Public Safety Committee Meeting – July 13, 2026
Public Safety Committee Meeting – July 13, 2026
The Public Safety Committee of the City of Manitowoc met on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM with all five members present (Reckelberg, Beeman, Cummings, Anderson, Benzinger). No public comments were received. The committee addressed a contested dangerous animal determination, a travel request for the Police Chief, and a proposed change to the city’s weather siren activation criteria and testing schedule.
Consent Calendar
- June 2026 Public Safety Committee Minutes (26-0624)
- June 2026 Police Department Monthly Report (26-0625)
- June 2026 Fire Rescue Department Monthly Report (26-0626)
- 2025 Fire Rescue Department Annual Report (26-0627)
- May 2026 Building Inspection Monthly Report (26-0628)
- June 2026 Building Inspection Monthly Report (26-0629)
- June 2026 Blight Fund Update (26-0630)
The consent agenda was approved unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
Discussion Items
26-0631 – Prohibited Dangerous Animal Objection (Adam Braunel for “Teddy”) The committee held a quasi-judicial hearing on the Chief of Police’s determination that “Teddy,” a pit bull owned by Adam Braunel, is a prohibited dangerous animal. Chief John Musial presented evidence of an unprovoked attack on May 23, 2026, at 512 Reed Avenue. Witnesses Cindy Hogan and Denise Sheehan testified that Teddy bit a golden retriever (Marshall) multiple times and also bit the dog’s owner, Vicki Kaufman, on the hands, causing puncture wounds. The attack lasted several minutes, required a metal pipe to subdue the dog, and left both the dog and victim bleeding. The witnesses described Teddy as a “killing machine” with laser focus. The city argued that the incident met the statutory criteria: Teddy inflicted serious injury to a domesticated animal without provocation and inflicted bodily harm to a person.
Mr. Braunel presented his case, showing photos of Teddy with his two-year-old niece and other dogs, and argued that Teddy is a gentle family pet. He noted that Teddy had no prior incidents in five years, that three veterinarians expressed no unusual concern about the incident, and that humane societies were surprised by the removal order. He suggested the dog’s breed influenced the decision. The committee deliberated and voted unanimously (5-0) to uphold the Chief’s determination, declaring Teddy a prohibited dangerous animal and ordering his removal from the City of Manitowoc. Alderperson Beeman, who made the motion, emphasized that the incident was unprovoked and that the ordinance criteria were clearly met.
26-0632 – Out-of-State Travel/Training Request for Chief John Musial – FBI National Academy Graduation Chief Musial requested approval for a three-night trip to Quantico, Virginia, to attend the graduation of Captain Cooper Schmidt from the FBI National Academy, a prestigious command school. The Chief would cover airfare and meals; the request was only for hotel and rental car costs. The committee unanimously approved the request (5-0).
26-0633 – Weather Siren Schedule and Criteria Change Fire Chief Kraynek recommended aligning the city’s siren activation criteria with Manitowoc County’s standards. Currently, the city sounds sirens for tornado warnings and, at the fire department’s discretion, for severe thunderstorm warnings. The county only sounds sirens for tornado warnings. The Chief argued that the current policy causes confusion for residents and dispatch, and that relying on fire department judgment during severe weather is problematic. He also recommended changing the weekly Saturday noon test to the first Wednesday of each month, consistent with county practice. The change would reduce wear on the aging system, minimize “white noise” from frequent testing, and simplify operations for dispatch. Committee members expressed strong support, noting that less frequent testing increases the seriousness of siren activation. The committee voted unanimously (5-0) to accept the communication and refer it to the Common Council. The item was placed on the non-consent agenda for further discussion and public education.
Key Outcomes
- Dangerous Animal Determination: The committee voted 5-0 to uphold Chief Musial’s determination that Teddy is a prohibited dangerous animal, ordering the dog’s removal from Manitowoc.
- Travel Request: Approved 5-0 for Chief Musial’s trip to the FBI National Academy graduation.
- Weather Siren Change: The committee voted 5-0 to accept the recommendation and refer it to the Common Council for final action, with the change targeted for August 1, 2026, pending council approval.
The meeting adjourned at 6:39 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I notice that uh clock on the wall turned to 5 30. I call to the uh Monday, July 13th uh meeting of the public safety committee to order. Uh first thing on the agenda is roll call. All members are present. Uh next on the agenda is public comment. Is there anybody from the public here that wishes to comment uh on anything before us tonight? It's not listed, yes. I mean everything except for the basically the two items uh the the dog situation and the uh I think travel uh public input call one. Anybody calling for a second time? There's nobody on the internet, third and final time. Anyone for public input? Not hearing anything, I'll call public input closed. We've got a consent agenda. I will accept a motion to either pull something that's on the consent agenda or approve it as is. Second, motion and a second to accept as is. All those in favor say aye. Aye, opposed nay. It's unanimous. Discussion and action items. The first one on the agenda is item 26-0631. Prohibited dangerous animal objection by Adam Brunell for Teddy. Uh yeah, right at the end or wherever. The attorney says I should read this, so I will do so. The public hearing will proceed as follows. We will swear in all witnesses that will be presented presenting evidence. The city will first make a presentation of evidence. I will then ask board members whether they have questions for the city and its witnesses, if any, and the city will respond. I will then allow the contesting party to ask questions of the city and its witnesses if any, and the city will respond. We will then allow the contesting party to make a presentation of evidence. And the contesting contesting party will respond. I will then allow the city to ask questions of the contesting party and its witnesses if any, and the contesting contesting party will respond. Each party shall then have a brief time to summarize their positions, similar to a closing in a judicial trial, but I will immediately end your submission if you stray from the facts of the matter and engage in irrelevant discussion. The board will then discuss whether it agrees with the chief of police's police's determination and vote to uphold the determination or reverse the determination. If the determination is upheld, the board will determine the facts and law of the matter and close the hearing. With that said, the first party up is uh there's uh two views on uh swearing in the witnesses. So if you're here representing the city in any way, shape or form, or going to be a witness for the city. Would you please stand and raise your right hand? Also, if you're in the contesting party, uh would you also stand raise your right hand? Or if you have witnesses to support, we're gonna swear everybody in all at once. So raise your right hand and do you affirm that the testimony you give today will be honest and complete? And do you understand that you are making this affirmation under oath, subject to the penal penalties of perjury? Super, you may sit down. Well, according to the attorney's list, the city's gonna present their their case, I guess. Yeah, thank you, Commissioner. Come on, can you hear me? Yeah, come. Um, commissioners, have you had a chance to review the report uh the in the photographs were associated in Granicus? Okay. Uh with me today. I have witnesses.
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