[{"_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",6187551,"mediaKeyId","5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b","parentId",5068950,"title","Volunteer and residents raise concerns about Bridge Street Mission-run unhoused facility","audioSeconds",358,"startMs",748000,"endMs",1106000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b&start=748&end=1106","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b/thumbnail_748000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6187551/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Volunteer-and-residents-raise-concerns-about-Bridge-Street-Mission-run-unhoused-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187551-a09e67d1111ed2216212483b43d6812d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775872124&Signature=l3WmLKTBZ0-P~LAwDEKA8N9OpKUtfJ7J~p1hP~69OR632Yfdp6BmEBRuVzIk1bMsg5TsEUL9IGGzNs-wFM2KpOdcoNuLG7n7mI8Ov6E4cBvsISsCg-TNaQ2WEWT0rQDEyyW9xRukqkYYPwgGUfk5-h0-geW2NN8DkuUujwdyMPz7qdv7lKPO5l6-zE~QNnNZBhQnkSsWr5cr84bq0uuvZ7MH8JtVfn8QRFrWF3rDz4vnlVnjRC7vA1qVyCDp1h3Dlz7nGyJonwMV7DL~ugfCjwJsCKXBaCYZ~xgT43eY62fRRXBouN5niQTSKdRHvYqJgR3SA4ZKhoqNIN15Cp3DMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wasau, WI","date","2025-06-25T13:21:00Z","article","A Wausau volunteer and resident told the council on June 24 that the city's new unhoused facility, operated by Bridge Street Mission, emphasizes a Christian discipleship model that she said could alienate some clients and limit effectiveness for people with substance-use and mental-health needs.

\"This is not how we need to handle our house,\" Carrie Morell said. \"There's a ton of mental illness. There's a ton of AODA problems, and if it comes with expectations that they need to be indoctrinated, I think that isn't going to solve anything. It's gonna alienate a lot of the population, including what's very well known as them being against the LGBTQ population.\" Morell said she has volunteered at the facility since it opened in May.

Morell said Bridge Street Mission described its program to a complainant in intake materials as \"not an apartment building, but a Christian discipleship program,\" and she urged the council to consider alternative models as the city plans for longer-term solutions. She acknowledged the facility might be the city's most affordable immediate option but urged the council and staff to pursue other options this fall.

Other public commenters at the start of the meeting focused on concerns about council behavior and the use of public funds for attorneys; those remarks were part of the evening's public-comment period and referenced the separate council discussion about outside counsel and the mayor.

Council members did not take action on the volunteer's comments during the meeting; the remarks were entered into the public record as part of preregistered public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wausau City Council Meeting - 6/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A volunteer and other residents told the Wausau Common Council that a facility operated by Bridge Street Mission emphasizes Christian discipleship and may alienate clients with substance-use and mental-health needs and LGBTQ residents.","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},6187556,"Council approves temporary River Life Park concession lease to Fozone LLC",169,2391000,2560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b&start=2391&end=2560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b/thumbnail_2391000.jpg","/articles/6187556/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-temporary-River-Life-Park-concession-lease-to-Fozone-LLC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187556-648f8f58691d16e159d87fdd0e21c3b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775872124&Signature=L-LK2zuPURvNpgwqbA3LMQ~XxXNW71OtzeNr-SSEawHDZmtPVeVTNI0d2cd4dZuWf4tFsPBjXma9lgQ5u1TnkWFdkzKmGJjBtOBjd9vau3fTA9PutAVTj~iYCaVZ71okZgRLTil3lvjQN-Q7j-fDjOnNxg1JLO2hjrOLQy129WuisgtO6RDPNeDCNh~pKNOhytO1yJD7dQR4eNGVHVmY7JHr31dGUqGsJ2THMCXSgbcautQWHzDBjlrF7rb71cM1~29cjx1c9i~tjZQRt0S1cWlD-gNak2CQbVf2VqWz4qNxiPg8Fw-MIa5c3na2VGiMEr9-No8nscKzvayf1EI~Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wausau Common Council unanimously approved a temporary lease of the River Life Park concession building to Fozone LLC for operation of traditional ice cream and quick-serve food and beverages.

