Common Council Meeting of October 19, 2026

The Common Council of Manitowoc met on Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:39 p.m. in Council Chambers, with Council President Eric Sitkiewitz serving as Acting Mayor due to Mayor Nickels' absence. Ten alderpersons attended all votes passed unanimously (10-0). The meeting included oaths of office, three public hearings, public comments on a dog park and school vouchers, approval of a consent agenda, and action on multiple committee recommendations.

Presentations & Oaths

• Fire Lieutenants Kevin Fabian and Kevin Wilke, and Motor Pump Operator Craig Buyeske took the oath of office and received badge pinning.

Public Hearings

• ** Transit Fare Increase (26-0935):** No members of the public spoke. Kevin from Maritime Metro explained the fare increase is part of a required Transit Development Plan to balance costs while keeping rates lower than other agencies in the state.
• ** Forestry Assessments (26-0936):** Codi Knorr of 1407 N 23rd St appeared to object to his proposed assessment. The Council referred his objection to the Board of Public Works for further discussion.
• ** Official Map Change (26-0937):** No public speakers. Adam from Planning staff explained the property owner wants to develop a parcel, and the change still preserves the overall transportation network. The Planning Commission recommended approval.

Public Input

• ** Lisa Nikosch (resident):** Expressed appreciation for the new dog park at Halvorsen Park, noting the concrete, trees, and upkeep enhanced the experience for dogs and their owners. She requested adding a bus‑shelter style structure for protection from wind and cold weather, saying multiple park users supported the idea.
• ** Chris Abel (715 N 5th St, speaking as an individual):** Thanked the Council for agreeing to include a flyer from the Manitowoc Public School District (MPSD) as an insert in city tax bills, showing the effect of the school voucher program on the local tax levy. He provided statistics: for the 2025‑2026 school year, vouchers consumed 23.06% of the MPSD levy ($7,223,770 of a total $31,329,041 levy) – equal to $1 out of every $4.35. He said transparency is essential for taxpayers to decide their own views on vouchers.

Consent Calendar

All items on the Consent Agenda were approved without discussion. Highlights included:

• Approval of the September 21, 2026 Council minutes.
• Acceptance of the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Issuance of a $2,000 credit card for the Tourism Department's Marketing Manager.
• Refund of a special events late fee for Gumby's Club Fore A Cure.
• Unbudgeted Capital Asset Working Group (CAWG) requests: $15,000 for storm sewer repair at Waldo & Fleetwood; $50,000 for concrete paving on N. 2nd Street (Reed Ave to dead end).
• General City claims totaling $2,749,503.28.
• Various payment approvals from the Board of Public Works, including $136,345.40 to Scott Construction for seal coating, $20,644.98 to Alfson Excavating for sanitary sewer relay, $145,011.19 to Gorman and Company for Mirro Site remediation, and $4,959.00 to 5th Pocket Skateparks for skatepark expansion.
• A tree‑planting agreement with Lakeland Landscape, Inc. for multiple city parks.
• Denial of a sex offender residency board appeal, denial of a request for a 4‑way stop at S. 21st & Flambeau St., and denial of a fire rescue billing dispute.
• Parks on‑call premium pay, animal acquisition policy update, special event reports, and authorization to explore opportunities to fill the vacant bear exhibit.

Committee Reports & Actions

** Committee of the Whole (26-0845):** Approved a motion to allow MPSD to provide the city with a flyer regarding school voucher information to be inserted in property tax bills. MPSD will incur any additional postage costs, and must submit the flyer by the date the city budget is adopted.

** Finance Committee:**

• Approved an agreement with General Code, LLC for eCode360 software to manage the Manitowoc Municipal Code.
• Adopted a resolution to increase the annual Mobile Home Park license fee from $75 to $100, effective January 1, 2027.
• Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 11 of the Municipal Code (licenses and permits).

** Personnel Committee:**

• Approved job descriptions and pricing for positions needed if paratransit services are moved in‑house, but with the condition that no advertising, recruiting, or hiring occurs until the Public Works Committee and Common Council approve the in‑house operation.
• Approved the 2027 benefit plans as recommended by McClone. To mitigate a 13% premium increase, changes include raising the stop‑loss cap from $100,000 to $115,000 per claimant and increasing deductibles (e.g., from $2,000/$4,000 to $3,000/$6,000). These adjustments kept the increase at 13% rather than the potential 28%.

** Public Works Committee:**

• Adopted an authorizing resolution allowing the DPW to sign real estate documents for the Washington & Calumet Reconstruction Project.
• Approved an unbudgeted CAWG request for concrete paving on N. 2nd Street (Reed Ave to dead end) not to exceed $55,000.
• Approved the Transit Development Plan (TDP) and fare increases for Maritime Metro.
• Adopted a resolution updating the City's Functional Classification System.
• Approved a stormwater management facility maintenance agreement with Maritime Lofts, LLC.
• Approved the nuisance abatement report, with the assessment for 1407 N 23rd St (Codi Knorr's objection) referred back to the Board of Public Works.

** Public Safety Committee:**

• Adopted an ordinance amending Section 10.390 (prohibited parking) relating to school zones and specific streets.
• Approved an updated EMS service contract with the Town of Kossuth.
• Adopted an ordinance amending Section 6.170 (fire suppression systems).

** Plan Commission:**

• Adopted an ordinance amending Section 22.010 (Official Map – Master Subdivision Plans) for the parcel between Middle Road and Dutch Road, consistent with the public hearing.

Key Outcomes

• All votes on action items passed unanimously (10-0).
• The next Special Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., where the Mayor will present the 2027 Executive Budget, followed by the Finance Committee meeting.
• The next Regular Common Council meeting is Monday, November 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.