October 20, 2025 · 6:00 PM

City Council

Council approved several long-term and high-dollar property deals, including a perpetual cell-site ground lease with a $305,000 upfront payment and a revenue-share. It also punted a 15-year youth sports field lease to the next meeting, leaving the public without clarity on the final terms yet.

Key Decisions

Council approved a perpetual ground lease for a cell antenna on city property at 2701 18th St., taking $305,000 upfront plus 60% of future tenant revenue—an unusually long-lasting commitment that will shape control of that site for the foreseeable future.

Council moved ahead with listing city-owned land at Hawthorne Ave. and 18th St. for future housing development, a step that can set the direction for what gets built and who benefits once a buyer is found.

Council delayed a 15-year lease for Two Rivers Youth Sports to use and invest in a field at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park, signaling unresolved questions about the deal’s terms or timing.

Public Input · 2 speakers

Councilmember Shannon Derby relayed constituent feedback

Relayed emails from residents concerned about paid parking at Neshotah Beach and asked about the speed limit rules for electric bikes and scooters.

Councilmember Mark Bittner relayed constituent feedback

Relayed communication about Friday Night Concerts.

Agenda Items

25-206 Consideration of a Parking Lot Lease Agreement with The Chamber of Manitowoc County

Passed

Council approved a lease that formalizes the Chamber’s use of a city-owned gravel lot next to 1515 Memorial Drive. This locks in who gets to use public land and under what rules, but the minutes don’t spell out key terms like rent, length, or public access—details residents typically need to judge whether the deal is fair.

Page 2 — source unresolved

Roll call vote 7 yes

Mark Bittner yes

Shannon Derby yes

Bill LeClair yes

Darla LeClair yes

Tim Petri yes

Bonnie Shimulunas yes

Scott Stechmesser yes

25-207 Consideration of a Lease Agreement Between the City of Two Rivers and Two Rivers Youth Sports for Use of One Field at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park

Tabled

Council voted to table a proposed 15-year lease that would let Two Rivers Youth Sports use, maintain, and invest in the city-owned “blue field” at 1200 35th St. Tabling can be responsible when terms need work, but it also delays public clarity on what the city is giving up (control, scheduling, maintenance obligations) and what it’s getting back in return.

Page 3 — source unresolved

Roll call vote 7 yes

Mark Bittner yes

Shannon Derby yes

Bill LeClair yes

Darla LeClair yes

Tim Petri yes

Bonnie Shimulunas yes

Scott Stechmesser yes

vietnam veterans memorial park Full history → youth sports field maintenance and investment Full history →

25-208 Consideration of a Ground Lease Agreement Between the City of Two Rivers and TowerPoint

Passed

Council approved a ground lease granting a perpetual telecommunications easement for a cell antenna on city property at 2701 18th St. In exchange, the city will receive a one-time $305,000 payment plus 60% of future revenue from additional tenants—real money, but also a permanent commitment that can limit future options for that site.

Page 3 — source unresolved

Roll call vote 7 yes

Mark Bittner yes

Shannon Derby yes

Bill LeClair yes

Darla LeClair yes

Tim Petri yes

Bonnie Shimulunas yes

Scott Stechmesser yes

city owned land Full history → telecommunications tower lease Full history → cell antenna revenue sharing on city property Full history →

25-209 Consideration of a Vacant Land Listing Contract with Weichert, Realtors CornerStone

Passed

Council approved hiring Weichert to market city-owned land at Hawthorne Avenue and 18th Street for future housing development. Listing is an early step, but it’s also where the city starts signaling what kind of development it wants—residents should expect follow-up questions about pricing expectations, development requirements, and how the city will weigh neighborhood impacts.

Page 3 — source unresolved

Roll call vote 7 yes

Mark Bittner yes

Shannon Derby yes

Bill LeClair yes

Darla LeClair yes

Tim Petri yes

Bonnie Shimulunas yes

Scott Stechmesser yes

city owned land Full history → housing development marketing Full history →

25-210 Consideration of a Fleet Refueling Contract with Kwik Trip

Passed

Council approved a new fleet fueling contract with Kwik Trip after an RFP process, at a discount of 12 cents per gallon. This is a practical operations decision, but the minutes don’t show the competing bids or estimated annual savings—information that would help residents judge whether the city got a strong deal.

Page 3 — source unresolved

Roll call vote 7 yes

Mark Bittner yes

Shannon Derby yes

Bill LeClair yes

Darla LeClair yes

Tim Petri yes

Bonnie Shimulunas yes

Scott Stechmesser yes

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