District 5 Council Member· D5; term ended with April 2026 election, successor Benzinger term begins 2026-04-21 (city page). Start not sourced.
William DeBaets
Manitowoc
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 3
- Total speaking time
- 4:31
- Avg per meeting
- 1:30
- Segments
- 71
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Top issues during term (20)
Sewer and Street Infrastructure Projects
Change orders net to about $5,281 more, with two projects finishing under budget.
School voucher cost transparency on tax bills
No direct cost; informational change to tax bills only.
Road projects and infrastructure borrowing
These projects are the main drivers of the $7.84 million borrowing request.
Franklin Street Reconstruction
This payment was $16,951.74 toward the reconstruction.
Former Mirro Site Environmental Remediation
No added cost from the change order; the final remediation payment was $145,011.19.
Maritime Metro Fare Increases
Bus fare increases are expected to be requested in October.
TID 22 — River Point District Development Outlook
Cleanup north of Chicago Street is covered by grant funding; a $500,000 EPA grant application is planned for the remaining site.
Manitowoc Skatepark Expansion Completion
Final payments to the skatepark contractor totaled $97,809.00.
2026 Concrete Paving Program
Adds $51,710 to the 2026 concrete paving program contract.
Silver Creek Stream Restoration
No local tax funding — the project is funded entirely by grants.
Separate WPDES permit for sewer collection system
Roughly $380,000 combined for sewer televising and relining.
Charter ordinance on primary elections
Saves clerk's office staff time by removing redundant annual election paperwork.
City Acquisition of Madison School Property
Purchase terms were in the resolution packet; no figure was stated on the floor.
Council Chambers audio/video upgrade
The project will cost somewhere between $178,500 and $204,477 depending on which bid is accepted.
Police and fire promotions and National Police Week
County fair extended music and beer hours
2027 paving request for Summit Street area
City government reorganization
Former Mirro site redevelopment with Gorman & Company
Financial terms are in the term sheet; the agreement moves the site toward redevelopment and future tax base.
Telephone utility pedestal conditions
Decisions during term (93)
Recorded while DeBaets was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Special Events report — summer events (26-0344)
Reorganization ordinances 26-0353 through 26-0361 and scrivener's-error resolution 26-0362
Offer to Purchase Madison School (26-0365)
Braun Building Center claim settlement (26-0089)
Resolution to Increase Court Costs (26-0287)
Ordinances 26-0288, 26-0289, 26-0290 (enhanced penalties, RWRAM, licenses)
FASTER Fleet Management Software agreement (26-0291)
2026 Budget Amendment — General Fund (26-0292)
Gorman and Company development agreement — former Mirro site (26-0293)
Expo/Fair extended music hours (26-0324)
Board of Canvassers statement — spring election (26-0327)
Unpaid intern for City Attorney's Office (26-0267)
Hire seasonal employees related to officials (26-0273)
Hire Brock Wetenkamp as Director of Parks and Recreation (26-0350)
Job description resolutions — department reorganizations (26-0366 to 26-0369)
Employee Policy Manual revision (26-0370)
Public/private school snow removal discussion (26-0187)
Popp Enterprises 2027 paving request (26-0255)
Maritime Metro Transit Cold Weather Shutdown Policy (26-0259)
Voting record (42)
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