To be clear, this hasnt happened overnight, its a trend; I think the mayor campaigned on fixing this, and I can help. 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 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. The 11-member Common Council adopted the renamed 'We Are Wausau' resolution by a 9-2 vote. District 21:Incumbent Thomas N. Rosenberg defeated challenger Dave Dailey, winning with 52% of the vote. 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. Even with that plan, gaps remain and daytime shelter is a significant issue especially in extreme weather. 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. She added the resolutions were a statement of commitment by a local government to recognize inclusion and equity are important and essential for a healthy, safe and prosperous community. The vote was preceded by a more measured discussion than the one witnessed at the Economic Development Committee which discussed the proposal and voted to move it forward. WAUSAU - The newest member of City Council isn't exactly a newcomer to Wausau politics or to controversy. Dist. Now, Kilian said that if a new department is created, it should serve as the new lead in future efforts to address the needs of unhoused residents. A date for the meeting has not yet been set. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. . 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. Meeting Agenda & Packet Link: https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals//Departments/Council/Archives/Council/Council/2023/COUN_20230110_Packet.pdf 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. 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. Instances like this have helped me realize the value of being open to the perceptions of each group an issue touches, in an attempt to obtain a view of the larger issue at hand in any situation. If you are unable to attend, but would like to comment on a specific agenda item you may complete an Agenda Item Comment Form. Occupation: Process control and automation: Pulp/Paper, Power, Renewable Fuels, Food/Beverage plants. The womans death wasnt directly attributed to the cold, meaning she did not freeze to death or die of exposure. that this community needs. Occupation: Inside Sales Representative, Heartland Business Systems (HBS). WAUSAU Multiple incumbents were booted off the County Board by Marathon County voters, while two incumbents lost Wausau City Council races in Tuesday's election. But many whites supported the resolution, a fact noted by Tom Neal, Alder from Dist. He is also a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of GroundTruth Project that places journalists into local newsrooms. I also once referred to an imaginary jasper who might confront me regarding my stance on the CFA issue and how Id respond. Laura Schulte can be reached atleschulte@gannett.com and twitter.com/SchulteLaura. All Rights Reserved. The resolution to anyone who reads it clearly does not declare that bias is running rampant. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. When I knock on doors, I think street maintenance is a big complaint. Im not sure if the council will agree to it, but I think we need to have an opportunity to engage in the conversation. 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. It is not a mean word, said Alder Becky McElhaney from Dist. She added that the amended version of the proposal was far better than the previous one. (see attached chart). 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. The City Council is the elected governing body of the City of Wausau. 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. District 34:Jason Wilhelmdefeatedincumbent Gary Beastrom with 54% of the vote. If we were able to allocate more funds to various projects in the area using foresight instead of hindsight, we might be able to get ahead of potential issues before they ever arise. That space, she said, provides a barrier from the wind and snow for people with nowhere to go. I like Candor: When asked, I will tell you what I think. The 32-bed prison's price tag is now $78.4 million . That would leave 384 total units. The corporate authority of the city is vested in both the Mayorand theeleven elected members of the Common Council. Dist. What is the greatest challenge facing Wausau and what would you do to address it? Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I spent a year working on a research project at UW Madison where my biases were challenged continuously. Calendar 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. She reminded the Council that the Warming Center, while a tool to help serve the unhoused residents of Wausau, has limited room. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or less. WAUSAU - The Wausau City Council has five new members after the vote totals from the spring election were released. Meetings may change due to any situation covered in the standing rules of the Common Council. In District 5, James Wadinski received 52% of the vote, with Joel Lewis getting 46%. The move is taking some council members and advocates for the homeless population, who thought the project was rejected in September, by surprise. 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. Mayor Rosenbergs new housing task force meets this month, Feb 23. Announcements All rights reserved. Those who defended the resolution called it necessary; its opponents branded it as divisive, ideological and biased against the white community. I feel seen.. Renee Hickman coversrural issues in Wisconsin. 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%. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) This week's winter storm has postponed a much-anticipated discussion by the Wausau City Council. They must immediately take inventory of each housing category in the city (affordable, workforce and luxury). Im not sure if the council will agree to it, but I think we need to have an opportunity to engage in the conversation. On major financial decisions, let the people decide through referendum what they want, and whatever decision comes of that Im fine with. 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. Click and go to page 119. 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. 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. Among those who played a key role in the adoption of the measure was Mayor Rosenberg. Which is it?. District 33:Ron Covelli defeatedincumbent Tim Buttke with 52% of the vote. If the council does not approve Gisselman and Kilian's request, a COW meeting can also be called by Mayor Katie Rosenberg or City Council President Becky McElhaney. Like this: Loading. Two incumbents and a challenger won the three Wausau School Board seats. Some folks saw jasper as a derogatory term referring to an ignorant rube. 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. 