Manitowoc · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manitowoc public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Housing Authority health insurance costs
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.
Halvorsen Park Dog Park Shelter Request
A resident praised the dog park improvements and asked the city to consider adding a shelter to protect elderly visitors and their dogs from the winter wind — possibly a repurposed bus shelter.
Prohibited parking ordinance update (MMC 10.390)
No-parking zones near two closed schools are being cleaned up, with fixed times replaced by 'when school is in session' language.
Tree Planting in City Parks
The city is spending $18,750 to have Lakeland Landscape plant trees at parks throughout Manitowoc. Expect new trees showing up in your neighborhood parks.
Municipal code software modernization (eCode360)
The city's online municipal code is getting a new platform after its publisher merged with General Code. It'll look different, cost a bit more, and — importantly — become ADA-compliant with better search.
2027 City Clerk License Fee Revisions
A batch of license fees — including garbage haulers and taxis, which require physical plates — goes up, mostly by about $5, to catch up with rising costs and neighboring communities' rates.
WisDOT Functional Classification Update
Routine federal 10-year review reclassifying roads in the Manitowoc-Two Rivers area — 18th Street upgraded to principal arterial, former one-ways downgraded.
Summer reading program growth
The 2026 summer reading program grew across all ages, helped by donated raffle baskets and sports tickets. Off-site story times drew 30-60 kids each, though school outreach dipped because summer school consolidated locations.
2026 Public Works Construction Payments
The board approved the final payment for the library's HVAC rooftop equipment replacement and a progress payment on the Highway 42 sanitary sewer replacement.
Writing off bad debt
Uncollectible tenant debt was written off after standard collection attempts, including tax refund interception. Done annually with an accountant.
Front yard setback variance at 1611 Green Street
A homeowner wanted to build a porch roof reaching 9 feet into the front yard setback, but city ordinance only allows about 3 feet. The board found no legal hardship to justify the exception, and the applicant didn't show up to make his case.
Fire Rescue billing dispute (incident #26-0812)
The committee took up a Fire Rescue billing dispute in closed session and denied the request when it returned to open session, 4-0.
Snow removal sidewalk requirements
Sidewalks must be cleared by 8 p.m. after snow stops at 6 a.m., and violations are complaint-driven. New residents got a one-time break, but repeat violations can't be appealed.
River Heights Lift Station access road repair
The city is spending $21,300.77 to rebuild the asphalt driveway easement to the River Heights Lift Station — basic maintenance of sewer infrastructure.
MetalFest 4 beer garden at Petskull Brewing
Petskull Brewing gets to sell beer on the grass lot behind the brewery for its annual MetalFest music event this Friday and Saturday. It's the fourth straight year the extension has come before the committee.
Waldo Blvd resurfacing design agreement (2034 project)
The state plans to resurface Waldo Boulevard from Fleetwood Drive to I-43 around 2034, and the city's only cost is a capped design contribution of $20,189. The agreement was signed early so design work can begin years ahead.
Ornamental street lighting for new subdivisions
Three subdivisions — Abbey Ridge Phase 2, Mariner's Lux, and Deerbrook Crossing Phase 1 — get developer-funded ornamental street lights. Developers pay the full installation; the city only covers maintenance and energy, roughly $12 per light per month.
Waste-oil recycling drop-off relocation
The fire department can no longer staff the waste-oil drop-off, so it's moving to the Public Works building near overhead door A, with cameras and 7 a.m.–3 p.m. hours. After hours, residents can use AutoZone or O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Park usage survey idea
Alderperson Dunbar proposed a formalized survey of neighborhood park usage so playground investments match what nearby residents actually want, rather than relying on an aging five-year plan.
Revolving Loan Program Wind-Down
The city let go of five liens on an old industrial loan to help settle the borrower's estate. The loan is nearly paid off and the city keeps its collateral.
Quay Street Dock Use for Breakwater Concrete Work
Roen Salvage will run ready-mix trucks over steel ramps onto a barge at Quay Street for North Breakwater repairs over three days in mid-September, with sidewalks closed and a city attorney agreement requiring damage repairs.
S. 9th Street Lighting Request Denied
A resident near 2226 S. 9th asked for a mid-block street light after a long-ago shooting; the committee denied it, saying intersections are already lit and mid-block lights everywhere would set a bad precedent. Tree trimming may help.
Potential Future TIF Actions — TID 19 Amendment and New District South of Menards
Very early talks are underway about expanding TID 19's downtown boundaries to capture more redevelopment, and about a possible new TID for a couple hundred acres south of Menards that has sat undeveloped for decades. Nothing formal yet — both would come back to this board.
Seagull Colony Management at the Library
The library is managing rooftop seagulls through egg depredation and is exploring a nearly invisible fishing-line grid to keep them from landing. Board members asked whether a citywide approach exists — none does.
St. Bonifice demolition appeal
St. Francis of Assisi appealed the decision to demolish the St. Bonifice church and rectory; the appeal goes to Council in August.
Marina lease extended to 2035
The marina operator exercised its option to extend its lease running city-owned waterfront operations through March 31, 2035, with no changes to the agreement.
Suicide Prevention Signs on City Property
The John's Light Foundation asked to install 888 suicide prevention signs, but the committee declined because private signs aren't allowed on city property.
Cemetery Foundation Fee Change
A proposed change to cemetery foundation fees was pushed to budget season, where it will be considered alongside all other fee requests.
WPS Gas Facility Easement on Magnolia Avenue
Wisconsin Public Service needs a standard right-of-way easement to install gas facilities on city property along Magnolia Avenue; the committee endorsed it.
Official Map change west of Virginia Drive and Joseph Road
A never-built circular drive is being vacated due to wetlands, replaced with two cul-de-sacs. Deeds are already secured.
Assessor's Office moves under Finance
Supervision of the Assessor's Office shifts from Community Development to the Finance Department.
Annual assessment report / 94% assessment level
The assessor's annual report shows the city assessed at about 94% of market value this year, remains in state compliance, and processed 473 field inspections and 474 valid sales. A market update revaluation is scheduled for next year.
Aldermanic compensation
The annual question of whether alderpersons should get a raise came and went without any change. A member said the economy and a recent raise make it a bad time; the item was placed on file.
Lincoln Park Zoo rainbow trout stocking
Donation tube money — $16,281.20 from sport fishermen and the Zoological Society — will buy 5,000 rainbow trout and feed for the zoo's fish rearing pond.
Manitou Manor Inspection Score
Manitou Manor scored 96 out of 100 on its federal NSpire inspection — a strong result. Only minor items like removing door stops from tenant doors need fixing.
Retirement of Fire Chief Todd Blazer
The city honored Chief Blaser, retiring after 34 years in the fire service and 12 as chief, with a commendation and a key to the city.
Adopt a Highway coverage gap on Rapids Road
When Rapids Road became a city street, its Adopt a Highway cleanup lapsed. The city will try to keep volunteers cleaning the Highway 151–Waldo Boulevard stretch through a county or private-group agreement.
Committee meeting schedule change
Finance Committee meetings move to the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m., or right after Personnel Committee, starting June 1 — pairing the two committees on one night to free up a weeknight.
Spices Restaurant and Bar liquor license transfer
A new LLC, Harbor Petroleum, is taking over the existing liquor license for Spices Restaurant and Bar on N Rapids Rd. The committee approved it since the establishment keeps operating under the same license.