Manitowoc council approves rezoning, sewer‑bond scope, pedal‑pub rules and routine licenses

The Manitowoc Common Council moved through a packed agenda of committee reports, ordinances and approvals and voted unanimously on a number of measures the finance, plan, public safety and other committees had recommended.

Key recorded actions included adoption of a scope of engagement to pursue issuance of approximately $17,800,000 in City of Manitowoc Sewerage System revenue bonds, and a final resolution enabling conduit revenue bond financing for Manitowoc Lutheran High School; council members emphasized that the Lutheran financing uses the city only as a conduit and that no city general‑fund dollars will be used. "Even though this is a bonding resolution, there is no city of Manitowoc bonding — the city is used as a conduit for this financing," an alderman stated during discussion.

Council unanimously adopted an ordinance rezoning the north half of 1710 and 1716 Western Avenue from R4 residential to B2 neighborhood business to allow demolition of a single‑family home and creation of a parking lot supporting the Westfield bar; planning staff said the commission recommended approval and noted one neighbor’s security concerns. The council also approved plan commission direction to complete city property transactions for a Riverview Drive parcel.

On transportation regulation, the public safety committee’s amended ordinance regulating commercial quadricycles (pedal pubs) — which the council changed to allow operations starting at 8 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays — was adopted. Separately, the council approved a committee recommendation to revise the proposed quadricycle route to include a stop by Jen’s Java and to allow earlier weekend start times; public commenters had told the council operators would use an assist motor to manage steep inclines.

Other routine items adopted by unanimous vote included multiple operator and retail licenses, ornamental lighting resolutions for Riverpoint and York/Maritime, and a variety of committee reappointments. Several items noted in committee reports (grants, equipment purchases, street projects) will advance through normal administrative steps.

Votes at a glance: sewerage bond scope — approved (voice); Manitowoc Lutheran revenue bond resolution — adopted (unanimous roll call); rezoning 1710/1716 Western Ave — ordinance adopted (unanimous); pedal‑pub ordinance amendment and route revision — adopted (unanimous).

What’s next: specific bond issuance and development steps will require separate staff actions and, where applicable, formal bond documents and public notices.