I am hoping that this future Committee of the Whole meeting, if approved by the majority of my colleagues tomorrow, provides a formal opportunity for discussion on the variety of issues described above, and serves as a foundation for future productive deliberations and actions to address these evident, longstanding municipal voids and deficits, Kilian said. Oftentimes changes to the city find opposition in one form or another, particularly where aesthetic development is concerned. In August, the body of a 74-year-old war veteran was discovered in a Rib Mountain field and in December, a woman who had an encampment beneath a downtown Wausau bridge also died. District 17:Incumbent Jennifer Aarrestad defeated challenger Cheryl Martino with 59% of the vote. I will agree with them, for the mayors Five-Year Strategic Plan success, how we allocate assets and find revenue streams in response to citizen input, we need council members who understand the revenue and budget process. All Rights Reserved. Not returning to the council for the new term, which starts on April 21, are Linda Lawrence and David Nutting, who were defeated by their opponents. The City Council is the elected governing body of the City of Wausau. All rights reserved. Minutes & Agendas, Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. The 11-member Common Council adopted the renamed 'We Are Wausau' resolution by a 9-2 vote. 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. . In 1893, Clarke became Postmaster of Somo, Wisconsin. 3, will formally ask the full council on Tuesday to set a Committee of the Whole to evaluate and consider the the needs posed by the unhoused members of the community are being addressed at both the city and county level. McElhaney, who is City Council President, said she was taken aback by the vehemence of the opposition to the proposal and was called racist and bigot for supporting it. District 15:Joel Straub defeated incumbent Randy Fifrick with 53% of the vote. I mean, really? James Bouche and Jon Creisher were reelected, while challenger Joanna Reyes beat out incumbent Jane Rusch and challenger Kayley McColley for the third spot. With four candidates on the ballot, a primary will be held Feb. 15 to narrow the field to two. She said people who oppose the measure failed to understand what the marginalized and disabled people go through. Gov. ?The approved We are Wausau resolution can be viewed here. Strategic, responsible planning for thefuture landscape is the foremost challenge facing Wausau. In District 11, Debra Ryanwon over Patrick Bacher, with 56% of the vote. This should relieve pressure on the library and other structures, and offer an alternative to seeking the bridge area for shelter, given that area should not be considered an appropriate solution for our homeless population in general. If you wish to address the council on a topic listed on the agenda, you must registerwith the Clerk prior to the meeting by completing a registration form. Did you know that Jimmy Carter, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, and Jordy Nelson were all members of Future Farmers of America (FFA)? Ritter won the seat left open by Matthew Bootz, who ran unchallenged for the previously vacant District 12 seat after beingmoved as a result of redistricting. Like this: Loading. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee, Sustainability, Energy and Environment Committee. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. District 16:Tony Sherfinski defeated incumbent Bill Conway with 65% of the vote. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. The results come nearly a week after Election Day, which saw voters turn out at the polls despite fears of the coronavirus. 2023 www.wausaudailyherald.com. Investment in public lands in the form of parks and shared spaces has helped shape Wausaus downtown in an astounding new way with the advent of the 400 Block. Going forward, we need to ensure qualified people serve on the task force and communicate with private enterprises that could lend assistance. Damakant Jayshi is a reporter for Wausau Pilot & Review. Depending on who you ask, Wausau either has plenty of affordable housing or is lacking affordable housing. They think these resolutions have no teeth and they are not going to do anything, Salm said. Also in September, Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven said the bridge effort was never conceived to solve the homeless issue but a safety measure to keep residents from falling into the river. To that effort, I would seek to optimize available state and federal financing so that progress can be realized without overburdening taxpayers or cash-strapping essential departments. Neither Mayor Katie Rosenberg nor City Council President Becky McElhaney responded to an email sent Wednesday requesting information for this story. For republication information email editor@wausaupilotandreview.com.. the body of a 74-year-old war veteran was discovered in a Rib Mountain field, 72 unique clients who sought shelter there in November alone, Privacy and Conflict of Interest Policies, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. A proposed Milwaukee replacement for the troubled Lincoln Hills youth prison in central Wisconsin is substantially more expensive than planned. Wausau must continue to be a place where our children and grandchildren can build upon their generational legacy and the legacy of this community. District 11:Incumbent Alyson Leahy edged out Randy DeBroux by three votes. