The Manitowoc Common Council approved a series of committee reports and ordinance changes at its November meeting, carrying each measure by unanimous vote and moving the city’s administrative and development work forward.

During the public hearing period the council considered a rezoning request to allow the Lakeshore Community Foundation to relocate; planning staff said the request was consistent with the comprehensive plan, that neighbors attended an informational Plan Commission meeting and raised questions but did not object, and the public hearing was closed with no speakers signed in. The council later adopted a separate Plan Commission ordinance to amend the zoning map for property at 1005 Memorial Drive.

Tom Gass, a Manitowoc resident, used the public-input period to urge the council to fund finishing work at Red Arrow Park Beach, saying engineering work is complete and asking that financing in the mayor’s budget be approved at the next budget meeting.

On actions taken by the council: Alexander Hunt was appointed to the Transit Commission; the consent agenda was approved; the council approved a settlement related to Newton grama pit remediation with Newell Operating Company (amount not specified on the public record) and an agreement with Trumper Gallery; the council approved a land sale to Webster Family Holdings LLC (doing business as Redline Plastics) consistent with land-sale policy; and the council directed staff to proceed with termination and repurchase under the second amendment to the development agreement with River Landing Developers LLC.

The finance committee advanced several items: an ordinance amending animal-license rules was adopted; an amendment to a HAF grant agreement (number 495-23-2) with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation was approved; and the council reviewed upcoming budget meeting dates and a Dec. 1 special council meeting. The Public Safety Committee’s ordinance changes regulating bicycles and e-bikes and a parking regulation near Lincoln High School were adopted; a council member later reminded residents that new bicycle rules carry fines for violations. The Public Infrastructure Committee referred a request for a handicap ramp at South 17th and Phillipin Street for matching funding and the council endorsed that referral.

All measures reported in committee and brought to the floor were carried unanimously on the record; the minutes and formal documents (identified by document numbers on the record) will provide further administrative details and next steps.