Wausau continually faces a paradox when it comes to retention and growth where its population is concerned. Contact at rhickman@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @ReneeNHickman. 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. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. 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 townofwausau@bellsouth.net ". James Bouche and Jon Creisher were reelected, while challenger Joanna Reyes beat out incumbent Jane Rusch and challenger Kayley McColley for the third spot. Previously, Rasmussen commented that resolutions arent necessarily what local governments should be focusing on. (Ord. 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. If the council does not approve Gisselman and Kilians request, a COW meeting can also be called by Mayor Katie Rosenberg or City Council President Becky McElhaney. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. In District 10, Lou Larsenbeat out Sherry Abitz, with 53% of the vote. 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. This notice was posted at City Hall and transmitted to the Wausau Daily Herald on 03/01/2023 @ 9:00 AM. Interest payments on rising debt is costing us opportunity. In my hometown of Green Bay, the debate over how to spend ARPA money has gotten ugly. Wausau cannot guarantee that the county will attend that meeting, she said. Meeting Agenda & Packet Link: https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals//Departments/Council/Archives/Council/Council/2023/COUN_20230110_Packet.pdf All Rights Reserved. 2023 www.wausaudailyherald.com. 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. 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. Meetings are not officially scheduled until an agenda has been issued and posted. During last months ferocious snowstorm and bitter cold, Marathon County health officials were forced to scramble to coordinate shelter, working with area nonprofit agencies and advocates to ensure safety. Here is a list of the winners. 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.). U.N.-branded vehicles were once ubiquitous there, but its staff now appear to be keeping a much lower profile than . The City of Wausau is proud to offer the most recent video-taping of the City Council Meeting. 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. 61-4074 1(part), 1967; prior code 2.03(7)). District 17:Incumbent Jennifer Aarrestad defeated challenger Cheryl Martino with 59% of the vote. 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. 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. Even with these efforts, Wausaus warming center reported 72 unique clients who sought shelter there in November alone, according to city documents. 7 Alder Lisa Rasmussen pointed to efforts by the city to address homelessness and said the city should not consider the bridge a solution. 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. Kham T. Yang, a, Mayor and Chamber insist Wausau will welcome and help new arrivals Damakant Jayshi Some elected and business leaders in Wausau believe the community is eager to welcome new refugees, including Afghans, as part of a, Damakant Jayshi The debate over diversity resolutions in Marathon County and Wausau exposed rifts not only between elected officials but also among members of the community, mirroring a divide that, polls show, is only getting, Damakant Jayshi After more than a year of discussion and undergoing multiple revisions, a diversity resolution on Tuesday failed to pass when the Marathon County Board of Supervisors deadlocked on the proposal. 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. 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. Im very tired of it.. Meetings may change due to any situation covered in the standing rules of the Common Council. SECOND: PDF: Michael Martens 715-845-4218 City of Wausau 407 Grant Street Wausau, WI 54403: THIRD: PDF: Tom Kilian. 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. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) The Wausau City Council voted 8-3 to approve a future Committee of the Whole meeting on homelessness in the city. 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. Between the two organizations, space exists for just 53 residents on any given night during the winter. Any citizen interested in participating in local government, please fill out the All rights reserved. The numbers given by Tracy Reiger at the public Health and Safety committee show a shortage of at least 140 beds. I will act on constituent feedback that promotes our common vision. In District 6, incumbent Becky McElhaney ran unopposed. 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. In two recent media Q&As, my opponents Kate Tracey and Vada Perkins mentioned fiscal responsibility. While Marathon County has a social services department and a health department, Wausau has neither. 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.. Some folks saw jasper as a derogatory term referring to an ignorant rube. 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. Mail can be sent to any Committee Member, by addressing it to: Member's Name, C/O City of Wausau, 407 Grant Street, Wausau, WI 54403, Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. Experts say that eradicating homelessness altogether relies largely on a housing first philosophy, which prevents at-risk people from falling into such situations at high rates. Infrastructure investment is often in response to need rather than expansion or innovation. District 16:Tony Sherfinski defeated incumbent Bill Conway with 65% of the vote. The 11-member Common Council adopted the renamed We Are Wausau resolution by a 9-2 vote. District 34:Jason Wilhelmdefeatedincumbent Gary Beastrom with 54% of the vote. 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. Occupation: Inside Sales Representative, Heartland Business Systems (HBS). Email, Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. In District 11, Debra Ryanwon over Patrick Bacher, with 56% of the vote. Gary Gisselman, who represents Wausaus Dist. 