March 17, 2026 · 6:00 PM

City Council

Minutes Agenda Packet Watch Recording City Website ↗

Council voted to end two tax-increment districts (TIDs) so their property value goes back onto the regular tax rolls starting in 2027. A separate request for a motel facade grant was not acted on and is expected to come back later.

Key Decisions

Council voted to terminate TID 16, a move City Hall says will send more property tax revenue to the city and other local taxing bodies starting Jan. 1, 2027. This is a real budget-impact decision, even if the city cautioned it won’t be a “windfall.”

Council voted to terminate TID 13, also returning its value to the regular tax rolls starting in 2027. Staff also signaled more early TID terminations could be recommended later, which is worth watching if the city is rethinking past development bets.

Council went into closed session under the management-employee personnel exception, then came back to open session with no specific follow-up action recorded in the minutes. Residents are again left with the fact of a closed-door discussion but not the substance.

Public Input · 3 speakers

Council President Stechmesser relayed constituent feedback

Relayed that he received positive comments from residents about the city’s snow removal after the recent storm, and thanked city departments.

Councilmember Mark Bittner relayed constituent feedback

Thanked neighbors for helping each other during the storm; relayed resident concerns about harbor dredging and said the council submitted a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Councilmember Bill LeClair relayed constituent feedback

Relayed a complaint about garbage blowing around and encouraged residents to secure overflowing bins (bag extra trash, weigh down lids).

Agenda Items

26-042 Application for Facade Improvement Assistance by Cool City Motel, 3009 Lincoln Avenue

The motel owner requested a facade grant of up to $13,272 to replace 28 exterior doors, with funding proposed from TID #11 because the property is within the allowed distance. Council did not vote or take action; the discussion indicates the request was delayed to a future meeting because the project scope and dollar amount changed and staff needed more time to properly notice and present it. For residents, the key issue is transparency and follow-through: this is a direct subsidy request, and it’s now in limbo until it returns with clearer numbers and scope.

📄 See in official document: Page 3

facade grant Full history →

26-043 Resolution Terminating Tax Incremental District 13 in the City of Two Rivers

Passed 6-0

Council approved ending TID 13 early after staff said a financial review showed some districts have not grown as expected. Staff said termination will put the district’s value back on the regular tax rolls, with property tax revenue flowing to the city’s General Fund starting Jan. 1, 2027, and also benefiting the county, school district, and Lakeshore Technical College. Staff also flagged that more TIDs could be recommended for early termination later—an implicit admission that some past development assumptions aren’t panning out.

📄 See in official document: Page 3

Roll call vote 6 yes

Mark Bittner yes

Doug Brandt yes

Shannon Derby yes

Bill LeClair yes

Darla LeClair yes

Scott Stechmesser yes

tax increment districts tids Full history →

26-044 Resolution Terminating Tax Incremental District 16 in the City of Two Rivers

Passed 7-0

Council approved ending TID 16 early, described as similar to the TID 13 action, returning its value to the regular tax rolls starting Jan. 1, 2027. Staff framed this as a step toward better long-term finances, while also noting it won’t be a sudden budget “windfall.” The unanimous vote (with one member arriving mid-meeting) suggests broad agreement on pulling the plug on underperforming TIDs—though residents may still want clearer reporting on what the city expected versus what actually happened in these districts.

📄 See in official document: Page 3

Roll call vote 7 yes

Mark Bittner yes

Doug Brandt yes

Shannon Derby yes

Bill LeClair yes

Darla LeClair yes

Bonnie Shimulunas yes

Scott Stechmesser yes

tax increment districts tids Full history →

CLOSED SESSION The City Council reserves the right to enter into Closed Session, pursuant to Wisc. Stats 19.85(1)(c). Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of a management level employee over which the Council has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.

Passed 7-0

Council voted to go into closed session to discuss a management-level employee under the state’s personnel/performance exception. They later reconvened in open session, but the minutes do not record any specific action taken afterward. This is legal under state law, but it still matters to residents because it’s where major employment and pay decisions can be shaped with limited public visibility.

📄 See in official document: Page 3

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