Manitowoc Common Council Meeting – June 15, 2026
City of Manitowoc Common Council Meeting – June 15, 2026
The Common Council met at 6:30 p.m. (called to order at 6:31 p.m.) on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Council Chambers at 900 Quay Street and via Zoom. Nine alderpersons were present, including Alderman Brett Norell participating remotely; Alderman Todd Reckelberg was excused after undergoing surgery. The City Clerk administered oaths to new Fire Department leadership, the Council held two public hearings with no testimony, heard one public comment, and approved all agenda items unanimously.
Presentations
- City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Battalion Chief Thomas Christensen, Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Wagner, and Fire Chief Benjamin Kraynek, followed by badge pinning for each.
Public Hearings
- 26-0519: Public hearing on a proposed zone change from C-1 Commercial to R-4 Single and Two Family Residential and B-1 Office-Residential for property west of Martin Street and south of Mary Street (Parcel #382-013-010). Notice was published in the Herald Times Reporter on June 1 and June 8, 2026. No one appeared to speak. City staff described the request as a downzoning, noted the owner had cleaned up the property and planned to build homes and/or duplexes while retaining an existing office use, and stated it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Staff and the Plan Commission recommended approval.
- 26-0520: Public hearing on a proposed change to the Official Map west of Virginia Drive and Joseph Road (Parcel #812-304-101). Notice was published June 1 and June 8, 2026. No one appeared to speak. City staff said the change would vacate a proposed circular drive that wetlands and other issues made unrealistic, allow the property owner to create two cul-de-sacs, and that the necessary deed security had been obtained. Staff and the Plan Commission recommended approval.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kevin Lewis, a resident at the corner of 12th and Columbus, expressed strong support for the proposed stop-sign and uncontrolled-intersection changes. He said he has lived there since 2018 and has counted seven accidents at that intersection, plus two more one block away. He also recounted a community member’s report that her husband died at 13th and Columbus 26 years ago at an uncontrolled intersection. He argued that resident requests for controlled intersections should be given weight and thanked the Council for moving the item forward.
Consent Calendar
- No items were removed. The Consent Agenda was approved unanimously. It included: minutes of the May 18, 2026 Common Council meeting; acceptance of Chad Bruechert’s resignation from the Transit Commission; a fee waiver for KAN Cool for School Giveaway on 8/8/2026; approval of Gumby’s Glow Run/Walk on 7/11/2026 and Painting Pathways Community Connections Carnival Fundraiser on 8/7/2026; General City Claims totaling $3,033,554.75; various licenses; placing Aldermanic Compensation on file; final payments of $68,958.84 to New Restoration & Recovery Service (Aqualis) and $10,706.00 to Philippi Quality Construction; Wisconsin Department of Transportation progress invoices; award of Silver Creek Stream Restoration to Vinton Construction Company for $654,950.00; award of the Backhoe Loader to Fabick Cat for $167,777.00; approval of a Zoo Donation Tube Request for Rainbow Trout; approval of Ayers & Associates for Henry Schuette Park Playground Replacement design services; and the Special Event Policy update.
Discussion Items
- Public Safety Committee: The Council adopted three ordinances amending the Manitowoc Municipal Code: Section 10.170 (through intersections), Section 10.150 (arteries of through traffic-exceptions), and Section 10.230 (four-way stop). Alderman Sitkiewitz said he still believed the broader stop-control plan needs citywide rework, but he supported the ordinances because the earlier policy had passed by a 5-5 vote and voting down these ordinances would create a conflict with the adopted policy; he noted the policy could be reworked later. Alderman Schlei echoed that he had voted against the plan previously but would support the ordinances now. Alderman Cummings thanked both alderpersons and the citizen who provided public input.
Committee Reports
- Committee of the Whole: Approved the First Amendment to the City of Manitowoc TID No. 24 Development Agreement with Tycore Built LLC. Approved the Special Events Committee report for Chewy’s Block Party on 8/1/2026, including closure of Buffalo Street from 7th to 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and an alcohol premise extension within the closure, and Lakeshore CAP 0.5k on 8/16/2026, including closure of N 11th Boulevard from York Street to Buffalo Street from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Finance Committee: Approved the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan RFP results and authorized staff to continue negotiations with the chosen firm. Approved a Class B retail intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverage license for BGB VENUE LLC, doing business as Silver Valley Banquet Hall, 1222 Alverno Rd. Adopted the resolution transferring supervision of the Assessor’s Office from the Community Development Department to the Finance Department. Approved Olin Winchester, LLC’s request for a 3-year land lease and option to purchase part of Parcel #449-008-010, consistent with the lease terms dated June 1, 2023, and instructed staff to finalize the lease and option.
