Common Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Common Council of Manitowoc met on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included oaths of office for fire and police personnel, a proclamation for National Police Week, recognition of outgoing County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer, and a presentation to outgoing Alderman William DeBaets. The Council approved a consent agenda and numerous committee reports, all by unanimous 9-0 votes (Alderman Norell absent). A single member of the public provided input. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.

Presentations

• Oaths of office and badge pinning were administered for Lieutenant Benjamin Molnar and Motor Pump Operator Mark Lyman II (Fire Department), and for Captain of Patrol Robert Arps, Assistant Chief of Operations Craig Jansen, and Police Chief John Musial II (Police Department).
• Mayor Justin Nichols proclaimed the week of May 10–16, 2026 as National Police Week and May 15, 2026 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Chief Musial noted the ceremony will be held May 13, 2026 at 2:45 PM between the courthouse and jail.
• County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer was commended for his decades of service, including 20 years as County Executive. He was presented with a key to the city.
• Outgoing District 5 Alderman William DeBaets received a plaque thanking him for his service from April 16, 2024 to April 20, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard Schwartz (3933 Woodlawn Court) expressed concern about the degradation of telephone company pedestals in the city right-of-way, noting potential for vandalism due to copper content. He asked the city to investigate the city's agreement with the telephone company. No action was taken; the matter was noted for the city attorney.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Minutes of March 17, 2026; Special Events Committee reports on eight events and two fee waivers; Finance Committee items including 2026 Weights & Measures licenses, four liquor license applications (Applebee's, Silver Valley, Elbow Room, Dos Caminos), Q1 2026 claims report, and general city claims of $2,957,588.30; Personnel Committee items including Q1 PTO awards, 2026 seasonal pay rates, and compensation plan revisions; Public Infrastructure Committee items including transit plan contract extension, Senior Center open house, bids for epoxy pavement marking ($133,536.39 to Brickline Inc.), sanitary and storm sewer construction ($199,123.21 to Alfson Excavating), asphalt paving ($112,108.15 to Northeast Asphalt), snow removal assessment denial, weed ordinance service agreement, Citizen Park field renovation, various WisDOT invoices, final payment to Aqualis ($33,934.12), rescission of a snow removal assessment due to staff error, and seal coating bid ($136,345.40 to Scott Construction).

Committee of the Whole (Council Action Items)

• Approved report recommending approval of eight events requiring waivers (alcohol, sound, road closures, park hours) including Dive Into Summer, War on the Shore, Lincoln Graduation, July 3rd Celebration, Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival, Scenic Shore, Lakeshore Balloon Glow, and Lakeshore Holiday Parade.
• Adopted ordinances amending municipal code sections 3.010 (creating a new Parks and Recreation standing committee), 3.070 (Board of Public Works), 3.190 (Municipal Tree Commission), 3.470 (Director of Public Works), creating Section 3.560 (Director of Parks and Recreation), amending 4.330 (Preservation of Order on Bridges), 8.190 (Trees and Shrubs), 8.230 (Regulation of Parks), 14.820 (Golfing on Public Grounds), and a resolution correcting scrivener's errors from the Department of Public Infrastructure reorganization. All ordinances were adopted unanimously; the amendment to Section 3.070 required and received a two-thirds vote.
• Approved the purchase of Madison School property from MPSD for $1.00, authorizing execution of documents.

Finance Committee

• Directed the City Attorney to settle a claim from Braun Building Center, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $173,315.42.
• Adopted a resolution to increase court costs.
• Created an ordinance for enhanced penalties (MMC 14.005).
• Amended MMC 3.120 (RWAM Boards and Association), 11.060 (Licenses and Permits).
• Approved an agreement with FASTER Fleet Management Software.
• Approved a 2026 budget amendment for the General Fund (1100).
• Approved and entered into a term sheet for a development agreement with Gorman and Company for the former Mirro Site development. The original committee recommendation was amended to "approve and enter into the term sheet".
• Approved a request from Manitowoc County Expo to extend music and beer sales hours on August 26–29, 2026 (music until 11:00 PM/11:30 PM, beer sales until 11:30 PM/midnight).
• Accepted and filed the statement of the Board of Canvassers for the April 7, 2026 spring election.

Personnel Committee

• Approved an unpaid intern for the City Attorney's Office.
• Adopted a resolution to hire seasonal employees related to elected officials, department heads, or supervisory personnel (roll call vote, 9-0).
• Adopted a resolution to hire Brock Wetenkamp as Director of Parks and Recreation (roll call vote, 9-0).
• Adopted resolutions for new and revised job descriptions for the Tourism Department, Manitowoc Police Department, Department of Public Works, and Department of Parks and Recreation reorganizations.
• Adopted the revised Employee Policy Manual. (Note: The resolution to adopt the manual was not attached during the meeting; only the manual itself was adopted, per the minutes.)

Public Infrastructure Committee

• Placed on file a discussion on public/private school snow removal.
• Approved a request from Popp Enterprises, LLC to pave Summit Street (S 21st to S 18th) and S 19th Street (Summit to Flambeau) in 2027 as a CAWG request.
• Approved the 2026 Maritime Metro Transit Cold Weather Shutdown Policy.
• Adopted ordinances amending MMC 13.010 (Solid Waste Recycling and Disposal) and 13.030 (Regulation of Commercial Garbage Haulers). Alderman Schlei clarified that the second ordinance defines responsibilities for haulers and commercial customers, not just residential.
• Adopted a resolution declaring May 9, 2026 as World Migratory Bird Day in the City of Manitowoc.
• Approved a No Street Access Agreement with Matthew and Laura Ziemer for parcel 355-085-004 at 2150 S 18th Street.

Public Safety Committee

• Adopted ordinances amending MMC 10.550 (fifteen-minute parking) and 10.390 (parking prohibited) at Lancer Circle.

Plan Commission

• Approved the 2026 licenses for Community Living Arrangements as per annual review.
• Re-approved Conditional Use Permits for Restoration Recovery LLC for transitional housing at 1201 S 10th Street and 1222 S 7th Street, subject to conditions.

Committee of the Whole (Charter Ordinance)

• Adopted an ordinance amending MMC 2.070 regarding Charter Ordinances – Indefinite Tenure of Office, requiring and receiving a two-thirds vote.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (9-0) with Alderman Brett Norell absent.
• The meeting marked the final meeting for outgoing Alderman William DeBaets and recognition of retiring County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer.
• The City will purchase Madison School for $1.00 and proceed with the development agreement for the former Mirro site via a term sheet with Gorman and Company.
• The Braun Building Center claim was authorized for settlement up to $173,315.42.
• Brock Wetenkamp was hired as the new Director of Parks and Recreation.
• The next scheduled Common Council meeting is Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM.