City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everybody and welcome to a full house at the uh at city council. We're at a common council meeting. It is Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. It is 6:32 p.m. and we are in the council chambers. We'll call the meeting to order. Please join me for the pledge of

allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I ask the clerk to call the role, please. We have 11 voting members present.

All right. No proclamations tonight. Just a quick announcement that we are using new meeting software tonight. So, if we have uh any hiccups, please bear with us. We have our council rules here. We'll we'll we can revert to the oldfashioned uh non- electronic version if we have to, but it looks like it's working and everybody's gotten a little training. Uh first uh item here be uh for presentations. I'd like to introduce our new assistant city attorney, Vinnie Bonino. Vinnie's here. Give you an opportunity to say a few words. He's he's joining the attorney's office and is has hit the runh ground running in our municipal court system. Vinnie, if you want to talk.

Hi, my name is Vinnie. Um I've been practicing in the area for about three and a half years now. Uh my practice consisted of municipal law. Um I grew up in the area so I'm very familiar. Uh and yeah, I look forward to working with all of you. Thank you and welcome. [clears throat] All right. First up is under presentations. It's going to be a presentation a couple of things by the Wasaw Police Department. I'll call up Matt Barnes, please.

Mayor, members of the council, thank you for this opportunity tonight. Um, on your agenda, it indicates that this is a presentation for the award of valor, and we will get to that. Unfortunately, I had not planned on sharing information with you because this became relevant last night. Um, it's with a heavy heart that I share that the passing of Major Frank Schuli, who was a 40year member of our Wasa Emergency Police, who died last night after a long season of health challenges. For the past four decades, Major Schuli served this community not because he had to, but because he chose to. Year after year, event after event, season after season, Frank stood watch over our community's gatherings. From parades and festivals to outdoor concerts and community celebrations. When WASA came together, Frank was there. He helped ensure that families could safely enjoy the very events that define who we are as a community. He did this quietly, faithfully, and consistently. Frank exemplified what volunteer service is meant to be. He gave his time, he gave his energy, he gave his leadership, he even gave it to me occasionally. And he did so without expectation of recognition or reward. Those 40 years of service represent more than just longevity. They represent commitment. They represent sacrifice. They represent a deep belief that serving others matters. The Wasa Emergency Police Unit plays an essential role in supporting the Wasa Police Department. These trained volunteers extend our ability to provide safety at large-scale events and community functions. They are force multipliers. They are ambassadors and they are a visible reminder that public safety is not just the responsibility of a department. It's a shared community effort. Frank understood that. His example demonstrated that you don't need a badge or a paycheck to make a profound impact

on public safety. What you need is commitment and a willingness to step forward. In recognition of his extraordinary servants service and considering the emergence of some physical limitations, we had recently drafted a resolution conferring upon him the title of Major Emmeritus, a reflection of our deep appreciation and the lasting mark left on this organization. That designation now carries an even deeper meaning. Frank's fellow unit member and longtime friend was emergency police associate director Larry Jagger was able to visit Frank in the hospital yesterday right before he passed and he read this resolution to him. It reads in part, "We extend our heartfelt appreciation and esteem as you transition into this well-earned status. While you may be stepping away from active duty, your influence and leadership will remain an integral part of the unit's history. We hope that you take pride in knowing that your efforts have made Wasa a safer and stronger community. And while Frank has indeed stepped away from active duty, his life reminds us that volunteering strengthens the city. It builds connections. It models civic pride. It creates ownership and the well-being of our neighbors. If there is one lesson we can take from Frank's legacy, it is this. Communities thrive when people choose to serve. On behalf of the Wasa Police Department, the Wasa Emergency Police Unit, and the city of Wasa, we extend our deepest condolences to Frank's family and loved ones. We are grateful for his decades of service, and we are a better city because of him. Thank you.

Thank you, Chief Barnes.

[clears throat]

Now, the Wasa Police Department has a policy manual that's got to be 1500 pages long. It's electronic cuz paper copies would kill too many trees. Um, but a portion of our policy has to do with awards. And our policy reads, "The Wasa Police Department will recognize outstanding performance of employees and citizens making substantial personal contributions to the department or community. The department will identify and recognize specific acts of heroism, bravery, or notable accomplishments and establish guidelines to identify those who have distinguished themselves through performance of those acts or accomplishments. Now, the criteria for the Medal of Valor reads, "The second highest department award recognizes outstanding officer achievement. The Medal of Valor will be awarded to officers who distinguish themselves with extraordinary acts of bravery or heroism above and beyond the call of duty. Officers must have displayed extreme courage by placing their own safety in immediate peril in an effort to provide protection or preservation of life. On December 27th, 2025, at approximately 1:00 in the morning, Wasa police and Wasa Fire were dispatched to an address on Fleming Street in the city of Wasa for the report of a structure fire with a female trapped on a couch engulfed in flames. Officer Shinowski was the first to arrive on scene and was advised from dispatch that a female was inside and currently being burned. Officer Shinowski immediately entered the residence through an unlocked side door despite thick smoke that severely limited visibility and created a hazardous breathing conditions. Officer Shinowski located the female whose lower body was on fire and pulled her through the residence outside to safety. This female victim later succumbed to her injuries. However, Officer Schnowski's quick and selfless actions gave her the only chance she had for

survival and provided her family several precious days to spend with her. The Wasa Police Department does not train or have a policy that says you should run into a building that's on fire. We generally leave that to our neighbors. But Officer Schnowski made a decision and his actions placed his own safety at risk in an effort to rescue a member of this community. The Wasa Police Awards Committee evaluated the circumstances in Officer Schnowski's actions and recommended him for the award of valor. I agree with their recommendation and I'm proud and honored to present Officer Shinowski with the award for valor. Wade, your actions serve as an inspiration to your fellow officers and this community. Additionally, on April 25th of this year, Officer Schnowski will be receiving the Valor Award from the Wisconsin Professional Police Officers Association at their annual conference. Wait, see award of valor. Thank you.

