Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sea Rice Mou topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Green Bay council approves MOU to help move Sea Rice coal piles, pledges up to $2.2 million
Summary
The Common Council approved a memorandum of understanding to support the relocation of Sea Rice terminals' coal piles away from near‑downtown property, authorizing the city to contribute up to $2.2 million subject to final attorney review. Council members described the move as transformational for the riverfront redevelopment.
The Green Bay Common Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate relocation of Sea Rice Terminals LLC’s coal piles and support redevelopment of the Mason Street site, authorizing the city to contribute up to $2,200,000 toward identified project shortfalls.
Mayor (title used in meeting) noted the county board had unanimously approved a term sheet the previous week and credited state support, specifically naming Governor Tony Evers and Kathy Blumenfeld from the Wisconsin Department of Administration for providing the majority of resources that underpin the county’s package. “This would really be transformational for us as a community,” the mayor said, urging council support for the MOU.
Alder Johnson summarized the city’s role as targeted: the $2.2 million is a not‑to‑exceed contribution tied to specific project shortfalls — for example, costs associated with relocating salt to a different site because salt requires an engineered pad and coal can be stored on ground. “That’s why it’s very clearly written in here, up to $2,200,000, because if it doesn't take that much… it may not cost that much,” Johnson said, explaining the city contribution is contingent and intended to address funding gaps tied to specific elements of the relocation.
The council approved the MOU subject to final city attorney review; Alder Johnson moved the motion and Alder DeLee seconded it. City staff said the document reflects edits made after a March draft to align with the county’s recently adopted term sheet. The mayor asked that council approve the MOU subject to final attorney review, and council members agreed.
Council members emphasized redevelopment benefits and cross‑jurisdictional coordination: Alder Galvin and others said the city’s primary interest was relocating coal away from the Pulliam site and downtown, while the county’s interest was port expansion at Fox River Terminal. Several members thanked county negotiators and state officials for involving the city in the agreement.
Ending: With the MOU approved subject to final legal review, the city will be a funding partner in the multi‑jurisdictional plan to remove coal piles from near downtown Green Bay and enable riverfront redevelopment. The city’s payment commitment is contingent on documented project shortfalls and final agreements with county and private parties.
