City of Manitowoc Personnel Committee Meeting – August 3, 2026

The Personnel Committee of the City of Manitowoc met on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting was chaired by Alder Norell, with members Sitkiewitz, Beeman, and Benzinger present; Alder Schlei was absent but joined later during closed session. Mayor Nickels attended to discuss the 2027 budget. The committee approved consent items, discussed budget and policy updates, and convened in closed session for police contract bargaining.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of June 1, 2026 Personnel Committee minutes (Item 26-0659)
• Review of legal fees billed through July 2026 (Item 26-0660)
• Report on health plan (Item 26-0661)
• Quarterly PTO award report (Item 26-0662)
• Quarterly timecard batch report (Item 26-0663)
• Report on Human Resources office initiatives (Item 26-0664)
• Report on City Attorney's office initiatives (Item 26-0665)
• All consent items were approved by a single motion (4-0, with Schlei excused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made in person or received electronically.

Discussion Items

2027 Budget Discussion (Item 26-0667)

• Mayor Nickels presented budget planning, noting a hiring freeze for all non-union positions (except police and fire) for the remainder of 2026. He emphasized that position eliminations are not anticipated, but a thorough review for efficiencies is underway.
• Alder Sitkiewitz requested a comparison of the percentage of health insurance premiums paid by the city versus peer municipalities, noting that employees currently contribute 12.5%. The mayor agreed to provide that data.
• Regarding health insurance, the committee was informed that the estimated premium increase is approximately 13%, with final numbers pending July and August claims data. The transition to a new plan (UMR) is expected to affect costs in 2027.
• Non-represented employee wage adjustments will be discussed in September based on comps and inflation. No action was taken; the item was placed on file.

Updated Drug and Alcohol Policies (Item 26-0666)

• Human Resources Director Jesse Lillibridge presented revised policies for both DOT-regulated employees (transit division) and all other city employees. Revisions were prompted by a DOT audit recommendation and consultations with CivMIC.
• Committee members asked about the self-reporting provision and a typographical error (“city” not capitalized). The HR director clarified that the self-reporting provision allows the city to waive it if an employee self-admits after being selected for testing. The typo will be corrected.
• The committee approved the policies unanimously (4-0) to be forwarded to the full Council for approval.

Police Contract Bargaining (Item 26-0670)

• The committee discussed the matter in closed session from 5:12 PM to 5:29 PM (Alder Schlei joined at 5:19 PM). No action was taken upon reconvening in open session.

September 2026 Meeting Date (Item 26-0682)

• The committee agreed to move the September meeting from Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) to Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM, pending coordination with the Finance Committee which also meets that day. No formal vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (4-0).
• Updated Drug and Alcohol Policies approved for submission to the City Council (4-0).
• No action taken on police contract bargaining or budget discussion; budget discussion placed on file.
• September meeting date rescheduled to September 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM (informal decision).
• Meeting adjourned at 5:31 PM.