[applause] [applause] [applause] [applause]

Please limit your speech to 10 minutes. Wait. I'm just

Great turnout for Wade. Thank you guys. You guys are all dismissed.

All right. Up next is item four, consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting. Uh approval of the minutes if correct and a correction if mistakes if any are noted. So this would be for February 10th. And I would entertain a motion, a motion from Watson, second from Lucans. Any comments [clears throat] on that? Seeing none, you may begin voting. I

motion passes 11 to zero. I'm not seeing the public comment statement. Oh, it's in the back. Thank you. Sorry.

Okay. And we have a couple. Okay. We do have two two register pre-registered for public comment. So, we'll read the public comment statement tonight. City of Wasau recognizes the value of public comment on local issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on city matters. Please identify yourself by name and state your address. Each statement made by a participant should be limited to three minutes. Direct all comments to the chair, not to members, staff or other participants. People addressing the council shall not disrupt the orderly course of business. The chair values civil discourse and may interrupt, terminate, or prohibit comment that do not adhere to these rules. First up is Tom Kian. Good evening. Tom Killian, 133 East Thomas Street. I want to share concerns about adding new conditional uses highlighted in your packet to some current industrial zoning classes. My understanding is that this is simply correcting a typo and that these changes were intended back in 2019. But just because some concerning zoning policy was intended seven years ago does not mean that it has to be adopted today. My further understanding is that conditional uses don't require or include any council oversight or approval. Thus, for certain existing industrial zoning classes, some of which

are still located next to residential homes or close to kids schools. Uh you will be allowing the plan commission alone to approve these conditional uses like mining related operations with sand and minerals or waste disposal facilities and others that could cause serious disruption and community health impacts. Most of the plan commission is not elected and does not represent the city areas that may be impacted. Do you really want to allow operations related to non- metallic mining or waste disposal in a current industrial class in a residential neighborhood within without council approval? No way. And I'm not saying that the current plan commission will abuse these changes, but a future one at some point will. You can count on it. Presently, there is actually an extraction disposal zoning district. It's evidently not being used in WASA yet the provision exists in municipal code but an entity would have to jump through a lot more hoops and get council approval by pursuing reszoning and then subsequently a conditional use. That's kind of the point. In cases with these operations, you want a lot of hoops because they can be very risky inside a city. It would be positive if a few more weeks were allowed for policymakers and the public to look at the possible consequences of adding the proposed conditional land uses in some current industrial zoning. It would be appropriate for the city's environmental committee to review these changes, too, as some of them with no future council oversight could possibly have major adverse impacts. Sometimes more hoops

means sufficient community protection. This looks like one of those times, even if this proposed policy was intended to be implemented 7 years ago. Thank you. Thank you.

Up next, Up next is Tony Gonzalez. Good afternoon, Tony Gonzalez, 219 North 4th Avenue here in Wasa. Uh to the mayor and the city council, I am requesting that the council table the proposed grant award to Ola due to significant and answered questions regarding the organization. Moving forward with this grant without addressing these red flags exposes the city to liability and undermines public trust and procurement process. Here are some of the issues. I was here uh with the finance committee and uh I served [clears throat] the paper about lack of transparency on the RFP. Uh this was known for over a year and a half that this money was coming and uh all in a sudden the RFP just came out on December 17th with a closing of January 8th to the holidays for most of us. Um, so that's one of the things uh there's um there has been an alleged mclassification and labor violations. There's credible concerns that the organization has improperly classified workers as independent contractors. According to the US Department of Labor, mclassifying workers as 1099 workers instead of employees is a serious violation used to avoid paying payroll taxes, workers compensations. And if this is true, the city may be facilitating violations of the 1986 immigration reform and control act. So they can check on uh 990s for that. Uh there are serious credibility issues and public safety concerns. Credibility is paramount for any organization receiving public money. Recently, the county sheriff, and I gave a paper to everybody, was forced to issue a public press release specifically refuting inaccurate and misleading claims made by the organization on channel 9, a n a

nonprofit that gives misleading information about law enforcement, is not a credible partner for city government. There's also a pending open records request because there's an open pending open records request. this organization about this organization's contact with the city. The council is not in possession of all the facts. Tabling this vote until the results of the investigation are public is the only responsible action. Also, I talked with HUD today and I will share this with anybody later. Uh this came directly from HUD and I want to make sure that everybody knows here that this is not against the undocumented population. This is to protect the undocumented population. Taking these funds, there's a high risk of non-compliance with HUD and NOFO requirements. OLA serves a population that is primarily undocumented. HUD's notice of financial opportunity, known as NOFO, requires strict verifiable income documentation for all beneficiaries. Because the applicant population is largely unauthorized to work in the United States, they often lack in standard documentation required by HUD, such as tax forms or formal pay stuffs. As the prime recipient of the HUD funds, the city is responsible for ensuring that subreients comply with this requirements. There's going to be an inability to meet verification standards. According to recent HUD guidance, grantees must confirm that beneficiaries are within specific income limits. If Ola cannot obtain formal documentation because their clientele works in a cash base in formal jobs, they cannot adequately verify income eligibility. Issuing funds without this documentation places the city in danger of failing a HUD audit and have to repay these grant funds. There's potential violations of

