Council grants operator license on appeal after applicant and chief explain background check discrepancy

The Green Bay Common Council voted on Jan. 20 to approve an appeal by Brian Sanchez and grant an operator license after a public hearing and department explanation of the initial denial.

Mayor (chair) opened the floor for an appeal concerning the denial of Sanchez’s operator license. Sanchez told the council he works for the Packers, needs the license to continue working and to train other staff, and that he sometimes lacks a manager with a license which reduces his hours. He provided his address for the record.

Council members questioned Sanchez about the reason for the denial. Sanchez said he had a deferred prosecution agreement and may have misunderstood the application questions. The Police Chief described the department’s background-check process, noting Sanchez’s record included several minor traffic convictions, a 2022 misdemeanor for possession of marijuana and a prescription-drug offense, and a pending deferred-prosecution matter with a hearing in March 2027. The chief said Sanchez had written 'N/A' on the application when asked about prior convictions, which staff treated as an omission and therefore recommended denial in line with past practice.

After closing public testimony, Alder Galvin moved to approve the appeal; Alder Prophet seconded. The council voted by voice and the mayor stated the motion appeared to carry. The transcript records verbal 'ayes' but does not provide a roll-call vote tally. The appeal was approved and Sanchez’s license will proceed under the council’s action.

The council did not indicate additional conditions tied to the approval in the meeting transcript. The Police Chief noted the deferred-prosecution hearing date and the department’s consistent approach to applications when fields are left blank or marked 'N/A'.