Committee removes private-rental references from 400 Block special-event application

The Wausau Public Health and Safety Committee on May 19 approved staff's request to remove references to private, fractional rentals of the 400 Block from the city's special-event application and to replace specific fee listings with a reference to the city fee schedule.

Staff explained the parks department does not practice reserving a quadrant of the 400 Block for private events, because the block is surrounded by public right-of-way and would be difficult to manage and enforce as a private space. The language allowing people to reserve a quarter of the block dated from the block's initial opening, when planners contemplated private uses such as small wedding receptions or stage use; parks staff reported those uses rarely occurred.

Committee members asked questions about past usage and enforcement. Staff and parks representatives said the change would reduce administrative burden and avoid having the application come back to the committee whenever fees change, since fees will now be referenced by the fee schedule rather than enumerated in the application form.

A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made and seconded; the motion carried with no recorded opposition.

The committee directed staff to update the application language and to implement the fee-reference change so future fee updates do not require committee review of the application language.