[0:33] >> All right.

[0:33] It is 630.

[0:34] We will call our common council meeting to order.

[0:37] Welcome to our August meeting.

[0:40] Again just a note, if you're here

[0:42] for public input or public hearing

[0:44] there are sign up sheets in the back.

[0:46] Please sign up before we get to that part of the agenda.

[0:50] Roll call, we do have nine members present.

[0:53] Alder Dunbar is excused.

[0:55] So at this time, everyone will please rise

[0:58] for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[0:59] And if you would remain standing for prayer

[1:02] by our council president Eric Sinkovits.

[1:07] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States

[1:09] of America.

[1:09] And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God

[1:13] indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[1:22] >> God as we gather to serve the people of Manitowoc,

[1:25] grant us the wisdom, integrity, and spirit of cooperation.

[1:29] Remind us that we serve our neighbors

[1:31] and work to strengthen our city.

[1:32] We are doing our work tonight.

[1:34] We remember Jim Bry on the recent anniversary

[1:37] of his passing and give thanks for his dedication,

[1:41] dedicated service to our community,

[1:43] as our conference room is renamed in his honor.

[1:47] Amen.

[1:51] >> Amen.

[1:52] I might need you to say that again when we get to that part.

[1:57] That was good.

[1:58] We have a couple of presentations this evening.

[2:01] First for our fire and rescue department,

[2:04] we have two oaths of office and badge Pinnings.

[2:08] So, if fire Lieutenant Philip and his family could please

[2:12] come up.

[2:12] And motor pump operator, Tyler Fisher.

[2:15] If his family could come up right behind.

[2:17] And any members of the Manitowoc Fire

[2:20] Rescue Department, if you could come up as well,

[2:22] to show support.

[2:23] We will have our oath of office and badge Pinnings.

[2:34] >> Raise your right hand.

[2:35] Repeat after me. (indiscernible).

[2:58] [Applause]

[3:08] >>

[3:31] [Laughter]

[3:35] [Applause]

[3:48] >> When you're ready, please raise your hand.

[3:50] Repeat after me.

[3:51] I Tyler Fisher, solemnly swear that I

[3:54] will support the Constitution of the United States

[3:56] and the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin

[3:59] and that I will faithfully discharge

[4:01] the duties of motor pump operator

[4:05] for the City of Manitowoc.

[4:06] To the best of my ability.

[4:09] So help me God.

[4:14] [Applause]

[4:31] [Applause]

[5:03] >> Congratulations.

[5:09] >> Congratulations to our new promotions.

[5:16] And the Manitowoc Fire Rescue Department.

[5:20] The next presentation is w OMT radio.

[5:25] We have Mark C Haber.

[5:31] [Applause]

[5:31] and Terry Stevenson.

[5:33] They will be accepting the accommodation

[5:36] and saying a few words about the station

[5:39] and what it is to be 100 years of our community.

[5:43] Accommodation reads whereas WMT radio first began broadcasting

[5:46] in 1926 and has proudly served the residents of Manitowoc

[5:51] and Lakeshore Community for 100 years.

[5:53] Whereas throughout its century of operations,

[5:55] WMT radio has been a trusted and reliable source of local news,

[5:59] information and entertainment for generations of listeners.

[6:02] Whereas WMT radio has demonstrated a strong commitment

[6:05] to community, engagement, community engagement,

[6:09] highlighting local stories, announcing high school sports,

[6:13] supporting civic initiatives, promoting

[6:14] local businesses, community voices,

[6:19] I didn't add air exchange on that either.

[6:24] (indiscernible).

[6:25] A testament to the dedication, professionalism, and passion

[6:28] of the, past and present, whose efforts have helped

[6:32] build a lasting legacy in local broadcasting.

[6:34] Whereas celebrating 100 years of broadcasting

[6:36] is an extraordinary milestone that reflects w

[6:40] OMT radios enduring role as an important part

[6:43] of Manitowoc community.

[6:45] I hereby commend and congratulate WMT radio

[6:50] and extend sincere appreciation on behalf

[6:52] of the citizens of Manitowoc for a century of service,

[6:57] and community connection period congratulations.