Parks Director Polly told the council the city's Parks Committee directed staff to reissue the request for proposals after the original vendor withdrew for personal reasons. The city received two similar responses; the parks committee recommended Fozone LLC, citing the depth of its proposal and its readiness to operate. Polly said Fozone has inventory in stock and could move in \"as early as next week\" if the council approved the temporary lease and staff completed the contract.

The motion (file 25Dash0414) came from Alder Luke, was seconded by Alder Watson and passed 11 to 0. Council members said the decision would allow the concession to operate during the summer season while staff finalize a contract.

Polly apologized for the short notice to the council but said the parks committee had given direction to expedite the RFP after the original vendor withdrew. The council directed staff to finalize lease paperwork consistent with city contracting procedures before Fozone takes occupancy.","The Wausau Common Council voted 11-0 to approve a temporary lease of the River Life Park concession building to Fozone LLC for traditional ice cream and quick-serve food and beverage service after the prior vendor withdrew.",{"_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},6187561,"Wausau council approves contingent sale of ladder truck and purchase of replacement to capture year‑end savings",1281,2530000,3811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b&start=2530&end=3811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b/thumbnail_2530000.jpg","/articles/6187561/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-council-approves-contingent-sale-of-ladder-truck-and-purchase-of-replacement-to-capture-yearend-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187561-efaff98005c98155e0eac98069932258/orig.mp4?Expires=1775872124&Signature=nMEAQc34FYM95Y-Vp1vUCulG~ceuBbupBD3qreKLE-X3MaJdlURUmuNC8JJuCdTw0W-CNjcoj2Dm4kjZyKQuGvP8nf2SO8TfgOBPoxkEXoVShrE1a-vw4Lje5iy0xvgEzYntq1~Kmv2bY04O5OeSTZnrbh7mIQHP7bbJvCnVWwZQYqwexiDflCgTluBgz8~iGpRd7ySqPN~SWvmKp0mX541FlDl0eRPQuYuTwYN6iJVE5KDqg7nus9zRr9gVVFKnu9LnFxV1rl8pdshiECVGHkbCTF6zpTEXZYa6TwO4IDuWsPz1sEu3yR7XdgNbaXN5meKGpXlSOAq6BxRYUOM0yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wausau Common Council on June 24 approved the sale of Wausau Fire Department Ladder Truck 2 and the contingent purchase of a replacement vehicle; both motions passed 10 to 1.

Council members and the fire chief described a compressed timeline: the department had a prospective buyer in Georgia and hoped to complete the sale on Friday to allow funds to be available for a replacement purchase early the following week. Chief Jeremy Kopp told the council he was \"very, very confident\" the buyer would complete the transaction but acknowledged paperwork was still pending.

Several council members, led by Alder Killian, expressed concern that there was no binding written offer in the record and pressed whether the sale and purchase terms existed in writing. \"Do you have anything in writing? Do you have a listing contract? Do you have anything in writing for any of these sales or purchases?\" Killian asked. The fire chief and others said a letter of intent and other correspondence were in process but not available at the meeting.

Finance committee members said the purchase is explicitly contingent on the sale of Truck 2, and that contingency was the council's primary safeguard. Finance director remarks at the meeting noted that if the sale failed, the proposed purchase would not proceed and the city would revert to the standard procurement process for apparatus.

Council discussion identified an estimated $70,000 savings if the replacement could be purchased before the seller's fiscal-year end; speakers said that amount could be materially reduced if the purchase was delayed. The council approved both the sale and the purchase with the contingency language recorded in the meeting packet and emphasized that the sale must close before the purchase proceeds.

Both the sale and the purchase resolutions instruct staff to monitor closing and to return to the council if conditions change. The minutes and discussion show a verbal buyer commitment but do not record a signed purchase agreement for either transaction in the meeting record.