immigration benefit statutes. Recent federal actions as of February 2026 have emphasized that HUD funded housing programs must strictly verify immigration status to ensure they go to lawful residents. While some nonprofit charitable organizations have exceptions for this, those exemptions do not apply to their required verification income uh for federal public benefits. Awarding this grant creates a conflict between nonprofits mission and federal law, risking recapture of funds by HUD. The city needs to review the specific specific agreement and verify how Ola is going to comply with enterprise income verification, EIV, and reports and safe systematic alien verification for entitlements if required as mandated in HUD directives. I asked that this this is uh tabled pending a city attorney's office and HUD compliance officer to confirm with the organization's intake procedures for undocumented beneficiaries and adhere strictly to income verifications set by HUD as an advocate of the Hispanic community and those that are in good standing in this community whether documented or not. It will be my duty to inform this community of the re risks posed by accepting benefits that in their face may be presented as a gift but that really expose them to federal authorities.

Thank you. Ultimately, it'll be squarely on the shoulders of this city. If disregarding these issues or by simple in action, good members of this community suffer consequences that may destroy their families. Thank you. Any questions? Thank you. We won't be taking questions here.

Thank you. Thank you. All right. Up next is the consent agenda and one of the items, well, at least one maybe two items were asked to be pulled. So, we have 24-0704 is the OLA resolution, the HUD resolution that is being pulled by request of alders. Was there anyone else looking to pull something from consent? Mr. Larson, Mr. Mr. Mayor, could I ask you to speak more clearly into the microphone? Sure. Thank you. [clears throat]

All right. So, who hang on a sec. So, I need to be on the next agenda item.

Right. Details. Okay. We have a request to speak. Alder Killian. Mr. Mayor, I think there were two items that were to be pulled. Were you just referring to the one? Yes. Okay. We should speak after the consent agenda is voted on. Correct. Or no. No. I I at this point would be appropriate to have a motion on the consent agenda and then we can discuss what items you want to pull. All right. Thank you.

So I would entertain a motion on item seven consent agenda. Mr. Neil and M. Killian. Uh, and and you'd like to pull which item you would like to pull? 2474. Okay. So, we're pulling 260205 24704.

Alder Neil made the motion and Alder Kian second. So with a motion from Neil for the consent second by Kellian. We're taking consent with all items with the exception of those two that the clerk has pulled. You you may begin voting.

It might work. I motion passes 11 to zero.

Okay. So the first first item that we'll take up is going to be 26205. This is an ordinance from the plan commission amending sections 23.02.30. That's SR2 single family residential residential zoning two 23.02 31 that's SR3 single family residential 3 zoning 2302.32 that's SR5 single family residential 5 zoning district 23.02.34 MH7 mobile home residential 7 zoning district 23.02.40 DR8 that's duplex residential 8 zoning district 23.02.41 41 TF10 two flat residential 10 zoning district 23.0216 sorry 0261 MI that's medium industrial zoning district section 2302.62 that's heavy industrial zoning district 23.02.70 02.70 IOS Intensive Outdoor Storage Zoning District 23 0330 Temporary use uh uses 23.06.06 off streetet parking and traffic circulation 23.06.20 external lighting standards and 23.06.40 40 fencing standards and lastly 23.09.27

sign permits application enforcement and revocation. I would entertain a motion on that ordinance changed 260205. Motion from Watson, second from Tyranny. Comments and discussion. So, we have first up is Mr. Hanky. Alder Killian. Alder Kian.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I had the opportunity yesterday to speak with Mr. Heert because I was unaware of why there were so many zoning changes. Mr. Heert did explain to me that these zoning changes were being corrected because they were correcting typos that were done years ago. However, we've heard tonight from public comment about concerns regarding the conditional use items that were added. They're um outlined in yellow in your packet. I share those same concerns. I would like to see the list of conditional items in our packet, which are highlighted in yellow, be excluded from our void, our vote on this resolution, and we could vote on the remainder of the zoning changes. I believe it's important that council and the public have more time to take a closer look at the potential impacts of these uses. If it's true that council would have no approval oversight for conditional uses, including, for example, mining, junkyards, freight terminals, and so forth. These are serious changes. So, I would like more time for us and the public to really digest the impact of these conditional uses. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Neil. Well, first of all, would that be in the form of an an amendment to to remove? Yes. So, would we have to act on that first? I would second that if that's required.

So, your your recommendation was to return to committee. My recommendation is to remove the conditional uses that are highlighted in yellow, vote on the rest of the zoning changes, and however we give more consideration, return it to committee or whatever, just so we can give more consideration and have the public have more time to take a look at those conditional uses. Okay. So, we have a motion to amend to remove the conditional use uh as highlighted and I think there were two sets of highlights under conditional use and Alder Neil seconded. I would like to just look out to Mr. Heert. Is is this uh going to conform if we make this change in those two items and slice them out

or should we review the whole thing?

