OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Manitowoc Common Council Meeting Summary – March 17, 2026

Common Council & Committees — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyManitowoc, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & Committees
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 27:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Alright, we are going to call our meeting to order.

0:08

Welcome to everyone again to truly apologize about the audio.

0:12

This is the month that we are redoing the whole room for AV, but we are recording the meeting as well, so it will be on the city's website public facing.

0:23

But just speak loudly if you are speaking for public input.

0:26

And I'd ask the council to speak as loudly as possible as well, so we can get through this meeting and work in here.

0:33

So at this time, we'll have the clerk call or roll.

0:36

Bina.

0:37

Recklebert?

0:38

Here.

0:39

Schlein.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Dunbar?

0:41

Here.

0:42

Anderson.

0:43

Here.

0:43

Right?

0:44

Here.

0:44

Sigwitz?

0:45

Here.

0:46

Morel.

0:46

Here.

0:47

Cummings?

0:47

Here.

0:48

Nine members present.

0:49

You all listen very well.

0:50

Thank you.

0:51

At this time, I want to please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:54

And if you can remain standing after the pledge for a prayer of our Council President Mike Cummings.

1:00

I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:07

One nation, another God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:14

Let us pause for a moment of reflection.

1:17

Dear Lord, we gather tonight as the City Council of Manitowak, grateful for the safety of our community following this past week's record setting blizzard.

1:24

We offer our deepest thanks to the dedicated city employees, the snowplow drivers, emergency responders, and utility workers who were tireless hours in the cold to clear our paths and keep us safe.

1:36

We remember that these individuals are our friends and our neighbors, and we are blessed by their service.

1:41

On this St.

1:41

Patrick's Day, as we see the spirit of celebration throughout our city, we're reminded that our true luck is founded in the strength of our community and the character of our people.

1:50

In this chamber tonight, let us be mindful that the pulse of Manitok starts with our leadership.

1:55

Our words and actions here shape the spirit of our neighborhoods.

1:59

Grant us the clarity to lead with our heads as well as our hearts.

2:03

Keep us to base our decisions on the solid ground of facts and long-term foresight rather than the shifting emotions of the moment.

2:09

Bless this council and every citizen of Manitoua.

2:12

May we work tonight to ensure the city remains a place of safety, opportunity, and shared prosperity.

2:18

Amen.

2:19

Amen.

2:27

Thank you, Council President Cummings.

2:29

We have two presentations this evening.

2:31

The first one is for Parkinson's Awareness Month.

2:33

We have Alan Burchus here and a few representatives who will say a couple words after I read the proclamation.

2:48

Someone maybe want to turn the camera just so at least it looks hope.

2:52

Everyone.

2:53

Everyone at the same time.

2:54

Is that okay for everything?

2:56

For the public.

3:01

Alright.

3:02

So again, this is for Parkinson's Awareness Month.

3:05

It reads whereas Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurological disease and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States.

3:14

Whereas Parkinson's disease is estimated to affect approximately one million people in the United States, with 90,000 new cases diagnosed each year, including 15,000 Wisconsinites.

3:24

Whereas complications for Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

3:32

Whereas it is estimated that the economic burden of Parkinson's disease is at least $52 billion annually, including direct and indirect costs, including treatment, social security payments, and list income to patients and family members.

3:45

Whereas research success suggests the cause of Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Public Safety█████████████████████████████29%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Public Works███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Manitowoc Common Council Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Common Council met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Nickels called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m., and the Council adjourned at 7:02 p.m. Nine of ten alderpersons were present (Alderperson Chad Beeman was absent), and all votes were unanimous (9-0). The agenda included proclamations, public input, the consent calendar, and reports from several standing committees.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • Mayor Nickels proclaimed April as Parkinson's Awareness Month. Alan Burchus, on behalf of the Manitowoc County Parkinson's Disease Support Group, thanked the Mayor and announced the fourth annual Promenade the Park for Parkinson's, scheduled for April 25, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at Washington Park. He noted that funds raised stay in Manitowoc County to support monthly programs and transportation.
  • The Council honored retiring Police Chief Nick Reimer with a commendation. Chief Reimer thanked the Mayor, Council, department heads, and police department employees for their support during his nearly three-decade career, which began in 1996.

