Committee refers city tree-removal ordinance to staff after concerns over dual fines, transparency

A Green Bay committee voted to refer a proposed review of the city’s tree-removal ordinance and related policy to staff, after members said the ordinance and a separate tree-appraisal policy are unclear and can lead to overlapping penalties.

The motion to refer the matter to staff passed on a voice vote after members discussed whether the city should combine the policy into Ordinance 28.37 or otherwise publish clearer guidance on how removal penalties and appraisal charges are calculated.

Why it matters: Committee members said homeowners can face both a citation for unauthorized removal and a separate invoice for the appraised value of a removed city tree. Several members called that practice confusing and asked for clearer, public information about the appraisal formula and the circumstances when both penalties apply.

Committee discussion and context

Alder Eck said the policy and ordinance should be “married…