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. Where We Are a Service Provider. The sole bid, from Fortress Fence, is roughly $87,000, which is more than twice the amount initially budgeted as a capital improvement measure. 5, and Tom Kilian, representing Dist. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin 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. 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. My law practice (representing employeebenefit funds)honed my negotiation skills, key for fostering cooperation, productive discussion, and balancing different parties interests. 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. Tracy Rieger, former director of Community Homeless Facilities at Catholic Charities in Wausau, assumed the responsibilities of community outreach specialist on Sept. 1. Dist. District 3:Incumbent Tom Kilian defeated Jo Ann Egelkrout with 65% of the vote. Previously, Rasmussen commented that resolutions arent necessarily what local governments should be focusing on. Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. 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. I also bring broad insights and fresh perspective from years spent in larger Wisconsin cities, out of state, and abroad. City Hall (407 Grant Street, Wausau WI 54403) - Council Chambers Members of the public who do not wish to attend in person may view the meeting live or after the fact via the internet on the 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. 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. 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? Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting on the issue of homelessness. 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 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. I like Candor: When asked, I will tell you what I think. Strategic, responsible planning for thefuture landscape is the foremost challenge facing Wausau. I also once referred to an imaginary jasper who might confront me regarding my stance on the CFA issue and how Id respond. A date for the meeting has not yet been set. 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. 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. Occupation: Fitness instructor at Woodson YMCA, Other public service, if any: Pro bono legal services while at Marquette Law School, Education: B.A. 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. After a contentious discussion on Tuesday, the Wausau City Council approved a request by two alders to hold a meeting on the way the city responds to homelessness. . Wausau must continue to be a place where our children and grandchildren can build upon their generational legacy and the legacy of this community. 4, after Tom Neal announced he would not seek another term. In my hometown of Green Bay, the debate over how to spend ARPA money has gotten ugly. I mean, really? Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin Among those who played a key role in the adoption of the measure was Mayor Rosenberg. District 1: Carol Lukens edged out John Kroll by two votes. Like this: Loading. Gary Gisselman, who represents Wausaus Dist. Meeting Videos Among those who supported the resolution, Christine Salm said the people who opposed the resolutions were trying to have it both ways. 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. . Pat. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Ive agreed to hold quarterly citizen feedback and exchange sessions with county supervisor John Robinson should I be elected. 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. 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. District 33:Ron Covelli defeatedincumbent Tim Buttke with 52% of the vote. This notice was posted at City Hall and transmitted to the Wausau Daily Herald on 03/01/2023 @ 9:00 AM. 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. Ive commanded soldiers around the world on very challenging and sensitive missions. 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. 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. I was moved to see the compassion people in the community had for the struggles the unhoused face, particularly in winter. The challenge will be balancing these considerations, which are often practically at odds despite being aligned in ideals as quality of life markers. Its important to identify what we mean by affordable housing crisis in Wausau. To send an email to a Member, please click here. 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. We currently defer and borrow money for street maintenance. 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. This image is present on our property tax forms and is available to us all. 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 . All rights reserved. A section of the community was maligned viciously. She repeated that the resolution was not going to make any meaningful difference in the community. The Council Holds the Purse Strings! I dont always need to be right; likewise, I expect the same from staff, tell me even if its bad news, no surprises please! Mayor RosenbergsAffordable Housing Tax Force is a promising first step. All rights reserved. Two City Council members are asking for a special meeting to discuss the way Wausau is responding to homelessness, as public attention and anger continues to bubble in the community. The results come nearly a week after Election Day, which saw voters. Occupation: Policy executive and small business owner, Other public service:Retired from Active Duty (15 years US Army, 12 years USPHS), Education: BS-University of Maryland, MS-Johns Hopkins University, MSc, Doctoral Studies-University of Southern California, Election website or Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/district4wausau. Apply now for jobs that are hiring near you. The 1970 census found Wausau had four Black . :showVizHome=no, Privacy and Conflict of Interest Policies, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Ka Lo, who is a Marathon County Supervisor and Wausau School District Board member thanked Neal for his support of the resolution. 