Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manitowoc public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Downtown funding reduction
The mayor proposes cutting annual downtown funding from $250,000 to $50,000, redirecting dollars to public safety, with Franklin Street reconstruction expected to carry downtown improvements.
Meeting and Study Room Renovation
The first-floor renovation is on track for December, but the south side project drew zero bids and had to be rebid, closing July 8. Family restrooms and HVAC controls work are also in motion.
Transit shift to smaller on-demand buses
The budget replaces large diesel buses with smaller 13-passenger vans, moving toward an on-demand transit system that costs about a quarter as much per vehicle.
Adult literacy program sustainability
The one-to-one adult literacy program, serving over 100 learners with one part-time coordinator, operates differently than peer programs statewide that run as independent nonprofits. Staff signaled possible changes next year but made no decision.
Replacing VDI computers with PCs
The city plans to spend about $150,000 to swap roughly 100 VDI workstations for cloud-based PCs in 2027, avoiding an $80,000 VDI server patch and a $75,000–$80,000 server replacement in 2028. Ald. Reckelberg asked whether the machines could last another year so newly hired IT staff could manage the transition.
Storm sewer endwall repair at Waldo Blvd. and Fleetwood Dr.
A storm sewer endwall at Waldo Blvd. and Fleetwood Dr. is being repaired under a $12,900 contract with MC Excavating. It's a small but necessary fix to keep the storm drainage system working in that area.
Housing Authority office renovation
The renovation is nearly done — staff expect to move back in the third week of November, before Thanksgiving. Remaining work includes flooring, mailboxes, fire panel fixes, and security cameras.
New commercial building at 1214 Washington Street
A long-vacant Washington Street parcel is finally getting a new building. The board approved the design with upgraded street-facing materials, and parking, landscaping, and driveway details will be sorted out in site plan review.
N. 2nd Street Concrete Paving and Storm Sewer Repairs
The water utility is replacing lines on North 2nd Street, so the city is paying up to $50,000 to pave the rest of the road now instead of coming back later — a cost-saving move on a cul-de-sac that otherwise wouldn't rank for replacement.
Maritime Metro Fare Increases
Maritime Metro's updated 100-page Transit Development Plan is on file for committee review, with fare rate increases to be requested when it returns in October.
School ambulance service agreements
New agreements put city Fire Rescue ambulances under contract with Roncalli and Lincoln High Schools.
Official Map Amendment — Town of Manitowoc Rapids
Removing a planned street from the official map lets the Nohr family build a home, barn, and horse arena on land constrained by wetlands. South Union Road a half-mile west already provides the north-south connection the paper street was meant to serve.
Town of Kossuth ambulance coverage expansion
An updated EMS service contract with the Town of Kossuth was approved, continuing regional emergency medical services coverage.
Police officer hiring pipeline
The commission approved the patrol officer eligibility list for 12 months, which is the pool of qualified candidates the police department draws from when hiring patrol officers.
Sex offender residency appeal — Jovanni Rey Ortiz
The police chief recommended denial, citing no community ties and an intentional restriction violation; the committee agreed and forwarded the denial to the Council.
Fire sprinkler compliance modernization
The Fire Department will move sprinkler and fire alarm compliance checks to a third-party administrator, eliminating the $35 city permit fee while keeping costs neutral for businesses and improving real-time oversight of deficiencies.
Four-way stop request at S. 21st Street and Flambeau Street
A citizen-requested four-way stop was denied after engineering data showed a two-way stop already in place and no accident justification. Residents were directed to the city's formal online request process.
Discover Manitowoc grant program expansion
Grant requests have doubled the roughly $40,000 available, and established regional events like the civil war reenactment no longer qualify. The board suggested raising the allocation and possibly creating a second grant program for events that fill community gaps rather than hotel stays.
Visit Manitowoc office space and long-term home
The department has outgrown its leased space, especially after adding farmers market staff. The city has paid $12,000–$13,000 for Abacus plans for a build on green space near the Maritime Museum, and the goal is to own rather than rent — with the reserve fund a possible funding source.
Manitowoc Skatepark Expansion Completion
The skatepark expansion is officially finished — the board approved the final two payments to 5th Pocket Skateparks, totaling about $97,800.
Police Contract Bargaining
The committee discussed police contract bargaining in closed session and took no action. Negotiations continue.
Paratransit (Assist to Transport) Move In-House
The city is preparing to bring paratransit service in-house as of January 1, with four new job descriptions approved as a contingency. Actual hiring waits on Public Works Committee and Council approval.
Separate WPDES permit for sewer collection system
Contracts awarded to televise and reline city sewers keep the underground system in good shape and reduce future failures.
Facility infrastructure and grounds updates
HVAC motors and exhaust fans are all brand new, parking lot lights converted to LED, and old banners and signs removed — meaning about 20 years of low-maintenance building systems ahead.
Police response to domestic incident complaint
A resident alleged that an officer mishandled a June 26 trespassing and harassment call involving his daughter's ex-husband, misstating tenant rights and coddling the alleged offender. He asked the council to review bodycam/video and pursue charges.
