OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Finance Committee Meeting - July 6, 2026: Licenses, Grants, and Budget Carryforward

Common Council & Committees — Monday, July 6, 2026
BodyManitowoc, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & Committees
DateMonday, July 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 27:41

Transcript — Verbatim
1:06

All right, it is 5:30, and I will call the finance committee to order.

1:10

Uh, we are without a quorum currently.

1:13

We're waiting on one more member to show up.

1:15

So we're a little limited on what we can do until we get a quorum.

1:19

However, uh, we'll start with roll call and we have Alder Bry and myself present.

1:24

Um Alder Reckleberg at Alder Um Dunbar are excused, and Alder Schlei is MIA, he will be on his way.

1:32

Um so that's a roll call.

1:35

We can do public comment with not being having a quorum.

1:38

So um during public comment, anybody who wishes to address the finance committee may do so.

1:44

And if you're here for um any of the license renewals, uh, this would be your time to address the committee.

1:50

Um you can do that during public comment before the committee would take any action on discuss it in closed session.

1:56

So is there anybody from the public that wishes to address the finance committee this evening?

2:01

Yes, come forward to the table, state your name and address for the record.

2:11

Hi, uh Robert Duane, 1010 South Eighth Street.

2:14

Um I'm here in support of Lacey Minto's request for an operator's license.

2:20

Lacey's one of our drug court graduates.

2:22

Um it's my understanding that um that the in her initial review uh led to her being denied because of her uh past record, which is understandable.

2:31

Um as I stated in the letter um that I sent to her, and then I believe she forwarded on to you.

2:38

Uh you know, when she started with us, um she was every bit the person uh that put that record together, but for the fact that she had a very very strong desire to change, and she has.

2:51

She's remained a rest-free for I believe the last eight years.

2:55

Um she's worked full-time.

2:59

She's a great mother to her children.

3:02

And I know that this committee in particular, um, well, not the finance committee, but the the city council as a whole, uh, has been very supportive of people in recovery and you know, the second chances if they're willing to work for them.

3:19

Uh and she has.

3:20

And as I understand it, she's she needs a license for promotion.

3:24

Um her employer believes she's the most qualified person.

3:29

Um, but she can't do it if she doesn't have the license.

3:33

Uh and that puts the employer in the position then of having to uh uh go with somebody who's n who they don't think is as qualified.

3:41

Um I wouldn't say this about too many people.

3:45

Uh but as I as I finished with in the letter, if I could use my law license as collateral for hers, I would.

3:53

Um she's kept in touch with the program over the years.

3:57

Um I've seen uh that you know her commitment to her family, the community, and her recovery is not a temporary thing, it's a permanent thing.

4:09

And uh she's looking for an opportunity to uh make things better for herself, her family and the community that's given her that chance.

4:16

So I would strongly encourage the committee members to um grant her that.

4:23

Thank you.

4:24

Okay, thank you.

4:25

And just so everyone's aware during public comment, we our rules do not allow us to have a dialogue back and forth, so it's just your opportunity to address the committee.

4:33

So is there anybody else that wishes to address?

4:35

Yes.

4:43

Uh thank you, committee Jason Latta um A18 State Street Lighthouse Recovery Community Center here to speak in favor of Lacey Minto's operator's license.

4:53

Echo almost everything uh Judge Duane said, except I don't have a law license to bet with.

5:00

Uh but anyway, Lacey was our second employee when we opened the doors in 2018, had worked with us all the way through July last year, where she had an opportunity to go to Aldi's in the last two uh last short of a year, has had two promotions.

5:12

This uh operator's license would be contingent of her that position, so a big need there.

5:19

She has done fantastic.

5:21

She stayed engaged with the recovery community prior to Lacey working for me as executive director at the White House.

5:26

I was a drug core coordinator from 2018 to 2022 while she was in the program.

5:31

I've stayed engaged with her ever since.

5:33

Uh so I hope the committee takes a look at this and uh grants the operator's license.

5:39

Thank you all for your time.

5:40

Appreciate your work.

