Onalaska reviews rewritten council handbook and sets staff "Success Day" for fourth Thursday in August

Councilors discussed a comprehensive rewrite of the Onalaska council handbook and offered directed feedback on wording and organization, then approved a date change for Staff Success Day.

Amanda (staff) said the handbook was a comprehensive rewrite rather than a redline and asked councilors a set of directed questions about length and missing content. Several councilors raised specific concerns: Larry Jurasic sought clarification on language about electronic discussions and the walking-quorum rule; Jim Benash questioned who would enforce limits on speaking turns; and others asked that the handbook include a clearer path for where constituent issues should be directed.

Rick Niemeyer recommended some follow-up orientation for new members and said staff would consider follow-up meetings for sections that require clarification. Amanda said staff would take council feedback, likely add a table of contents, and return with tweaks in March.

Separately, council considered a memo proposing the new date for Staff Success Day. City Administrator Rick Niemeyer said department heads settled on the fourth Thursday in August for 2026; staff expect many employees to attend and City Hall will be closed to the public for the day. Steven Knott moved to set the date, Larry Jurasic seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the handbook defines internal procedures and expectations for new and returning councilors; clarifications affect how the council engages the public and handles agenda items. The Staff Success Day date affects public access to city services for one day annually.

Next steps: staff will incorporate council comments into the draft and return in March; staff will implement the Staff Success Day schedule starting in 2026.