Um you know that that's up to the council but um just to maybe clarify a little bit and these uses were in our zoning code when it was adopted in 2020. We made some edits. Normally every year the zoning department makes edits, reviews the ordinances, finds in inconsistencies, etc. or maybe some land uses that we wanted to add. So in the case of um these conditional uses, it was actually a typo. We added animal daycare, animal boarding to some of our heavy or industrial districts. And in that process, we put a three instead of a two. So, it took the permitted uses in section two and overrode them in section three, which was a conditional use. So, we're just trying to put that back from our previously adopted code. Okay. Thank you. So, Bill, if I can ask you a question. So, these were never repealed. These lists of conditional uses you're saying have always been in the code,

correct? And never been repealed. So, they could amend them, I suppose, and remove them. That would be up to the council. But you're saying you it's your recommendation that they stay in there, correct? Yeah, they're in they're listed in our table of land uses yet. There was just a typo within the actual districts. So, it's just renumbered. You've added under section 230261 the commercial animal boarding and daycare. Correct. Correct.

And under number three where it lists the it says principal uses permitted by conditional use. You're saying that first highlighted list was under a different number before. I got the old one here that we did in 24. Um, so that would be helpful for everyone to have seen that for comparison. It just came up yesterday. So, go ahead.

But, um, so we it was supposed to say we were all we were doing was adding the animal boarding and renumbering it to work within our ordinance. And instead of having permitted uh principal uses permitted by right parent two, we had a typo when I had it under parent three. So when Municode got it, they cleared um all of the conditional uses that existed and re retyped up this um the permitted uses as the conditional uses as well. So you're really correcting a publication error by MUN code then

in essence or you're putting back in under the proper number what's always been there. Correct. Okay. But if at this point they want to move to amend any part of the ordinance, I think that's up to the council to be able to do that. That answer your question, mayor? Yeah. So I I guess the question would be do these lined out stried out items then stay or they struck out? I think according to Alder Killian's motion to amend she's willing to accept all of the other changes except for those two lists of conditional uses.

Okay. All right. Further comment on the amendment on the zoning ordinance. Alder Rasmmanson.

Thank you. I I guess I have a comment on the amendment um as it relates to this whole effort. So it sounds to me like this started as language cleanup and language cleanup is not process change. So, if our goal is to amend either the list of conditional uses or what a person does to get one or what the process looks like for where it goes and what the voting looks like, that is a totally separate issue and that should come to the plan commission and us as a completely separate effort. I think if this is about language cleanup, we need to stick to language cleanup. If it's about reumbering and it's about restoring and fixing a clerical mistake, cutting this up over certain land uses we don't like or want in our community isn't appropriate. So, I feel like we need to fix the numbering, get it back to where it needs to be, and then if we want to as a separate effort change the way a person gets a conditional use or what's acceptable and what isn't, that would be future policy decisions. I don't think we should try to change the zoning code with this item. So, I feel like the amendment is really I I can't support the amendment because I think that we're heading in a direction that loses the intent of what this actually is. Thank you.

Thank you. Showing Alder Tierney. Are you looking to speak on the amendment? Anyone else on the amendment? Alder Lukans. [clears throat] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I agree. Um, I'm I'm not saying that I'm against, you know, exploring this at all. Be I just am not prepared tonight because I don't know what what everything means, I guess. So, I would I would prefer us to go through that process and so that we can learn what that means. And um like when I heard mining, I don't know what that means, but I you know, so I would prefer myself to vote on this just as cleaning up that language and then exploring that stuff through the process. Um would be I would not at all be opposed to that. So, I would prefer I I agree with what Alder Rasmmanson is saying, I guess, is that if if this is just the language and then I' I'd prefer to do look into the rest separately. Um, thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else on the amendment? Alder Kellian,

I guess I would like to ask I believe the city attorney said that we could amend it. Did Did you not and remove those? I understand this is a a correction of typos, but we're being asked to accept all of these zoning changes or whatever there is up there. I am not comfortable with the conditional use permit. So, I want to just clarify one thing. Bill, am I correct in assuming that if you had if you hadn't added the other things highlighted in yellow, like the number of feet and the commercial animal boarding daycare, this was actually an error by MUN code that would would have and should have been corrected by them

to [clears throat] publish our code as it was passed by the council. Correct. It was technically a staff error. Okay. We literally put a a three instead of a two. Two. Okay. A numbering Yes. error. So that would have just been corrected, but now it's kind of being piled in or joined with the other changes that you are making substantively to the ordinances. And the this was always there. You're just renumbering it. Correct. So, but the council can still make any amendments they want or pass or not pass any portions of any ordinances or amendments. But so, do you understand that, Alder Killian? Okay. Yep. But the council can still do what they want to do.

Sure. And I I would just add that since our new code was adopted on 11 1220, we've the council's always had the plan commission has done the hearing for the reszone. The council makes that final determination and then if there's a conditional use, it went back to plan commission for a public hearing for a separate land use conditional use. Plan commission made that final determination under our code currently today and for the last six years. That's how it's operated. Nothing changed. Thank you.

All right. On the amendment, seeing no further comments, you may begin voting on the amendment. No. Motion fails four to seven.