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin I dont always need to be right; likewise, I expect the same from staff, tell me even if its bad news, no surprises please! To be clear, this hasnt happened overnight, its a trend; I think the mayor campaigned on fixing this, and I can help. Camelot Care Centers, part of Pathways - one of the largest national providers of accessible, outcome-based behavioral and mental health services, is in search of a compassionate, caring, growth . If after the boss (Citizens/Council/Mayor) hears me and still decides a different course of action, I will support them and that course of action 100%. Who cuts deals like that? This notice was posted at City Hall and transmitted to the Wausau Daily Herald on 03/01/2023 @ 9:00 AM. 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. District 34:Jason Wilhelmdefeatedincumbent Gary Beastrom with 54% of the vote. But many whites supported the resolution, a fact noted by Tom Neal, Alder from Dist. All Rights Reserved. District 7:Incumbent Becky Buch won against Alex Eichten with 58% of the vote. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. My life experience in widely varying communities has shown me what works and what does not, what makes a city tick, and the importance of attracting and retaining quality civic-minded individuals. During my time in Madison I watched the city attempt to tackle their issues with homelessness by attending the public forums regarding the new day shelter at the time. Second: as a Wisconsin native, I believe strongly in the values and attributes that make our state special. While Marathon County has a social services department and a health department, Wausau has neither. Someone died under a Wausau bridge, Gisselman told Wausau Pilot & Review. 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. Gary Gisselman, Mary Thao and Dennis Smith did not run for their seats, leaving districts 5, 10 and 11 without an incumbent. 2023 www.wausaudailyherald.com. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin 407 Grant St Wausau, WI 54403 . Equity, which means the quality of being fair and impartial, was characterized as a Marxist lexicon and recently tied with critical race theory (CRT). . We all want to live in beautiful houses and apartments, but until there are high end jobs in the area, most of us cannot afford to live in high end living situations. 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. 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. 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. District 38:Bobby Niemeyertopped incumbent Jonathan Fisherwith63% of the vote. Gain sharing pools can be shared with departments that create a surplus. In District 2, incumbent Michael Martens received 53% of the vote, over Tiffany Rodriguez-Leewho received 46.5%. I am a family man-Stephanie (Goetsch) Perkins (wife), Max (8), Ava (2), Benjamin (new! Questions regarding this agenda may be directed to the City Planning Office @ (715) 261-6760. Interest payments on rising debt is costing us opportunity. She added that the amended version of the proposal was far better than the previous one. The corporate authority of the city is vested in both the Mayor and the eleven elected members of the Common Council. Members Lisa Rasmussen and Dawn Herbst voted against the measure. 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. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. Rick Cveykus handily defeated William Harris, with 68% of the vote, to win the seat held by retiring judge Greg Huber. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. 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. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin District 1:Incumbent Michelle Van Krey defeatedchallenger Christopher Wood with 68% of the vote. Gisselman on Tuesday told the Council he wants the group to be completely informed with high hopes of helping the homeless.. As council president, shame. We have to start somewhere.. Now, the Granite House will be replacing the organization that once helped adults struggling with mental illness and drug abuse. The 11-member Common Council adopted the renamed We Are Wausau resolution by a 9-2 vote. Tensions over the citys growing homeless population have risen in recent months and some officials have seen sharp criticism from advocates in the wake of two outdoor deaths. While making the community attractive to talented, industrious, and creative individuals, as well as new industries and employers vital to the prosperity of this citys future, we must engage and encourage those members of the community that are already invested and involved residents. Advocates are asking Wausau to create a new department of social development and action to ensure the needs posed by the unhoused members of the community are addressed at both the city and county level. District 11:Chad Henke defeated incumbent Debra Ryan who received52% of the vote. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Dist. District 1: Carol Lukens edged out John Kroll by two votes. There, I learned the value of celebrating the culture of Indigeous People and the dignity it can bring to acknowledge every culture in a community. The city wasnt really engaged in this conversation at all but when I heard a version was going to the (Marathon) county executive committee in May, I went to the public comment portion to express my support, Rosenberg told Wausau Pilot & Review. Previously, Rasmussen commented that resolutions arent necessarily what local governments should be focusing on. Wausau cannot guarantee that the county will attend that meeting, she said. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. The city needs to take some action, Gisselman said. Gisselman and Kilian say there must be a better way, moving forward. Where We Are a Service Provider. 61-4316 4, 1976; Ord. 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. Im not sure if the council will agree to it, but I think we need to have an opportunity to engage in the conversation. 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. 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. Rasmussen said that the project could have gone forward if the cost remained within the $40,000 already allocated in the citys budget. Meetings are only held upon issuance of the official agenda notice. 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. Tagged: afternoon update , city of Wausau , public safety What are three things you want people to know about you before heading to the polls? The We Are Wausau resolution is meant to acknowledge that peoples differences arent consistently respected and to express the determination to move above and beyond all forms of bias and exclusion, said Neal, just before the vote. The following is a list of Boards, Committees and Commissions. Living in several communities over the last fifteen years has given me an opportunity to see the strengths and weaknesses of each. Its important to identify what we mean by affordable housing crisis in Wausau. To add revenue, we build tax base. 3, made the request Tuesday to set a Committee of the Whole, which was approved by a 8-3 margin. There are few ways to examine social issues without taking data and research into account. We monetize peoples plight for federal funds and spend the moneyIs this a community for all? That space, she said, provides a barrier from the wind and snow for people with nowhere to go. During the Wausau city council meeting, the former manager of. Wausau in September made headway when they appointed a new officer to connect unhoused residents with services and resources available in the city. U.N.-branded vehicles were once ubiquitous there, but its staff now appear to be keeping a much lower profile than . Being scientifically literate is something that every person should have an opportunity to become. During Tuesdays Council meeting, Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven gave a presentation on the state of homelessness in the area and shared a Point in Time count that estimated more than 200 people in Marathon County do not have a place to live. . All Rights Reserved. Here are the results for the City Council races: In District 1, incumbent PatPeckham beat out Chris Norfleet, with 77.9% of the vote. Among those who played a key role in the adoption of the measure was Mayor Rosenberg. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) The Wausau City Council voted 8-3 to approve a future Committee of the Whole meeting on homelessness in the city. 715-261-6831. The direct admission by the developer that opening two new, high end housing developments simultaneously would more than fulfill the needs of those able and willing to afford them means that the citys focus from a governance standpoint should be on affordable housing, such as the project by Gorman & Co. A project that is using federal and state funding, rather than municipal tax dollars, and would provide fifty affordable units for local renters of various income levels. District 9:Incumbent David Oberbeck held off Johnny Fortenberrywith 56% of the vote. Occupation: Inside Sales Representative, Heartland Business Systems (HBS). Im not sure what will happen but at least well heave the opportunity to hear from providers and hear the state of homelessness in the community, he said. Dist. I encourage anyone with an interest in housing to consider attending. Tracy Rieger, former director of Community Homeless Facilities at Catholic Charities in Wausau, assumed the responsibilities of community outreach specialist on Sept. 1. Meetings may change due to any situation covered in the standing rules of the Common Council. Pat. The resolution to anyone who reads it clearly does not declare that bias is running rampant. The following is a list of Boards, Committees and Commissions. Using this analytical approach, we can elevate discourse on the matter at the local level to come up with creative solutions customized to our community. 715 . Alder Tom Kilian took issue with the idea that declaring Wausau an inclusive community is not an essential use of the councils time. 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. The Quality Assurance organization provides a variety of services aimed at helping our internal customers, which include S&C leaders and team members, deliver superior quality to our customers. Prior elected office, if any:Senator, Student Government Association, UW Marathon County 2011-2012, Education: BA Sociology/Certificate in German Language Studies, UW Madison 2017, Election website or Facebook page, if any:Facebook: Jesse Kearns for Alderperson, District 4. But city officials will likely see some pushback from the public and some council members. The challenge will be balancing these considerations, which are often practically at odds despite being aligned in ideals as quality of life markers. 