5:41

Thank you.

5:43

Anybody else wish to address the committee this evening?

5:46

Yes, come forward, state your name and address for the record.

5:52

Um Susan Honnelly, 28010 or 2805 10th Street and Two Rivers.

5:58

Um I'm here for to apply for the or to get the operator's license.

6:03

Um currently the general manager at BP in Manitowoc.

6:06

Um I haven't because of my lengthy drinking history, I haven't drank in since 2019.

6:14

Um I with all my drunk driving tickets and stuff, I've did all the criteria for them back in Verdun County.

6:23

Um I feel being here like I like I said, I haven't drank for since 2019.

6:30

Um I do serve alcohol right now at at the BP gas station underneath someone else's license.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works█████████████████████████████29%
Cannabis Regulation███████████████████████████27%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████13%
Economic Development████████8%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Finance Committee Meeting - July 6, 2026

The City of Manitowoc Finance Committee met on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting covered a consent agenda, several discussion and action items, a closed session for operator license applications and a tax increment financing term sheet, and public comments in support of license applicants.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the June 1, 2026 Finance Committee meeting.
  • Accepted and placed on file minutes of various Manitowoc Public Utilities (MPU) Commission meetings (April 13, April 27, May 11, 2026).
  • Accepted the report out of the HAP Grant and Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Burger Boat Company, Inc.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Robert Duane (1010 South Eighth Street) spoke in support of Lacey Minto's operator's license, describing her as a drug court graduate who has been arrest-free for eight years, employed full-time, and a great mother. He stated that if he could use his law license as collateral for hers, he would.
  • Jason Latta (A18 State Street, Lighthouse Recovery Community Center) also supported Lacey Minto, noting she was their second employee in 2018 and has had two promotions at Aldi; the operator's license is contingent on her position.
  • Susan Connelly (2805 10th Street, Two Rivers) applied for an operator's license, stating she has not drank since 2019, has completed all criteria for her past drunk driving tickets in Verdun County, and currently serves alcohol under someone else's license at a BP gas station.
  • Sarah Franz (1076 Main Street, Michicot) requested renewal of her liquor license, noting she got in trouble nearly 10 years ago, has followed all conditions, and leads a productive life with a career managing a co-op and caring for children and grandchildren.
  • Andrew Foster (works at Cinex in North Rapids) applied for a license, stating his convictions were in 2010 and 2017, has been off addiction for nine years, and needs the license to stay at his job due to physical limitations from multiple sclerosis.
  • Lacey Minto (2018 Monroe Street, Two Rivers) spoke in support of her own application, emphasizing her serious commitment to recovery, maintaining employment since before graduating drug court, and wanting to provide a good life for her three children.

Discussion Items

  • 26-0592: Dug Out LLC Temporary Extension of Premises – Request from DugOut Bar & Grill to extend premises for liquor/beer sales to include parking lot west of building and gravel/grass lots south of 4117 Broadway St on July 12, 2026. Approved unanimously (3-0).
  • 26-0593: Manitowoc Marina, LLC Lease Option to Extend thru March 31, 2035 – The lessee is exercising an option to extend the lease; no changes to the agreement. Approved unanimously (3-0).
  • 26-0594: Sanitary Sewer Extension by S. Alverno Rd. – Staff recommended the city run a sewer main (about 700-800 feet) to serve industrial acreage, as it would benefit multiple potential developments. Funding likely from Tax Increment District #21. Approved unanimously (3-0).
  • 26-0595: Wisconsin DNR Surface Wetland Surcharge Grant Contract – $30,000 grant with $0 local match for the Silver Creek project (stream restoration). Approved unanimously (3-0).
  • 26-0464: Manitowoc Marine Band Fundraising Agreement – Discussion held over because the main individual spearheading fundraising is out of the country. Item tabled to a future meeting.
  • 26-0596: RFP for Audit Services for 2026-2031 & Appointment of Audit RFP Review Committee – Approved to issue RFP for audit services as the current contract is in its last year. Approved unanimously (3-0).
  • 26-0597: Resolution to Carry Forward to 2026 Budget Various Appropriations from 2025 – Includes non-lapsing funds (assigned funds) totaling about $769,000, a decrease from last year's ~$3 million due to purchases of an ambulance and engine. No carry-forward requests this year. Approved unanimously (3-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Operator License Applications (L. Minto, S. Connelly, A. Foster, S. Franz) – After closed session, the committee recommended approval of all four licenses pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 111.335. Motions carried 3-0. These recommendations will be forwarded to the Common Council meeting on July 20, 2026 for final action.
  • 26-0603: Term Sheet for Tax Increment Financing for River Point Drive Lots 1 & 2 – Approved recommending the term sheet and directing staff to complete the Development Agreement and sale of property. Motion carried 3-0.
  • 26-0602: Martinez Claim for Damages >$5,000 – No action was taken on this item.