Mhm. Okay. Okay, that brings us back to the main this doesn't go away motion as presented. And that was a motion from Killian, second from Neil. We have a queue of speakers. We'll we'll we'll get to those. Okay. But I think it should go. Alder Neil was still in the queue. Mr. Neil,

thank you. Uh, I have a a question about uh it it's in the section 11 uh 23 06 06 off streetet parking and traffic circulation. Uh where we see the word equipment uh replaced with the word vehicle. Uh I was just wondering [clears throat] what uh provoked that change and you know because recreational equipment you know can include a very sizable trailer uh is that handled elsewhere or then if not then why are we making this change?

Yeah this was just a clerical thing. We were up we had a case where we pursued a camper and camper is technically an RV not a recreational equipment by definition. So that's what we're correcting here. Oh, a a vehicle is something that you drive. A trailer is something you tow and that's not a vehicle. It's It's based on our zoning code definitions. Yeah. Okay. Just It seems to me we would have both of them addressed in here just for clarity. We do. This is just a specific section that we had to apply to the RV.

Okay. All right. Okay. Showing up next is Alder Killian.

Okay. Okay. Clearing or I'm clearing. Okay. All right. And then Alder Rasmusen. Thank you. Um so it's my hope then that we would um pass this to correct the numbering which basically handles the clerical error and then going forward if folks want to talk about what's included in our zoning code or you know what is or isn't or what people want to see changed that they would pursue that as a separate request. Thank you.

Thank you Alder Lukans. Okay. All right. Seeing nobody else under the new system. Okay. You ready? Yep.

You may begin voting on the item. [snorts] Motion passes 10 to one. [clears throat]

All right, great. Up next is the file [snorts] number 24-0704. It's a resolution from finance committee authorizing entering into a memorandum of understanding with both healthy opportunities for Latin Americans, OLA and New Beginnings, Inc. through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development lead uh lead hazard reduction capacity building grant. Would entertain a motion [snorts] from Watson, second from Larson, Alder Kian.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I'm sure the outreach effort is very positive. However, my concern, as has been verbalized twice by Mr. Gonzalez, who I will mention is my constituent and a long-term, highly respected Spanish interpreter in the city of Wasau. My concern is very realistic, as is his. The RFP was in place for only a very brief period of time. In fact, it was in place for only a few weeks, and that period of time included two major holidays. This certainly doesn't seem to allow time for those interested or possibly even see the RFP, much less provide thorough responses in the allotted times. Mr. Gonzalez has brought to our attention many other concerns regarding federal money guidelines. I believe we should listen to these concerns and I would request that my colleagues consider this be tabled for further consideration or possibly issuance of a new RFP. I therefore will not be supporting this resolution or any resolution in the future which would be which would be based on an RFP that provides seemingly unrealistic time frames for interested parties. And I would like to make a motion that this be tabled for further consideration.

We have a motion from Alder Killian table this item. Second from Mr. Neil. table. So to postpone to a later meeting Okay. So, with a motion to table and a second.

Sorry. I believe if it's tabled, then we can't bring this item back versus postponing it to a later date. Then the item could come back again. That's correct. And that's what I just asked the mayor is if the motion was to table it indefinitely or postpone it indefinitely. It's technically not a tableabling motion, but you move to postpone it indefinitely or to some specific date or time or upon some condition. That's up to you.

Um I would guess that it needs to be tabled until um or reissue an RFP. that would be appropriate. It doesn't feel as though that RFP gave interested parties an adequate amount of time to even know it was out there or to uh submit appropriate documentation as they would like. So, um I don't think it has to be done indefinitely. No. Well, I let me clarify to table something suspends further consideration of it until it's brought back off the table. Or you can move to postpone consideration of something indefinitely or to a time certain.

Table it until it's reconsidered and brought back. Okay, that's a motion. Okay. So, a motion to table until it can be brought back. Point of order. Could a motion be made to uh re-release the RFP rather than simply table this and reconsider it? I I would think that would require some more information be I mean more discussion before we we go there. We have a motion to table at this point. It likely will be part of the discussion because it will have to go back to staff.

Mr. Mayor, I would consider I mean I would withdraw that uh motion I made if we could reissue the RFP. I would support Mr. Neil's suggestion. Is that possible? I' I'd second that if it's possible.

So is that a is that a refer?

[clears throat] [snorts] Okay. It would it would be appropriate to vote on tableabling and then if if we want uh a motion to re-release the RFP. We could either do that here with another motion following the table or I could direct staff to do so. But let let's let's stick with the table. A motion and a second. And

yes, a yes is to table and a no is to is to continue discussion. Not debatable. The tableabling is not debatable. Okay. But cl for clarification. Reconsidered by who? The motion isn't clear. Table. The motion is to table indefinitely. Until it's reconsidered. But reconsidered by until it's reconsidered. By who? So, what I have is table item 24-0704 until it is reconsidered and brought back to council. I did say I would withdraw that.

I I think that's really semantics. we we can do what we're thinking about doing with it. Correct. The motion's been withdrawn. Did you withdraw your motion? Yes. Okay. So, my my point is that whether you vote to I think voting to re-release the RFP is gerine to this resolution. But then you're leaving this resolution hanging. So, you're still going to end up having to vote on this if you don't table it or refer it. Do you see what I'm saying? Or take some other action even in addition to your Yeah. motion to re-release the RFP, which I was seconding. Yes. And then what are you going to do with the resol? The resolution is is is specific to

No, the resolution is specific to the awardees. So we So I think I think you still need to take action. You have to vote down that or Yep. You could vote it down table it, refer it, whatever, or postpone it. But it it's still um a resolution to enter into anou which isn't taken care of or made necessarily by the motion to re-release the RFP. Do you see what I'm saying? Mr. Griner.

