The Sheboygan City Common Council on the evening of the regular meeting voted unanimously to authorize city officials to enter into a contract for architectural design, engineering and construction-administration services for the Harbor Center Marina and associated facilities at 821 Bridal Drive.

The move, carried by a 10-0 roll call vote, implements resolution item 18 on the council agenda and clears the city to select or finalize professional services tied to the harbor center project.

Why it matters: The action advances a waterfront redevelopment that will shape public access and uses along Sheboygan’s lakefront and could involve substantial public investment. Public comment at the meeting signaled local concern about the project’s focus and financial assumptions.

During the public forum Michael Brunette of 611 North Water Street told the council he was speaking about the marina items. He criticized the city’s approach to the marina project and the public process, saying the plan “serves a limited group and doesn't pencil out financially.” Brunette told the council the city hired a consultant he identified as the Smith Group and that the city paid “around 245 k” for that work. He urged exploring alternatives such as repurposing parts of the basin for smaller craft and broadening lakefront recreation beyond slip holders.

Brunette also raised broader transparency concerns, alleging the city confines presentations to a narrow set of insiders and suggesting the city had previously mishandled other local preservation matters. Those charges were not addressed during the meeting and no council member offered a response on the record before the vote.

City action: Alder Decker moved to adopt the resolution authorizing contract negotiations; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote of 10 ayes. The resolution’s text authorizes appropriate city officials to take measures necessary to enter into the design and construction-administration contract related to the Harbor Center Marina.

What’s next: With the resolution approved, the city may finalize agreements with design and engineering firms and proceed to the design phase. The meeting record does not specify contract amounts, procurement schedule or required subsequent votes on construction funding; those details were not included in the materials discussed at this meeting and are listed as not specified in the official agenda item.

The council did not vote to alter the marina plan itself at the meeting and did not record any follow-up direction to staff based on the public comment. The council adjourned at 6:20 p.m.