Manitowoc Personnel Committee Meeting – November 2, 2026

The Manitowoc Personnel Committee met on Monday, November 2, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall, with remote Zoom access; the transcript does not record an adjournment time. All committee members were present. No public comment was offered. The committee approved routine consent items, approved a seasonal lifeguard reimbursement policy, placed an exit-interview report on file, approved 2027 seasonal hiring pay rates and a 2027 benefit plan document authorization resolution, and held a closed session on police contract bargaining without taking action afterward.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the October 5, 2026 Personnel Committee minutes; reviewed legal fees billed through September 2026 for Human Resources; and received reports on the health plan, Human Resources office initiatives for November 2026, and City Attorney's Office initiatives for October 2026. No items were removed for separate discussion; the consent agenda carried by voice vote with no opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comment in person or online during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Seasonal Lifeguard Reimbursement Policy (26-0987): Brock explained that the city runs a lifeguard training program and currently does not charge during the season for lifeguards who are hired or in the hiring pipeline. The city also offers an earlier class to recruit lifeguards. The proposed reimbursement would apply when participants take the winter class and then work for the city during the summer, with about 25–26 shifts described as the threshold. Brock said the goal is retention so participants do not take the city training and then work elsewhere. A committee member asked why the $50 Red Cross fee is nonrefundable; Brock said the $50 is a Red Cross fee the city does not cover, while the $200 covers city staff training. The committee approved the policy as presented by voice vote with no opposition.
• Exit Interview Data Summary (26-0862): Jesse presented a memo summarizing 14 exit interviews conducted since January. Exit interviews are offered as an option, not required, and some employees leave without notice or are very part-time. A committee member thanked Jesse for the report and noted that departing employees sometimes cite supervisory or management experience, expressing hope that the city's touch-base process will help address some retention concerns. The committee placed the report on file; no action was taken.
• 2027 Seasonal Hiring Pay Rates (26-0975): Jesse described the annual request, based on the current budget and department head recommendations for seasonal and limited-term employee rates effective January 1, 2027. A couple of new positions and revised ranges were noted. The committee approved the rates as presented by voice vote with no opposition.
• 2027 Benefit Plan Document Authorization Resolution (26-0977): Jesse explained this annual resolution covers the health plan, dental plan, and related benefit plan documents, and allows the finance director and HR director to sign off on agreements so administration is smoother and faster. The committee approved the resolution as presented by voice vote with no opposition.

Closed Session

• The committee convened in closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to discuss item 26-0670, an update on police contract bargaining. The motion carried on a roll-call vote, with Alder Sikowitz, Alder Schlei, Alder Benzinger, and the chair indicating aye. After reconvening in open session, no action was taken on item 26-0670.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved without removal; voice vote, no opposition.
• Seasonal lifeguard reimbursement policy approved; voice vote, no opposition.
• Exit interview data summary placed on file; no action.
• 2027 seasonal hiring pay rates approved; voice vote, no opposition.
• 2027 benefit plan document authorization resolution approved; voice vote, no opposition.
• Closed session held on police contract bargaining; no action taken after reconvening.
• Meeting adjourned on a motion and second.