Public Infrastructure Committee - Regular Meeting

Yeah, all right. We'll call the Board of Public. Is this on? Yep. We're going to call the Board of Public Works to order at this time. We do have a quorum. We do have a first item on the agenda is a noxious weed appeal. This is for 1727 Johnston Drive. And let me just hold on real quick here. Is this which one? I'm sorry, which one is this one? Is this zoom? OK. Marina, is this you? Oh, I think you're on mute. Nope, there.

Okay, can you hear me now?

Yes, can hear you now, thank you. So we have all the information, all your information that you provided. If you have anything that you'd like to add before we deliberate this?

Okay, sure. I'd like to add something. So basically, when we bought the land, when my ex-husband Nathaniel Jeremiah Jones and I bought the land, we were still married. Then the marriage deteriorated, unfortunately, with all the abuse and nonsense going on. And so basically, the land was – this plot of land was kind of, you know, was – A challenge for both of us because he didn't want to even divide it by law, you know, like 50-50. And he was threatening me all the time when he abandoned me because I filed for divorce only five months after he abandoned me. He was threatening me that if I ever set my foot on that property while he was away, people would tell him and he would be after me. So basically he was intimidating me. And while I still lived in Mantua with his visits at nights and whatnot, you know, I was kind of, you know, I couldn't think clearly to a certain extent. I was intimidated. When I moved to Milwaukee, obviously, I filed for divorce. I started filing process petitions. I started fighting for my rights. But with the contentious divorce going on and whatnot, again, I knew there were two things why I didn't update my address immediately, two factors, and why I didn't take care of the land immediately. Although, obviously, I was an owner at the time. Number one, this contentious divorce, you know, I didn't know who the land, who would get the land. I actually thought that the land would be split 50-50, so I was kind of hesitant about that. And again, I was still, since I was going through a very high conflict divorce, I kind of, you know, I was still kind of slightly concerned that if I started, you know, like contacting you guys, you know, and learning more, he could use that against me because I was press saying he had the attorney. Well, thankfully, we eventually reached the marital settlement, you know, and basically he had to give him the land. But the gap of time between the divorce itself And between the day when I first appeared in the city hall and learned all about the debts and all that stuff, about the two debts, and I'll explain that in a moment, that gap of time, basically, for a couple of weeks, I was just getting back to normal after the divorce. And then I started putting the quit claim together. Since I'm not an attorney, you know, I was going through all the counties, you know, all the counties. uh websites figuring out how to do it so it took some time and i'm still now fighting for the land technically although it's mine it's not mine so obviously i'm taking care of it because it's mine but i'm still fighting with him for the enforcement and whatnot so basically i started taking care of the land only now as soon as i learned about everything i understood that the thing was serious so i immediately I hired a person in Mantua, my friend actually. I paid her and I got the evidence of me paying her. And I started taking care of the land. So from now on, whatever happens, whatever agreement you guys reach, I'm going to take care of the land because now that I know basically that I can do these two things at the same time. I can work in enforcement and I can work on that thing. So I'm going to have the land mowed sometime in September also. It's coming. Also, another thing, another thing, about the land, about the mowing stuff. I understand, yeah, that, like I said, I was intimidated. That's why I didn't update it. So that's how I would explain the first two deaths, the last two, the last two fines. And as far as the first fine is concerned, I learned about this fine at first, Only from his attorney. And when I learned about this fine from his attorney, I already included the file I downloaded in winter, and it's actually available on the Wisconsin e-courts, you know, in the Milwaukee County Court Archive. I could always... give you the stamped version too, unless I've already given you the stamped version. So when I learned about this, I started going to this website. I started looking at the finds. I tried to find the find. And all I saw, I didn't know where to go. All I saw wasn't defined. It was basically just the regular Texas. So I just didn't know. Given the fact that his attorney was highly incorporative, I thought maybe he was coming up with something. So basically, I just wasn't sure. So it's not like I'm not an owner or anything. I just wasn't sure. I was just, you know, spent a whole year fighting in a highly contentious, high-conflict divorce with an abuser. So it's just bad timing. It's the bad timing and lack of information.