[7:01] [Applause]

[7:03] Sorry, it's not gold plated.

[7:10] >> Thank you Mr. Mayor.

[7:11] Thank you city Council members.

[7:13] 100 years.

[7:14] I was not around at the start of it.

[7:16] But my father was around for about 70 of those years.

[7:20] He started something and wanted to keep it local.

[7:24] Our radio stations are very local.

[7:27] We are live, we are in the community.

[7:29] We try to serve everybody in this county.

[7:34] We will continue to do that as long as it stays in the family.

[7:39] Thank you very much.

[7:42] [Applause]

[7:52] >> We'll have that catchy tune in our heads for ever now.

[7:57] No.

[7:58] Good source.

[7:59] Thank you for everything you've done

[8:00] for the city over the years.

[8:02] Quite an accomplishment.

[8:04] Up next we have dedication of Jim Bray Conference room.

[8:08] I was going to do a ribbon cutting.

[8:10] But I think Jim was in enough of those in his lifetime

[8:13] here on earth.

[8:14] But for those of you who don't know come to the conference room

[8:16] to the north side of this room here

[8:19] we'll officially be called the Jim Bray Conference

[8:22] Room, from here on out.

[8:24] Jim of course gave 30 plus years to this community.

[8:27] Both the city and the county level.

[8:29] He was a shining example of what a man who wanted

[8:34] to be a true public servant.

[8:35] And I think it's only fitting that from here on out

[8:39] we will have meetings in the gym conference room

[8:42] to remind us of that dedication and the reason why we're here.

[8:47] I will turn it over.

[8:49] Jim's picture is in there.

[8:52] He's looking over us.

[8:53] Jody, I don't know if you would like to say anything.

[8:56] But if any other council member would like to say anything,

[8:58] I just wanted to make it known from here on out,

[9:01] it'll be the Jim conference room.

[9:11] >> As most people know, he was very proud of the city.

[9:13] He would be thrilled to be remembered this way.

[9:17] >> Anybody else have anything else?

[9:19] Otherwise I would say just give a big round of applause

[9:22] so he can hear us up in heaven.

[9:27] [Applause]

[9:37] He probably isn't paying attention.

[9:39] The LA Dodgers lost to the Brewers.

[9:43] He's probably not listening to us.

[9:46] We have our first item on the agenda.

[9:51] A public hearing.

[9:52] For the purpose of hearing any and all

[9:54] interested parties in the matter of a proposed street

[9:56] vacation for an unnamed street between Deerbrook

[10:00] Lane, Homestead Road, and Kellner Street.

[10:02] We will have the clerk read the proof of publication notice.

[10:05] That this public hearing was published

[10:07] in Herald Times reporter.

[10:11] >> This is part of an item that has been before you --

[10:17] >> Is the microphone on?

[10:23] as long as it's on it will catch you.

[10:26] The lights on.

[10:28] >> This is part of a project that has been before you

[10:30] a number of times.

[10:32] And amended to the official map of.

[10:35] This is the last stage.

[10:37] The need for the public hearing and waiting process.

[10:39] But ultimately there's an existing street

[10:41] that we're going to vacate a portion of

[10:43] and then a portion of it will be rededicated

[10:45] to the north of that.

[10:47] That's ultimately to make more buildable lots to the south side

[10:51] of the previous road.

[10:52] There is a sanitary sewer line that runs through this area.

[10:56] That will remain within the right of way.

[11:00] There were no objections.

[11:03] Staff recommends approval.

[11:06] >> Thank you, Adam.

[11:07] Are there any questions?

[11:11] >> This is my district and I am having trouble.

[11:14] There was no maps provided with this,

[11:17] anywhere that I could find.

[11:19] I've got a general idea of.

[11:21] But if somebody asked me something specific on it,

[11:26] I would have to shrug my shoulders.

[11:27] Is it possible to email the map of what actually is happening?

[11:33] >> Absolutely.

[11:33] I can do that.

[11:36] >> Anyone else, for Adam?

[11:38] This is a public hearing for this specific subject matter.

