In this area, state subsidies and GRANTS should be aggressively sought and welcomed to ease the growing demand and recent losses in Section 42.Critical position city workers who need special skills, qualifications and certifications are being poached by our neighbors. But many whites supported the resolution, a fact noted by Tom Neal, Alder from Dist. Wausau cannot guarantee that the county will attend that meeting, she said. Other public service: Mayor Appointment to Airport Committee, N2N Committee. Announcements District 23:David Baker defeated incumbent Chris Voll with 56% of the vote. Marquette University Law School. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. Gisselman on Tuesday told the Council he wants the group to be completely informed with high hopes of helping the homeless.. That dichotomy has not been lost on some residents as well as some members of the City Council. Additionally, we have a group who are unable to shelter due to trauma, mental illness and other issues. Renee Hickman coversrural issues in Wisconsin. In May, Kilian applauded the work of the Wausau Police Department and private organizations that are stepping up to address these needs, but simultaneously pointed out the structural and departmental void Wausau faces when it comes to such issues given the absence of any Health and Human Services Department. District 7:Incumbent Becky Buch won against Alex Eichten with 58% of the vote. 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. 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. I trust citizens judgement: I support letting people choose. Budgets get executed by department heads, they have far more flexibility than the mayor or council in finding savings. I was moved to see the compassion people in the community had for the struggles the unhoused face, particularly in winter. 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. Ive agreed to hold quarterly citizen feedback and exchange sessions with county supervisor John Robinson should I be elected. Neither Mayor Katie Rosenberg nor City Council President Becky McElhaney responded to an email sent Wednesday requesting information for this story. Gisselman and Kilian say there must be a better way, moving forward. 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. Members Lisa Rasmussen and Dawn Herbst voted against the measure. To be clear, this hasnt happened overnight, its a trend; I think the mayor campaigned on fixing this, and I can help. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or less. Lets offer incentives to city employees for cutting costs. 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. Were stewards of this gem called Wausau; our unique and positive blend of cultures, industry, and natural resources will sustain us if we are wise. During the Wausau city council meeting, the former manager of. MC 2.60.070: The city plan commission shall be composed of the mayor, who shall be the presiding officer, the public works director, the chair of park and recreation committee, an alderperson, and three residents of the city. "The Town of Wausau is a Fair Housing Advocate. 5, and Tom Kilian, representing Dist. 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. 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. City Council Alderpersons. 3 Alder Tom Kilian, who voted against the measure, openly asked in September just how much of Wausaus sprawling riverfront the city plans to fence off if the project is truly about public safety. There are few ways to examine social issues without taking data and research into account. Rent prices increase steadily year over year, while wages seem to have stagnated in the area. The City Council is the elected governing body of the City of Wausau. 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. Pat. The corporate authority of the city is vested in both the Mayor and the eleven elected members of the Common Council. 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. All Rights Reserved. It is, by far, future financial and economic viability and how we incentivize people to move to the city; we have to be very competitive in that regard. Phone: (715) 261-6800 While it is of course appealing to fund ambitious redevelopment, I would prioritize setting realistic allocations for such projects and spreading cost over reasonable timelines, keeping in mind (and in balance) the basic needs of the community: schools, fire and police departments, existing public space maintenance. ? I spent a year working on a research project at UW Madison where my biases were challenged continuously. Someone died under a Wausau bridge, Gisselman told Wausau Pilot & Review. Im not sure if the council will agree to it, but I think we need to have an opportunity to engage in the conversation. Community members prepared to speak in opposition to the Community for All resolution at the Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau, Wis., last week. 4 and chair of the Economic Development Committee which approved the resolution last week by a 4-1 vote. I am eager to serve as a direct link between district 4 citizens and government. Dist. 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. 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. Still, they seek to ensure that the citys most vulnerable residents are protected, starting with extreme weather incidents. District 8:Incumbent Sarah Watson defeated Thomas "Tony" Brown with 65% of the vote. 