The City of Manitowoc has officially created two new departments.
The city approved multiple ordinance amendments on Monday (April 20th) to create stand-alone Departments of Parks and Recreation and Public Works.
Previously, both groups were under a single department, the Department of Public Infrastructure.
But now, parks and rec and public works are their own part of the Manitowoc city government.
The city previously had a Parks and Recreation Department, but it was consolidated in 2011 to save money.
Parks Planner Brock Wettenkamp was also approved by the Common Council to serve as the Parks and Recreation Department Director, meaning some park services will be moved from City Hall to the Manitowoc Senior Center. Public Works will be directed by Dan Koski.
The Parks and Recreation Department is now also responsible for the senior center, the Manitowoc Aquatics Center, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.
The Department of Public Works will help run engineering, streets, buildings and grounds, transit, cemetery, and forestry. A new Parks and Recreation Standing Committee has also been created to help the city.
That committee will be chaired by 3rd District Alderman Mike Cummings.
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels calls the change a positive step, helping make parks and rec a priority and giving them a voice in city government.