Council members asked staff to provide written documentation of offers and contingencies as they become available; if the Friday sale did not close, the purchase authorization would not move forward.","The council approved selling Fire Department Ladder Truck 2 and a contingent purchase of a replacement truck; both measures passed 10-1. The purchase is contingent on completing the sale and would capture an estimated $70,000 in savings if closed by the seller's fiscal year-end.",{"_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},6187566,"Wausau council authorizes outside counsel to represent city and staff in ethics matter after mayor veto",1426,947000,2373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b&start=947&end=2373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5068950-d230fdc88633fe8ab14bd626d3f6239b/thumbnail_947000.jpg","/articles/6187566/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-council-authorizes-outside-counsel-to-represent-city-and-staff-in-ethics-matter-after-mayor-veto","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187566-2bdbbb3fea068894052d871a314a1f39/orig.mp4?Expires=1775872124&Signature=Bi-66W5le803OreJQSpLvrM3VffLAOFbLRkA1yccc23-uUlznO~Yg5wASqF2-D6KqQcxtg1-L2zyQl3WtIDqu~Jnx5u4h-I7-pcmG8NcnCE2HeyPrUMkiCacIA3RClMGjY1f5FqTFZkHNfNdoc316b9Pl5M6M9rkSvlwA0v6MaQY0WsnpdaQWcwoE4BFG5o4FCfT2EYZNFwfa1WQuAXnBV7GjS0v0rw~mGgHBMmMHSwYi3loMDTrV5cnbZtyww-mWm~9qQ3xt-TcO3FIhHX02u9OHL0tDxElOhrGDTtZKjH1mIyAayqw6fOX4nFRQo~JLABg9VVWbzrbmCDaWIaISQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wausau Common Council voted 9 to 2 on June 24 to authorize continued engagement of outside counsel to represent the city and unelected staff in an administrative ethics matter concerning a citizen complaint against the mayor.

The vote revived an item the council had previously approved 10 to 1 and that the mayor vetoed on June 16. The motion on the floor on June 24 was made by Alder Watson and seconded by Alder Rasmussen.

The issue drew extended debate about whether the city had properly disclosed the attorney's earlier work and whether closed-session discussions complied with Wisconsin's open-meetings requirements. Mayor (name not specified) told the council that members were being asked \"to approve the hire now and fill in the blanks later,\" saying the prior, secret retention of the attorney undermined public trust and could violate Wisconsin Open Meetings Law. \"When taxpayer funded legal work is hidden from the full council and the public, it undermines transparency and public trust,\" the mayor said.

Council officers and the city attorney countered that the outside counsel had been retained under the city's insurance critical-incident provision and that the closed session had been requested by the legal department. The council president said attorney Hall \"outlined the complete scope of the work that he had performed\" during the closed session and that attorneys who advised the session had concurred that the closed session was appropriate.

Council members debated the level of urgency for the retention and whether an engagement letter and defined scope should be provided before additional funding was authorized. Council members noted CIVMEC, the city's liability carrier, initially covered work up to a $5,000 critical-incident benefit and later participated beyond that threshold. According to council discussion, CIVMEC ultimately declined further involvement for this administrative-ethics matter.

The council set limits on spending: the engagement would be monitored up to a $10,000 threshold, at which point council action would be required to increase funding. Council members also discussed reducing travel costs and directing that some work proceed virtually where feasible.

The council's formal action authorizes the retention of attorney Hall to provide guidance to city employees and others identified by staff; the motion passed 9 to 2. The mayor had previously vetoed the measure on June 16; the council's vote on June 24 reinstated the authorization.

The meeting record shows continuing disagreement about whether the closed-session process complied with open-meetings law; some council members said they had received differing legal opinions and requested further clarification. No evidence in the meeting record shows that the council approved an engagement letter or a full scope of work at the time of the June 24 vote.

Next steps noted by council members include producing a formal engagement letter, monitoring costs relative to the $10,000 threshold, and returning to the council if additional funding or scope changes are needed.","The Wausau Common Council voted 9-2 on June 24 to authorize continued engagement of outside counsel to represent the city and unelected staff in an administrative ethics matter, reversing a prior veto by the mayor and prompting debate over transparency and closed-session procedure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Volunteer and residents raise concerns about Bridge Street Mission-run unhoused facility

Council approves temporary River Life Park concession lease to Fozone LLC

Wausau council approves contingent sale of ladder truck and purchase of replacement to capture year‑end savings

Wausau council authorizes outside counsel to represent city and staff in ethics matter after mayor veto