Thank you, Mayor. So given that Alder Killian has uh has removed her motion, are we open for debate on the floor regarding the resolution currently? Is that where we're standing at? Yes, I think so. I think so. So we have a you you withdrawing your motion, Alder Killian, and and Mr. Neil is concurring. Okay, back to we're not tableabling at this point. I just need to find it.

There it is. Okay. Yeah. All right. Let's get back to the queue. We have Alder Rasmmanson.

Thank you. Um, so I read some of the minutes that discussed this and I had followed some of this and as it was coming through committee and it sounds like there was discussion about the RFP timeline in the committee. And I think we should recap that because I think the result of some of that conversation was um that our staff that managed the RFP was asked about that and discussion was had about the fact that there was a 3-week window that multiple other proposers were able to respond during the allotted window and that essentially I think the comment was made that the wheels of government don't shut down because it's the holidays. They all were here working. The window was open. the proposals were coming in and they felt that it was fair to continue. So, I think that's how we got to this point. Um, you know, I guess if if we're looking to add some time, you I we'd have to ask ourselves if re-releasing the RFP is fair to the entities that made the proposals. I mean, obviously they're free to make the same proposals again, but you have you have two proposals in front of you and it's a capacity building grant. So, it doesn't sound according to the resolution like there's a deadline to complete this. It sounds like there, you know, we're not giving this a month of delay isn't going to negate the ability to award these grants. So, if we need some time, that's fine. But if the goal is to re-release the RFP and start from square one, that happens in committee. So I think the appropriate motion then is to refer it back to finance with a directive that they reopen or re-release the RFP and then bring it back again once that vetting has been done. But we shouldn't be um suspending action indefinitely and leaving this whole thing hang because we asked for this capacity building grant and the whole

point is to um build that capacity to remove lead lines. So if if you want more time you would refer it back to committee and the committee then would re-release the RFP. We don't need to direct that from here. Thank you. Thank you, Alder Neil.

Thank you. It's kind of a longer night than I thought it would be tonight. Um, given this new information, which a lot of it is new to me, and I appreciate uh it being brought forth. wish I had seen it long before, but um you know I in good conscience can no way support what's in front of us, you know, to to pass it. Uh I think that the award D uh there's a lot of questions that probably have about them uh about the process perhaps and I would make a motion to refer back to committee for this all to be hashed out and hopefully for uh a re-release of the RFP. That's my motion. So, a motion from Mr. Neil to refer back to committee, second by Alder Killian. Okay, this is debatable. So, discussion we still have Alder Lukans. [clears throat]

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I am not comfortable with just changing everything because we got something from public comment. Okay. I I mean we have gone through a process. I'm not saying it's not valid. I don't know. But I don't think it's also fair for the process and the people who have submitted their their proposals that I I will not vote just for for us to I will not vote in favor of just issuing a new RFP. Um, we have staff that have been working with this and so if if there are questions rather than us completely changing everything based on some information we've just gotten at the last minute tonight. Um, I would prefer to, you know, ask some questions of the staff if there if there are concerns. But my one of I think my one of my concerns is here who, you know, we we have a number of people to consider and this is an important project. So I I just don't think I anyway I will not vote. I will not vote um in favor of of doing that. I'm going to vote I'm I won't vote in favor of that motion because I just don't think um that it's a good process to start suddenly at the last minute doing this. We do have a responsibility to um make decisions based on information,

credible information. And I'm not saying this isn't But for us to get something at the last minute and then suddenly change, you know, ship, I don't think that's a good practice for us to start doing. So anyway, I will not vote in favor of that. Thank you. I will vote in favor of the process and the people that have submitted their RFPs. Thank you. Thank you. And we stepped on each other here. Alder Griner, you were next in the queue. Spoke. So, okay. Alder Alder Tierney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, my question, um, who put the RFP out? Would that have been what, um, what department puts this RFP out? Came out from community development. Okay. So, my question is, when this RFP was put out, were there any calls made? Was anybody notified about this or was it strictly the RFP that was put out

Struts?

Thank you for asking the question. Um yes we h as you remember the lead capacity building grant um we have anou with the health department of which they hired a person to spend 75% of their time to work directly on this grant. I work very closely with them. Um we've been for the last year and a half working on policies getting people um certified in lead abatement policies um risk assessors. We've been working with nonprofits getting together, getting the word out, trying to educate the community as to what will this look like? How will be we be able to get in people's homes eventually to do the real work, which is the lead abatement. We finally got to the part that let's start working with the um non-English speaking um residents of the city because we don't have the capacity to do that. the health department before we put out the RFP, while we were meeting with nonprofits, had met specifically with Mr. Gonzalez, had met with OLA, um I met with New Beginnings, and I met with the Mong American Center and told them all about what's going on. When the RFP came out, we strategically had the health department reached out to Mr. Gonzalez and Ola because they have a relationship with them. I reached out to New Beginnings and the Mame American Center. Both emails said pretty much the same thing. Here's the RFP. If you have any questions, let us know. We know it's a short turnaround, but we got to get out. We got to start doing some things because the clock is ticking on this grant. We got three responses right away. Um actually one response, two responses, one from Ola saying, "Thank you, New Be um Mong American Center. They're going through some um transitions." and they said, "Thank you for the opportunity,

but we just don't have the capacity right now, but if you have if we can help in any way, please let us know." And then um about a week later, New Beginnings reached out with a couple of questions. And then we received the two um responses when we were supposed to when we requested them. So, I believe we did a great job at reaching out to those that we knew can provide the service. We did the advertisement. We put it on the website. We do everything like we normally do plus the um invite, the personal invite. So I believe we did everything we could do. Did the timing stink? Absolutely. I mean, but I can't grants don't stop because of holidays. We need to keep moving forward. The clock is ticking on this. So yes, we can table it. Is it going to get a different turnout? I don't know, but I'm sure we'll have the same organizations, you know, submit the same thing.

