Manitowoc Common Council Meeting – July 20, 2026

The Common Council of Manitowoc met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. All 10 alderpersons were present. The meeting included oath-of-office ceremonies for first responders, commendations, presentations, public hearings, appointments, consent agenda items, and committee reports. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the June 15, 2026, Common Council meeting.
• Accepted resignations from Lucas Dulmes (Industrial Development Corporation) and Matthew Schliesman (Rahr-West Art Museum Board).
• Approved requests from Dug Out LLC for a temporary extension of premises for liquor/beer sales on July 12, 2026.
• Approved RFP for Audit Services for 2026‑2031 and appointment of Audit RFP Review Committee.
• Approved two‑year operator’s licenses for L. Minto, S. Connelly, A. Foster, and S. Franz.
• Approved General City Claims in the amount of $6,448,709.91.
• Upheld noxious weed assessment at 714 S 27th Street (Public Works Committee report).
• Awarded 10th Street Streetscape project to Vinton Construction Company for $119,767.00.
• Approved X‑Sports Donation Tube Request for Phase 3 Skatepark and Zoo Donation Tube Request for bioactive vivariums (up to $1,200).
• One item (26‑0644) was removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit (TJ Potter Trucking): Doug Schreiber of 2406 S 35th Street expressed support for the project contingent on proper dust control and a berm, stating the owner had agreed to address those issues. No other speakers appeared. The hearing was closed after Schreiber’s comments.
• Public Hearing – Zone Change at 3215 Packer Lane: Julie Vogel, the property owner, appeared and thanked the council for considering the request to rezone from R‑1 to R‑4 to allow lot splitting. No other speakers appeared.
• General Public Input: No individuals signed up or spoke; the mayor closed the public input portion.

Presentations

• Oath of Office / Badge Pinning: The City Clerk administered oaths to Firefighter/EMT Cole Hove, Firefighter/Paramedic Mason Meyers, Police Officer Edison Thao, Police Officer Max Schaefer, Police Officer Zackery Schuette, and Police Lieutenant Jacob Shillcox. Family members and department colleagues joined them.
• Commendation to People, Earth, Water (PEW): Alderperson Dunbar presented a commendation recognizing PEW’s 10th anniversary, noting that over the past decade the organization has organized two dozen cleanups, removed 30,000 pounds (15 tons) of trash from local waterways, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers. The annual Mother’s Day River Cleanup averages nearly one ton of trash removed each year. A representative accepted and thanked the community.
• Annual Update from Progress Lakeshore: Executive Director Jamie Zastro reported on the organization’s work in economic development, including 105 member investors, support for child care capacity, workforce surveys, a new developer newsletter (NextSite), and a recent outreach trip to North and South Carolina. She highlighted that a developer will break ground on the former Muro Corporation site later in 2026 for a housing development. Upcoming events include an Acceleration Breakfast with former Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy and an Economic Development 101 session on July 29, 2026.
• Lead Service Line Replacement Program (MPU): Rob Michelson, Water/Wastewater Manager at Manitowoc Public Utilities, presented the 2026 program. He noted that Manitowoc is one of two Wisconsin communities where the utility does not own any part of the water service; the property owner bears replacement costs. Since 2017, MPU has leveraged $18 million in state/federal funds ($16 million in principal forgiveness) to replace lead service lines. In 2026, the entire city qualifies for 50% principal forgiveness. The program is voluntary, but the federal government aims to eliminate lead service lines by 2037. Direct mailings, radio ads, billboards, and community discussions are being used for outreach.

Discussion Items

• Noxious Weed Assessment Appeal (2200 Rankin Street): Alderperson Sitkiewitz moved to uphold the property owner’s objection, citing photographic evidence that the grass was already cut and that the assessed fee (~$300‑400) was unjustified. The motion to amend the committee recommendation to uphold the assessment passed 8‑2 (Beeman and Schlei opposed). The amended motion to uphold the objection then passed 9‑1 (Schlei opposed).
• Conditional Use Permit – TJ Potter Trucking: The council approved the permit with 13 conditions (including dust palliatives twice a year and a berm installed before transloading/storage). Alderperson Dunbar noted the conditions were binding; Alderperson Schlei praised neighborhood engagement.
• Personnel Committee – Health Plan TPA Services: Alderperson Norell explained the item was brought directly to council due to no committee meeting; approval was needed to keep the transition process moving. Placed on file unanimously.
• Personnel Committee – Confidential Separation Agreement: Motion to approve carried 9‑1 (Sitkiewitz voting nay).
• Public Safety – Weather Siren Schedule and Criteria Change: Approved unanimously. Alderperson Reckelberg noted the change brings the city in line with other communities following prior public complaints.
• Plan Commission – Mariner Lux Final Plat: Alderperson Sitkiewitz remarked this is the final city approval for the development on the former Mid-City Mall site; buildings will follow.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals (10‑0) on: all committee reports except where noted; appointments by the Mayor; Finance Committee items (lease extension, sewer extension, DNR grant, budget carryforward, TIF term sheet); Public Works Committee items (easement, gravel pit proposal, contract amendment, real estate services for STH 42); Public Safety siren change; Plan Commission items (conditional use permit, foreclosure list, quit claim deeds, zone map amendment for Packer Lane, preliminary plat for Deerbrook Crossing, final plat for Mariner Lux).
• Vote on Noxious Weed Assessment (26‑0644): Amendment to uphold the objection passed 8‑2; final motion as amended passed 9‑1.
• Personnel Committee – Confidential Separation Agreement: Approved 9‑1.
• Next Meetings: Committee of the Whole, August 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM (unless otherwise noted). Parks & Recreation Committee meets Monday, July 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM.