[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6257762,"mediaKeyId","3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d","parentId",3152282,"title","Wausau council approves several budget and contracting items, hires new HR director and authorizes equipment purchases","audioSeconds",1743,"startMs",4522000,"endMs",6265000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d&start=4522&end=6265","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d/thumbnail_4522000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6257762/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-council-approves-several-budget-and-contracting-items-hires-new-HR-director-and-authorizes-equipment-purchases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257762-f65651133c3bb454a0a26bb7dcba9eb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160482&Signature=N5b13-64bnJkcmcxkInWNjAz84XNpWXV4GdY7ejrIV6jDmBA8jUtWiBW5c0NZp38JN4CNUFehxYVvQinD0CqRwHF0lsedj04RT-Fx6yNhgLWVSUiLoztaO4PhWM9oPxhtwI7RkkfaCK0i5wz8E7DfsE50IKDCgxVPGTCrLO8~hRUZB0Z7KYH6qzWCdCHEdAxjvlWNXaAFYpYKCh-2Hcm-079IA5T8WijwJn6r8CsPItud2aEeMCp3lFUGzXzJrTCHhIlbTpYiGrR1jB9SolYLeHyfUJOkXjoZ0XO4fhCd3DS~CH5q2uvR8Xi-MJzBJ~cJc5d~K7IimBMPm3iw~jTrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wasau, WI","date","2025-04-30T02:09:51.477Z","article","The Wausau Common Council approved a package of finance and administrative items Tuesday that included hiring a new human resources director, authorizing several budget modifications and approving agreements and capital purchases.

Human resources: The council confirmed Lisa Nowak as the City of Wausau human resources director after Nowak introduced herself and described more than a decade of private-sector HR experience and three weeks on the job with the city. The motion to confirm passed 9-1.

Public-safety and technology purchases: The council approved a 2025 budget modification to add an Axon AI redaction assistant tool as an add-on to the police department’s existing Axon services contract (file 24-1109D). The council also approved a chiller replacement at the police department (24-1109F). Both items passed on council votes recorded in committee and on the floor.

Event funding: The council approved a budget modification to fund part of the Independence Day fireworks display, supplementing room-tax marketing funds; councilors said the room-tax commission had funded marketing and the city would provide remaining monies for the fireworks.

Transit and fleet: The council authorized CARES-funded purchases of two paratransit vans, one paratransit shuttle bus and two nonrevenue vehicles for the transit system. The council also approved a resolution allocating $600,000 of 2024 bond proceeds to fund the water portion of a Wisconsin Department of Transportation project on Stewart Avenue.

Personnel: A human-resources resolution authorizing the hiring of part-time officers passed 8-2. Other personnel and procedural items were approved on consent or after committee referral.

Agreements and property: The council approved an access agreement with the former Wasatch Chemical property for access to city land at North River Drive, and accepted a dedication of right of way at 700 Grand Avenue; the access agreement passed 10-0 and the right-of-way acceptance was approved 8-2. The council also considered and denied a taxpayer’s claim of unlawful tax for roads asserted to be private; staff explained the parcels remain taxable until conveyed to the city and recommended denial.

Votes: Multiple items were passed by unanimous or large-majority votes noted in committee and on the floor (several items recorded 10-0 or 8-2 in the transcript); the HR director confirmation passed 9-1 and the part-time officer hires passed 8-2.

What this means: The actions authorize several capital purchases, approve funding for summer events, move forward on transit vehicle acquisition and formalize personnel decisions. Councilors asked staff to track procurement and billing and to report back as projects proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wausau City Council Meeting - 4/29/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted on a series of finance and administrative items — including hiring Lisa Nowak as human resources director, purchasing Axon AI redaction tools and approving allocations for fireworks, transit vehicles and water work — and approved multiple resolutions and agreements.","taxTitle","Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4562,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6257767,"Council rejects ordinance that would have allowed city-run pop-up beer gardens in parks",914,4672000,5586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d&start=4672&end=5586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d/thumbnail_4672000.jpg","/articles/6257767/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Council-rejects-ordinance-that-would-have-allowed-city-run-pop-up-beer-gardens-in-parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257767-cb49bd48c37281a064eeb3b8bb0780e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160482&Signature=ZBdmfokgKNmDU8H3M4mJ5lGtH4VQOyKmxSGZHPraubG0fFSSlZXX45ZsFtf7DlvC~ibP96slbQorGpzgoeM~sM69oLirdEy6nEJYx-yrftB2HDFEXGeIHity3~PupEfNBOL-mR5nR5mmozxQntSOgU9oqw~YRuqsXkhCKDbglA9NIxmqD9mfsI~PaOTF-NO-nQan--zTePsIVv1erooEFXBpUv~zD0QxjTCiPZqMVCyTkVs2Gbns8xilgcgjmR6oQTokAk7LwgcudXcX8RQ4a8WCtdd1uQKuXVfDwRSu-8~tXWOLjWI0MUsoPzCuwpQ9PNmtN8rKfuk2yofobXzG3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council declined to adopt an ordinance change that would have created authority for alcohol sales in city parks and for pop-up “beer garden” events; the vote failed 0-10.

