Manitowoc Committee of the Whole Summary – October 19, 2026

The Committee of the Whole met Monday, October 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers and via Zoom. Nine alders were present (Schlei, Norell, Sitkiewitz, Beeman, Reckelberg, Cummings, Dunbar, Brey, Benzinger); Alders Nickels and Anderson were absent. The committee acted on a previously tabled property tax insert motion, received an update on the zoning code rewrite, and entered closed session to discuss Madison School and Lakeview Park redevelopment proposals before adjourning at 6:34 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sherry Lobbs (921 N. 43rd St.) spoke in support of placing school voucher financial information on city property tax bills. She said she had been unaware of the voucher program until this year and learned about it through the League of Women Voters. She expressed concern about the rate of increase in dollars going to private schools and stated taxpayers should know how much of their tax money leaves the Manitowoc Public School District for schools "not accountable the way MPSD is." The minutes note the public comment portion is not made part of the official record.

Previously Tabled Item: School Voucher Information on Property Tax Bills (26-0845)

• Council President Sitkiewitz read the tabled motion by Alder Benzinger, which would have directed staff to design and mail an annual comprehensive insert with property tax bills, including mill rates and tax impacts for each taxing entity, a city budget breakdown, and MPSD-provided voucher cost data.
• Several alders discussed alternatives. Alder Norell suggested website links and questioned adding another insert to the roughly 13,500 tax bills the city sends each year. Alder Cummings opposed the original motion, saying a figure like $6,015,748 for private vouchers would be meaningless without context; he preferred links/URLs. Alder Reckelberg also opposed the original motion, citing the burden on the finance director, but said he could support a simple line item. Alder Dunbar noted that 41% of property owners in Manitowoc are over age 55 and argued a printed flyer would better serve older residents than a website or QR code. Alders Schlei and Brey agreed with supporting a flyer/insert; Alder Brey disclosed she works for MPSD.
• Council President Sitkiewitz said a taxing entity should own and explain its own tax information rather than the city adding a line item. He moved to amend the motion to allow MPSD to provide the city with a one-page flyer it prepares, to be included with city tax bills, with MPSD responsible for any additional postage costs and with the flyer due by the date the city budget is adopted. Alder Reckelberg seconded. The amendment passed by voice vote; the amended motion then carried unanimously (9-0).

Zoning Code Rewrite (26-0062)

• Community Development Director Adam Tegen presented an update on the Chapter 15 Zoning Code Rewrite. He said the current code is about 40 years old, has been amended many times, and is being replaced rather than patched. The rewrite is intended to be more user-friendly, with appendices listing permitted uses, land-use definitions, and graphics for dimensional standards.
• Tegen highlighted proposed new districts: CC2 for the downtown/city center and CC1 for the transitional ring around downtown. He said the code adds quality-of-development standards, including landscaping, buffering between incompatible uses, screening of mechanicals, and building design on all frontages.
• Timeline: The draft was previously circulated; the planning commission will next review it, with a public hearing in November, council consideration in December, and a goal of implementation January 1, 2027. No formal action was taken. Note: The agenda and minutes identify this as "Chapter 15 Zoning Code Rewrite," while an attachment is titled "Ch 35 Zoning_Staff review copy."

Redevelopment Proposals for Madison School and Lakeview Park (26-0791)

• The committee considered redevelopment proposals from Mike Howe Builders and Americon & 3 Amigos. After discussion, it moved into closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e) to deliberate/negotiate purchasing of public properties. The closed session motion carried 9-0. The committee reconvened in open session and took no action on the proposals.

Key Outcomes

• Approved, as amended, the request to allow the Manitowoc Public School District to provide a one-page flyer for inclusion with city property tax bills, with MPSD paying any additional postage; the vote was unanimous among the nine members present. Staff was directed to work with MPSD on including the flyer in this year's tax bill mailing.
• Received the zoning code rewrite update for future planning commission and council review; no action taken.
• Discussed Madison School and Lakeview Park redevelopment proposals in closed session; no action taken.
• Adjourned at 6:34 p.m.