4 candidates had to say about their experience and the way they will address Wausaus challenges if they are elected. As for next steps, the Mayor said we have a lot of really important planning and it will be important that we infuse those plans with a multi-cultural, multi-ability, multi-experiential mindset so they address the needs of Wausau residents., She added that she was referring to the Citys strategic planning that well be kicking off shortly and the transit development plan were working on in conjunction with the Marathon County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rosenberg said she expects heavy public engagement for both of those processes and we want to make it as easy as we can to include as many voices as possible., At the beginning of the Common Council meeting, Neal was criticized by name by Orlando Alfonso, a Wausau resident and husband of the assistant city attorney. As affordable housing opportunities continue to shrink in Wausau and rents skyrocket, more people are unable to secure a safe place to live. The vote on. 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. 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.. That amended motion passed. 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. Doug Diny, Jesse Kearns, Vada Perkins and Kate Tracey have all thrown their hat into the ring. For republication information email editor@wausaupilotandreview.com.. https://www.facebook.com/wausaudistrict4/, https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals/0/Departments/Finance/Documents/2022_Budget.pdf, https://public.tableau.com/shared/7MD9M9RCH? Did you know that Jimmy Carter, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, and Jordy Nelson were all members of Future Farmers of America (FFA)? The womans death was one of the reasons Gisselman called for the meeting. In District 2, incumbent Michael Martens received 53% of the vote, over Tiffany Rodriguez-Leewho received 46.5%. Clarke was a member of the Assembly in 1882. 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 . The 1970 census found Wausau had four Black . District 1: Carol Lukens edged out John Kroll by two votes. 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 5: Gary Gisselman topped incumbent Jim Wadzinski with 53% of the vote. Community members prepared to speak in opposition to the Community for All resolution at the Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau, Wis., last week. 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. My current customer base includes over 120 Central Wisconsin companies, I talk to business owners and operators every day, I can help bring a jobs approach to our council team. 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. Jesse Kearns cited a variation with his concern about how we prioritize subsidies to developers versus other interests. 4, after Tom Neal announced he would not seek another term. No action will be taken by any such groups. District 17:Incumbent Jennifer Aarrestad defeated challenger Cheryl Martino with 59% of the vote. Before calling for the vote, Mayor Katie Rosenberg thanked the council for the discussion saying many alders left themselves "very. Reporter Megan Stringer contributed to this report. Please contact the City Clerk if you have questions about the meeting schedule or agenda. Now, the Granite House will be replacing the organization that once helped adults struggling with mental illness and drug abuse. Wausau cannot guarantee that the county will attend that meeting, she said. Wausau must continue to be a place where our children and grandchildren can build upon their generational legacy and the legacy of this community. 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. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. Even with these efforts, Wausaus warming center reported 72 unique clients who sought shelter there in November alone, according to city documents. Kilian and Giselman are well aware that an emergency preparedness plan wont address homelessness long-term. Infrastructure investment is often in response to need rather than expansion or innovation. According to reporting done by Brian Kowalski, there are 430 total affordable housing units in the city Removing East High would eliminate 46 of them, according to HUDs data sheet. Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting on the issue of homelessness. It is likely that members of, and a quorum of the Council and/or members of other committees of the Common Council of the City of Wausau will be in attendance at the abovementioned meeting to gather information. District 8:Kim Ungerer defeatedVeronica Hope with 52% of the vote for the seat vacated by Kelley Gabor. I mean, really? To add revenue, we build tax base. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin 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. 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. U.N.-branded vehicles were once ubiquitous there, but its staff now appear to be keeping a much lower profile than . First: Istrive for transparency and accessibility in my personal life and would do the same as a city council member, offering the community clear information about what theirlocal government is doing, as well as relaying their concerns and advocating for their needs to city leadership. In District 10, Lou Larsenbeat out Sherry Abitz, with 53% of the vote. Citizen Participation Form. 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. It simply states that we still see an uneven playing field with barriers that disproportionately affect certain marginalized segments of our community.. 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. 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. With four candidates on the ballot, a primary will be held Feb. 15 to narrow the field to two. We are very concerned for the safety and and well being of the unhoused who depend on the shelter these bridges provide from dangerous elements our harsh winter brings, Kelch said. Any citizen interested in participating in local government, please fill out the In District 9, incumbent Dawn Herbst ran unopposed for the seat. 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. Contact at rhickman@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @ReneeNHickman. 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. 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. City leaders in Wausau are renewing efforts to erect a fence beneath the Scott Street Bridge, despite the councils rejection of a prior budget amendment to fund the project. 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. 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. 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. District 3:Incumbent Tom Kilian defeated Jo Ann Egelkrout with 65% of the vote. 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. 715 . 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