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. Dist. 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. He is also a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of GroundTruth Project that places journalists into local newsrooms. A description of committee structure precedes the membership roster. District 11:Chad Henke defeated incumbent Debra Ryan who received52% of the vote. Phone: (715) 261-6800 Wausau cannot guarantee that the county will attend that meeting, she said. 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. 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. They must immediately take inventory of each housing category in the city (affordable, workforce and luxury). Email, Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. that this community needs. 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. 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. 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. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or less. Ka Lo, who is a Marathon County Supervisor and Wausau School District Board member thanked Neal for his support of the resolution. Meeting Agenda & Packet Link: https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals//Departments/Council/Archives/Council/Council/2023/COUN_20230110_Packet.pdf 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. 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. Thank you Neal for all you said last week, said Lo, who is Hmong American, a minority community in Wausau. Also in September, Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven said the bridge effort was never conceived to solve the homeless issue but a safety measure to keep residents from falling into the river. District 12 and 13:Mike Ritter defeated James Juedes with 62% of the vote. 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. I like Candor: When asked, I will tell you what I think. District 5:Gary Gisselman defeated Cody Nikolai with 63% of the vote for the seat vacated by Ka Lo. 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. The Wausau City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 407 Grant St., Wausau. Alder Rasmussen, a steadfast opponent of the proposal, said her goal was not to stop or stifle a healthy discussion. The womans death wasnt directly attributed to the cold, meaning she did not freeze to death or die of exposure. 715 . Candidates vying for the Wausau City Council District 1 seat will face off in a primary race on Feb. 15. Rick Cveykus handily defeated William Harris, with 68% of the vote, to win the seat held by retiring judge Greg Huber. City Council Alderpersons. 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. Few TIF districts meet or beat what we were originally told they would, and those that do, we have fallen on a bad habit of using them as TID DONORS, meaning the city siphons off tax increment from successful projects and donates it to failing project areas. Jesse Kearns cited a variation with his concern about how we prioritize subsidies to developers versus other interests. Click and go to page 119. In District 4, incumbent Tom Nealbeat out Judith Miller, with 63% of the vote. Here is a list of the winners. The 11-member Common Council adopted the renamed 'We Are Wausau' resolution by a 9-2 vote. As affordable housing opportunities continue to shrink in Wausau and rents skyrocket, more people are unable to secure a safe place to live. 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. Everybody cares. (page 33 from PDF) In the same letter to the economic development committee, Patterson illustrates why this approach is not meant to address the affordable aspect of the housing in his next paragraph by saying, I point out the timing for development of this property because we dont want to deliver the riverfront development and the mall redevelopment at the same as we dont want to risk the properties competing against each other (page 33 of PDF) Essentially this illustrates the reality that Wausau is not facing a lack of housing in a general sense, but rather it is lacking affordable housing for middle to low income families. District 8:Incumbent Sarah Watson defeated Thomas "Tony" Brown with 65% of the vote. Gain sharing pools can be shared with departments that create a surplus. I dont always need to be right; likewise, I expect the same from staff, tell me even if its bad news, no surprises please! District 7:Incumbent Becky Buch won against Alex Eichten with 58% of the vote. 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. I see the connection between support for entrepreneurship, keeping dollars local,and growing the tax base, attracting investors, creating jobs. We have to start somewhere.. 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. In District 11, Debra Ryanwon over Patrick Bacher, with 56% of the vote. 715-571-8108 133 E. Thomas St. Wausau, WI 54401: FOURTH: PDF: Doug Diny. I feel seen.. She said people who oppose the measure failed to understand what the marginalized and disabled people go through. 7 Alder Lisa Rasmussen pointed to efforts by the city to address homelessness and said the city should not consider the bridge a solution. 5, and Tom Kilian, representing Dist. Reporter Megan Stringer contributed to this report. 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. The vote on. 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. In 1893, Clarke became Postmaster of Somo, Wisconsin. Qualifications and responsibilities of the members of the plan commission shall be as established by Section 62.23 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Doug Diny, Jesse Kearns, Vada Perkins and Kate Tracey have all thrown their hat into the ring. 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. Four candidates are seeking a seat on the Wausau City Council to represent Dist. The best way to prioritize our budget is to encourage civic engagement so that as the funds collected from local residents is spent, the residents themselves are able to guide the hand of their local leadership. Mayor Rosenbergs new housing task force meets this month, Feb 23. The focus and funding would be better placed on finding permanent long term solutions for overflow and alternatives for those who can not use traditional shelters.. District 6:Stacey Morache defeatedincumbent Jeff Johnson with 58% 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.
UW-Madison, J.D. 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. Election website or Facebook page: Doug Diny for Wausau City Council https://www.facebook.com/wausaudistrict4/. 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. Minutes & Agendas, Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. Before calling for the vote, Mayor Katie Rosenberg thanked the council for the discussion saying many alders left themselves "very. That dichotomy has not been lost on some residents as well as some members of the City Council. Nineteen races were contested Tuesday for the Marathon County Board out of 38 seats a high number of contested seats in the country's largest county board. The sole bid, from Fortress Fence, is roughly $87,000, which is more than twice the amount initially budgeted as a capital improvement measure. 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 . Still, they seek to ensure that the citys most vulnerable residents are protected, starting with extreme weather incidents. Interest payments on rising debt is costing us opportunity. 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. Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting on the issue of homelessness. 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. 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. 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. 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. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. 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 . 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. District 8:Kim Ungerer defeatedVeronica Hope with 52% of the vote for the seat vacated by Kelley Gabor. I will act on constituent feedback that promotes our common vision. Regular Meeting Schedule: 3rd Tuesday of every month @ 5:00 pm. I spent a year working on a research project at UW Madison where my biases were challenged continuously. 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. They are banned from the parking ramps and the shelters are unable to accommodate the current growing number of our unhoused. WAUSAU - The Wausau City Council hasfivenew members after the vote totals from the spring election were released. Any time there is a public event that directly informs us on an issue a committee is handling, the council members on that committee should attempt to obtain public comment. So, property given for pennies on the dollar to a developer has just been flipped for a huge profit. WAUSAU - The newest member of City Council isn't exactly a newcomer to Wausau politics or to controversy. Any citizen interested in participating in local government, please fill out the Where We Are a Service Provider. Infrastructure investment is often in response to need rather than expansion or innovation. In District 8, Sarah Watsonreceived 59% of the vote, while incumbent Linda Lawrencegot 39.9%. All Rights Reserved. . 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. That amended motion passed. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) This week's winter storm has postponed a much-anticipated discussion by the Wausau City Council. 61-4472 4, 1980; Ord. Its important to identify what we mean by affordable housing crisis in Wausau. 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