Wausau continually faces a paradox when it comes to retention and growth where its population is concerned. Phone: (715) 261-6800 Email, Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. Some council members appeared to balk at the idea of forming a new city department, though Wausau did have a city health officer in the past. Gisselman and Kilian say there must be a better way, moving forward. I am a family man-Stephanie (Goetsch) Perkins (wife), Max (8), Ava (2), Benjamin (new! My law practice (representing employeebenefit funds)honed my negotiation skills, key for fostering cooperation, productive discussion, and balancing different parties interests. I dont mind COW, but I dont like the way this Council speaks to each other, she said, pointing to social media posts she said were written by council members. Rasmussen said that the project could have gone forward if the cost remained within the $40,000 already allocated in the citys budget. It simply states that we still see an uneven playing field with barriers that disproportionately affect certain marginalized segments of our community.. 4, after Tom Neal announced he would not seek another term. The focus and funding would be better placed on finding permanent long term solutions for overflow and alternatives for those who can not use traditional shelters.. Strategic, responsible planning for thefuture landscape is the foremost challenge facing Wausau. The city needs to take some action, Gisselman said. Mayor Katie Rosenberg was elected Chief Executive Officer for the City of Wausau and is responsible for supervising and directing the day-to-day operations of city government. The womans death was one of the reasons Gisselman called for the meeting. According to City Clerk Leslie Kremer, 6,956 absentee ballots were returned for the election, and all of those included a postmark. In April 2016, the last time that local races were held alongside a presidential primary, 64% of registered voters in the city made their way to the polls. Gain sharing pools can be shared with departments that create a surplus. City of Wausau Economic Development Committee Meeting 12/07/2021: https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals/0/Departments/Council/Archives/Standing%20Com mittees/Economic%20Development%20Committee/2021/ECON_20211207_Packet.pdf? Someone died under a Wausau bridge, Gisselman told Wausau Pilot & Review on Monday. Mayor RosenbergsAffordable Housing Tax Force is a promising first step. I spent several years living on Maui, HI. I like Candor: When asked, I will tell you what I think. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The 55-year-old woman's autopsy results showed she died of methamphetamine toxicity, though Police Chief Ben Bliven in January acknowledged that the death was likely complicated by living outdoors in harsh . It is my goal to foster development of cultural amenities and infrastructure enjoyed by larger cities while retaining theclose knit, hometown character unique to Wausau. The Ethics, Damakant Jayshi The Wausau Ethics Board will further discuss an ethics complaint filed by Marathon County Supervisor William Harris against City Council Member Debra Ryan, in which he accused her of making false statements against, Damakant Jayshi A Marathon County Hmong resident told Board members Thursday that harassment at his workplace and prevailing racism led to the loss of his job at a local credit union. District 4:Doug Diny defeated Jesse Kearns by 20 votes. Kelch, in a prepared statement to Wausau Pilot & Review on Thursday, said her organization understands the purpose of the fence but fears the consequences could be grave if built before permanent, compassionate alternatives are in place. To address this issue we need to increase the amount of outreach we do as leaders, in order to create as many opportunities as we can to give rise to higher levels of public engagement. Among Wausaus many competing needs, what would you prioritize in the next budget? I was moved to see the compassion people in the community had for the struggles the unhoused face, particularly in winter. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) The Wausau City Council voted 8-3 to approve a future Committee of the Whole meeting on homelessness in the city. What is the greatest challenge facing Wausau and what would you do to address it? A section of the community was maligned viciously. She repeated that the resolution was not going to make any meaningful difference in the community. Occupation: Fitness instructor at Woodson YMCA, Other public service, if any: Pro bono legal services while at Marquette Law School, Education: B.A. I learned to humble myself before the evidence, to abandon those ideas and preferences proven to be inaccurate or unsupported, and to embrace the process that brings us closest to the facts at hand. To add revenue, we build tax base. The move is taking some council members and advocates for the homeless population, who thought the project was rejected in September, by surprise. She said people who oppose the measure failed to understand what the marginalized and disabled people go through. Members Lisa Rasmussen and Dawn Herbst voted against the measure. Members of the City Council on Tuesday declared Wausau a community for all, capping three months of intense effort from several council members and Mayor Katie Rosenberg. At this critical juncture in its history, Wausau has the opportunity to reshape the heart of the city, the downtown