Wausau council approves emergency shelter contract with Bridge Street Mission after hours of debate over nondiscrimination and program limits

Wausau Common Council approved a joint resolution on July 8 to contract with Bridge Street Mission Inc. to provide emergency night-shelter services, passing the motion 8 to 3 after public comment and lengthy discussion about nondiscrimination, program rules and contract length.

The contract, presented as a draft in council packets, passed after a motion from Alder Alden Rasmussen and a second from Alder Larson. Committees had previously recommended the measure: finance committee voted 4–1 and the public health and safety committee voted 4–1 to advance the agreement.

Council members and public speakers said the shelter fills an urgent need; critics warned the nonprofit's religious doctrine could limit employment or access and asked for stronger contract protections. "I think that when we spend public money that is going to be used to employ citizens in this town, we need to respect their rights as workers," said public commenter Jay Kronenwetter, who told the council he had reviewed the draft and raised concerns about employee protections and language on hiring. Kronenwetter said Bridge Street Mission "indicate[s] that they will not hire homosexuals," and urged the council to make funding contingent on explicit nondiscrimination language.

Several residents and service providers also urged delay to let the council scrutinize the contract. "I'm also concerned about the religious beliefs being put onto the clients," said Vicky Harness, executive director of the Community Outreach Task Force, describing client worries about a proposed 60‑day housing limit and potential religious pressure.

Council supporters and city staff argued the proposal met the city's request for an emergency-night-shelter provider and that delay would risk leaving residents without winter shelter. "We cannot afford to wait; come winter, we have to have capacity," said Alder Rasmussen, noting the time-sensitive nature of permitting, contractor schedules and donor commitments that the mission has tied to the contract.

Police Chief Barnes and council members described specific contract provisions and operational details during the discussion. The contract draft includes a nondiscrimination clause that Alder Tierney read into the record: "Providers shall provide emergency night shelter services under this contract on a nondiscriminatory basis regardless of faith, gender, lifestyle, and no beneficiary of service under this contract shall be required to participate in any explicitly religious activity. Provider agrees to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those concerning nondiscrimination and civil rights." Chief Barnes said the draft is negotiable and that his office and the city attorney would continue to work with the provider before final signatures.

Staff and council also described program mechanics discussed at the meeting: the provider offered a guaranteed bed for individuals for 60 days when they enter the emergency shelter, with case management and partner referrals intended to help clients move toward housing or services. Chief Barnes explained that the 60‑day period is a guaranteed bed window, not an automatic eviction at day 61: "All the 60 days is saying is you come in the door to use shelter services, you're guaranteed your bed for 60 days," he said, adding that extensions are possible if a client is making progress.

Council debate also focused on contract term length. Several alderpersons said a shorter initial term or additional review periods would be preferable; city staff and others said Bridge Street Mission requires a longer commitment to secure community fundraising and contractor commitments. Chief Barnes said the provider is seeking about $1 million in community commitments for build-out and that a multi‑year guarantee would support those fundraising efforts.

A motion to postpone the item to allow additional committee review (moved by Alder Watson, seconded by Alder Lukens) failed on a 5–6 vote. The main motion to approve the joint resolution passed 8–3.

The council and staff said oversight will continue after contracting: public health and safety committee members said they will receive regular reports and Tracy Durante, the city's outreach coordinator, was identified as a point of ongoing data collection and reporting to committees on shelter operations, usage and outcomes.

Votes and next steps: the council approved the contract authorization and directed staff and the city attorney to finalize negotiable points in the draft agreement before execution. Council members emphasized continuing oversight, and staff said that final build-out and opening timelines depend on the provider's fundraising and contractor schedules.

Ending: With the motion approved, Bridge Street Mission can proceed toward building out the proposed emergency-night-shelter space; city staff said they will continue negotiating contract language and monitor early service reports through the public health and safety committee and regular staff updates.