[11:43] I don't have anyone listed on the sheet for public hearing.

[11:46] Is there anyone that wants to speak for the public hearing,

[11:49] for this specific subject matter?

[11:51] Going once.

[11:53] Twice.

[11:54] Close this public hearing and we'll bring that up

[11:56] at the end of the agenda.

[11:57] Under the Planning Commission.

[11:58] Next item on the agenda is public input.

[12:01] Members of the public are allowed to speak for up to five

[12:03] minutes on anything germane to the city of Manitowoc just

[12:06] a reminder that the Council cannot respond to public input.

[12:09] Unless it's on the agenda later on.

[12:12] So just make sure that if you do have something

[12:14] and it's not on the agenda, they're

[12:16] not allowed to address here today,

[12:18] but you can always reach out individually.

[12:20] I do have one individual for public input.

[12:23] Shawn, if you would like to come up to the podium,

[12:26] you will have five minutes to address the council.

[12:35] >> Members of the Council.

[12:40] Mayor.

[12:41] My name is Shawn Schmenk.

[12:44] And what sits at this podium isn't just paper.

[12:47] It's the signatures of 844 local taxpayers

[12:50] who caught you in the dark.

[12:53] I'm here to find out why exactly you bypassed the voters.

[12:57] Why you changed this county to a permanent lease

[13:00] with 30 flock Safety spy cameras.

[13:02] 18 right here in the city of Manitowoc and another 12

[13:06] in the city of Two Rivers.

[13:08] Bleeding the taxpayer money, year after year.

[13:10] We all know that cameras don't just sprout on poles.

[13:14] Mayor nickels come at you and the police chief

[13:16] signed off on this pier completely in the shadows.

[13:19] Did you not know what you were buying?

[13:21] The police chief in Oshkosh caught corporate reps lying

[13:27] to him and he pulled the plug.

[13:29] Oshkosh saw the trap of.

[13:31] While Manitowoc walked right into it.

[13:33] You use public safety as a shield to pad your budget.

[13:37] You didn't hold the town hall.

[13:39] You didn't put mass surveillance on the ballot.

[13:43] You hid the spending under vague labels like tech upgrades.

[13:49] You buried the contract deep inside of a Tuesday night

[13:54] agenda, with one quick vote and zero public debate.

[13:59] You knew that if you told this city that you were hooking

[14:02] our intersections up to national tracking grids

[14:06] we would have shut it down immediately.

[14:09] Your own district attorney went to the CA for news

[14:15] yesterday to defend this.

[14:17] They're not tracking anything.

[14:19] They're just stationary cameras.

[14:21] It's the same thing as having a police officer

[14:25] on the corner writing down license plates as they drive by.

[14:30] Let me ask you this, Council.

[14:33] Does a single police officer standing on a corner instantly

[14:38] beam every passing license plate to a national grid of 83,000

[14:44] cameras?

[14:45] Does a police officer on the corner

[14:50] hand the daily movements of law abiding citizens over to 7000

[14:57] out of state agencies in real time?

[15:02] No.

[15:03] That is not a stationary camera.

[15:07] That is an unconstitutional digital dragnet.

[15:11] Out of state police can track our drivers without a warrant.

[15:17] You took the fourth Amendment, you flipped it upside down,

[15:22] and you treated every working person in this city

[15:25] like a suspect.

[15:30] You're forcing us to pay for the privilege of being spied on.

[15:37] While you're squeezing the working class dry.

[15:42] Home prices have doubled.

[15:44] Groceries are up 30%.

[15:45] And the working families in the city are bleeding out.

[15:49] And what was your response?

[15:51] You quietly inflated the city's budget by $3.7 million.

[15:56] You pushed through a $1.3 million spike just for 2026

[16:03] to pad your payroll and your benefits.

[16:09] You strap an 8.31% property tax on our backs just to fund it.

[16:17] Assuming we were too busy trying to survive then

[16:20] read your reports.

[16:22] These 844 signatures are the eviction notice

[16:26] for this contract.

[16:28] We are bringing this to you first because you

[16:32] operate 18 of these cameras.