area, and link it to the ongoing riverfront revitalization. All Rights Reserved. Meetings are not officially scheduled until an agenda has been issued and posted. District 38:Bobby Niemeyertopped incumbent Jonathan Fisherwith63% of the vote. Calendar District 15:Joel Straub defeated incumbent Randy Fifrick with 53% of the vote. I understand staff work and inter agency communications. The numbers given by Tracy Reiger at the public Health and Safety committee show a shortage of at least 140 beds. Council President Becky McElhaney, who voted to hold the COW meeting, cautioned her colleagues not to promise too much - as the way the city addresses the homeless issue also depends on Marathon County's response. Third: My family takes pride in patronizing Wausaus local businesses, from shops, entertainment and restaurants to industry and farms. As council president, shame. District 34:Jason Wilhelmdefeatedincumbent Gary Beastrom with 54% of the vote. And in the next breath (they say) these resolutions are going to destroy the city, that they are going to take away all the economic growthYou cant have it both ways. I am eager to serve as a direct link between district 4 citizens and government. That space, she said, provides a barrier from the wind and snow for people with nowhere to go. Im not sure if the council will agree to it, but I think we need to have an opportunity to engage in the conversation. To be clear, this hasnt happened overnight, its a trend; I think the mayor campaigned on fixing this, and I can help. :showVizHome=no, Privacy and Conflict of Interest Policies, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. The following is a list of Boards, Committees and Commissions. Even with that plan, gaps remain and daytime shelter is a significant issue especially in extreme weather. Alders Sarah Watson, Dawn Herbst, and Rasmussen all voted no. 5, and Tom Kilian, representing Dist. Going forward, we need to ensure qualified people serve on the task force and communicate with private enterprises that could lend assistance. In Wausau, about 34% of registered voters turned out to vote on April 7. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. If this item will be exactly the same as what came before us before, my perspective on the matter has not changed, and my position on the item will be the same as it was at the earlier date, Kilian said. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. In District 3, Tom Kilianreceived 71% of the vote, while incumbentDavid Nuttingreceived 28%. The meeting had been called at the request of two Alders. The Mayorhas a statutory duty to take care that city ordinances and state laws are observed and enforced and that all city officers and employees discharge their duties. Nineteen races were contested Tuesday for the Marathon County Board out of 38 seats a high number of contested seats in the country's largest county board. My legal training hasequipped me tointerpret and apply federal and state law and municipal codelaw, to find and utilize available programs and form impactful policy. That amended motion passed. 61-4074 1(part), 1967; prior code 2.03(7)). The results come nearly a week after Election Day, which saw voters. Doug Diny, Jesse Kearns, Vada Perkins and Kate Tracey have all thrown their hat into the ring. Meeting Agenda & Packet Link: https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals//Departments/Council/Archives/Council/Council/2023/COUN_20230110_Packet.pdf I wouldnt. UW-Madison, J.D. Section 42 is a viable long-term solution; I wont squander those opportunities in the future with short-term solutions that enrich developers and short sheet residents. Any time there is a public event that directly informs us on an issue a committee is handling, the council members on that committee should attempt to obtain public comment. Who cuts deals like that? It is unsafe and does nothing for the dignity of those in need or to mitigate prolonged suffering.. I dont even know what that will be, but we need to start by listening.. Announcements . This week's crime gallery breaks a record for the number of felony arrests, with several warrants and crimes ranging from forgery to child abuse to drug offenses. Meeting Videos Previously, he had been Sheriff of Marathon County, Wisconsin; Chairman of the Marathon County Board; a member of the Wausau City Council and Mayor of Wausau. Thats just cherry-picking to the extreme and does little or nothing to illuminate the discussion.. (Ord. Laura Schulte can be reached [email protected] and twitter.com/SchulteLaura. Wausau must continue to be a place where our children and grandchildren can build upon their generational legacy and the legacy of this community. Election website or Facebook page: Doug Diny for Wausau City Council https://www.facebook.com/wausaudistrict4/. Minutes & Agendas, Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. Six contested races were before voters in the Wausau City Council election this year after two primary races on Feb. 15in districts 1 and 4. For republication information email [email protected].. councils rejection of a prior budget amendment to fund the project. But in 2022 when the council approved the liaison position Kilian asked that, should a more appropriate department be created in the future, that employee could be transitioned from the Wausau Police Department roster to that department. The resolution to anyone who reads it clearly does not declare that bias is running rampant. The citys