On the agenda: Two Rivers minutes — Flock camera (Sep 8)

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 08, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Council Chambers - City Hall, 3rd Floor
1717 E. Park Street, Two Rivers, WI 54241

MINUTES
1.

CALL TO ORDER
Council President Stechmesser called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3.

ROLL CALL BY CITY CLERK
Councilmembers: Mark Bittner, Doug Brandt, Katherine Dahlke, Shannon Derby, Bill LeClair, Darla
LeClair, Tim Petri, Scott Stechmesser, Adam Wachowski
ALSO PRESENT: Dave Dassey, IT Manager; Andrew Sukowaty, Water Utility Director; Melissa
Wiesner, Assistant Police Chief; Jake Glaser, Detective Lieutenant; Sean Griffin, City Attorney (via
phone); and Kyle Kordell, City Manager

4.

CONSIDERATION OF ANY COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS
MEETING FROM A REMOTE LOCATION
None.

5.

INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC
Limited to 3 minutes per person - Resident addresses are requested but are not required to be
given
Sean Schmike – Spoke against Flock stating the City blamed a past tragedy on why they were
needed. He asked for immediate deactivation.
Gary Shavlik – He spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the tax bill, stating it helps with
transparency and will allow tax payers understand their own bill.
Jennifer Henrickson – Spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the tax bill. She explained that
parents have the opportunity to send their children wherever and in WI it shifts the cost on the
taxpayer.
Eva Gegare – Spoke in favor of removing fluoride from the City drinking water system, stating
everyone is exposed and it should be the individuals choice.
Pat Klein – Spoke in favor of removing fluoride from the City drinking water system, stating a
prescription is needed for fluoride tablets.
Lori Zimney – Spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the tax bill.
Chad Bauknecht – Spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the tax bill
Corey Thuss – Spoke against adding the voucher line to the tax bill. She stated the School Board
needs to look at why so many kids are leaving and why the school mismanaging their money.
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Doug Klein – Spoke in favor of removing fluoride from the City drinking water stating the citizens
are being medicated without their knowledge. Fluoride in its original state is considered a
hazardous waste product.
Janice Van Drisse – Spoke in favor of removing fluoride from the City drinking water. She stated
that people can be prescribed fluoride if it is needed.
Connie Denor – Spoke in favor of removing fluoride from the City drinking water. She currently has
to pay for a filtration system in her home to remove the fluoride. She also expressed concerns
about Flock.
Frank Wesley – Stated fluoride is not good for people. He believes Flock is a good idea but it
hasn’t been designed that way and it doesn’t need to store all the information that it does.
Diane Johnson – Thanked the Council for considering putting the voucher line on the tax bill.
Mary Kay Slattery – Spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the city tax bills.
James – Stated the schools need to look at why families are leaving the school and why people
are pulling their kids out of the district. But, it is also important to look at how many kids are being
sent to the school from other districts and what that is bringing in.
No Name Provided – Spoke in favor of removing fluoride from the City drinking water. Anything that
is not mandated to be in the water should not be added. This issue has been brought up all over
the country and it is important for the City to lead this part of the State.
Denise Gomer Hutchinson – Spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the tax bill. She is a
statewide advocate for public schools.
Mary Jo Albee – Spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the tax bill. Stated the school district
is asking for transparency since schools have changed dramatically and have a problem with
attendance.
No Name Provided – Spoke on fluoride stating it was a thing in history and is no longer a good
idea. Also, spoke on Flock cameras and stated the way Council went about approving them was
against the trust of the community and asked for them to be removed.
Susan Robitaille - Provided a history of her family. Stated she was opposed to having fluoride in
the water. Spoke in favor of adding the voucher line to the tax bill stating that transparency is
power. She questioned how aggressively the City reached out to businesses to renew the sidewalk
contract.
6.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Letters and other communications from residents
Councilmember Wachowski – received communications from several residents regarding fluoride,
flock, and vouchers.
Councilmember Dahlke – received several emails and phone calls regarding fluoride, flock and
vouchers.

7.