[16:34] When I'm done here, I'm going right

[16:37] to two rivers and then the county board.

[16:40] You're just the first domino.

[16:43] We demand an official roll call vote

[16:46] be added to the agenda for the very next City Council meeting

[16:50] to place a moratorium on the Manitowoc Police Department's

[16:55] flock cameras.

[16:56] It's time to take them down.

[16:58] And stop spending our money to watch us without a vote.

[17:03] Thank you.

[17:05] >> Thank you for your comments.

[17:07] Is there anyone --

[17:08] I don't have anyone else listed on public input.

[17:11] Did we have any previously submitted public input?

[17:16] >> We did not.

[17:17] >> Just one more call.

[17:18] If there's anyone who missed signing in.

[17:19] Yes sir, you could just come up and state your name

[17:22] and address for the record, please.

[17:34] >> I'm Carl.

[17:36] Resident the town of Two Rivers.

[17:39] My wife Sue.

[17:40] We have a daughter that lives in the city of Manitowoc.

[17:43] 1711 South 22nd Street.

[17:47] And has had drug problems in the past.

[17:51] Has cleaned her life up.

[17:53] And has an ex-husband that keeps on coming after her

[17:58] for all kinds of things.

[18:01] But we had the police there on June 26th.

[18:06] And couldn't believe what the police did.

[18:13] They have it all on video.

[18:15] I mean it takes a lot more time than five minutes

[18:18] that you've given us to talk about this.

[18:20] But we can't make any headway with the police with charges.

[18:24] We've been pushed off.

[18:26] Lied to.

[18:27] I mean lots of problems.

[18:30] We need somebody to look into this for us.

[18:35] At a time when we can lay the whole thing out for you to see

[18:39] what's going on.

[18:40] It looks to me like the police are

[18:44] tyrannical in this city with the situation that we have.

[18:48] And we're very upset about this and we need somebody

[18:53] to talk to, other than these cops that we've been talking to,

[18:58] because they lie to us.

[19:01] Do you have anybody, like Jim Breyer around?

[19:08] Or somebody?

[19:10] Or you want to hear all the details come

[19:12] you got another 40 minutes?

[19:14] >> Again, we can't respond, but if you want to reach out

[19:17] individually to council members, all their information is

[19:20] on the city's website.

[19:21] You can reach out individually to meet with them

[19:24] if you'd like, mine as well.

[19:26] If you want to have that conversation with council

[19:29] members, you can do that.

[19:32] >> Okay.

[19:32] We'll do whatever we can to get this resolved.

[19:37] >> The city's website is right behind you on the screen.

[19:39] If you go to that website, you can find all the contact

[19:42] information.

[19:43] All right?

[19:44] All right thank you.

[19:46] Anyone else, one last time for public input.

[19:49] Once, twice, we'll close public input.

[19:52] We will go to item G on the agenda and that's appointments.

[19:58] And I have a couple.

[19:59] Crime prevention.

[20:01] Gabriela Devereaux, and municipal

[20:04] Tree Commission, Andy Janke.

[20:08] A motion by zero and a second by Rachel Burke to approve.

[20:14] Council will now vote on the appointments.

[20:17] And they are approved unanimously.

[20:20] We will move then to the consent agenda period item

[20:24] H. Is there anything that needs to be removed from the consent

[20:28] agenda?

[20:28] If not, I will wait for a motion and a second to approve.

[20:33] There is no discussion so Council will now

[20:37] vote on the consent agenda.

[20:39] And that is approved.

[20:43] May be.

[20:45] Unanimously.

[20:45] There you go.

[20:48] Thank you.

[20:48] We will move into the next item, which

[20:51] is item I. Committee reports.

[20:53] And we will start with council president,

[20:57] >> Thank you.

[20:58] We have no business or documents this evening.

[21:01] >> Thank you.

[21:02] We'll move into finance committee.

[21:04] We'll just stay with you right there.

[21:06] And you are the chair of that as well.

[21:08] >> We do have some documents and the clerk has them.

[21:11] >> Sounds good.

