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. 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. For republication information email editor@wausaupilotandreview.com.. councils rejection of a prior budget amendment to fund the project. Jesse Kearns cited a variation with his concern about how we prioritize subsidies to developers versus other interests. The Wausau City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 407 Grant St., Wausau. In District 9, incumbent Dawn Herbst ran unopposed for the seat. 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. Where We Are a Service Provider. WAUSAU - The Wausau City Council has five new members after the vote totals from the spring election were released. For City Council polling places and maps, clickhere. 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 9:Incumbent David Oberbeck held off Johnny Fortenberrywith 56% of the vote. ?The approved We are Wausau resolution can be viewed here. 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. Occupation: Inside Sales Representative, Heartland Business Systems (HBS). All rights reserved. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. Someone died under a Wausau bridge, Gisselman told Wausau Pilot & Review on Monday. No action will be taken by any such groups. Please check the calendar to confirm whether the meeting will be held. 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. Which is it?. Gisselman on Tuesday told the Council he wants the group to be completely informed with high hopes of helping the homeless.. 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. In my hometown of Green Bay, the debate over how to spend ARPA money has gotten ugly. I am a strong advocate in providing affordable housing opportunities to young professionals-new nurses, teachers, police officers, etc. My law practice (representing employeebenefit funds)honed my negotiation skills, key for fostering cooperation, productive discussion, and balancing different parties interests. But he said he is confident that homelessness led to deteriorating health conditions for the woman, whose death remains under investigation. 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. I spent several years living on Maui, HI. I believe this is the most essential, grassroots engine to building a great place to live and work. Four candidates are seeking a seat on the Wausau City Council to represent Dist. 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.). We have to start somewhere.. 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. 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 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. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. 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). Short term, temporary measures must lead to solutions that promote long-term success. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin Tracy Rieger, former director of Community Homeless Facilities at Catholic Charities in Wausau, assumed the responsibilities of community outreach specialist on Sept. 1. 4 candidates had to say about their experience and the way they will address Wausaus challenges if they are elected. 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. Nine incumbents were defeated by challengers. 5, and Tom Kilian, representing Dist. This experience helped me understand both the need for economic stability in cities across this country, while also shedding light on what can happen if ambitions blind us to the human consequences when development is at the behest of the people and not on their behalf. 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. 61-4074 1(part), 1967; prior code 2.03(7)). 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. Among Wausaus many competing needs, what would you prioritize in the next budget? 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. 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. 61-4316 4, 1976; Ord. 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. Gary Gisselman, who represents Wausaus Dist. As for a housing needs focus, I will insist future city developer deals with affordable housing be negotiated to the city and residents best long-term interest. 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. Infrastructure investment is often in response to need rather than expansion or innovation. I am a family man-Stephanie (Goetsch) Perkins (wife), Max (8), Ava (2), Benjamin (new! I am eager to serve as a direct link between district 4 citizens and government. 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 . District 11:Incumbent Alyson Leahy edged out Randy DeBroux by three votes. 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. In District 10, Lou Larsenbeat out Sherry Abitz, with 53% of the vote. 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. The move is taking some council members and advocates for the homeless population, who thought the project was rejected in September, by surprise. 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. Being scientifically literate is something that every person should have an opportunity to become. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. The resolution to anyone who reads it clearly does not declare that bias is running rampant. 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. 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. Fax: (715) 261-6808 Ive commanded soldiers around the world on very challenging and sensitive missions. Even with that plan, gaps remain and daytime shelter is a significant issue especially in extreme weather. She said people who oppose the measure failed to understand what the marginalized and disabled people go through. Though the Finance Committee in 2022 recommended approving the funding, the proposal drew pointed opposition from some members of the public and council members who saw the fence as yet another Wausau initiative to punish homeless residents. 