Wausau rules committee narrows mayor remarks, tightens packet filing language and removes name-ban from public comment

The Wausau Rules Review Committee on July 1 debated and agreed by consensus on several revisions to the city council rules, including where the mayor’s communications appear on the agenda, a one-minute cap on announcements from mayor and alderpersons, keeping a seven-day pre-filing requirement for packet materials with a clarified waiver authority, and removing a rule that would bar members of the public from identifying city personnel by name during public comment.

The changes were discussed because committee members said recent practice has produced late packet materials and unclear expectations about mayor remarks and announcements. Committee members agreed to send the package of recommended changes — including the revisions to Rule 5 (Order of Business) and Rule 6 (Introduction of Business/filing requirements) and related wording changes — to the Committee of the Whole for review and possible council action.

Alderperson Killian said she was concerned about moving mayor communications away from the early part of the agenda because of a lack of agendized notice: "It feels to me as though, having the mayor make comments and recommendations at the onset of the meeting ... it seemed like the issues were that he hadn't agendized what he was going to talk about." Several…