So, um, you're saying that these four agencies, Mr. Gonzalez, the M Association, Ola, and New Beginnings were all notified prior to this RFP going out. Correct. Okay. Thank you. Can I ask Mr. Gonzalez a question?

I I think uh that's appropriate here. Sure. Mr. Gonzalez, can you step to the podium, please? [clears throat] Um, we've gotten several open comments from you uh back in the finance committee and again here today stating that this RFP, it was a small time frame. It was during the holidays, but we're being told that you were told about this prior to that RFP going out. I received an email from the health department um that I didn't see till much later cuz I was on vacation, but all the others received it directly from Tammy. So, I wonder why I'm not entitled to that.

No, what I said was that you and Ola received it from the health department because you have a prior relationship with them. you. I have absolutely neat no relationship with Ola. No, I No, no, no. From health department. Yes. Yes. That's why the RFP came from them because you don't know who I am and you admit it. You told me you don't know who I am. So, if I would have emailed you, you probably wouldn't have recognized it. So, that's why we had the health department reach out to you. That's speculation. It's speculation. Absolutely. Absolutely. because I I have to recognize everybody's name. Let's let's stick to the questions and answers here. Yes. I I think that

when when did you get that email from the health department? It is dated uh the one that I saw was dated uh the 17th actually. Yes. But I saw it that it said to much later. Okay. When did you see it? Early January. Okay. So you were on vacation from the 17th until early January. Yes, I do. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and not just vacation. I was doing other stuff down in Madison and stuff. Yeah. Yeah. You know that um that's a long period of time not to be checking your emails when you have a business, right? Okay.

No, I would I would agree with that, but I you know, everybody else gets it directly. I don't. And not only that, I I just want to make sure that the issue with HUD and money for undocumented people is addressed. This is not just the timing of the of the RFP. So, please don't forget that. This is going to cause damage to a lot of people. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Alder Larson.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, we recently had uh uh something similar to this happen in in our parks department uh where uh we had talked about reissuing an RFP because we uh we're talking about not getting rent on the ice cream stand down in in uh at the Riverside. And uh we we decided that it would not be fair to issue an RFP at this time and that with with with the two um with the two people that had responded to the RFP, we we we went with that because like I said, we we didn't think it would be fair to issue the RFP again. Um I'm going to stick with the with the original motion here and I am I am not going to support reissuing an RFP. Thank you.

Thank you, Alder Kellian. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, yes, we did just receive some of this information this evening, but it is enough information that makes me question whether or not there are issues that need to be addressed. So, I do believe this should go back to committee and let them hash it out and find out if all the appropriate HUD guidelines have been met. Um, I will not support the resolution. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else on the motion to return to committee? Alder,

I was next in line, I believe. Alder Neil with the new

um my my motion to refer back to committee. Just to be clear, I did mention the potential for re-releasing RFP as a potential outcome of that. That wasn't the intent of my motion, though. It was to go back to committee to, as Alder Killian uh said, hash out these concerns. There's some very salient points in front of us that are concerns about liability, financial liability for the city, uh potential damage to individuals, um, you know, being swept up into some kind of weird stuff, you know, bureaucratic nonsense or whatever. There's too many questions here to just say, "Oh, yeah, I like this. I'm going to vote for it." I think it should go back to committee so the committee can look at item by item the concerns that have been addressed, deal with uh a city attorney to address all of them, maybe have to talk to outside resources again to deal with them on a point-by-point basis and have them checked off the list. And when I feel like, you know, in good conscience I can vote on this, then I'll vote on it. But I certainly can't vote on it in good conscience not knowing the answers to these questions. I can't assume that they're baseless. I think we should go through a process to find out what is the basis for them and and that's through the committee process. So my motion was to refer back to committee to do that. So let's be clear. Thank you.

Thank you, Alder Lugans.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah. Um, and let's be clear that I am not um um saying that what is in the uh paper that we got tonight is just nonsense. Okay, I'm not saying that and I did not I did not intend that. But as Alder uh Larson brought up and I agree again. I I think um so if I could ask Miss Stratz a question um these the different issues that were brought up is that something that staff can check if if we voted tonight and this was approved. Would that be something that would still be checked out through staff or could be? Well, um,

or does it need to go back to committee to have that checked? Sorry, I don't know if you

No, no, I appreci I appreciate the question. Um, I I hear a lot of questions being asked. I I have not been I don't have privy to what you have in front of you. Nobody reached out to me and asked these questions. um as far as the allegations of um giving money to undocumented people um that these funds will not and cannot do that. We have an agreement with two organizations that will help bridge the gap so that we can reach out to residents of the city of Wasau to find out if their properties have lead hazards. That doesn't mean that they're getting money. That means we are trying to find out what houses out there might qualify for lead abatement. Then from there, if we have a list of houses that we can get into and we have now an agency that helps get us in there to talk about these lead hazards, if they are able to receive funds, they have to jump through the same hoops that you and I have to to qualify for a loan. So that means yes, we have to check to make sure they are US citizens. Any direct services, any direct money from HUD has to make sure they follow those guidelines. So we're not cutting checks to anybody and everybody out there. This is right now. We're just trying to find an organization or two to help us get into those houses so that we can provide the education so kids don't get sick. That's all it is.