COUNCIL REPORTS FROM BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES
Councilmember Brandt reported on the Public Works Committee stating they discussed the cost of
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leaf collection vs. snow removal. Leaf collection will start a few weeks later than last year.
Councilmember Wachowski reported on Flock. He stated it was discussed at a meeting held on
10/29/2024 and minutes are published. The funds were from a capital improvement project and
then the agreement was voted on again. When Flock was presented in 2024 it sounded like a great
idea but feels the City was misled on what the cameras are capable of doing. The Police Chief shut
down access to the cameras except for the Two Rivers Police Department. The City is learning
more about them as we go. Reminder that all public meetings are accessible to the public and they
are available to attend.
Councilmember Petri – The Council did ask questions regarding Flock prior to getting them. Flock
presented the cameras as a closed-circuit system.
Councilmember Derby – The City made the right choice of turning off Flock data for everyone
except Two Rivers Police Department.
Councilmember Dahlke – The conversation about Flock doesn’t end tonight. There are still
questions about data, privacy, storage, etc. We had misleading information from Flock. We need to
look at alternatives.
Council President Stechmesser – A past tragedy was brought up. During that, we were asked a lot
of questions about why we couldn’t do better. It is important we have the safety of our citizens in
mind and it is hard to make the right decisions sometimes. We are doing our best for you as we are
elected by you.
City Manager Kyle Kordell presented a timeline regarding the implantation of Flock.
8.

CONSENT AGENDA
These titles will be read by the Council President and approved by a single Voice Vote. Any item
may be pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion and separate vote by any City Council
member.
A. 26-152 Presentation of Minutes
1. City Council Regular Meeting, July 6, 2026
2. City Council Regular Meeting, July 20, 2026
3. City Council Regular Meeting, August 3, 2026
4. City Council Work Session, August 31, 2026
B. 26-153 Minutes of Meetings
1. Library Board, July 14, 2026
2. Committee On Aging, August 3, 2026
3. Public Utilities Committee, August 3, 2026
4. Architectural Control Committee, August 4, 2026
5. Public Works Committee, August 5, 2026
6. Plan Commission, August 10, 2026
7. Business and Industrial Development Committee/
Community Development Authority, August 11, 2026
8. Advisory Recreation Board, August 12, 2026
9. Joint Review Board, August 13, 2026
10. Environmental Advisory Board, August 18, 2026
C. 26-154 Applications and Petitions
1. Block Party Permit for 34th Street Between Adams Street and Monroe/Prairie St
2. Renewal of "Class B" Liquor and Class "B" Beer License for Two Rivers Hotel Group LLC
for the 2026-2027 Licensing Year
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3. Temporary Class "B" Beer and “Class B" Wine License for Friends of the Van der Brohe
Arboretum for Wine Walk and Beer Gardens event on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 3800
Lincoln Avenue
4. Temporary Class "B" Beer License for Rotary Club of Two Rivers for Paddle Palooza event
Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1800 School Street
5. Application for a new Commercial Garbage Hauler license for Toss 'N Haul LLC, for period
ending June 30, 2027
D. 26-155 Summary of Verified Bills for July 2026 of $2,378,351.12
RECOMMENDED ACTION FOR CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented
Motion carried with a voice vote.
Motion made by Dahlke, seconded by Bittner.
Voting Yea: Bittner, Brandt, Dahlke, Derby, B. LeClair, D. LeClair, Petri, Stechmesser,
Wachowski
9.

