forestry department is already maxed out with ash tree removals. Ideas on the table include tree giveaways, hiring Green Bay's sustainability corps crew, or volunteer plantings — with watering and upkeep the biggest hurdle.
Floodplain ordinance updates
The Shelley Lane appellant revealed his basement has flooded repeatedly — most recently this April — and that public easements and city drainage eat up most of his yard. The assessor gave him a 20% land-value discount, but said older-home basement flooding otherwise doesn't move the needle on value.
Walleye habitat shoreline improvement
Walleyes for Tomorrow will haul about 450 tons of gravel across the Perkofski boat launch this winter to improve walleye habitat, with an MOU making the group responsible for any road damage.
Terrace tree replacement program
The city will now pay to replace dead right-of-way trees for homeowners who want one, starting in 2027. Participation is optional to avoid forcing trees on unwilling residents.