Consent Calendar

  • No items were removed from the consent agenda. The Council approved the consent agenda by unanimous vote, including:
    • Approval of the February 16, 2026 Common Council minutes.
    • Acceptance of Violet Salley's resignation from the Crime Prevention Committee, effective March 5, 2026.
    • Special Events Committee approvals for Jr Ships Tournament (5/2/2026), Aviary Grand Opening Two Mile Walk (6/6/2026), Ministry over Industry (7/25/2026), Malt City Brewfest (8/1/2026), MPSD Summer Band Concert (8/6/2026), Trunk or Treat (10/20/2026), and ASL Ugly Sweater 5k (11/7/2026).
    • Waiver of fees for the 8U Shipbuilders Game (5/11/2026), 8U Shipbuilders Tournament (5/17/2026), City of Manitowoc Employee Picnic (7/9/2026), and Memorial Day Picnic (5/25/2026).
    • Approval of a taxicab driver's license for J. Honkanen pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 111.335.
    • Approval of a Class B retail intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverage license for Trattoria Tennie LLC, 2204 Washington St.
    • Approval of PetSkull Brewing's temporary extension of premises for Tuesday Food Truck Rally, May 5 – September 29, 2026, 4:00–8:00 p.m., on the North 11th Street boulevard between York and Buffalo Streets.
    • Placing the 2025 Municipal Court Statistics Report on file.
    • Allowing and ordering paid General City Claims totaling $10,884,300.35.
    • Approval of the Finance Committee licensing report subject to approvals, inspections, insurance, payment of fees, and statutory requirements.
    • Denial of two Transit Grievances from Teamsters No. 662.
    • Approval of the Inspection Supervisor job description.
    • Awarding the 2026 Concrete Paving I Program, Project WS-26-1, to Vinton Construction Company for $1,911,997.76.
    • Awarding Complaints Remove & Replace Sidewalks, Project WS-26-13, to Seiler Bros. Construction Inc. for $77,690.00.
    • Awarding Remove & Replace Existing Sidewalks, Project WS-26-3, to Seiler Bros. Construction Inc. for $135,885.00.
    • Granting a snow removal assessment appeal for 815 St. Clair Street on the condition the owner forfeits the right to appeal future snow removal assessments for that property.
    • Awarding Ready Mix Concrete for the 2026 construction season, QM-26-1, to Carew for $107,850.00.
    • Denying the Sex Offender Residency Board appeal for Domanick Robinson.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public hearings were held.
  • Jill Iverson, a member of Progressive Lakeshore People, spoke during public input. She expressed support for the Council and city staff, thanked snow-removal crews for their work after the recent blizzard, and stated that hate is not welcome in the community. She urged leaders to protect targeted community members, particularly minorities and people of color, and offered the group's help in standing against hate. She noted Progressive Lakeshore People has approximately 950 members in the county.

Committee Reports & Discussion Items

Committee of the Whole

  • The Council approved the Special Events Committee's recommendation for events requiring Council action: Fourth on the Shore (7/4/2026) with specified road closures and parade routes, Zoo Snooze (8/8–8/9/2026) with a waiver of Lincoln Park Zoo hours, and Sputnikfest (9/12/2026) with road closures on Park Street and N 8th Street from September 11–13, 2026.

Finance Committee

  • Approved a Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Recreation Aids Grant Agreement (SADLP6261473_URGP626199) for $500,000 with a $500,000 local match.
  • Accepted an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Subrecipient Agreement amendment with Manitowoc County for Water Main Extension Phase 2 & 3.
  • Approved an unbudgeted CAWG request from the Police Department for up to $90,000 for a squad car camera system.
  • Approved the IDC report on the Option and Right of First Refusal with Kinzel Wood Products for property on S. Alverno Road (Parcel #449-008-014), and instructed staff to complete all related items.
  • Approved an out-of-state travel/training request for Anne Marie Skinner to attend the 2026 National Planning Conference (NPC26) in Detroit, Michigan, April 25–28, 2026.

Personnel Committee

  • Approved the Police Department administrative restructure.
  • Adopted the resolution establishing seasonal employment pay rates for 2026.
  • Adopted the resolution appointing Assistant Chief Benjamin Kraynek as Fire Chief, effective May 30, 2026.

Public Infrastructure Committee

  • Adopted the resolution approving the Three-Year Harbor Development Statement of Intentions for 2027–2029.
  • Accepted and placed on file the 2025 Annual MS4 Report.
  • Approved the amendment to the Public Transit Lease Agreement between Maritime Metro Transit and Assist to Transport.

Public Safety Committee

  • Approved the School Resource Officer Agreement between the City of Manitowoc and the Manitowoc Public School District.

Plan Commission

  • Adopted the resolution for the Final Plat for River Point Subdivision.

Key Outcomes

  • All motions before the Council passed unanimously (9-0).
  • The Council approved all consent agenda items and committee recommendations as presented.
  • The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. The next regular Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Alright, we are going to call our meeting to order. Welcome to everyone again to truly apologize about the audio. This is the month that we are redoing the whole room for AV, but we are recording the meeting as well, so it will be on the city's website public facing. But just speak loudly if you are speaking for public input. And I'd ask the council to speak as loudly as possible as well, so we can get through this meeting and work in here. So at this time, we'll have the clerk call or roll. Bina. Recklebert? Here. Schlein. Here. Dunbar? Here. Anderson. Here. Right? Here. Sigwitz? Here. Morel. Here. Cummings? Here. Nine members present. You all listen very well. Thank you. At this time, I want to please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. And if you can remain standing after the pledge for a prayer of our Council President Mike Cummings. I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, another God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Let us pause for a moment of reflection. Dear Lord, we gather tonight as the City Council of Manitowak, grateful for the safety of our community following this past week's record setting blizzard. We offer our deepest thanks to the dedicated city employees, the snowplow drivers, emergency responders, and utility workers who were tireless hours in the cold to clear our paths and keep us safe. We remember that these individuals are our friends and our neighbors, and we are blessed by their service. On this St. Patrick's Day, as we see the spirit of celebration throughout our city, we're reminded that our true luck is founded in the strength of our community and the character of our people. In this chamber tonight, let us be mindful that the pulse of Manitok starts with our leadership. Our words and actions here shape the spirit of our neighborhoods. Grant us the clarity to lead with our heads as well as our hearts. Keep us to base our decisions on the solid ground of facts and long-term foresight rather than the shifting emotions of the moment. Bless this council and every citizen of Manitoua. May we work tonight to ensure the city remains a place of safety, opportunity, and shared prosperity. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Council President Cummings. We have two presentations this evening. The first one is for Parkinson's Awareness Month. We have Alan Burchus here and a few representatives who will say a couple words after I read the proclamation. Someone maybe want to turn the camera just so at least it looks hope. Everyone.

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