CITY COUNCIL - FORMAL ITEMS
A. 26-156 Consider Appeal of Section 9-9-6 of the City of Two Rivers Municipal Code
Regarding Residency of Sex Offenders
Summary: The City Council will consider an appeal related to the residency restrictions for
registered sex offenders established under the City of Two Rivers Municipal Code. The Council
will review the circumstances of the appeal and determine whether relief from the ordinance
requirements is appropriate.
Recommended Action:
Deny request per the recommendation of the Police Department
Motion carried with a roll call vote.
Motion made by B. LeClair, seconded by Brandt to table this item to the upcoming work
session.
Voting Yea: Bittner, Brandt, Dahlke, Derby, B. LeClair, D. LeClair, Petri, Stechmesser
Voting Nay: Wachowski
B. 26-157 Right of First Refusal Agreement with WG&R Bedding at 4618 Woodland Drive
Summary: The City currently has a Right of First Refusal agreement with W.G. & R. Bedding
Company for City-owned property on Woodland Drive. The agreement provides W.G. & R.
Bedding Company the right to purchase the property on the same terms as a bona fide offer
received by the City, and Council is being asked to consider renewal of the agreement.
Recommended Action:
Motion to approve and allow City staff to sign the agreement on behalf of the City
Motion carried with a roll call vote.
Motion made by Wachowski, seconded by B. LeClair
Voting Yea: Bittner, Brandt, Dahlke, Derby, B. LeClair, D. LeClair, Petri, Stechmesser,
Wachowski
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C. 26-158 Land Lease Agreement Between the City of Two Rivers and Randy Meyer
Summary: The City Council is asked to consider a new farmland lease with Randy Meyer for
57.6 acres of City-owned property at $90 per acre, or $5,184 annually. The proposed lease
would begin January 1, 2027, with the final term currently drafted as one year.
Recommended Action:
Motion to approve and allow City staff to sign the agreement on behalf of the City
No action was taken on this item.
D. 26-159 Award Contract 5-2026 for Community Sidewalk Replacements to the Lowest
Responsive Bidder Seiler Bros Construction, Inc., for an Amount Not to Exceed
$57,075.00
Summary: The City Council will consider awarding Contract 5-2026 for the replacement of
deteriorated sidewalks at various locations throughout Two Rivers, continuing the City’s
investment in maintaining and improving core public infrastructure. Seiler Bros. Construction
submitted the low bid of $57,075, below the engineer’s estimate of $63,600, with work
anticipated to begin this fall and be completed by June 1, 2027.
Recommended Action:
Motion to award the contract to Seiler Bros Construction, Inc., of Manitowoc, based on its
lowest qualified bid, for an amount not to exceed $57,075.00
Motion carried with a roll call vote.
Motion made by Brandt, seconded by Dahlke
Voting Yea: Bittner, Brandt, Dahlke, Derby, B. LeClair, D. LeClair, Petri, Stechmesser,
Wachowski
E.

26-160 Resolution in Support of Full Transparency for Taxpayers of State Mandated
School Funding
Summary: The City Council will consider a resolution supporting greater taxpayer transparency
regarding the portion of the Two Rivers Public School District property tax levy associated with
state aid withheld to fund private school voucher payments. The proposed Resolution would add
a separate line to local property tax bills identifying this amount, which totaled about $1.07 million
for the 2025–2026 school year.
Recommended Action:
Motion to waive reading and adopt the resolution
Motion carried with a roll call vote.
Motion made by Derby, seconded by D. LeClair
Voting Yea: Bittner, Brandt, Derby, D. LeClair, Stechmesser
Voting Nay: Dahlke, B. LeClair, Petri, Wachowski

F.

26-161 Resolution Discontinuing Fluoridation of the City of Two Rivers Municipal Water
Supply
Summary: Following discussion at the City Council’s July 27 and August 31, 2026 work
sessions, the issue of fluoridation is returning to the Council for final consideration and action.
Council will consider a resolution providing formal direction regarding whether the City will
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continue or discontinue the addition of fluoride to the municipal water supply. This is the first
formal Council action on this in over seven decades.
Recommended Action:
No formal staff recommendation. Action is at the discretion of the City Council.
Motion carried with a roll call vote.
Motion made by Petri, seconded by Wachowski
Voting Yea: Brandt, Dahlke, B. LeClair, D. LeClair, Petri, Stechmesser, Wachowski
Voting Nay: Bittner, Derby
10. CITY COUNCIL - DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Commentary on Flock Public Safety Cameras
No action was taken on this item. It was for discussion and information only.
11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
12. FOR INFORMATION ONLY
- City Council Regular Meeting, Monday September 21, 2026, 6:00 PM
- City Council Work Session, Monday, September 28, 2026, 6:00 PM
Upcoming Events
- heiknbrew, Friday, September 11, 2026, 5:00 PM-9:00 PM, Woodland Dunes
- Paddle Palooza, Saturday, September 12, 2026, 11:00 AM, Veterans Park
- EthnicFest, Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM, Downtown Two Rivers
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of this meeting and adjourn this meeting at 8:06
PM.
Motion carried with a voice vote
Motion made by Wachowski, seconded by Petri
Voting Yea: Bittner, Brandt, Dahlke, Derby, B. LeClair, D. LeClair, Petri, Stechmesser, Wachowski
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Baryenbruch, City Clerk

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