ARINETTE – The Marinette County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of two new committees to address the redevelopment of the former UW-Green Bay Marinette campus and to improve local mental health crisis interventions during its meeting on Tuesday, March 31.
The county board and Marinette City Common Council were previously slated to meet at the Bay Shore Arts Center Theater to hear updates from cooperating agencies regarding the campus buildings, however, the meeting was cancelled due to a snowstorm.
Supervisors discussed Resolution No. 628 – 26, “Establishing a special committee for UW-Campus Redevelopment.”
This resolution explained that “the infrastructure committee has taken a passive approach to the redevelopment of the UW-Marinette Campus in an effort to provide the community with an opportunity to identify a financially sustainable option(s) for the county to consider as a redevelopment option.”
“The county board seeks to identify financially responsible and sustainable pathways for the redevelopment and reuse of said properties to maximize community value while minimizing fiscal risk to Marinette County taxpayers.”
It continued, “The committee’s purpose is to identify and present financially sustainable options for the redevelopment of the UW–Campus properties, each accompanied by feasibility considerations, estimated capital and operating costs, potential funding sources, governance structures, timelines, risk assessments and anticipated community impacts.”
The county board previously voted during their February meeting to postpone action to transfer parcels and form a committee to do further reviews on the Field House, UW-Campus and Runnoe Park.
Supervisors Ginger Deschane and Connie Seefeldt motioned to postpone action on establishing this special committee and, instead, send the resolution back to the administrative and infrastructure committees for further discussion on the majority of appointed committee members being from outside of the City of Marinette.
The motion failed 16-9, with one supervisor abstaining.
A different amendment regarding committee membership was proposed by supervisors Sonny Graese and Mark Anderson, which passed 24-0 with one supervisor abstaining.
The amendment updated the membership criteria to include:
These updates brought the total voting committee members to 13, with the majority of these members required to live outside of the City of Marinette.
County board members joining the committee will be compensated with a per diem of $35 and mileage for each committee meeting attended.
According to the resolution, the committee will meet within the next 30 days and provide a report to the county board within six months of its organizational meeting, unless extended by the county board chairperson. They will also conduct at least one public listening session.
In other library updates, a joint meeting between the county board and city council to discuss the future of the campus property and buildings will be held and the lease agreement between the city and the Stephenson Public Library passed 15-9.
Under the agreement, the county will pay the city $1 annually from June 2026 through May 2051. Additionally, the county maintains the right to immediately terminate the lease if the Marinette County Consolidated Library System is ever dissolved.
Another committee was established with Resolution No. 627, “Establishing an AD HOC Committee on Mental Health and Crisis Intervention.”
The resolution explained that “Marinette County recognizes the importance of the mental health and well-being of its residents and the need for effective and compassionate responses to mental health and crisis situations.”
It continued, “The current systems for information data sharing, housing options and crisis response face challenges regarding resources and efficiency, which can result in significant time and resource burdens on the county and its law enforcement agencies… The establishment of a dedicated committee will allow for focused, data-driven planning and collaboration across various community stakeholders.”
The committee will include 10 members and is tasked with developing pilot projects for housing options and crisis diversion, improving community data sharing and finding ways to reduce the time and resources expended by law enforcement and healthcare systems on mental health crises.
In addition to this, the county board voted to approve the 2026 contract with One-Nine Youth and Family Services for $88,800. They also approved allowing the public health officer to apply for the Provident Health Foundation grant — providing up to $75,000 to support the community resources navigator role — and accept it if awarded.
Additionally, a report was given on updates from the community health and needs assessment.
In other public service items, the 2026 Law Enforcement Drug Trafficking Response Grant for $24,565 was approved. The board also voted to enter into an interlocal governmental agreement with Menominee County, Mich., for Marinette County to provide medical examiner investigation services.
Other approved items included: approving the $131,500.05 agreement with Casper’s Truck Equipment to purchase a new underbody/lift axle/dump box; transferring county-owned parcel #022-00371.000 to the Town of Pembine for a fee of $30; and transferring $484,974.00 from County Roads and Bridge Special Revenue Fund Balance to County Snow and Ice Control Operation Expenditures and County Road Construction LRIP Revenue.
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