The numbers given by Tracy Reiger at the public Health and Safety committee show a shortage of at least 140 beds. District 25:Timothy M. Sondelski beat incumbent Sandy Cihlar with 59% of the vote. 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. 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. Comingling this money greatly hampers our ability to score success of these projects. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below.
District 1: Carol Lukens edged out John Kroll by two votes. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS). Maintenance is like shaving, youve got to do a little every day. U.N.-branded vehicles were once ubiquitous there, but its staff now appear to be keeping a much lower profile than . Meeting Agenda & Packet Link: https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals//Departments/Council/Archives/Council/Council/2023/COUN_20230110_Packet.pdf WAUSAU - The Wausau City Council hasfivenew members after the vote totals from the spring election were released. Budgets get executed by department heads, they have far more flexibility than the mayor or council in finding savings. 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. Apply now for jobs that are hiring near you. 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. 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. 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. 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. The whole purpose of the program is to leverage city assets for developers to make long term improvements. Occupation: Process control and automation: Pulp/Paper, Power, Renewable Fuels, Food/Beverage plants. Thats just cherry-picking to the extreme and does little or nothing to illuminate the discussion.. She reminded the Council that the Warming Center, while a tool to help serve the unhoused residents of Wausau, has limited room. District 17:Incumbent Jennifer Aarrestad defeated challenger Cheryl Martino with 59% of the vote. Bliven also addressed the death of a woman in December who was staying in a tent underneath a Wausau bridge. Though the diversity measure passed, another measure under consideration that seeks equitable treatment for all area residents, the Environmental Justice resolution, was referred to a Committee of the Whole and did not pass on Tuesday. During the September meeting, Sandi Kelch, of the Community Outreach Task Force, spoke to the consequences of blocking off access to the citys bridges. Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting on the issue of homelessness. 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. 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.). Community members prepared to speak in opposition to the Community for All resolution at the Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau, Wis., last week. That amended motion passed. 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. "The Town of Wausau is a Fair Housing Advocate. Alfonso also accused Neal and others of demonizing conservative opposition and asked the group to stop race-baiting.. In District 10, Lou Larsenbeat out Sherry Abitz, with 53% of the vote. We monetize peoples plight for federal funds and spend the moneyIs this a community for all? All rights reserved. The following is a list of Boards, Committees and Commissions. 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. He is also a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of GroundTruth Project that places journalists into local newsrooms. All rights reserved. My goal was to find a product that would get more backing, she said. Even with that plan, gaps remain and daytime shelter is a significant issue especially in extreme weather. District 4:Doug Diny defeated Jesse Kearns by 20 votes. 2023 www.wausaudailyherald.com. 715-571-8108 133 E. Thomas St. Wausau, WI 54401: FOURTH: PDF: Doug Diny. 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. 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. 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. 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 ". I am a family man-Stephanie (Goetsch) Perkins (wife), Max (8), Ava (2), Benjamin (new! I mean, really? 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 citys leadership needs to foster citizen engagement if it ever hopes to solve these issues, which means Wausaus leaders need to do the work of outreach to a much greater degree in order to understand the drivers and incentives of the local populations needs. Election website or Facebook page: Doug Diny for Wausau City Council https://www.facebook.com/wausaudistrict4/. In District 2, incumbent Michael Martens received 53% of the vote, over Tiffany Rodriguez-Leewho received 46.5%.
She said people who oppose the measure failed to understand what the marginalized and disabled people go through. The top two vote-getters will move on to the spring election on April 5. I dont even know what that will be, but we need to start by listening.. 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. 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. 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. Meetings are not officially scheduled until an agenda has been issued and posted. 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.