- Personnel Committee: Adopted a resolution authorizing seasonal hires related to elected officials, department heads, or supervisory personnel, and a resolution establishing 2026 seasonal employment pay rates. It was noted that the personnel and finance committee meetings would be held Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.
- Public Works Committee: Approved the AECOM supplement task order for 2026 services, Phase 1, Former Town of Newton Gravel Pit. Approved the Agreement for Services with Foth for the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan. Approved the MSA professional real estate services agreement for WisDOT Project Number 4100-42-22 (STH 42, Washington Street from 8th Street to S 26th Street, and Calumet Avenue from S 26th Street to just east of S 30th Street). Approved out-of-state travel/training for Kevin Bottesi to attend Transit Bus System Safety in Chicago, IL, on August 3-7, 2026.
- Parks & Recreation Committee: Adopted the resolution dissolving the Special Events Committee. The next Parks & Recreation Committee meeting was announced for June 25, 2026 (a Thursday) at 5:30 p.m.
- Plan Commission: Referred the resolution approving discontinuance of a portion of Deerbrook Lane, in the interest of the public pursuant to Wis. Stat. 66.1003(4), to the Plan Commission. Adopted the ordinance amending Section 22.010 of the Municipal Code regarding the Official Map/Master Subdivision Plans for the property west of Virginia Drive and Joseph Road. Adopted the ordinance amending the City of Manitowoc zoning map for the property west of Martin Street and south of Mary Street (Parcel #382-013-010).
Key Outcomes
- All mayor’s appointments were approved unanimously: Alderman Dunbar to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum Board, Alderman Reckelberg to the Capital Civic Center Board, Lynn Kean and Darien Kotarabick to the Library Board, Adam Tagan to the Brownfields Advisory Committee, and Scott Kyle as Plan Commission alternate.
- All motions and ordinances described above passed unanimously (9-0), with no recorded dissents.
- The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. The next Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Meeting Transcript
I don't gotta say. Elder Dunbar, can you please uh check in? Thank you. It's good to go. Oh, thank you. Just to note that if there's anyone in the audience who wishes to speak during uh public input or the public hearings, there is a sign-up sheet in the back of the room for the public hearings or public input. Just please sign your name on those before we get to that agenda item. We'd appreciate it greatly. All right, it is 631. We will call our June council meeting to order at this time. Thank you for those in attendance. Council and those who are live streaming. At this, we do have a complete uh let's see here. Uh Alder uh Recklberg is the only individual who is absent. He is excused, and Alder Norrell is attending and will vote via Zoom. So we do have a quorum. So at this time, will everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance? And if you could remain standing, please for a prayer by our council president Eric Sitkowitz. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. God guide this council with clarity, fairness, and respect for all who call Mantoak home. May our work tonight strengthen trust, serve the common good, and honor the responsibility we share. Amen. Amen. Thank you. We also wish to give our best wishes to Alderman Recklberg. He uh had some surgery done today, so uh we hope he is doing very well and has a full and speedy recovery. God knows he's probably dreaming about being at the council meeting right now, so um best to him and his and his family. We have uh only three presentations this evening, all for the fire department, Manitowak Fire Department. So we're gonna take them uh in order on the agenda. We'll have the city clerk administer the oath of office, and we'll have the badge pinning for battalion chief Thomas Christensen, Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Wagner, and Fire Chief Benjamin Cranick. So if you all could come up in that order with your families, anyone else you want to join you uh over on um your left side of the day. Uh and then after them, any members of the Mantauk Fire Department. Uh, if you'd like to join behind them, you're more than welcome to. So we'll take Battalion Chief Thomas Christensen, Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Wagner, and Fire Chief Benjamin Cranick. Okay. You guys never travel lightly. No. All right. When you're ready, please raise your right hand, repeat after me. I Thomas Christensen. I Thomas Christensen. Solemnly swear. Solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. That'll support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. And the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. And then I will faithfully discharge the duties. And that'll faithfully discharge the duties.
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