All right.

Do you have anything else? Otherwise, again, like I said, we do have all of your information that you submitted as well.

Yeah, this information basically proves my story. I just decided to give you an outline of my story. Also, I would like to add that I'm basically – again, like I said, it doesn't justify the fact that I didn't take care of it, although there are external circumstances. But I definitely would like some equitable – equitable a relief if possible because in addition to all those circumstances after my ex abandoned me i ended up being low income on food share and veggie care plus i started i enrolled in uwm university of wisconsin milwaukee so i'm putting my life together now but still you know but still i'm struggling you know as a person who just got out got out of you know out of the abusive relationship abusive marriage and just like being a student you know so obviously i'm financially struggling i mean i mean i understand that it doesn't kind of you know

justify what happened but i i would be very grateful if you bore that in mind to enrich your decision all right thank you questions from the committee yes good afternoon miss jones um good afternoon our current records show that that uh both you and uh nathaniel own the property as of today is that correct

As... I wouldn't say so. As of today, technically, according to the marriage settlement, I own it because he signed all of it over to me. But on the other hand, he hasn't put his signature there, so it's complicated. Obviously, I'm going to go for enforcements. I'll appeal to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals if necessary, but basically the situation is complicated. But I'm definitely there. My name is there. As far as his name is concerned, it's... I myself don't know what's going on.

So... Here at the city, we operate on a complaint-based system. So one of your neighbors likely, could have been anyone driving by, but one of your neighbors likely called this in and complained. We respond to the address that's on file for the property that's listed there. I'm sorry that it didn't go where it needed to go to get to you. i understand your circumstances but the city followed protocol from what i can tell and out went the notice we had to send people out these aren't our people these are third-party contractors these costs are the actual cost that the city has incurred we have paid these sums and right now when we pass that cost along to you that's that's all we're doing is passing that cost along to you and if we grant you some bit of equitable relief as you put it that means that your neighbors here in manitowoc at least have to pay for this the city of manitowoc citizens have to pay that deficit And it's very difficult to overcome that presumption in my mind because I'm not certain that people who had nothing to do with this should pay for the fact that your land, under whatever circumstances, went unkept and was a bit of an issue in opposite of our ordinances. So as far as I can tell, you've you admit that you own the land um and you know proper notices went out and the land was cared for by the city's third-party contractors i also understand that the land currently has some difficulties it's it's currently pretty long and currently just for your information it's you know we had someone go out and take a look It is the lawn at your property right now is currently over where it needs to be. And so in light of all of that, I won't be supporting this. And I feel for you. It's a lot of money. I totally understand that. And if you don't end up paying for it, it goes on the tax roll and you have to pay for it after a certain amount of time, just like property taxes. And that's sort of where that goes. You know, so I just. so you understand our position, or at least my position as I sit here. But I thank you for coming and presenting your case and for answering my question.

Other questions from the committee? Yes, Alderman Reckelberg.

I think I know the answer, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Do we offer, under certain circumstances, a payment plan, or is it you pay or it goes on as a special assessment?

For noxious weed assessments, we do not offer an installment plan. It goes out of the tax bill. However, from time of issuance, property owners are welcome to make any amount of payment that they want. There wouldn't be any late penalty until it's delinquent after the property tax bills are sent. So by January 31st. Okay, thank you.

When someone gets this and pays their tax bill, assessments are calculated first over taxes, correct?

Yes. So the full assessment would be due by January 31st as well as whatever the first installment for the property taxes.

Thank you. Yep. Alderman Reckelberg.

