[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6248813,"mediaKeyId","3208747-0daea6b582cf73a36155c44f5f16ac52","parentId",3208747,"title","Committee weighs hard stop for council packet materials and standards for appointment materials","audioSeconds",1110,"startMs",2290000,"endMs",3400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208747-0daea6b582cf73a36155c44f5f16ac52&start=2290&end=3400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208747-0daea6b582cf73a36155c44f5f16ac52/thumbnail_2290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248813/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Committee-weighs-hard-stop-for-council-packet-materials-and-standards-for-appointment-materials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248813-579095efee930875776a360bc0d8138a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775310063&Signature=Cx1lft-Bj1a4CXiP5Bdw7clCYzg8-dVrqrLgb6QAvwXZFbM2hYPXJeLj6VJWAnHQRQH5gonwl7ic4ASmdeyRT3y1FUAusIcOFl8pJBsgmz4TP2aIlD3m15H2XxoGgPt5wDJnl1eclr3NZg1CpOWASvqAdUVgO0WA7kbWentcOotxinUCUxVLrGFGZHm-i8HqixxjD0XZ8N5-qbGoEDCNW-c~GhAStgwUZaFnIHpeV3V-0~VX5edaIA-d7qB-m1lSe2DRFan~6qROGCc1amqJRIG0QwUucCEyng5bX-PU8Mb4umGRNDS6H99rt~C47ixut2IuODtmzQeMGxvFC1nRjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wasau, WI","date","2025-05-06T23:59:34Z","article","The Rules Review Committee discussed whether to set a firm deadline—variously described as a six‑day packet preparation rule and a seven‑day filing rule for ordinances and resolutions—for materials to be included in the Common Council packet, and whether elected officials should be able to add documents or expert testimony to the packet.

Members reviewed the existing timeline: the committee was told ordinances and resolutions must be filed seven days in advance, while packet materials are prepared on a six‑day timetable. Several alderpersons said last‑minute additions have arrived “hours before” meetings and that a hard stop is needed so members and the public can prepare. One member suggested a 48‑hour or 24‑hour hard stop; others noted that a 24‑hour emergency exception already exists for time‑sensitive items such as grant deadlines or items that must be approved quickly after committee action.

Alder Martins and Alderperson Tierney both argued for a firm deadline so members have time to review material. Alder Kellyanne said elected officials should be explicitly allowed to submit supporting documents for packet inclusion, noting past difficulty getting expert testimony into packets. The clerk's office said packet preparation timing is constrained by staffing and the open‑meeting process, and the city attorney noted statutory filing deadlines apply to some items.

On appointments and reappointments, committee members said nomination packets should include a more complete submission or resume rather than only name and address. Some members suggested a short statement explaining why the nominee wants to serve and two or three references to help council evaluation. The committee did not require a specific form but asked staff to draft suggested language clarifying what materials will accompany appointment and reappointment items.

Ending: No formal rule change was adopted; members asked staff to draft proposed language that balances a firm packet deadline with narrow exceptions for time‑sensitive items and to propose minimum materials to accompany appointment nominations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wausau Rules Review Committee Meeting - 5/6/25","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members debated setting a firm deadline for packet materials (current practice cited as six days for distribution, seven days for filing ordinances/ordinances) and discussed whether elected officials should be able to submit supporting documents and full resumes for appointments; no formal rule change was adopted.","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},6248818,"Wausau committee debates meeting decorum and signage; public commentator warns of legal risks",368,1176000,1544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208747-0daea6b582cf73a36155c44f5f16ac52&start=1176&end=1544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208747-0daea6b582cf73a36155c44f5f16ac52/thumbnail_1176000.jpg","/articles/6248818/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-committee-debates-meeting-decorum-and-signage-public-commentator-warns-of-legal-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248818-043aa52163d334279a41864102e5cc5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775310063&Signature=JmZWQvgXGgpKKTGj~S5MjxAF2Pi1Ny3GTT0Xxfx6t3HXZJoGQacSQElyNuzHl88M8LYWDL4MmflNf3gnXEVtGiRsEF5IppyB-It2S~Wn9bl~pQmaqgpjOrDmRUbVCk9gWC72wHE9oeqR-O9ZEP25j6hnVST3tnGiYFktVZ0-RMXbl0JOx08KZCiYQyUK-Fn0d6V-YAn48iDVO93zNjW05IRG~BypPWJbB~lhMEyL~8dSmvTm5YiStbTm0lcpH7AR5xxRwsYQDkeQeHB5p-5QQA4o0bhEu5KKVJRJzB8PVGiG2zcZraKWOotynLWiGE9S2QFJhY~XEDswyejGXx~Nnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rules Review Committee for the City of Wausau discussed meeting decorum rules, whether to restrict signage at public meetings, and whether to include a brief decorum statement before public comment; the committee did not adopt restrictions on signage and directed staff to draft briefer decorum language for further review.