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.. As always, public input should be allowed at the Committee of the Whole meeting and should play a role in informing the dispositions and positions of the publics elected representatives.. A description of committee structure precedes the membership roster. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. Wausau Police this week officially released incident reports related to the December death of a woman who was living under a city bridge. 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. My goal was to find a product that would get more backing, she said. 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. 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%. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. 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. The following is a list of Boards, Committees and Commissions. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. Meetings are not officially scheduled until an agenda has been issued and posted. Lisa Rasmussen, Sarah Watson and Dawn Herbst voted against the motion to hold such a discussion. No person may be appointed to more than two consecutive regular terms as a member of any city board, committee or commission, unless the reappointment is specifically approved by the common council. She added that the amended version of the proposal was far better than the previous one. The whole purpose of the program is to leverage city assets for developers to make long term improvements. All rights reserved. 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. . 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. The sole bid, from Fortress Fence, is roughly $87,000, which is more than twice the amount initially budgeted as a capital improvement measure. Interest payments on rising debt is costing us opportunity. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or less. The 32-bed prison's price tag is now $78.4 million . 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. I was also sympathetic toward the concerns of the residents living near the proposed site for the day shelter, as they had legitimate concerns and questions about what services would be offered to the likely increased number of people in their area who faced mental health and addiction issues. Please contact the City Clerk if you have questions about the meeting schedule or agenda. Education: BS, Physics, St Norbert College, DePere, WI. It is unsafe and does nothing for the dignity of those in need or to mitigate prolonged suffering.. The Salvation Army reported 55 clients in November. 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. 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. As council president, shame. According to City Clerk Leslie Kremer, 6,956 absentee ballots were returned for the election, and all of those included a postmark. Neal further said that those who opposed the proposal represent a very small fraction of our population, really. He added that the resolution envisaged equal treatment and opportunity and not equal outcomes. 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. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. Public Works Director Eric Lindman said the fencing project is a joint venture with WPS and they want to move ahead with their portion of the project.. District 11:Incumbent Alyson Leahy edged out Randy DeBroux by three votes. During the September meeting, Sandi Kelch, of the Community Outreach Task Force, spoke to the consequences of blocking off access to the citys bridges. Dist. To be clear, this hasnt happened overnight, its a trend; I think the mayor campaigned on fixing this, and I can help. Doug Diny, Jesse Kearns, Vada Perkins and Kate Tracey have all thrown their hat into the ring. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. Henry Coutinho-Mason, Lydia Caldana, Kelly Vaught, Max Lenderman, Emma Chiu, Clem Garritty, Ollie Jones, Richard Mathews #future Simon Pulman Entertainment Lawyer Focused on Complex Rights Deals. A proposed Milwaukee replacement for the troubled Lincoln Hills youth prison in central Wisconsin is substantially more expensive than planned. What is the greatest challenge facing Wausau and what would you do to address it? For republication information email [email protected].. 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. 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. Some folks saw jasper as a derogatory term referring to an ignorant rube. All Rights Reserved. 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. that this community needs. Being scientifically literate is something that every person should have an opportunity to become. We like Wausau. "The Town of Wausau is a Fair Housing Advocate. If we wish to ensure our city is able to afford the greatest opportunity to its constituents, focusing on reducing our capital and debt services so that we can increase the effectiveness of our local police and firefighters, ensuring public safety is at the forefront of where our budgetary dollars are spent. We have to start somewhere.. At the same time, thecity is responsible for maintaining cost of living (both property tax and rents) at a reasonable level that will not only retain but attract new and talented residents,further adding to our citys vibrancy. 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 womans death wasnt directly attributed to the cold, meaning she did not freeze to death or die of exposure. 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. Rasmussen said that the project could have gone forward if the cost remained within the $40,000 already allocated in the citys budget. In District 3, Tom Kilianreceived 71% of the vote, while incumbentDavid Nuttingreceived 28%. In District 2, incumbent Michael Martens received 53% of the vote, over Tiffany Rodriguez-Leewho received 46.5%. District 2: Ann Lemmer defeated Destiny Goretski with 61% of the vote forthe seat vacated by Jenifer Bizzotto. The Wausau City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 407 Grant St., Wausau. For his support of the resolution envisaged equal treatment and opportunity and not equal outcomes a date the... Michael Martens received 53 % of the program is to leverage city assets for developers to make long improvements! 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