Wausau committee backs package of council rule changes on public comment, civility and packet deadlines

The City of Wausau Committee of the Whole on Aug. 25 recommended that the City Council consider a package of rule changes aimed at standardizing public-comment procedures, clarifying a civility statement read at meetings, tightening agenda-notice requirements and setting a firm deadline for packet materials.

The rules review committee presented several linked changes and the committee voted to forward them to the full council in September. Motions to adopt individual items or the package were approved during the meeting; one motion that moved the mayor’s communications item later in the agenda passed with “one opposed,” according to the record.

Committee discussion focused on four topics: (1) making “public comment regarding agenda items” a standing agenda item for every standing committee; (2) adding a civility/public-comment statement read at council meetings and clarifying whether the presiding officer “may” or “shall” interrupt disruptive speech; (3) reorganizing the “order of business,” including where mayoral communications appear on the agenda; and (4) a clarified “introduction of business” (packet-materials) rule that sets a deadline for submission and allows a waiver “for good cause.”

Alder Gisselman, chair of the rules review…