Public Works Committee Meeting – August 6, 2026

The Public Works Committee of Manitowoc, Wisconsin met on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers. Chair Bill Schlei presided. Key actions included approving an amendment to the sanitary sewer master plan, funding a storm sewer repair, and authorizing use of the Quay Street dock for concrete truck loading. A request for a new street light was denied. The committee also discussed the 2027 budget and received an update on the Town of Kossuth sewer regionalization.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes from July 2, 2026: Approved unanimously by a vote of 5–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dave & Wendy Prince (1206 Orchard Drive): Expressed concerns about repeated flooding on their street. They requested a larger storm sewer on N. 10th Street to be included in the upcoming reconstruction project. They reported losing a vehicle and spending $20,000 on flood mitigation. Greg Minikel noted that the reconstruction of N. 10th Street is expected to address the issue.

Discussion Items

• 2027 Budget Discussion (Item 26-0703): Mayor Nickels presented the budget timeline, with department budgets due by the end of August and an executive budget expected in October. Alderperson Sitkiewitz recommended removing Michigan Avenue (North 18th to North 13th) from the five-year road plan due to lack of consensus among residents, and suggested shifting funds to Brookfield Circle/Cypress Court for slab replacement. Chair Schlei requested signage for children near South 29th Street (Meadow to Custer) at the Able facility. The Mayor noted the approved five-year plan included about $6.8 million in road projects for 2027, but noted maintenance of existing assets would be a priority. The item was placed on file.
• Town of Kossuth Sewer Regionalization (Item 25-0570, previously tabled): Dean LaFleur (RAL engineer) and Emily Micolichek (President, Kossuth Sanitary District 2) updated the committee. The proposed plan includes a 3.2-mile force main and 0.78 miles of gravity sewer to connect to Manitowoc Public Utilities (MPU). The city’s attorney is reviewing the Interconnection Agreement (IA). The committee noted that details—particularly rates and the exact transition point from force main to gravity—are still being negotiated. A deadline for DNR grant funding is the end of September. The committee tabled the item for further negotiation, with an update expected in September. No formal action was taken.
• Amendment No. 1 for 2026 Sanitary Sewer Master Plan (Item 26-0700): Greg Minikel requested approval to amend the agreement with Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC to include data downloading from 10 flow meters. The amendment covers a laptop, software, and technician time, considered reasonable at approximately $1,500. The motion to approve and refer to council passed unanimously (5–0).
• WI DOT Functional Classification Update (Item 26-0701): Greg Minikel presented the required 10-year update for the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Urban Area. Noted corrections (e.g., North 7th should be North 8th, Fricke Drive typo) have been submitted to DOT. The committee tabled the item to bring back a final resolution in September, as the DOT deadline is mid-September.
• Request for Street Light in 2200 Block of S. 9th Street (Item 26-0702): A resident requested a mid-block street light, citing a past shooting. MPU confirmed the blocks are adequately lit at intersections and recommended trimming trees instead. The committee denied the request unanimously (5–0) to avoid setting a precedent.
• Storm Sewer Repair at Waldo and Fleetwood Drive (Item 26-0704): Request to use CAWG (Capital Asset Working Group) funds for an endwall repair. The endwall is undermined, with a quote of $18,937. The motion to approve funding and refer to council passed unanimously (5–0).
• Usage of Quay Street Dock for Loading Concrete Trucks (Item 26-0706): Roen Salvage requested use of the dock to load concrete trucks onto a barge for North Breakwater repairs. Work would occur on three non-consecutive days in mid-September (about 12 trucks total). The committee approved the request pending a legal agreement drafted by the City Attorney, with the requirement that any damage be repaired. The motion passed unanimously (5–0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved and referred to council: Amendment No. 1 for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer Master Plan; Storm Sewer Repair funding (CAWG); Usage of Quay Street Dock (contingent on City Attorney agreement).
• Denied: Street light request in 2200 block of S. 9th Street.
• Placed on file: 2027 Budget discussion.
• Tabled: Town of Kossuth Sewer Regionalization (to return in September); WI DOT Functional Classification Update (to return with final resolution).
• Next steps: The 2027 budget will be presented in October; the Town of Kossuth IA is to be finalized by the end of September to meet DNR deadlines.