leadership needs to foster citizen engagement if it ever hopes to solve these issues, which means Wausaus leaders need to do the work of outreach to a much greater degree in order to understand the drivers and incentives of the local populations needs. . But Rasmussen also said that the Council still hadnt found common ground on the subject, pointing out there are people in the community who oppose the measure who feel strongly that their voices were not heard. At 195 pages long, its a whale at approximately $100 million, and the devil is in the details: (https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals/0/Departments/Finance/Documents/2022_Budget.pdf) but if you check your city tax bill and see the pie chart that shows where every dollar goes, heres the top 5: Police 24.69%, DEBT Services 23.65% (up 3% from last year), Fire 14.67%, DPW 15.11%, Government administration 10.18%. I would prioritize street maintenance and properly budget for it every year so that we dont get to the point we need to borrow just to keep up. The corporate authority of the city is vested in both the Mayor and the eleven elected members of the Common Council. Some folks saw jasper as a derogatory term referring to an ignorant rube. To send an email to a Member, please click here. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. Kilian on Thursday told Wausau Pilot & Review his position is unlikely to change. District 5: Gary Gisselman topped incumbent Jim Wadzinski with 53% of the vote. District 16:Tony Sherfinski defeated incumbent Bill Conway with 65% of the vote. That would leave 384 total units. In District 11, Debra Ryanwon over Patrick Bacher, with 56% of the vote. There are few ways to examine social issues without taking data and research into account. Wausau City Council election results Six contested races were before voters in the Wausau City Council election this year after two primary races on Feb.. We currently defer and borrow money for street maintenance. Damakant Jayshi is a reporter for Wausau Pilot & Review. I was trusted to get the mission done. As affordable housing opportunities continue to shrink in Wausau and rents skyrocket, more people are unable to secure a safe place to live. A Community for All, the grassroots community organization promoting inclusivity and diversity in Marathon County, invites you to its meeting at 6 p.m. today, March 17, at Whitewater Music Hall, 130 First St., Wausau. As for a housing needs focus, I will insist future city developer deals with affordable housing be negotiated to the city and residents best long-term interest. 61-4316 4, 1976; Ord. That dichotomy has not been lost on some residents as well as some members of the City Council. Wausau in September made headway when they appointed a new officer to connect unhoused residents with services and resources available in the city. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. Community members prepared to speak in opposition to the Community for All resolution at the Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau, Wis., last week. And the topic of how the County and City can work together jointly and more effectively on this important issue rarely, if ever, comes up in city council meetings to date, Kilian said. District 33:Ron Covelli defeatedincumbent Tim Buttke with 52% of the vote. Clarke was a member of the Assembly in 1882. . Meetings may change due to any situation covered in the standing rules of the Common Council. It is important that our leaders be able to not only interpret the data presented to them, but also to have the fortitude to accept the conclusions the data supports, especially when the findings disagree with individual preferences and biases. If you feel you have been discriminated against, you may file a housing discrimination complaint at:1-800-669-9777 (Toll Free) or 1-800-927-9275 (TTY) or locally, Margaret Riley, Town Clerk, at (850) 638-1781 or by email at [email protected] ". By allocating land, the city retains the ability to ensure the public is considered as a whole when development projects are proposed and permits are drafted. Search CareerBuilder for Council Member Jobs in Wausau, WI and browse our platform. District 25:Timothy M. Sondelski beat incumbent Sandy Cihlar with 59% of the vote. Members of the City Council on Tuesday declared Wausau 'a community for all,' capping three months of intense effort from several council members and Mayor Katie Rosenberg. In an email, Dist. I will act on constituent feedback that promotes our common vision. The city is one of the main bases for the some 18,270 MONUSCO personnel in Congo. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin That wasnt my meaning, but I understand their reaction., He added he was concerned that some people latched onto and are offended by a single word or offhand phrase while apparently not acknowledging or addressing the overriding content of what I or others say at length on an issue. Given this ongoing debate, I certainly believe there needs to be more actionable dialogue with objective findings/recommendations to truly understand the pain points and come up with real solutions. In a separate ruling, a federal judge prohibited local election officials from reporting results before 4 p.m. April 13, making it one of the strangest elections in state history. Thank you Neal for all you said last week, said Lo, who is Hmong American, a minority community in Wausau. 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