9-8-2026 Highway Committee Minutes

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 8th, 2026 The Manitowoc County Highway Committee convened into an open session at The Manitowoc County EOC Building Manitowoc, Wisconsin at 4:30 P.M. on this 8th day of September, 2026. Supervisor Hammel, called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Roll Call: Supervisors Scott Schiesl, Andrew Schwerma, Susie Maresh, Dylan Hammel. Excused: Supervisor Kevin Behnke. Also Present: Commissioner Greg Grotegut, County Executive Tyler Martell, County Board Chair Matthew Phipps, Supervisor Mike Grambow, Supervisor Chris Dallas, Corporation Counsel Peter Conrad, Joe Schmatz, Brian Reif, Susan Dirkmann, Donald Dirkmann, Michelle Peroutka, Mike Ahearn, Randy and Vida Schneider, Steve Lory, Lori Havlovitz, Rick Christel, Jeffrey Check, Scott Krall, Cindy Braun, Randy Reimer, Bill Schwerma, Mike Spevacek, Jeff Holschbach, Jeanne Wiegert, Hugo Wiegert, Dave Abts, Dan Abts, Nancy Krcma, Mark Krcma, Kathy Koch, Jim Koch, Scott Peroutka, Brian Benzinger, Jeff Rothmund, Tammy Wellner, Jim Braun, Mike Jaeger, Tammy Schroeder, Roger Hurda, Marie Hurda, Jacob Holschbach, John Klein, Art Jordan, Mike Yelmene, Gayette Olson, Jim Froelich, Tom Cisler, Mary Cisler, Steve Spiering, Nick Holschbach, Joe Holschbach, Terry Braun, and William Rexes Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Maresh, made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 11th, 2026, seconded by Supervisor Schwerma. Motion carried. Regular Business: (Public Comment): Brian Benzinger requested concrete on his driveway inside the county right of way. Brian shared some cost comparisons. The following individuals spoke in favor of allowing UTV/ATV usage on county roads: Tammy Wellner, Brian Reif, Rick Christal, Steve Spiering, Jim Koch, Mike Spevacek, Dean Anhalt, Brian Benzinger and Bill Rexes. Lori Havlovitz asked if the UTV /ATV ordinance will be provided to townships to review before a final decision is made. Lori also shared her concerns on behalf of the Town of Cooperstown regarding the topic. ATV/UTV Ordinance Supervisor Hammel stated that a draft ordinance had been prepared and that he had worked with Corporation Counsel to finalize the ordinance that day. Supervisor Hammel reviewed the changes that had been made since the ordinance was distributed the previous week. Supervisor Maresh stated that there were too many changes for her to make a decision that evening. She clarified that she was not opposed to the ordinance but wanted additional time to review the proposed changes. Supervisor Schwerma stated that he had received numerous phone calls regarding the topic over the past two months and that there was significant support for passing the ordinance. Supervisor Schwerma made a motion to bring the draft ordinance to the table. Supervisor Phipps seconded the motion. The motion carried, with Supervisor Maresh opposed. Supervisor Hammel made a motion to amend the draft ordinance and explained the following amendments. Line 20 changing “Certain” to “All-terrain vehicles route”. Line 30 changing “Certain” to “All-terrain vehicles route” Removing lines 64-94, removing lines 105-109 removing lines 123 -126 removing lines 137-144 changes to line 171-175 and removal of line 210 – 212. Section (5)(F) update the subsections identified in (10)(a) and (b) to be consistent with amended numbering. Supervisor Schiesl seconded the motion. The motion carried, with Supervisor Maresh opposed. Supervisor Hammel made a motion to forward the amended ordinance to the County Board with a recommendation for passage. A vote was taken, and the motion carried, with Supervisor Maresh opposed. CTH A No Parking Request Grotegut stated that the Village of St. Nazianz requested that the County rescind the previously approved no-parking zone request. The Village submitted a revised no-parking zone request for consideration. Supervisor Phipps made a motion to approve the revised no-parking zone request and rescind the previously approved request. Supervisor Schiesl seconded the motion. The motion carried. Lightning Protection Update Grotegut shared information from Wisconsin department of safety and Professional services. He stated that the existing rods were tested and would work. The department was waiting on one more estimate for the project. A motion was made by Supervisor Maresh to proceed with the lower of the two estimates. Motion seconded by Supervisor Schiesl. Motion carried. Safety Clothing Grotegut stated that employees had requested the department to purchase 5 Class 3 shirts per employee in place of high visibility vests. Discussion followed. Supervisor Maresh made a motion to approve the one-time purchase of 5 Class 3 shirts per employee. Supervisor Hammel seconded the motion. The motion carried. Proposed 2027 Highway Budget Grotegut shared the budget and went over all the projects that are in the proposed budget. Discussion took place. Proposed 2027 Airport Budget Grotegut presented the proposed airport budget and funded projects to the committee. Discussion followed regarding the proposed budget and projects. Overtime Report The Committee reviewed the overtime reports. Grotegut shared he had no issues regarding the overtime reports. Vouchers Motion was made by Supervisor Schwerma to approve the vouchers and seconded by Supervisor Schiesl. Motion carried. Next Meeting Date October 27th, 2026 (4:30 P.M) Adjournment Supervisor Schwerma made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Schiesl. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Submitted by: Gregory M. Grotegut Highway Commissioner