[21:12] >> We have document 698, which is a scope of engagement

[21:16] relative to proposed issuance of $5,000,637 private L SL

[21:24] replacement revenue bonds, series 2026.

[21:28] Safe Drinking Water loan project Committee

[21:31] recommends to approve as presented.

[21:37] >> Discussion seeing none come to the Council will now vote.

[21:40] The motion carries unanimously.

[21:43] >> We have document 699 which is a resolution to authorize

[21:46] the issuance and sale up to $5,000,637 taxable private LSL.

[21:54] And providing other details and covenants with respect thereto.

[22:01] >> We have a motion and a second.

[22:03] Discussion?

[22:04] Seeing none.

[22:06] Council will now vote on this resolution.

[22:08] And it passes unanimously.

[22:12] >> Document 707 is a report of IDC from August 12th 2026.

[22:17] Request for partial release of easement lot

[22:20] one of a certified survey recorded in volume 36 page 11.

[22:24] This is for Tax parcel 447004.

[22:30] >> We have a motion by cigarettes and a second by --

[22:40] it passes unanimously.

[22:44] >> Document 737 is a resolution authorizing the submission

[22:47] of a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation idle

[22:51] sites grant application for infrastructure at the River

[22:54] Point District.

[22:54] Staff recommends to adopt the resolution.

[22:57] >> We have a motion and a second.

[23:01] Any discussion seeing none come to the Council

[23:05] will vote on this resolution.

[23:06] It passes unanimously.

[23:07] Anything else?

[23:10] >> That completes our business this evening.

[23:12] Just with our normal meeting in September,

[23:15] being that the first Monday is Labor Day,

[23:17] we will be moving to Tuesday, which is September 8th.

[23:20] 5:30 p.m.

[23:21] Or immediately following the personal meeting.

[23:26] >> Sounds good.

[23:27] We will move then to the personnel committee.

[23:30] >> Mr. Mayor, the clerk has a document.

[23:34] >> A resolution to revise the employee alcohol misuse

[23:37] prevention.

[23:37] Drug and alcohol prevention policy for DOT

[23:42] regulated employees.

[23:43] Committee recommends to adopt the resolution.

[23:46] >> Discussion seeing none, Council will now vote on this

[23:49] resolution.

[23:50] And the resolution passes unanimously.

[23:54] Anything else?

[23:56] >> That concludes our business.

[23:58] And as Elder says, our next meeting is on September 8th.

[24:03] >> Thank you very much.

[24:04] Next is Public Works Committee.

[24:06] Alderman Bill she is chair.

[24:10] >> Thank you Mr. Mayor.

[24:12] >> Document 700 is amendment number one for the 2026 Sanitary

[24:17] Sewer Master Plan.

[24:18] >> We have a motion and a second period discussion seeing none

[24:21] Council will now vote.

[24:24] And it passes unanimously.

[24:29] >> Document 704 is a fund to storm sewer repair on easement

[24:33] at Waldo and Fleetwood Drive.

[24:35] Committee recommends to provide funding.

[24:38] >> We have a motion and a second.

[24:40] Discussion seeing none Council will now vote.

[24:44] And it passes unanimously.

[24:48] >> Document 706 usage of Q Street dock for loading

[24:52] of concrete trucks pier Committee recommends to approve

[24:54] after city attorney rights and agreement.

[24:57] >> We have a motion and a second.

[24:58] And we have Alderman Schlei in line to speak.

[25:02] >> Thank you Mr. Mayor.

[25:03] I just wanted to clear the air.

[25:06] There was some ambiguous wording on this deal

[25:09] and during committee it was very confusing

[25:11] because it was a motion to load concrete trucks.

[25:17] They are actually loading the trucks.

[25:21] They're not loading concrete on K Street,

[25:23] they're loading the trucks, and it's only

[25:25] going to be a couple of days.

[25:27] I just thought I would clear that with anybody who

[25:30] might be listening I think they're loading concrete

[25:32] in the parking lot on K Street.

[25:34] Thank you.

[25:35] >> Thank you for the clarification, Alderman Schlei.

[25:39] Seeing no further discussion, Council will now vote.

[25:44] The motion carries unanimously.

