Rules committee OKs public comment on standing-committee agendas; debates decorum, signage and mayor remarks

The Wausau Rules Review Committee voted to add public-comment opportunities to standing-committee agendas, allowing comment tied to agenda items. The committee also debated consistent time limits, chairs’ discretion, decorum expectations in the council chambers, limits on signage, and whether the mayor’s recurring “communications and recommendations” agenda slot should be more specific and backed by packet material.

Alder Terry Killian called herself “a strong proponent of public comment,” saying residents should not be required to wait through long meetings to speak. Killian moved a rule change “that on standing committees’ agendas, public comment be allowed based on the agenda items.” Alder Vicky Tierney seconded a version of the motion; members added a…