Tom Killian, a resident who provided public comment, urged caution and outside review before adopting decorum language drawn from other municipalities. Killian noted a sample decorum policy in the packet from Yacolt, Washington and said the town \"was highlighted in the press for its lawsuit trying to shut down the speech of Washington state auditor's office\" and that \"a judge dismissed Yaacold's suit.\" Killian also cited a recent federal appeals-court decision in October 2024 that struck down school-board public-comment policies the court found had \"banned abusive, obscene, or personally directed comments\" and argued the committee should consult groups such as the ACLU Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression or the Institute for Justice.

Committee members discussed three decorum subitems: (a) restrict signage, (b) creating a short statement to read or place on the agenda before public comment (a civic mission/decorum blend), and (c) whether the council should read or display a short mission statement at the start of meetings. The chair summarized that the discussion did not mean the committee was adopting restrictions but that members should give direction if they wanted staff to pursue legally feasible wording.

Alderperson Killian said she did \"not support restricting signage as long as it does not disrupt or present a danger to our chamber,\" adding that a non‑disruptive sign is an element of freedom of speech. Alderperson Preston Keith and others urged concise wording focused on the elements that matter in practice—behavior that \"disturbs, disrupts, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of any council meeting.\" The city attorney reminded members that Robert's Rules is the default parliamentary authority when ordinances do not specify decorum.

The committee agreed to \"word‑smith\" a concise decorum statement and to return with revised language at a future meeting; members emphasized that any legally enforceable restriction would require additional legal review.

Ending: No new restrictions were adopted. Committee members asked staff to prepare a shorter decorum statement for the committee’s next meeting and to research legal precedents as requested by public comment.","The committee discussed proposed decorum language, whether to restrict signage during meetings, and whether to add a brief decorum statement before public comment. A public commenter urged the committee to consult free‑speech experts and cautioned that sample rules from other towns have faced legal challenges.",{"_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},6248823,"Wausau rules committee discusses edits to Rule 5 on order of business, will return revised language",923,72000,995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208747-0daea6b582cf73a36155c44f5f16ac52&start=72&end=995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208747-0daea6b582cf73a36155c44f5f16ac52/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6248823/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-rules-committee-discusses-edits-to-Rule-5-on-order-of-business-will-return-revised-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248823-60cbb703c03431aab8c0b568925c874b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775310063&Signature=Hy2Q3IbuIA0yl2IlnZEklwIyTs0rzhR4E4qnsK1U-ul~roHhkjIbjb2EjLoZYX4Zuv0cXE3mLXrmG-Q4kAAiXjRbErDCy5ZYXQp~MVBa9SfUTIHEAMwT1AjDM3APgLkNnrUvtqXnVf81wI~eHjs4WP-tZQUOh14PgicNbkJizCdARbCvTTp2Q4vH7WMbUwiOZMFyrqd28ZORVM~dqfxteTVsBuW26~B1arjkW-jKIPh5M3nrHGgIDQSocRXYVyBc5Y4vzZBrJm~ZFa-mHTGmwWUcgMDRYwldORW03kS-4XCSaC~XSxRIao5bDCYEuVFoPShZmNnVZAD-th0TEt0SwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Wausau Rules Review Committee discussed possible edits to Rule 5, the council’s order of business, and directed staff to reword the draft and bring it back for further review rather than taking final action.

Committee members debated whether to retain an item listing “communications and recommendations from the mayor” and how specific the agenda should be when noting proclamations or mayoral remarks. Alderperson Tierney cited state guidance during the discussion, noting \"Wisconsin statute 68 o 9 sub 8 b says ... the mayor shall, from time to time, give the council such information and recommend such measures as the mayor may may deem advantageous to the city,\" and said she would \"ask that our mayor provide some specificity about what he would be talking about.\" Tierney said if the committee requires specificity for one agenda item it should be applied consistently to others.

Committee chair (name not provided) said the body is revising \"the order of business, not items of business,\" and the committee’s work is intended to reflect current practice while complying with open-meetings requirements. The city attorney reiterated that Rule 5 sets only the sequence of business, while agenda wording must satisfy open-meeting law.

Members noted that the current list evolved from a 2008 standing-rules resolution and guidance from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. The draft will be word‑smithed and returned to the Rules Review Committee at a future meeting; no ordinance or formal rule change was adopted at this session.

The committee approved minutes from previous meetings at the start of the session. The chair said revised Rule 5 language \"will come back, again at the next meeting,\" signaling more work ahead.

Background: Committee members discussed retaining a place on the agenda for mayoral comments and for proclamations; they raised the practical question of how much specificity should appear on an agenda and whether agendas should list the exact nature of proclamations or simply include a generic line for proclamations. The committee did not adopt final text and requested a subsequent draft that incorporates the committee’s direction.

The item will return to the committee for additional editing and possible referral to the committee of the whole and full council as required by the resolution that created the Rules Review Committee.

Ending note: Committee members agreed to meet again after the June economic development meeting to continue work on Rule 5 language and other standing-rule edits.","The City of Wausau Rules Review Committee discussed proposed edits to Rule 5 (order of business), including whether to keep a mayoral communications item and how to list proclamations, but took no formal vote and asked staff to return revised wording at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee weighs hard stop for council packet materials and standards for appointment materials

Wausau committee debates meeting decorum and signage; public commentator warns of legal risks

Wausau rules committee discusses edits to Rule 5 on order of business, will return revised language