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Wausau council splits over mayor's voluntary commentary and meeting procedure
Summary
A procedural dispute over whether Mayor Doug Denny may make voluntary commentary without vacating the chair produced multiple points of order, appeals, a failed motion to table and a vote to end the mayor's commentary during the June 10 Wausau Common Council meeting.
A procedural dispute over mayoral commentary interrupted the Wausau Common Council’s June 10 meeting and produced several roll-call votes as members debated whether the mayor must vacate the chair to offer voluntary remarks.
Alder Lukens raised a point of order during the mayor’s announcements, arguing that the mayor’s comments and the inclusion of certain content in announcements may have violated the Wisconsin open meetings law and that the mayor should follow established procedure when offering commentary. The chair initially overruled the point of order; Lukens appealed the ruling and asked the full council to vote on the appeal.
Council members discussed whether the objection was procedural (failure to vacate the chair and follow Robert’s Rules) or substantive (alleged misstatements). Several members called for clarity before voting; Alder Neil moved to table the appeal until the next meeting to allow members to review minutes and a recording. The motion to table failed on a roll-call vote 3–8. The council then voted on the appeal itself and the motion to end the mayor’s voluntary commentary passed 6–3 with two abstentions.
Separately, council members and the parliamentarian discussed correct practice under Robert’s Rules: when the chair wishes to comment, the chair should vacate the chair, move to the podium and cede the gavel to the council president. Members asked that future interruptions follow that procedure. Some alderpersons said their concern was strictly procedural — ensuring the mayor vacate the chair — while others had contended the mayor’s statements were inaccurate; minutes and recordings were cited as the record for resolving content disputes.
Ending: After the procedural votes the council returned to business. Members asked staff to ensure minutes and recordings would be available for review and signaled interest in a later procedural refresh or training on Robert’s Rules.