3, made the request Tuesday to set a Committee of the Whole, which was approved by a 8-3 margin. District 11:Chad Henke defeated incumbent Debra Ryan who received52% of the vote. 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. Calendar 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. 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. (see attached chart). Strategic, responsible planning for thefuture landscape is the foremost challenge facing Wausau. The 32-bed prison's price tag is now $78.4 million . Gov. 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. Doug Diny, Jesse Kearns, Vada Perkins and Kate Tracey have all thrown their hat into the ring. 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.. 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? 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.. I spent a good portion of my childhood in District 4 and attended Hawthorn Hills Elementary. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. In two recent media Q&As, my opponents Kate Tracey and Vada Perkins mentioned fiscal responsibility. 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. I spent a year working on a research project at UW Madison where my biases were challenged continuously. 4, after Tom Neal announced he would not seek another term. MORE:Aldi to open new grocery store in village of Weston, MORE:Nearly 3 years after Shopko closed, the Wausau VA Clinic is breathing new life into the vacant building in Rothschild. To achieve this, Wausau must be both economically and financially viable which is why my top priorities are (1)fiscal accountability;(2) business and economic opportunities to attract and retain local talent and promote entrepreneurship; and (3) family focus. 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. 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. Home | Search | Page List | Announcements | Calendar | Departments | Services | Contact | Customer Feedback | Privacy Statement. 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. According to City Clerk Leslie Kremer, 6,956 absentee ballots were returned for the election, and all of those included a postmark. 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. 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. 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. Meeting Videos The City of Wausau is proud to offer the most recent video-taping of the City Council Meeting. 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. 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. 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. Neal, who was sharply criticized by Alders Rasmussen and Deb Ryan for his past remarks at the ED committee meetings, told Wausau Pilot & Review that he regretted some of his remarks he made previously. 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. Did you know that Jimmy Carter, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, and Jordy Nelson were all members of Future Farmers of America (FFA)? View Aldermanic Districts and Wards Map . Kilian on Thursday told Wausau Pilot & Review his position is unlikely to change. Dist. In District 6, incumbent Becky McElhaney ran unopposed. SECOND: PDF: Michael Martens 715-845-4218 City of Wausau 407 Grant Street Wausau, WI 54403: THIRD: PDF: Tom Kilian. 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). But he said he is confident that homelessness led to deteriorating health conditions for the woman, whose death remains under investigation. It simply states that we still see an uneven playing field with barriers that disproportionately affect certain marginalized segments of our community.. . In District 5, James Wadinski received 52% of the vote, with Joel Lewis getting 46%. Thank you Neal for all you said last week, said Lo, who is Hmong American, a minority community in Wausau. Living in several communities over the last fifteen years has given me an opportunity to see the strengths and weaknesses of each. In District 8, Sarah Watsonreceived 59% of the vote, while incumbent Linda Lawrencegot 39.9%. 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. Privacy and Conflict of Interest Policies, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. The alderperson member shall be elected by a two-thirds vote of the common council at its regular April meeting each year. Tracy Rieger, former director of Community Homeless Facilities at Catholic Charities in Wausau, assumed the responsibilities of community outreach specialist on Sept. 1. Where We Are a Service Provider. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) This week's winter storm has postponed a much-anticipated discussion by the Wausau City Council. If you are unable to attend, but would like to comment on a specific agenda item you may complete an Agenda Item Comment Form. District 8:Kim Ungerer defeatedVeronica Hope with 52% of the vote for the seat vacated by Kelley Gabor. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Here is what the Dist. Three candidates vying for the Wausau City Council District 1 seat will face off in a primary race on Feb. 15. The womans death was one of the reasons Gisselman called for the meeting. Alder Tom Kilian took issue with the idea that declaring Wausau an inclusive community is not an essential use of the councils time. 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. I was moved to see the compassion people in the community had for the struggles the unhoused face, particularly in winter. In District 9, incumbent Dawn Herbst ran unopposed for the seat. 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. Gary Gisselman, who represents Wausaus Dist. 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. (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. Now, the Granite House will be replacing the organization that once helped adults struggling with mental illness and drug abuse. As affordable housing opportunities continue to shrink in Wausau and rents skyrocket, more people are unable to secure a safe place to live. I was trusted to get the mission done. 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. Normally, SEC 42 are 30-year deals, but an exception was given and agreed to by the city for ONLY 15 years. District 16:Tony Sherfinski defeated incumbent Bill Conway with 65% of the vote. Kelch, in a prepared statement to Wausau Pilot & Review on Thursday, said her organization understands the purpose of the fence but fears the consequences could be grave if built before permanent, compassionate alternatives are in place. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) The Wausau City Council voted 8-3 to approve a future Committee of the Whole meeting on homelessness in the city. The Council Holds the Purse Strings! 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. 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. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. District 21:Incumbent Thomas N. Rosenberg defeated challenger Dave Dailey, winning with 52% of the vote. District 9:Incumbent David Oberbeck held off Johnny Fortenberrywith 56% of the vote. But even that assertion was met with some skepticism. The vote on. My law practice (representing employeebenefit funds)honed my negotiation skills, key for fostering cooperation, productive discussion, and balancing different parties interests. Additionally, the original developer enjoyed a low interest loan from the city, city property tax relief as well as state tax credits to offset the subsidized rents. In 1893, Clarke became Postmaster of Somo, Wisconsin. 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. Sherry Abitz, with Joel Lewis getting 46 % of Somo, Wisconsin and daytime shelter is a issue. Street Wausau, WI 54403: THIRD: PDF: Michael Martens received 53 % of the vote numbers by! Marginalized segments of our community.. secure a safe place to live adults with. | Privacy Statement content is property of Wausau is proud to offer the most video-taping! That are hiring near you $ 78.4 million each year Sherry Abitz, with Lewis! 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