Manitowoc · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manitowoc public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
New housing subdivisions at Dearbrook Lane and River Point
The council approved a tax increment financing term sheet for a project on River Point Drive Lots 1 and 2 and told staff to finish the development agreement and land sale — public money helping launch a private development.
Chapter 15 Zoning Code Rewrite
The city is replacing its 40-year-old zoning code with a modern, user-friendly version featuring new downtown districts and stronger landscaping and buffering rules. It could take effect January 1, 2027, shaping what can be built where for decades.
Road projects and infrastructure borrowing
Major 2027 road work includes Franklin Street (South 6th to South 10th), North 10th Street with sewer repairs, Marshall Street, Orchard Lane, and North 18th Street, plus a new DPW salt shed and armory roof — driving the higher borrowing.
2027 Executive Budget and property tax increase
The mayor's proposed budget raises the city tax rate 2.78% — about $41 a year on a $250,000 home — while adding six positions and borrowing $7.84 million. For the first time in years, the city would borrow more than it pays off, and $3.5 million of reserves would be used.
Kellner Street reconstruction delayed to 2030
The Kellner Street project has slid from 2027 to 2028 and now 2030 in the new road plan. The mayor says only a two-block stretch is in bad shape and whole-street projects elsewhere are a bigger priority, but Ald. Reckelberg's district is frustrated and wants it finished.
2027 City Budget for Police and Fire
The Finance Committee got its first look at the 2027 Executive Budget and will hold deliberation meetings on November 2, 4, and 5. No decisions were made yet — this is where spending priorities get hammered out.
Library Sunday closures beginning 2027
The proposed 2027 Library Budget keeps operating costs essentially flat while leaving two part-time positions unfilled and dropping the IT system administrator job. The bet is that the city will provide consolidated IT support, and committee members made clear the budget would be amended if that doesn't happen.
Public safety staffing additions
The budget adds three firefighter paramedics to keep fire stations staffed as EMS demand grows, plus a police detective focused on internet crimes against children — the mayor's top priority.
2026 Concrete Paving Program
Vinton Construction's change order adds $51,710 to the 2026 concrete paving program, needed to coordinate with MPU's water main replacement work. The board noted it slightly exceeds the $50,000 committee authorization, a wrinkle to be resolved.
Sewer and Street Infrastructure Projects
Sewer re-lining, sanitary and storm sewer construction, and the city's asphalt paving program all got final change orders — with re-lining and paving coming in under budget. Final contractor payments were also approved.
Former Mirro Site Environmental Remediation
Crews found extra contamination to explore at the former Mirro site, so the city reallocated remediation funds — at no added cost — and approved the final $145,011 payment wrapping up the supplemental cleanup.
FY27 Budget and Wages at Manitou Manor
Housing Authority staff keep their Prevea 360 coverage with only about a 4-4.5% premium bump — far less than the ~13% increase the city itself is facing.
1512 Washington Street housing project
After months of EPA and state funding delays, the Miro project's financing looks ready to close, with construction mobilization around November 1 and required partial occupancy by December 31, 2027.
Lakeshore Mall redevelopment
Apartment foundations are in and infrastructure is done; single-family homes will be built and sold by Tycorn in phases over about five years. Commercial interest remains thin until homes are up.
2027 Employee Health Insurance Premium Increase
City employees face a proposed 13% health premium increase for 2027, and the self-funded plan is already $1.4 million in the red. The committee wants cost-saving options — like a spousal surcharge — priced out before the Council decides on October 19.
River Point District infrastructure grant application
The city will apply for a WEDC Idle Sites Grant to help fund infrastructure at the River Point District redevelopment area.
2027 Health Insurance Premium Increase and Plan Deficit
City employees face a proposed 13% health premium increase for 2027, and the self-funded plan is already $1.4 million in the red. The committee wants cost-saving options — like a spousal surcharge — priced out before the Council decides on October 19.
TID 22 — River Point District Development Outlook
Condos, contaminated-soil cleanup, and a hunt for a multifamily developer are all moving. Permit applications could land any day and soil hauling starts November 2.
Franklin Street Reconstruction
A $16,952 pay estimate was approved for RA Smith's ongoing Franklin Street reconstruction work.
Madison School and Lakeview Park redevelopment
Two developer proposals (Mike Howe Builders and Americon & 3 Amigos) for redeveloping the old Madison School and Lakeview Park were discussed behind closed doors, with no action taken.
School voucher cost transparency on tax bills
The council is considering adding a line showing how much of a property tax bill goes to voucher schools versus public schools. It was tabled this meeting but will return; supporters say taxpayers deserve transparency as voucher costs have grown from $82,000 to a projected $7 million.
Washington & Calumet Reconstruction
The council approved the real estate services agreement to get the long-awaited Calumet Avenue rebuild moving — a major corridor project residents have waited on.
Speeding on Menasha Avenue (Platt Street to Risch Lane)
Residents described dangerous speeding, frequent crashes including a flipped vehicle, and having to cross the street to reach mailboxes. The chief pledged targeted enforcement and a public patrol log, and the committee invited a formal stop-sign request for Kellner Road through the city's online process.
2027 Room Tax Budget Priorities
Visit Manitowoc gathers board input each year on how to spend discretionary room tax dollars. Collections run about $725,000 annually and council has committed all of it to tourism, but the department is weighing big needs like a permanent home against marketing investments.
Sanitary Sewer Master Plan
The city paid $27,275 to Foth Infrastructure for ongoing work on its sanitary sewer master plan — the long-term roadmap for sewer infrastructure.