Council debate focused on liability, whether city employees should serve alcohol, the optics of alcohol sales in family parks and the mechanics of managing temporary service (IDs, wristbands, fencing and safe-server training). Several alderpersons said they supported vendor-run events in principle but were uncomfortable with the model discussed that would rely on city-operated service.

Alder McElhaney, one of two councilors who opposed the measure at committee level, said she worried the city should not be “selling alcohol” as a public service and raised questions about how the city would handle overservice and legal exposure if someone served while intoxicated and caused harm. “I feel very strongly the city of Wausau as a government and as a public service organization should not be selling alcohol,” McElhaney said.

Alder Watson said the parks commission voted 0-4 earlier in the day against changing the ordinance and described the parks staff as already stretched thin. Parks Director (Polly) described a model used by Milwaukee County that pairs county staff with vendors and breweries to operate permanent and traveling beer-garden events; she said Milwaukee County uses a mix of trailers and vendor partnerships and that staff had pursued that model for research. She also recommended safe-server training for anyone who would operate service.

Several council members said they would have favored a vendor-operated model where licensed breweries or food/beverage vendors staff service, rather than having city employees serve alcohol. Alder Rasmussen, who had voted for the concept in earlier committees, said the county park commission action and liability questions persuaded her to change and oppose the ordinance on final reading.

The draft ordinance would have required changes to local licensing and could have required fenced-perimeter controls for some vendor models; the parks director said current city rules would likely require modifications for vendor-operated events to serve alcohol outside established premises.

The council voted down the ordinance. Council members asked staff to document vendor-based options and to return with clearer operational plans if the idea is to be revisited in the future.","After questions about liability, staffing and optics, the council voted unanimously against an ordinance change that would have created a new category for selling alcohol in city parks and allowed city-run pop-up beer gardens or staff-operated beverage service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6257772,"Council approves HUD lead reduction capacity-building MOU with Marathon County",234,1320000,1554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d&start=1320&end=1554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d/thumbnail_1320000.jpg","/articles/6257772/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-HUD-lead-reduction-capacity-building-MOU-with-Marathon-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257772-b1d48cef605c13c832196e663cf74854/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160482&Signature=OSnBxBSxD3PKtosxqAup~QYthxGSAqS1WfVLrRpX8mOvnzuHiysociUUVoUKn7oxSjrA80Drz-WVImhEknCCPGsU5Lbpl5bwfJe0g2iVrgDafHLhx9XfSnsvvwi1y-akO8El2j8NZrFjuvw7Jnd8ncd6xXrZw6OfJHm5~ma5vRzbwMvh-rAoTBqmT4mxLTNvmwi5f77jwR~0rnMLNKRU5luJ-wl8jwZ3dSn4LNo6ulGu1ueY69-4xdyMUoWV9C80OSCht1Xi-4-Xss0UBLDPqLeG4d~Z40-6jNUd3PWWmmo24w7L2OKb16YZhDHRSv4~uoLJHm8Eeg4RXBxxIYpbnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the City of Wausau and the Marathon County Health Department to implement a lead service reduction capacity-building grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.

Councilors asked staff how grant dollars will be used, who will provide required matching funds and when direct remediation work can begin. Tammy (Marathon County/Public Health staff) explained the grant’s first two years are devoted to capacity building — outreach, contractor training, risk assessment and community education — and the remediation portion (approximately $500,000) is not available until roughly year three.

On administrative costs, Tammy said the grant permits only a limited percentage for administration (the MOU references a 20% cap). She clarified that staff time spent on program delivery — for example, a county program manager or staff performing risk assessments and clearances — is treated as program delivery rather than administrative overhead and can be charged to the grant or used as match. Tammy said the county will provide its required 25% match and that the city is not responsible for the county’s match.

She also told alderpersons the program manager at the health department is expected to allocate about 75% of her time to the grant and that the county will track staff time used as match. The memorandum calls for monthly billing for reimbursable expenses; some alderpersons asked whether the MOU should specify which positions will be billed. Tammy said the program manager would be the primary billed position and that routine departmental time spent on the program will be treated as match rather than billed as direct grant costs.

Alder Tierney and Alder Killian asked how and when remediation funds become available and whether the city would be billed for work by multiple county staff. Tammy reiterated the initial focus is capacity building and that direct remediation would begin after the first two years. The council approved the resolution to authorize the MOU; councilors asked staff to monitor billings and reporting closely as the program moves forward.