Retiree insurance discontinuation
The city will discontinue retiree insurance beginning January 1, 2027, per the approved personnel committee report.
Wastewater operations split between City and MPU
New ordinances formally codify a four-year-old arrangement where the city handles sewer pipes in the streets while MPU runs the treatment plant, with rates shown separately on bills.
Facade grant for 316 N 8th Street
A small downtown storefront got design review approval plus facade grant funding to spruce up its exterior.
New sidewalks on South 21st Street and Flambeau Street
A citizen request for sidewalks near a park drew objections from an affected homeowner over wetlands, drainage onto his property, special assessments, and lack of notice. With only two accidents in 16 years, the committee found no safety need and shelved the request, though neighbors could revive it.
Police Department Hiring Lists
The commission approved eligibility lists that let the police department hire patrol officers for the next year and detectives for the next three months. It's the behind-the-scenes step that keeps police staffing moving as openings occur.
Noxious Weed Ordinance Enforcement
The city bills property owners for complaint-driven weed cutting by third-party contractors, and the board showed it won't grant hardship relief easily — relief means neighbors pay. Owners can still make partial payments before assessments go on the tax bill.
Fire Department 48/96 schedule extension
The fire department's 48/96 shift schedule will be extended through 2027 via a side letter, discussed partly in closed session due to bargaining considerations.
Operator's License Approvals After Criminal History Review
Brian Ploederl, who owns a local establishment with his wife, asked the committee to restore his two-year bartender's license, citing three years without issues. The committee recommended approval; the council votes May 18.
Parks Department tractor replacement
The city is swapping its repair-burdened Holder tractor for a $50,000 John Deere utility tractor that Parks staff say fits their needs better and doesn't require special licensing to operate. It's paid from leftover 2025 borrowing, not new money.
Pickleball court demand and Citizen Park surfacing
Alderperson Brey raised complaints that the Citizen Park pickleball courts sit on a water reservoir, limiting surface options, and that players want more courts — possibly a dedicated south-side facility.
September park project updates
Ayers & Associates, which did the concept design, was hired to design the playground replacement using $250,000 budgeted for 2026 design work.
Silver Creek Stream Restoration
The council approved the Silver Creek restoration, with over $1 million in grants already secured and a WIDNR grant application pending for the last $40,000 — all without touching local tax dollars.
Second-floor bathroom renovation
Three bids came in for the second-floor bathroom renovation; the board accepted the lowest bid under city policy, though a member questioned a nearly $77,000 gap between the low and high bids.
Olin Winchester land lease and option to purchase
The council approved a 3-year land lease and option to purchase for part of Parcel #449-008-010 for the manufacturer.
Potential Citywide IT Support for the Library
The committee eliminated the library's IT system administrator job because the city is considering including the library in a consolidated citywide IT arrangement. Members emphasized public-facing systems need same-day fixes, and if the city deal doesn't pan out, they'll amend the budget to fund support.
Dearbrook Lane street vacation
The city vacated part of an unnamed street near Deerbrook Lane, Homestead Road and Kellner Street so a developer can deepen lots and add buildable parcels, with the sewer line kept in the adjusted right of way.
Manitowoc Tool & Manufacturing expansion
The company needed part of a city easement released to add parking and possibly expand its building. Staff confirmed drainage and utilities aren't affected.
Parking and speeding at the S. 35th Street and Lindbergh Drive curve
A resident wanted parking banned at the sharp 45-degree curve, but neighbors pushed back hard, saying parked cars actually slow drivers down and removing them would invite speeding. The committee agreed, denying the ban and backing a cheap painted center line instead.
No parking near Holy Family Memorial on Riverview Drive and Meadow Lane
Holy Family Memorial asked the city to ban parking near its loading dock so semi-trucks can back in safely after several close calls. Only six on-street spots are affected and the hospital lot has room to spare; a neighbor also asked for a no-parking sign in front of Core Treatment Services.
Town of Kossuth Sewer Regionalization
KSD#2's aging plant would connect to city/MPU sewers via a forcemain and gravity line, with the city paid a transfer rate. Details on rates and capacity are still being negotiated ahead of a late-September DNR grant deadline.
TID 16 — Downtown/Mariner Site District Finances
The city's oldest TIF district is about $500,000 underwater, mostly from demolition and cleanup of the old Nero/Mariner site. Increment is growing and an EPA cleanup grant is being reimbursed; the district is projected to close by 2030, possibly with donor help from TID 21 if it falls short.
Unanticipated Retirement Payout Costs
Two unexpected police retirements left the city about $65,000 over budget on payout costs, complicated by the fact that a contingency fund for this was removed from the budget two years ago.
Updated Drug and Alcohol Policies
After a DOT audit recommendation, the city refreshed its drug and alcohol policies for both transit-regulated and general employees. Committee members caught a couple of wording issues before the policies head to Council.
Council Chambers audio/video upgrade
The bid for upgrading the council chambers' audio and video went to Fearing's Audio Video, with work to be finished before April — finally making meetings easier to watch and hear.
E. Albert Drive reconstruction design
A contract amendment with the DOT and JT Engineering keeps the E. Albert Drive reconstruction design on track.