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. Though the diversity measure passed, another measure under consideration that seeks equitable treatment for all area residents, the Environmental Justice resolution, was referred to a Committee of the Whole and did not pass on Tuesday. The, Damakant Jayshi The Wausau Ethics Board on Monday dismissed the complaint against City Council member Debra Ryan filed by Marathon County Supervisor William Harris, but sharply criticized calls she made to his employer. Ill own that, he wrote in an email statement. I feel seen.. Citizen Participation Form. Even with that plan, gaps remain and daytime shelter is a significant issue especially in extreme weather. I was moved to see the compassion people in the community had for the struggles the unhoused face, particularly in winter. Efforts to address the need have been ongoing, with city officials in September approving $270,000 in federal funding for Catholic Charities to expand the nightly shelter offerings year-round, rather than just in the coldest months of the year. Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) was supposed to be a tool for that, but it has mostly failed to bring 30 year projected added tax base. I bought my home in this area because I believe it will give my family the kind of community not found in many other cities across the state. The top two vote-getters will move on to the spring election on April 5. In an email, Dist. She reminded the Council that the Warming Center, while a tool to help serve the unhoused residents of Wausau, has limited room. I mean, really? Quality planning, inspection, audit, quality information, quality improvement consulting, and quality communications are examples of the kind of services the organization provides.<br><br>The Manager . February If the bids remain high like they were before, absent approval of the added funds, the project would be stalled until either the cost comes down or the added money is approved, she said. Search CareerBuilder for Council Member Jobs in Wausau, WI and browse our platform. A description of committee structure precedes the membership roster. Budgets get executed by department heads, they have far more flexibility than the mayor or council in finding savings. But while a plan for high-end housing in downtown Wausau that relies on millions in taxpayer funding drew dozens of supporters from area hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, businesses, Wausau School District administrators and the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, discussions on housing proposals for lower-income residents have seen little, if any, public advocacy from those same entities. Kilian said he received significant contacts from citizens concerned about the lack of an emergency preparedness plan to address homeless residents during Decembers bitter cold and blizzard conditions, prompting him to speak with Marathon County officials about putting emergency plans and shelter options in place that could be activated when predefined thresholds of risk are reached. :showVizHome=no, Privacy and Conflict of Interest Policies, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. In parallel, the city has approved and funded 24 hour shelter options, including a day center that is in the process of gathering itself to open soon, with low barriers to entry for those who need it, Rasmussen said. We must prioritizeindependent economic sustainability and limit dependencies on freefundsfrom federal/state sources because there is no such thing; if we cant afford it, then we cant afford it. 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 Countys response. Please contact the City Clerk if you have questions about the meeting schedule or agenda. Contact at rhickman@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @ReneeNHickman. Start by recognizing that affordable housing is not just a city but a regional and state issue, seek to collaborate with surrounding communities and explore innovative strategies employed across the nation to address housing shortage (such as tax incentives, flexing zoning, municipal bond elections, etc). Additionally, the original developer enjoyed a low interest loan from the city, city property tax relief as well as state tax credits to offset the subsidized rents. While I have spent the majority of my life in Wausau, I feel that it is difficult to fully understand where you are from without having spent time in other places, with other communities. . Third: My family takes pride in patronizing Wausaus local businesses, from shops, entertainment and restaurants to industry and farms. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS). Tony Evers issued an executive order April 6 that would have movedthe spring election to June 9 in an effort to prevent more illness and deaths from COVID-19. All rights reserved. Though the election results will be posted Tuesday night, they won't be official until the local board of canvassers verify them at meetings later in the week. District 21:Incumbent Thomas N. Rosenberg defeated challenger Dave Dailey, winning with 52% of the vote. In District 9, incumbent Dawn Herbst ran unopposed for the seat. On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Board of Public Works opened bids for the project, which received one response to a request for proposals issued in January. But before that vote they spent more than an hour hearing a presentation on the issue from Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven, hearing input from a handful of residents on the issue, and finally discussing the idea among themselves. 