De Pere · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in De Pere, WI public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Pedestrian Safety at Flicker and Red Wing
A resident asked for a stop sign near a popular new playground, but traffic counts were too low to warrant it. The board asked staff to take another look at a yield sign or crosswalk solution.
Operator license denials appealed by bartenders
Two bartenders whose operator licenses were denied over past offenses — misdemeanors for Sandra Rodriguez and three OWIs for Chelsea Cure — appealed in person and were approved unanimously. Their cases now head to the Common Council.
Regional food truck fire inspections
De Pere joins a Fox Valley coalition where food trucks get one standardized NFPA fire inspection and a sticker honored across the region — saving city inspectors time and easing vendor frustration. Health department inspections are unaffected.
Shared animal response services with Howard (CART)
De Pere and the Village of Howard will share Citizen Animal Response Team (CART) services under a new intergovernmental agreement. That means coordinated volunteer help for animal emergencies across both communities.
Declining childhood vaccination rates
Alderperson Hansen raised media reports of falling childhood vaccination rates; the health department confirmed De Pere mirrors the statewide trend and is responding with public messaging and provider connections.
Interim fire chief support from Ledgeview
The commission confirmed a new Battalion Chief and two new firefighters, and added two candidates to the firefighter eligibility list. That's leadership continuity and added staffing capacity for the fire department.
Fox River Fire District Automatic Aid Agreement
An updated automatic aid agreement with the Fox River Fire District was approved, keeping fire and emergency services coordination current.
Service fees for missed inspections
New code amendments let the city charge fees when property owners don't show for inspections or keep ignoring violations — a 'stick' aimed at repeat offenders who only act after a final warning letter.
Rising Lyme disease and tick activity
Lyme disease numbers climb every year, and board members report heavy tick activity already this spring. The health department is distributing tick prevention kits.
Hydrant painting costs jump 73%
Only one contractor bid on painting the city's fire hydrants, and the price jumped from $112.50 to $195 per hydrant. The board accepted it anyway rather than delay the work.
Chronic nuisance determination upheld on appeal
The council held a full quasi-judicial hearing on Rachael Carriveau's appeal of a chronic nuisance property designation and unanimously denied it. The police chief's abatement plan for the property now stands.
Narcan distribution and opioid response
The department gives free Narcan to anyone who wants it and now partners with the fire department on training and a leave-behind program for homes that could benefit.
Election tabulation equipment agreement with Brown County
The city joined the county's 2026 intergovernmental agreement for election tabulation equipment — keeping De Pere's voting equipment consistent and supported.