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. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) The Wausau City Council voted 8-3 to approve a future Committee of the Whole meeting on homelessness in the city. Gary Gisselman, who represents Wausaus Dist. Ill provide leadership with candor and welcome and expect it from city employees and citizens looking to make positive, responsible change for our city. Editor's note: This weekly feature of Wausau Pilot & Review is being published in response to reader concerns about crime and safety in the Wausau area and to keep readers informed about their. Dont assume nothings happening because things are happening all the time, she said. 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. To add revenue, we build tax base. District 6:Stacey Morache defeatedincumbent Jeff Johnson with 58% of the vote. I was trusted to get the mission done. Which is it?. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Meetings may change due to any situation covered in the standing rules of the Common Council. All Rights Reserved. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. Shoring up staffing is a leadership issue, not a big budget issue, as most departments are budgeted for full agency, we need to aggressively recruit, retain, and train our workforce. 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. District 11:Incumbent Alyson Leahy edged out Randy DeBroux by three votes. What is the greatest challenge facing Wausau and what would you do to address it? 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. This process should not pit competing groups against each other; rather, ARPA is a straightforward budget priority process. Wausau City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Wausau City Hall, 407 Grant Street. 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. Rasmussen questioned the need for a Committee of the Whole meeting or a new city department, which she said is likely redundant with the work the county social services already does. She appeared to brush off recent negative publicity about the citys processes, characterizing critics as being woefully misinformed.. 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. The 1970 census found Wausau had four Black . That alone would be enough of a problem, but to compound the issue some in the city feel the answer is to build newer, higher end housing, meant to draw young professionals and empty nesters alike from other communities to Wausaus downtown, according to Nick Patterson of T. Wall Enterprises. February All rights reserved. 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. Wausau City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Wausau City Hall, 407 Grant Street. All Rights Reserved. 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. The City Council is the elected governing body of the City of Wausau. The City of Wausau is proud to offer the most recent video-taping of the City Council Meeting. I mean, really? No action will be taken by any such groups. In District 4, incumbent Tom Nealbeat out Judith Miller, with 63% of the vote. The sole bid, from Fortress Fence, is roughly $87,000, which is more than twice the amount initially budgeted as a capital improvement measure. In District 11, Debra Ryanwon over Patrick Bacher, with 56% of the vote. It is not a mean word, said Alder Becky McElhaney from Dist. District 1:Incumbent Michelle Van Krey defeatedchallenger Christopher Wood with 68% of the vote. 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. Combined, this has uniquely equipped me for the role of alderperson. The loss of those units amounts to a nearly 11% drop in the number of affordable housing units (at least those that are affordable because of the HUD program.). Linda Lawrence, 71, a former mayor of Wausau and member of City Council. A description of committee structure precedes the membership roster. I see the connection between support for entrepreneurship, keeping dollars local,and growing the tax base, attracting investors, creating jobs. 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. Equity, which means the quality of being fair and impartial, was characterized as a Marxist lexicon and recently tied with critical race theory (CRT). Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin District 25:Timothy M. Sondelski beat incumbent Sandy Cihlar with 59% of the vote. What are three things you want people to know about you before heading to the polls? These spaces not only serve as a way for the community to come together, but they help generate tourism and event dollars for local business. Wausau Wisconsin City Council February 06, 2023 Home About Wausau Location General Information Why I Love Wausau Mission & Core Values History of Wausau Arts & Museums Events & Festivals Attractions & Landmarks Sports & Outdoors Lodging Restaurants Shopping Area Links Calendar Announcements FAQ Contact Us Search Live Work Bids / RFP Meeting Videos Contact at rhickman@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @ReneeNHickman. Consistent with my message on the economic and financial long-term viability challenges we face, I believe we must revisit budgetary commitments that are unsustainable, be honest with ourselves on the direction of property assessments, and reassesscurrent tax practices that prioritize spend over long-termeconomic viability. 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