Green Bay Council Discusses Gasification Plant; Approves Taskforce On Homelessness

Oneida Tribe members made a concentrated effort to plead their case for the proposed waste-to-energy plant. Over 60 tribe members packed into the meeting.

It was a stark contrast to a special session called a few weeks ago when residents against the plant showed up in large numbers.

In October, the council rescinded a Conditional Use Permit allowing the plant to be built, over pollution concerns.

Oneida Seven Generations says the plant meets all state and federal environmental standards and filed a lawsuit, hoping to force the council to reinstate the permit.

The Council met in closed session Tuesday night to discuss the lawsuit and possible next steps.

The City Attorney also informed Council that the judge originally assigned to the case has recused himself and the court has yet to appoint a new one.

The Council did not allow for public input afterward.

"The tribe is very, very environmentally proactive and safe. I can't believe that they would think that we would try to do something that would damage the environment. I am very offended by the position that they have taken," says tribe member Diane House.

"The council members just have to remember why they voted to rescind, that's basically all I want to say to them, is remember why," says Bob Heroux of the Mather Heights Neighborhood Association.

Also discussed at Council:

Aldermen approved a motion to reassemble a taskforce on homelessness. The task force came out of a special session of the Protection and Welfare Committee Monday night.

Also approved was a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed 52-unit veterans apartment complex.

Tuesday's meeting was the last of 2012.