Votes at a glance: Marshfield council approves ordinances and routine items on Nov. 11, 2025

The Marshfield Common Council on Nov. 11, 2025, approved several second‑reading ordinances and routine agenda items.

Ordinance 15‑36 (municipal court amendment): Presented by City Administrator Steve Bard, the ordinance reinserts language requiring municipal court judges to be licensed attorneys after that language was inadvertently omitted when the joint municipal court added the villages of Spencer and Stratford. Staff recommended approval; the council adopted the second reading.

Ordinance 15‑37 (SR‑6 zoning amendments): The council approved text changes to allow duplexes, twin homes and 3–4‑unit townhouses in the SR‑6 district and to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right (no conditional use permit). Steve Bard said setbacks remain unchanged (three‑foot side, five‑foot rear). Alderman Coran asked why ADUs would be permitted by right rather than via public hearing; staff said the change is intended to promote modest density.

Ordinance 15‑38 (small‑scale residential district): Council approved a second reading to create a new zoning district (section 18‑44) to accommodate a mix of low‑density multiunit housing where criteria are met and the zoning administrator approves an application; appeals would go to the plan commission.

Consent agenda and minutes: The council approved minutes from Oct. 27 (budget meeting) and Oct. 28 (council meeting) and passed the consent agenda and meeting reports.

Closed session: The council voted to enter closed session under Wisconsin Statute chapter 19.85(f) and (e) to discuss specified personnel, property and litigation matters and later adjourned from that session. No final public actions from closed session were reported that evening.

What’s next: These ordinances were approved on second reading; typically final adoption follows statutory notice and any remaining procedural steps as required by city code.