Manitowoc council elects Michael Cummings as council president; adopts conduct rules, names committee roster

At 5:00 p.m. the Manitowoc Common Council convened an organizational session and unanimously elected Alderman Michael Cummings as president of the Common Council, adopted a common council code of conduct and the 2025–26 council rules, and approved the council’s standing committee, Plan Commission and board of review appointments.

The organizational session sets leadership and committee assignments that will guide the council’s agenda through the coming term. The council carried each motion by unanimous voice vote.

Alderman Bill Schley nominated Michael Cummings for council president. Schley thanked the council for the prior year’s service and urged aldermen to be visible to constituents, saying, “it's been one of the greatest things I've ever done in my life,” and that aldermen should “get out there and let people know who you are.” After the nomination the council closed nominations and cast a unanimous ballot; the mayor invited Cummings to the front for the oath of office.

During the swearing-in, Michael Cummings repeated the oath, including a pledge to “faithfully discharge the duties of president of the common council” of the City of Manitowoc. (The meeting transcript recorded the city name incorrectly as “Manitoba”; the correct municipal name is Manitowoc.)

The council then proceeded to routine organizational business and approved two governing documents. Alderman Norrell moved approval of the common council code of conduct; Alderman Cummings seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Alderman Eric Sitkiewicz moved approval of the common council rules for 2025–26, seconded by Cummings; that motion also carried unanimously.

Council members approved standing committee rosters as read at the meeting. Committee assignments announced at the meeting included:

- Finance Committee: Alderman Jim Brey, chair; Alderman Eric Sitkiewicz, vice chair; Alderman Bill Schley; Alderman Todd Reckelberg; Alderman Andrew Dunbar. - Personnel Committee: Alderman Eric Sitkiewicz, chair; Alderman Jim Brey, vice chair; Alderman Chad Beaman; Alderman Michael Cummings; Alderman Andrew Dunbar. - Public Infrastructure Committee: Alderman Bill Schley, chair; Alderman William Debates, vice chair; Alderman Jim Brey; Alderman Anderson. - Public Safety Committee: Alderman Chad Beaman, chair; Alderman Todd Reckelberg, vice chair; Alderman Michael Cummings; Alderman William Debates; Alderman Brian Anderson.

The council also nominated and cast a unanimous ballot for a council representative to the Plan Commission: Alderman Jim Brey. Appointments to the Board of Review were read and approved; the meeting listed primary members and alternates, and the council carried the motion to approve those appointments unanimously.

The meeting included a light ceremonial item: council members drew for seating positions before the formal business. After completing the organizational agenda, the council recessed to hold an outdoor swearing-in ceremony for newly elected members.

Votes at a glance

- Election of Alderman Michael Cummings as president of the Common Council — Motion to close nominations and cast unanimous ballot carried (unanimous voice vote). - Approval of Common Council Code of Conduct — Motion carried (moved by Norrell; seconded by Cummings; unanimous voice vote). - Approval of Common Council Rules, 2025–26 — Motion carried (moved by Sitkiewicz; seconded by Cummings; unanimous voice vote). - Approval of standing committee appointments — Motion carried (unanimous voice vote). - Election of council representative to Plan Commission (Alderman Jim Brey) — Motion carried (unanimous voice vote). - Approval of Board of Review appointments — Motion carried (unanimous voice vote).

The organizational session adjourned so the council could proceed to the swearing-in ceremony outside the meeting room; the mayor announced members were welcome to remain in the chamber or join the ceremony at 5:30 p.m.