Meeting Transcript

All right, it is 5:30, and I will call the finance committee to order. Uh, we are without a quorum currently. We're waiting on one more member to show up. So we're a little limited on what we can do until we get a quorum. However, uh, we'll start with roll call and we have Alder Bry and myself present. Um Alder Reckleberg at Alder Um Dunbar are excused, and Alder Schlei is MIA, he will be on his way. Um so that's a roll call. We can do public comment with not being having a quorum. So um during public comment, anybody who wishes to address the finance committee may do so. And if you're here for um any of the license renewals, uh, this would be your time to address the committee. Um you can do that during public comment before the committee would take any action on discuss it in closed session. So is there anybody from the public that wishes to address the finance committee this evening? Yes, come forward to the table, state your name and address for the record. Hi, uh Robert Duane, 1010 South Eighth Street. Um I'm here in support of Lacey Minto's request for an operator's license. Lacey's one of our drug court graduates. Um it's my understanding that um that the in her initial review uh led to her being denied because of her uh past record, which is understandable. Um as I stated in the letter um that I sent to her, and then I believe she forwarded on to you. Uh you know, when she started with us, um she was every bit the person uh that put that record together, but for the fact that she had a very very strong desire to change, and she has. She's remained a rest-free for I believe the last eight years. Um she's worked full-time. She's a great mother to her children. And I know that this committee in particular, um, well, not the finance committee, but the the city council as a whole, uh, has been very supportive of people in recovery and you know, the second chances if they're willing to work for them. Uh and she has. And as I understand it, she's she needs a license for promotion. Um her employer believes she's the most qualified person. Um, but she can't do it if she doesn't have the license. Uh and that puts the employer in the position then of having to uh uh go with somebody who's n who they don't think is as qualified. Um I wouldn't say this about too many people. Uh but as I as I finished with in the letter, if I could use my law license as collateral for hers, I would. Um she's kept in touch with the program over the years. Um I've seen uh that you know her commitment to her family, the community, and her recovery is not a temporary thing, it's a permanent thing. And uh she's looking for an opportunity to uh make things better for herself, her family and the community that's given her that chance. So I would strongly encourage the committee members to um grant her that. Thank you. Okay, thank you. And just so everyone's aware during public comment, we our rules do not allow us to have a dialogue back and forth, so it's just your opportunity to address the committee. So is there anybody else that wishes to address? Yes. Uh thank you, committee Jason Latta um A18 State Street Lighthouse Recovery Community Center here to speak in favor of Lacey Minto's operator's license. Echo almost everything uh Judge Duane said, except I don't have a law license to bet with. Uh but anyway, Lacey was our second employee when we opened the doors in 2018, had worked with us all the way through July last year, where she had an opportunity to go to Aldi's in the last two uh last short of a year, has had two promotions. This uh operator's license would be contingent of her that position, so a big need there. She has done fantastic. She stayed engaged with the recovery community prior to Lacey working for me as executive director at the White House. I was a drug core coordinator from 2018 to 2022 while she was in the program. I've stayed engaged with her ever since. Uh so I hope the committee takes a look at this and uh grants the operator's license. Thank you all for your time. Appreciate your work.

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