So basically she could make her own installments maybe up until the tax bill is created and if she paid 500 it would be whatever the total is i think of 14 whatever it is minus the 500 would go on her tax bill then so i mean she could take the emphasis or the you know the onus herself and try you know whatever you know i mean yeah that's correct we would accept partial payment up until the point where we are ready to move the special assessments onto the tax bills thank you

Thank you. Any other questions, comments, or motions? I move to deny the appeal. All right. There's a motion and a second to deny the appeal. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, then, all those in favor? Opposed? motion carries unanimously okay see for your information this also does go to the common council which meets on monday september twenty first uh... you are welcome to attend to that meeting and speak at that meeting as well you're welcome to contact City Council members if if you choose to have a conversation with them as well. But that would be the final step then after that 21st meeting and then you would receive an official letter from the city clerk's office stating the decision of the Board of Public Works and Common Council.

OK, OK, several things. Number one, where will it take place?

The right in this right where the room that we're in today, it'll take place here and it'll also have zoom.

I will probably go there in person because if I get denied, I will immediately find an appeal. If it needs to be that way, I will go to Wisconsin Court of Appeals. I wouldn't have got this land had I not inundated my ex with 140 motions. And if my rights are not reserved here, I'll do the same. But thank you for the installment plan, and I'll do what I have to protect me.

Ms. Jones, I will send you an email after this meeting, just kind of letting you know a recap of what happened, and then I'll include all of the details for the Common Council meeting where the final action will be taken. So you'll have all that information, okay?

Absolutely. I will need this information for future court dealings. Thank you. I appreciate it. Have a good one.

Thank you. You as well. Next item on the agenda is a snow appeal for 701 North 7th Street. This is you, sir. So we do have your information as well. Landon, correct? Okay. If you'd like to say anything, again, we have your information, but if you'd like to come on up. Yeah, we need a microphone for you. So, yeah, why don't you go over there? If you have anything that you would like to add from what you sent us.

Hi, my name is Landon Evey. But yes, I have the snow invoice. I know no one probably wants to talk about snow right now, but, and I hope my message didn't come across as sassy or frustrated, but we, my wife and I, and our 18-month-old, we are new to Manitowoc, and I'm a first-time homebuyer, so... We were in Sheboygan before and we were just renting, so I wasn't too familiar if Sheboygan has the same thing. I didn't really have to deal with that. But I was just kind of taken off guard by this and by the larger amount. And then I got this about two months later from that date. So I'm not sure... how it's processed for the pictures and everything. If I shovel later that day, I'm not really sure how it works with you guys. Basically what I'm hoping for out of this is an exception for it. I know I'm a little bit later than I'd like to be with talking about this. So I just wanted to possibly see if there's anything we could do either with maybe just lowering the price. I don't have to forgive the whole thing, but just helping me out with that, so. But, yeah, I think that is it.

All right. Thank you. Just like you saw with the weed, it's all complaint-based for snow as well. So someone around the area probably walking called it in. And typically with snow, it's usually after 24 hours even because we don't get there immediately 24 hours after snow either. So that's where, you know, with snow it usually is a little longer. or it is there usually a little longer than 24 hours anyway before, if the citizen, if the homeowner gets to it first, they got lucky. Otherwise, our crews get there much after a snowfall. So, yeah, and the fine is $300, just like the weed as well, as you noted. So there's that. Now... Any questions? Sorry, I'll just state my opinion after.

If there's any.

Oh, the complaint and the shoveling were the same day? Oh, okay. Well, that was quick then. Okay. Impressive. So I'll just, I mean, what I've done in the past, this is my personal, and I've supported individuals who have moved into the community, didn't know the rules necessarily, or bought a house and didn't move in immediately and they didn't get their grass cut right away. I've personally felt that to rescind it for the first time, but without the ability to have it be appealed in the future. So if this did come up again, there would be no ability to even appeal it. That's where I've always stood, but it's the committee. That's just been my personal thoughts. Do you want to get a microphone? Sorry. So we get you. So my grandma who's listening can hear you.

