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Green Bay committee holds decision on $52,515 traffic‑controller charge for newly resettled driver
Summary
At its April 15 meeting the Improvement & Services Committee heard pleas from a nonprofit and a newly resettled driver seeking reduction of a $52,515 invoice for damage to a traffic signal cabinet. The committee voted to hold the item pending firm insurer figures and possible payment‑plan details.
On April 15, 2026, the Green Bay Improvement & Services Committee heard testimony from a nonprofit and the driver about a traffic signal controller replacement charged to the driver after an Oct. 25, 2025 crash.
Director Houston told the committee “the total cost to repair the cabinet was $52,515.49,” and said the cabinet had been replaced within the previous year. Houston said the city sought reimbursement from the other party’s insurer but had not been reimbursed and that the claimant’s insurer indicated a maximum policy limit of $10,000 as the parties discussed resolution. Houston also said the city had offered to waive personnel time and equipment charges while pursuing insurer recovery.
Say Hassan, executive director and co‑founder of the resettlement nonprofit KMSA, testified on behalf of the driver, identified at the hearing as Ali Ahmed Ayan. Hassan said Ayan is newly resettled, undergoing therapy for trauma, underemployed, and facing both hospital bills and a Public Works invoice she could not afford. “We as a community need to support her,” Hassan told the committee.
Ayan described the crash to the committee: “The accident happened October last year,” she said, adding she was returning from work when another driver honked, she lost control and was taken to the hospital. Ayan said she is paying ongoing medical bills and cannot absorb the Public Works charge.
Committee members questioned whether Ayan had appropriate coverage; Ayan said her vehicle was insured but committee members and advocates said the coverage likely did not include full replacement of the new cabinet. Staff reported they had reduced the city’s internal invoice from about $52,515 to $45,389 and placed Ayan in a no‑payment system that lowered short‑term monthly obligations; if the other insurer pays $10,000, staff estimated the remaining balance could be roughly $35,389, though figures remained provisional.
After discussion about the city’s obligation to recoup replacement costs and the claimant’s ability to pay, Alder Dele moved — and Alder Bush seconded — to hold the item until the next Improvement & Services meeting so staff could obtain a firm confirmation from the insurer and work with law and finance on payment‑plan options. The motion carried by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will report insurer decisions and any recommended payment plan when the committee takes the item up again at its next scheduled meeting.
Authorities and amounts stated in the committee record: city repair cost $52,515.49 (staff figure), internal reduced invoice $45,389 (staff offer), reported insurer limit discussed at the meeting $10,000, and staff‑estimated remaining balance after insurer payment about $35,389. Hospital bills and other restitution amounts were discussed but not itemized in the record.