What this does: The MOU creates a local partnership to carry out HUD-funded capacity-building activities related to identifying lead hazards, expanding contractor and risk-assessor capacity, and preparing to carry out remediation work when that grant phase becomes available.","Wausau approved a memorandum of understanding with Marathon County to implement a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development lead-hazard capacity-building grant; councilors asked how administrative and remediation funds and matching responsibilities will work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6257777,"Wausau council rejects mayor’s ethics-board appointees amid concern over timing and optics",1069,937000,2006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d&start=937&end=2006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152282-1b774069848cc69b283745877b8e330d/thumbnail_937000.jpg","/articles/6257777/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-council-rejects-mayors-ethics-board-appointees-amid-concern-over-timing-and-optics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257777-17a4dfc2b5e5c4fddf6add9ab5ed6192/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160482&Signature=DnAbMHsaF1-32J3Hu2Zn~YHJj24txaVO-DwFLEcHuCbgVb5CQwOM7VXrsS3s74cI48BWlq-Xu7g0AEPLOTJIvYIiqC4V8oNp2RDOSc~lDD2qkq8oyoB7fkV1v-CKuUYMf-9MTgS3hpDrNdBnE6MEgwMyxS9NuWUh7KUFTVZncENr1FCpgHtGyOYEcp0taQ3isUI~Z~KYWtz7bIOLF6pRx~a~YZDNBUViYNx5ppOFi7OlZuzVrDKOF0F61B7-VuL5h4nSvElBRDYiF9QlEeU-DadNN-88lwRJ~ABAnfc5kvGmV4jTWPn~NMoq9At1GW~oo7DRUOsgo8QPGppJ06wTvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wausau Common Council voted 0-10 Tuesday night to reject four appointments to the city’s Ethics Board that Mayor Doug Denny had submitted, after council members raised concerns the nominations would create an appearance of partisanship while an investigation is pending.

Council members said the appointments — to fill multiple seats that the mayor described as having been improperly staggered — should wait while an active ethics matter before the board is unresolved. Members also cited legal guidance the council had received that warned of organizational risk if a single set of nominees created a majority on the five-member panel.

The mayor defended making the appointments as his duty under the municipal code and Wisconsin law and said staggered terms should be restored. “The mayor appoints, the council deliberates, and confirms based on qualifications, not politics,” Doug Denny said when introducing the nominees. He argued holding vacancies because of “unrelated political speculation” undermined the charter and the board’s function.

Council members from across the chamber said circumstances had changed since the council previously delayed action: the Ethics Board set a hearing for the coming days and, during Tuesday’s meeting, one board member announced a resignation that left the board with fewer sitting members. Several alderpersons said that combination meant it would be irresponsible to install four new members now.

Alder Rasmussen, who voted against confirmation, said the city attorney had emailed the council warning that approving four candidates could create the appearance of partisan control of the ethics panel. “We now have time to go out and find objective people who don't have the appearance of having any dog in this fight,” she said.

During the meeting Carrie Morole of Everest Boulevard used public comment to say she had been approached and berated by the mayor after a March council meeting and that she felt bullied. Morole said she had received an apology email from the mayor but that she was concerned the mayor was seeking to appoint allies to the Ethics Board, and she told the council one appointee had donated $5,000 to a GoFundMe set up to support the mayor’s legal defense. The mayor and council members discussed the public comment but did not reach an agreement on it; the complaint Morole described is on the public record, she said.

Councilors took a separate procedural step earlier in the meeting to separate the ethics appointments from other mayoral appointments so the ethics nominees could be handled alone. After debate and multiple speakers on both sides, the council voted down the ethics appointments.

The four nominees read into the record before the vote were Lon Roberts, Thomas Garver, Deborah Hadley and Kevin Hermenning. The council also heard that Brian Mason had announced a resignation that created an open seat on the Ethics Board.

The council’s vote rejects these confirmations; the mayor may re-nominate candidates or propose other nominees at a later date. Council members said they expected to use the four-month window the Ethics Board provided when it adjourned to solicit and vet additional nominees.

What’s next: The Ethics Board announced it had adjourned for four months and set a hearing schedule; council members said that interval should be used to find nominees who avoid any appearance of partiality. The mayor and council did not indicate a new timetable for returning nominees to the council for confirmation.","The Common Council voted down four mayoral ethics-board appointments after weeks of debate and a public allegation accusing the mayor of confronting a resident; council members cited legal risk, appearance of partisanship and a pending ethics matter as reasons to delay confirmations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wausau council approves several budget and contracting items, hires new HR director and authorizes equipment purchases

Council rejects ordinance that would have allowed city-run pop-up beer gardens in parks

Council approves HUD lead reduction capacity-building MOU with Marathon County

Wausau council rejects mayor’s ethics-board appointees amid concern over timing and optics