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Council moves mayoral communications and public comment later in agenda after rules committee review
Summary
Following months of dispute about the council meeting order, the Common Council voted to move the mayor's communications/recommendations item toward the end of the agenda, saying the change should reduce procedural disruption and let the council handle its primary business up front.
The Wausau Common Council on Tuesday voted to amend its standing meeting order to move the mayor's communications and recommendations item later in the agenda.
Council's rules committee and a Committee of the Whole reviewed the proposed change amid repeated contention in prior meetings. Supporters of the change said placing mayoral communications later in the agenda helps ensure the council addresses its primary business items first and prevents a single communications segment from derailing the meeting. Opponents said the mayor traditionally presents information at the opening of meetings under Wis. Stat. 62.09(1)(b), and that changing the order could be perceived as limiting the mayor's role.
After discussion that included procedural questions and references to Robert's Rules and past practice, council approved the rules change (motion passed 8-2). The new order preserves the public-comment period but reorganizes when the mayor's communications appear.
Ending: The council adopted the revised rules for order of business and directed staff to implement the new agenda order going forward.