Mr. Mayor, I would make a motion to the effect of your talk as far as under the circumstances forgoing this and then putting that lack of ability to protest in the future, I guess, for lack of a better word.

that an official motion that's an official motion okay motion second discussion yes Eric so I just I want to make it clear what what the ordinance actually says basically if there's snow on the sidewalk at 6 a.m. it has to be removed by 8 p.m. and then anytime after that could be the issue so someone could have called in on a Wednesday at noon and the snow was on Monday right you know there was no snow on Tuesday and then and then we send somebody out right away to take care of it so

just depends when the snow falls just so it's not necessarily 24 hours just want to make sure that you know that we should all know that i had to refresh myself there and to eric's point in the previous one you know the city did go out these are true costs you know to the city as well to go out and and shovel this so all the taxpayers are funding this one-time snow shovel for for you and and yeah So that's why I've always done where it's one time, okay, understood, you're new to the community. Now you know the rules for sure, right? You're ingrained in it. If it does ever happen again, you don't have the right to come here, even if you had extenuating circumstance of, you lost your left leg, right? You would still not be able to have the ability to come here and appeal if it happened again. Do you understand?

Yeah, I think that's pretty fair. And yeah, I mean, I'm lucky I didn't have any other ones come with this.

Well, that plays a part in my role. My decision, too, was there was nothing after that I made aware of, so that helps me understand that you're a,

responsible property owner usually pretty quick on this stuff my um my stepdad is a landscaper so i understand that usually want to get on as fast as possible and obviously want to take care of it so yeah when i saw i was like oh dang it i don't blame i have everything ready too so it must have just um slipped on that one so that's the reason it's so strict is to get people to shovel their sidewalks all right is there any other discussion

Seeing none, then all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Again, that will go to the September 21st council meeting as well with the recommendation that is here today. After that, you'll get an official letter from the city clerk declaring the decision of the city council. So I don't envision the city council changing it, but they could. So if you do want to attend that meeting or if you want to call your alderman just to make sure that they're on board, I believe yours would be Mike Cummings. So if you just want to make a little note to let him know, hey, this happened, that would be, you know, on you.

And if you did want to just confirm who your older is, if you want to stop across the hall on your way out in the clerk's office, they can look it up for you and we can give you all their contact information so you have that handy.

Thank you. All right. Yep, absolutely. Next item on the agenda is agreement with Bob Braun Excavating LLC for reconstructing the asphalt roadway easement to the River Heights lift station for a contract price of $21,300.77. Any questions? Dan, anything?

No, we did get two quotes. This was the lower of it, and this is a maintenance item for a driveway to a lift station that needs to be repaired.

Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? Motion by Beeman, second by? Second. Reckleberg, discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Any change orders?

Yes.

We have two. We have change order first and final from Brickline Inc. for 2026 Epoxy Painting Pavement Marking Program. It's an increase of $15,208.61. And we have change order first and final from Seidler Brothers Construction for 2026, remove and replace existing sidewalks. It is a reduction of $61,811.77, as well as a reduction in contract time by 11 days.

Any questions?

Dan, we didn't pick the best spots.

We do have three of them, but we're not, that's okay. Okay, so. Usually we don't have this much fun.

Yeah, the one for Brickline, basically we ended up adding a... I think there were four different railroad signals that are new requirements, and then it was final quantities. The Siler one, this year it was in the area kind of around Siler's office, so we don't know if they did some extra work. That coupled with the fact that when we do our estimates, it's based on a standard five-foot sidewalk, and in that area, they're actually narrower. They're four-foot sidewalks, so that reduced the price quite a bit.

Motion to approve the change.

Motion by Eric, second by Alderman Beeman. Discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Pastments?

Yep, we have some. We have estimate number one from Salad Brothers Construction for 2026 complaints for moving replaced sidewalks. The amount of $28,877.65. Estimate number nine from Ayers Associates for today's report.

from Siler Brothers Construction for 2026, remove and replace sidewalks, in the amount of $3,397.12.

Estimate first and final from Farner Asphalt Sealers LLC for seal coat program in the amount of $136,345.40. And estimate second and final from Brickline Inc. for 2026 epoxy pavement marking program in the amount of $16,667.11. Motion to approve the pay estimates. Second.

Motion and second. Discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. No affidavits? No. Motion to adjourn? Second. We are adjourned.