[25:49] >> Document 742 is a 2026 computer aided automatic vehicle

[25:53] location contract between the City of Manitowoc and Transit

[25:56] Technologies.

[25:57] Staff recommends to move forward with this agreement with Transit

[26:00] Technologies.

[26:02] >> I have a motion and a second period discussion?

[26:04] Seeing none common Council will now vote on this.

[26:10] Motion carries unanimously.

[26:12] Anything else, Alderman Schlei?

[26:17] >> No, that finishes out our agenda our next meeting,

[26:19] if I can just get my calendar open,

[26:22] it will be September 3rd at 530.

[26:24] Right here in this chamber.

[26:27] >> Thank you very much.

[26:28] We will move to the Public Safety Committee.

[26:30] And Aldermen Todd Berg is chair.

[26:33] >> The clerk has our >> Document 725 is ambulance service

[26:38] agreement between Roncalli High School and the City of Manitowoc

[26:41] Fire Rescue Department pier Committee recommends to approve.

[26:44] >> We have a motion and a second.

[26:46] Discussion seeing none Council will now vote on this agreement.

[26:50] Motion carries unanimously.

[26:54] >> Document 726 an ambulance service agreement between

[26:57] Lincoln High School and the City of Manitowoc Fire Rescue

[26:59] Department Committee recommends to approve.

[27:02] >> We have a motion and a second.

[27:04] Discussion seeing none, Council will now vote on this agreement.

[27:10] Motion carries unanimously.

[27:14] >> Document 739 is an ordinance to amend section 10.3 90

[27:17] of the Manitowoc Municipal Code regulating parking prohibited,

[27:21] Riverview Drive and Meadow Lane.

[27:24] >> We have a motion and a second.

[27:25] Discussion on this ordinance?

[27:27] Seeing none come a council will now vote on the ordinance.

[27:32] Motion carries, 8 to 0 with one abstention.

[27:38] Alderman Anderson.

[27:41] >> Thank you Mr. Mayor.

[27:44] I'm an employee of Holy Family.

[27:47] >> Understood.

[27:48] Thank you.

[27:51] >> (indiscernible).

[27:53] Regulating through (indiscernible).

[27:59] >> We have -- discussion climaxing none common Council

[28:05] will now vote on this ordinance.

[28:07] Motion carries unanimously.

[28:09] Anything else, aldermen Berg?

[28:14] >> Just that our next meeting is September 14th.

[28:18] >> Thank you.

[28:19] We will move into the Parks and Recreation Committee.

[28:21] Alderman Mike Cummings is chair.

[28:24] >> Thank you Mr. Mayor.

[28:25] The clerk has the documents.

[28:27] >> We have 745 which is a report of Parks and Recreation

[28:30] Department recommending approval of a variety of events subject

[28:33] to Council action, Committee recommends approval.

[28:37] >> We have a motion and a second period discussion?

[28:40] Seeing none, Council will now vote on this report.

[28:45] Motion carried unanimously.

[28:47] Anything else, Alderman Cummings?

[28:50] >> That concludes our business for Parks and Recreation this

[28:53] month, Mr. Mayor.

[28:54] Our next meeting would have been August 26th,

[28:56] however we found out that conflicts with the library board

[28:59] meeting, which is very important.

[29:01] We are going to move the meeting to September 2nd,

[29:06] and in council chambers and we will determine from there what

[29:10] works for the committee at that point,

[29:14] when we're going to meet >> Thank very And we have the plan

[29:18] commission document.

[29:20] >> Document 542 is a resolution approving the discontinuance

[29:23] of a portion of Deerbrook Lane in the interest of public

[29:27] pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 66.1003 for.

[29:31] Committee recommends to adopt resolution.

[29:35] >> We have a motion and a second.

[29:37] Discussion on the resolution?

[29:38] Seeing none, the Council will now vote on the resolution.

[29:42] The resolution passes unanimously.

[29:45] That exhausts all the documents.

[29:47] Any other business at this time?

[29:49] If not, looking for a motion to adjourn.

Common Council on 2026-08-17 6:30 PM

Agenda

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