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. Laura Schulte can be reached atleschulte@gannett.com and twitter.com/SchulteLaura. District 11:Chad Henke defeated incumbent Debra Ryan who received52% of the vote. I spent a good portion of my childhood in District 4 and attended Hawthorn Hills Elementary. 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. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin 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. Comingling this money greatly hampers our ability to score success of these projects. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or less. 7 Alder Lisa Rasmussen pointed to efforts by the city to address homelessness and said the city should not consider the bridge a solution. Rasmussen said that the project could have gone forward if the cost remained within the $40,000 already allocated in the citys budget. 4 and chair of the Economic Development Committee which approved the resolution last week by a 4-1 vote. This process should not pit competing groups against each other; rather, ARPA is a straightforward budget priority process. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) This week's winter storm has postponed a much-anticipated discussion by the Wausau City Council. The top two vote-getters will move on to the spring election on April 5. Ka Lo, who is a Marathon County Supervisor and Wausau School District Board member thanked Neal for his support of the resolution. Oftentimes changes to the city find opposition in one form or another, particularly where aesthetic development is concerned. February The City Council is the elected governing body of the City of Wausau. But even that assertion was met with some skepticism. In District 7, incumbent Lisa Rasmussen beat out Tracy Wheatley, with 71% of the vote. District 12 and 13:Mike Ritter defeated James Juedes with 62% of the vote. According to City Clerk Leslie Kremer, 6,956 absentee ballots were returned for the election, and all of those included a postmark. Someone died under a Wausau bridge, Gisselman told Wausau Pilot & Review. Community members prepared to speak in opposition to the Community for All resolution at the Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau, Wis., last week. Bliven also addressed the death of a woman in December who was staying in a tent underneath a Wausau bridge. The sole bid, from Fortress Fence, is roughly $87,000, which is more than twice the amount initially budgeted as a capital improvement measure. 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. Gary Gisselman, who represents Wausaus Dist. Alders Sarah Watson, Dawn Herbst, and Rasmussen all voted no. 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. 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. During the September meeting, Sandi Kelch, of the Community Outreach Task Force, spoke to the consequences of blocking off access to the citys bridges. Meeting Videos All rights reserved. With four candidates on the ballot, a primary will be held Feb. 15 to narrow the field to two. Wausau in September made headway when they appointed a new officer to connect unhoused residents with services and resources available in the city. Between the two organizations, space exists for just 53 residents on any given night during the winter. (Ord. Doug Diny, Jesse Kearns, Vada Perkins and Kate Tracey have all thrown their hat into the ring. James Bouche and Jon Creisher were reelected, while challenger Joanna Reyes beat out incumbent Jane Rusch and challenger Kayley McColley for the third spot. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. Thank you Neal for all you said last week, said Lo, who is Hmong American, a minority community in Wausau. We have to start somewhere.. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. 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. We monetize peoples plight for federal funds and spend the moneyIs this a community for all? 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. Lisa Rasmussen, Sarah Watson and Dawn Herbst voted against the motion to hold such a discussion. Before calling for the vote, Mayor Katie Rosenberg thanked the council for the discussion saying many alders left themselves "very. 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. Some council members appeared to balk at the idea of forming a new city department, though Wausau did have a city health officer in the past. 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. All rights reserved. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. 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. 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. 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. 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 that this community needs. 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. Neither Mayor Katie Rosenberg nor City Council President Becky McElhaney responded to an email sent Wednesday requesting information for this story. He is also a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of GroundTruth Project that places journalists into local newsrooms. That dichotomy has not been lost on some residents as well as some members of the City Council. That wasnt my meaning, but I understand their reaction., He added he was concerned that some people latched onto and are offended by a single word or offhand phrase while apparently not acknowledging or addressing the overriding content of what I or others say at length on an issue. For republication information email editor@wausaupilotandreview.com.. which discussed the proposal and voted to move it forward, Ethics Board condemns Wausau alder, but dismisses complaint, Wausau Ethics Board to discuss complaint by county supervisor against city alderwoman, Hmong finance executive files discrimination complaint against local credit union, Mixed reaction in Wausau on plans to welcome refugees, Afghans among them, Threats against elected officials marked heated debate on Community for All resolution, Marathon County rejects Community for All resolution, Privacy and Conflict of Interest Policies, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. 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