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. Im not sure if the council will agree to it, but I think we need to have an opportunity to engage in the conversation. District 5: Gary Gisselman topped incumbent Jim Wadzinski with 53% of the vote. 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. District 3:Incumbent Tom Kilian defeated Jo Ann Egelkrout with 65% of the vote. ? Wausau must continue to be a place where our children and grandchildren can build upon their generational legacy and the legacy of this community. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS). 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. The sole bid, from Fortress Fence, is roughly $87,000, which is more than twice the amount initially budgeted as a capital improvement measure. The city is one of the main bases for the some 18,270 MONUSCO personnel in Congo. District 7:Incumbent Becky Buch won against Alex Eichten with 58% of the vote. A proposed Milwaukee replacement for the troubled Lincoln Hills youth prison in central Wisconsin is substantially more expensive than planned. 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. Current Minutes & Agendas can be found on the Recent listing. To be clear, this hasnt happened overnight, its a trend; I think the mayor campaigned on fixing this, and I can help. 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. Budgets get executed by department heads, they have far more flexibility than the mayor or council in finding savings. . 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 space, she said, provides a barrier from the wind and snow for people with nowhere to go. 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. Among Wausaus many competing needs, what would you prioritize in the next budget? Oftentimes changes to the city find opposition in one form or another, particularly where aesthetic development is concerned. 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). Community Longevity/Connections: As a homeowner raising three children on the East side for over 20 years, I paid attention to our neighborhood community, to our kids schooling, to taxes, and the local government. 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. 4 candidates had to say about their experience and the way they will address Wausaus challenges if they are elected. WAUSAU - Four development projects received a boost Tuesday evening as city officials approved various funding for new proposals, in the final City Council meeting before five new members. The City Council is the elected governing body of the City of Wausau. District 11:Incumbent Alyson Leahy edged out Randy DeBroux by three votes. 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. I spent several years living on Maui, HI. 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. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) This week's winter storm has postponed a much-anticipated discussion by the Wausau City Council. 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. Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. 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. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. Alfonso also accused Neal and others of demonizing conservative opposition and asked the group to stop race-baiting.. Ive taken charge of struggling organizations and lead them back to the top in their segments. Other public service: Mayor Appointment to Airport Committee, N2N Committee. 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. 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. That dichotomy has not been lost on some residents as well as some members of the City Council. 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. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. 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. 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. I also once referred to an imaginary jasper who might confront me regarding my stance on the CFA issue and how Id respond. 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. District 38:Bobby Niemeyertopped incumbent Jonathan Fisherwith63% of the vote. The move is taking some council members and advocates for the homeless population, who thought the project was rejected in September, by surprise. 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. Alder Tom Kilian took issue with the idea that declaring Wausau an inclusive community is not an essential use of the councils time. Lets offer incentives to city employees for cutting costs. 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. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. 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. Comingling this money greatly hampers our ability to score success of these projects. That amended motion passed. Being scientifically literate is something that every person should have an opportunity to become. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. I spent a year working on a research project at UW Madison where my biases were challenged continuously. 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 . 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. To send an email to a Member, please click here. Wausau in September made headway when they appointed a new officer to connect unhoused residents with services and resources available in the city. The Wausau City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 407 Grant St., Wausau. Dist. 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. 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. Education: BS, Physics, St Norbert College, DePere, WI. As affordable housing opportunities continue to shrink in Wausau and rents skyrocket, more people are unable to secure a safe place to live. 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.