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Committee hears appeal from Katie Tibbetts; members cite rehabilitation and workplace support and vote to grant appeal
Summary
Applicant Katie Tibbetts appealed a denial of an operator’s license tied to a 2020 fourth-offense OWI conviction; members cited letters of support and sobriety. The committee voted to grant her appeal and recommended approval to the Common Council.
The Protection and Policy Committee on Jan. 13 considered an appeal by Katie Tibbetts of a denial of an operator’s (bartender/server) license and voted to grant the appeal, citing supporting letters and testimony about her rehabilitation and employment.
Green Bay Police had recommended denial based on a 2020 charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (fourth offense) that resulted in a 2021 guilty plea, a felony-level conviction referenced by police during the hearing. Police told the committee their records showed that incident and some earlier minor traffic offenses; police recommended denial because of the felony conviction and its relative recency.
Tibbetts addressed the committee, gave her address as 335 N. Washington St., and described steps she said she has taken since the conviction: completion of probation, ongoing therapy and sobriety, and family and employer support. She told the committee, “I don't drink. I'm sober.” Tibbetts said she has worked at the Hotel Northland for almost four years as a restaurant supervisor; her manager submitted a letter of support to the committee.
After public questioning and a review of supporting letters, a committee member moved to approve the appeal. Several members said Tibbetts’ employment and support letters, along with her stated sobriety and completion of probation obligations, justified granting the license. The motion to approve carried; the committee’s approval is a recommendation to the Common Council, which will take final action at its Jan. 26 meeting.
The committee also discussed procedural notices from the Clerk’s office regarding contacts with applicants; staff said the Clerk had requested to speak with applicants before a final approval or denial but did not receive a response in this case. Committee members discussed standard timelines and the options available if an applicant reapplies after denial.
No council-level vote was recorded at the meeting; the committee’s decision is a recommendation for Council consideration.
