Green Bay residency board denies one applicant, approves three; two new members named

The Green Bay Sex Offender Residency Board on an otherwise routine meeting denied an application from Maxwell Joseph Scott O'Dell to reside at 1411 Cass Street and approved three other residency requests, the board said. The panel also announced two new appointments and plans for an onboarding session for new members.

The board's decision to deny applicant Maxwell Joseph Scott O'Dell was based on the board's review of his criminal history and uncertainty about the details of his 2018 Nebraska conviction for attempted enticement by electronic communication. Board members said they were concerned by missing official records and by the applicant's limited recollection of the incident. O'Dell told the board he had moved to Green Bay to live with family and that he arrived Dec. 4; he said he had been sentenced in Nebraska for the offense and that the victim was 16 at the time of the incidents. One board member said the denial could be reconsidered if O'Dell provided a copy of the criminal complaint and court records for board review. The motion to deny was made, seconded and approved unanimously by the three board members present.

The board approved residency for Steven Bay at 602 Bond Street, Apartment 2. Bay told the board he was sentenced Nov. 22 (date provided in his application) and that he had prior treatment at the Jackie Nitschke Center in 2005; the board recorded notice from Bay's agent that he intends to start the "Thinking for a Change" program. Board members said they had no concerns about his current compliance and approved the address-specific residency; they reminded Bay that any move from the approved address would require a return to the board.

The board also approved an address change for an applicant seeking 831 Elmore Street, Apartment A (the applicant's name was not provided on the record) and approved Jeffrey Cox to reside at 1139 Badger Street. Cox told the board he was recently released from custody (Dec. 6) and said he has a pending status conference in a federal possession case; he told the board he has had recent contact with his child and is engaged with mental-health groups. The board approved Cox's address-specific residency but told him to return if he moves or if his legal status changes.

Public comment included a supporter for O'Dell, Susan Amodil of 1411 Cass Street, who described O'Dell as "so kind and so gentle" and urged the board to give him a chance. The board noted that community support is one factor it considers but emphasized that documentary evidence about the underlying conviction and current treatment or supervision are central to its decision-making. Board staff said the ordinance guiding the board directs consideration of remorse, rehabilitation and the likelihood of reoffense when deciding residency requests.

The meeting closed with administrative items: the board said Jessica Henderson (on Zoom) and Brian Skolitsky (in person) will be appointed as full-time members at an upcoming council meeting and that Alex (last name not provided) will move to an alternate role. The board said it will schedule a short orientation — described as a "crash course" — for new members on board standards and the residency ordinance. The board set its next meeting for Feb. 19.

Votes at a glance

- Maxwell Joseph Scott O'Dell — Request to reside at 1411 Cass Street: Motion to deny approved (board noted missing criminal complaint; applicant may reapply with documentation). Vote: 3–0 in favor of the motion to deny. - Steven Bay — Request to reside at 602 Bond Street, Apt. 2: Motion to approve address-specific residency approved. Vote: unanimous. - Applicant (requested 831 Elmore St., Apt. A) — Motion to approve address-specific residency approved. Vote: unanimous. - Jeffrey Cox — Request to reside at 1139 Badger Street: Motion to approve address-specific residency approved. Vote: unanimous.

Board members and staff emphasized that approvals are address-specific and that any change of residence or new legal developments (for example, new convictions or pending hearings) should be reported to the board and may require a new appearance. The board also reiterated that applicants may return with new, substantive documentation (for example, a criminal complaint or proof of completed treatment) to request reconsideration.