Michigan Avenue reconstruction and tree preservation
Neighbors on Michigan Ave (N. 13th to N. 18th) don't want the mature tree canopy cut down during reconstruction and want a seat at the planning table. The mayor says the project won't be in the 2027 budget and no design exists yet, but old utilities will eventually force some tree impacts.
Employee compensation and retention
On behalf of HR Director Jessica Lillabridge, the city attorney flagged workers stuck at hiring or midpoint pay rates years in, and Manitowoc spending 5-10% less of its general fund on personnel than peer cities. The mayor said a performance evaluation and compensation plan is in the works.
Miracles Park ball diamond resurfacing
The Miracle League of the Lakeshore's ball diamond, used by about 143 athletes with disabilities, needs resurfacing. The council committed $100,000 in the 2027 parks budget, with additional grants and sponsorships expected.
Flock surveillance camera program
Multiple residents urged the council to fully terminate the city's Flock Safety camera contract, not just deactivate the cameras, citing privacy risks, data-sharing concerns, and a recent reported security lapse. They asked for public input sessions before any replacement contract.
Temporary Warming Shelter at St. Paul Lutheran Church
The Manitowoc Warming Shelter will open its fifth season at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2601 S. 10th Street, as a temporary 12-bed emergency shelter with a 76-day cap per guest. Operators say about 20% of guests find housing each year and they're working with the city on a permanent site.
Private lead service line replacement financing
Residents told the council that MPU's lead service line replacement program is uneven: some homeowners got free replacements through federal/DNR funding while others on the same program are being asked to pay 50%. Speakers demanded the council push MPU to fund everyone or no one.
Downtown Redevelopment Projects
Updates on River Point, 1512 Washington Street, and Lakeshore Mall — the mall stormwater pond will serve about 300 acres, well beyond the project site.
Fire Rescue Building Inspector coverage gap
The city's only commercial building inspector will be out four to eight weeks, so Fire Rescue is hiring a temporary (LTE) inspector to keep building projects moving.
Surveillance Cameras Deactivated
Manitowoc is turning off its city-owned Flock cameras, so streets and public spaces won’t be monitored by that system anymore. The change could affect how police and city staff use camera footage, and it raises questions about privacy versus public safety.
Surveillance Camera Deactivation
Manitowoc is turning off its city-owned Flock surveillance cameras downtown. That means less video monitoring in the area—good news for privacy-minded residents, but a loss for anyone who saw the cameras as a crime-fighting tool. The city hasn’t spelled out exact savings or how public safety will adjust.
Red Arrow Park Opening and Pavilion Pivot
The $1.56 million project adds an ADA-accessible path, new stairways, one-way traffic and safer parking, with opening targeted for July 4th weekend. Members debated spending the remaining ~$250,000 on a shade shelter versus an improved concession area.
2027 Parks and Recreation Budget Priorities
The mayor laid out big-picture parks spending through the rest of the decade — Silver Creek as a winter destination park, equipment needs, and parking lot work — while members suggested pickleball courts, playgrounds, splash pads, and a park-usage survey.
T.J. Potter Trucking second transloading yard on Viebahn Street
A trucking company wants to use 15.8 acres of gravel land at 26th and Viebahn as a second laydown and transloading site for big manufactured machinery — weekday daytime hours only. It's been industrial-zoned since 1925, and no neighbors objected.
2027 Library Budget Adoption
The board approved next year's library budget with operating spending held close to current levels, but some city-provided figures like healthcare aren't final and may require amendments later.
Library Staff Reorganizational Plan
The board approved a restructured library organization with new manager and associate roles in Technical Services and Circulation. A former employee claims the cost-saving reorganization drove targeted terminations.
Alleged management harassment at the library
A former employee publicly accused library managers of harassment, surveillance-style micromanagement, and retaliation tied to the reorganization plan, and said the board's resistance to intervening makes it a 'compliant puppet.' She also demanded the return of her personal jump drive.
Stop signs at South 22nd Street and Summit Street
Three crashes in recent years — including a rollover — plus speeding and kids in the neighborhood prompted this request. The city engineer backed stop signs for northbound and southbound traffic on 22nd due to a sight obstruction on the southwest corner.
Orchard Drive / N 10th Street Flooding
Chronic flooding on Orchard Drive has stranded residents, blocked emergency vehicles, and cost the Princes a car and $20,000 in mitigation. A bigger storm sewer is planned with the 2027 N 10th Street rebuild (~$1.5 million in the five-year plan).
Newton Gravel Pit Phase 2
The council approved AECOM's proposal for the second 2026 phase of work at the Newton Gravel Pit site.
Prohibited dangerous animal determination for Teddy
An off-leash pit bull attacked a leashed golden retriever and its owner at North 16th and Reed on May 23, seriously injuring both. The committee upheld the police chief's order that the dog leave city limits; a second incident would mean euthanasia. Neighbors say the block no longer feels safe.
Library board quorum problems
Only five of ten trustees showed up, so the board couldn't vote on budgets, minutes or appointments. Three months of financial approvals are now piling up for July.
City Goals 2026-2030
Department heads made their first-ever joint pitch to the council on five-year priorities: aging sewers and pipes, fleet and building maintenance, fire/police facility needs, senior housing, and staffing/compensation. The mayor will draft a one-page goals document.
Citywide stop sign and intersection control changes
The council adopted three ordinances implementing the new stop-control intersection policy, which passed narrowly last month. Some members think the plan needs rework but supported it to keep code consistent with policy.
Citywide intersection control policy
The council adopted three ordinances implementing the new stop-control intersection policy, which passed narrowly last month. Some members think the plan needs rework but supported it to keep code consistent with policy.
City Acquisition of Madison School Property
The council took the final step to bring the former Madison School property into city ownership, unanimously adopting the acquisition resolution.