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. Whether that means being there in person to ask questions or reaching out to organizers to coordinate discourse, it is crucial that our leaders make the effort to listen and be present. District 30:Andrew Venzkedefeatedincumbent Richard Gumz with 57% of the vote. All rights reserved. Nine incumbents were defeated by challengers. Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting on the issue of homelessness has been wiped off the calendar for Thursday, with no make-up date announced. In District 3, Tom Kilianreceived 71% of the vote, while incumbentDavid Nuttingreceived 28%. To send an email to a Member, please click here. Ill call for a TID scoring team of business experts to provide Pro forma projections of best andworst case outcomes for citizens to see before we ink development agreements. Current Minutes & Agendas can be found on the Recent listing. District 5:Gary Gisselman defeated Cody Nikolai with 63% of the vote for the seat vacated by Ka Lo. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. 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. (Ord. All Rights Reserved. Short term, temporary measures must lead to solutions that promote long-term success. 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. The city has a severe affordable housing shortage and advocates have called for building more units for low income people. But he said he is confident that homelessness led to deteriorating health conditions for the woman, whose death remains under investigation. Dist. This process should not pit competing groups against each other; rather, ARPA is a straightforward budget priority process. 4 and chair of the Economic Development Committee which approved the resolution last week by a 4-1 vote. District 8:Kim Ungerer defeatedVeronica Hope with 52% of the vote for the seat vacated by Kelley Gabor. During the September meeting, Sandi Kelch, of the Community Outreach Task Force, spoke to the consequences of blocking off access to the citys bridges. Additionally, we have a group who are unable to shelter due to trauma, mental illness and other issues. All rights reserved. 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. (see attached chart). When I knock on doors, I think street maintenance is a big complaint. In September, a proposal to add an additional $18,000 to the $40,000 already budgeted failed to gain a required 2/3 majority, even with a 5-4 passing vote. Education: BS, Physics, St Norbert College, DePere, WI. 61-4472 4, 1980; Ord. Ive taken charge of struggling organizations and lead them back to the top in their segments. Thank you Neal for all you said last week, said Lo, who is Hmong American, a minority community in Wausau. "The Town of Wausau is a Fair Housing Advocate. Meeting Agenda & Packet Link: https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals//Departments/Council/Archives/Council/Council/2023/COUN_20230110_Packet.pdf 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 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. Im not sure if the council will agree to it, but I think we need to have an opportunity to engage in the conversation. All rights reserved. Then a U.S. Supreme Court rulingdetermined at the last minutethat absentee ballots had to be postmarked by April 7to be counted, but many voters never received their ballots and had to choose between heading to the polls or forgoing their vote. Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. On major financial decisions, let the people decide through referendum what they want, and whatever decision comes of that Im fine with. Ill be there, as 46 apartments in my East High Apartment building have been given notice that the Citys agreement for WEDA Section 42 has ended. Dont assume nothings happening because things are happening all the time, she said. Among Wausaus many competing needs, what would you prioritize in the next budget? Its not just money falling from the sky; its a short-term boost to our revenue stream, so we must spend it within the law and not leverage against our future ability to maintain spending. Still, they seek to ensure that the citys most vulnerable residents are protected, starting with extreme weather incidents. 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 . SECOND: PDF: Michael Martens 715-845-4218 City of Wausau 407 Grant Street Wausau, WI 54403: THIRD: PDF: Tom Kilian. Reporter Megan Stringer contributed to this report. Laura Schulte can be reached atleschulte@gannett.com and twitter.com/SchulteLaura. 715-571-8108 133 E. Thomas St. Wausau, WI 54401: FOURTH: PDF: Doug Diny. Some folks saw jasper as a derogatory term referring to an ignorant rube. Maintenance is like shaving, youve got to do a little every day. According to an agenda for Tuesdays meeting, advocates who provide services to homeless residents will also speak and ask leaders to create a new department of social development and action. Gary Gisselman, who represents Wausaus Dist.
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