Thank you. I I I very much appreciate that. That is the process that I believe we need to take rather than just automatically, you know, motioning this to go back to committee or whatever. As simple as asking our staff who do work with this. Um, so I um I just wanted to double check with that. That's what I would think because I know that there are lots of guidelines. So, thank you for that. So I feel um very sure in my vote and I will be voting to approve this because again just as we decided with um you know the parks department I think once we start I did not receive this I could have I have not received any kind of emails or anything before this meeting. So to get this at the last minute it's a slippery slope. I think we need to really be careful of the processes and make sure we're following that and not start to change things at the last minute. So, especially if everyone got the notice. At the same time, I I really appreciate um Alder um Tierney asking that so that we could have the information and I will be voting um in favor of this. Thank you,

Alder Griner. Thank you, Mayor. Like withdraw my uh request to speak. Thank you, Alder Tyranny. I had request my um uh my request to speak. It says I've withdrew it. Okay. All right. So, seeing no further questions, now we are on the motion to refer back to com committee. Oops.

That is correct. Correct. The item to refer item 24-0704 back to the committee may begin voting. Motion fails three to eight to refer it back to committee.

Okay, we're back to the main motion. Neil should be in the queue. Okay, Mr. Neil, I'm showing you're still in the queue. Yes, thank you. Uh, okay. Well, now we're voting on the original proposed item. Uh, so I will just reiterate that I cannot in good conscience vote in favor of something that has so many questions that need answers in my mind. So therefore, no, I will not vote for it.

Thank you. Any further? Anyone else? Rasmmanson, is that a hand raised?

It is. Um, yes, because my request to speak button froze. Um, so with this, I mean, we just heard from our staff person who's managing this. This really is about bilingual communications. And so to build that capacity to to get that funding utilized, um, I I don't think that this is the nefarious activity that it's been alleged to be. I think that if the health department has someone whose sole responsibility it is for a good chunk of their time to manage this process and manage this grant that if those questions need to be asked and answered, they get asked and answered. And so I feel like we're equipped to make this decision, we've got two proposals that submitted their responses in earnest, and I feel like we should um proceed and and go forward and get this moving. So, um I I intend to vote for it. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing none, may we begin voting. Motion passes 9 to2. Oh, did I?

I think you might have. Yeah, I think we're good. Oh, no. No. So we should be we should be through with consent and we are on ordinances and resolutions. So uh 26-0202 file number confirming appointments of the mayor of the city of Wasau to the business improvement district board. Would entertain a motion from Lucan, second from Neil. Any comments, questions? You may begin voting.

Motion passes 11 to zero. Do you want to take the announcements? Take the announcements. Alder take this

right. Okay. So before we go into close session uh do we have any and we very likely will not well I can't say if they return but we should release or give an opportunity for alders to make any announcements tonight and then we will have an opportunity for public comment yet. Any alders? Any council members with with announcements, comments, Vicki? No. Okay.

What I wanted to say, what I wanted to say is on Thursday, this coming Thursday at 5:30, uh we do have a meeting uh regarding the referendum scheduled at station two. and uh their community room. I've reached out to um the community. It sounds like we may have a pretty good turnout and it's I reached out to more than my district. I've gotten a lot of responses. So, um anybody who wants to come, if your district has questions, if if you uh want to be there, it's going to be more of a town hall type of meeting. um chief is going to present and I asked him to make sure he presents the pros and cons because I've been accused of making this a sales pitch which it is not. I want people to be able to vote informed. Informed of what it will cost them, informed not only what it will cost them, dollars and cents, but what may happen if we don't have these 12 or if we, you know, I just I want everybody to have an informed um idea of what's happening. Um, one person reached out to me and um, uh, that was negative about this and I I that was grilling me and I said, "City council members get uh, taken to task a lot for the decisions that we make for our constituents." I said, "This time it's up to the city." I said, "You guys have the say." I said, "You have to make the decision that's right for you." So,

you're all welcome. And um I'm hoping that we will have a good discussion and it will be in uh a respectful manner. Thank you. Well, Alder Tierney, could you repeat the t time and date? Absolutely. It is this Thursday, so two days from now at station number two, uh which is down by Menard's Quick Trip area, which is in my district. And um it is at 5:30. Hope to see you there.

Thank you. Anyone else? Council member Martins.

All right. Thank you, Alder Tierney. um um just kind of jump started my memory. And um for those that are unable to make her community meeting on Thursday, the Longfellow Neighborhood Group meets on the first Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at the community room at the uh police uh station 500 501, excuse me, 501 uh Grand Avenue. [laughter] I could think of the address there. Um, and uh, at a at at a regular monthly meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m., one of the items we'll be we will be talking about is the referendum. So, you could uh, if you can't catch Thursday's meeting out on the west side, you can you can pick one up down at the fire station/ police station uh, just south of downtown. Thank you.

All right. Any anyone else for Alder comments? All right. Seeing none, any citizen public comments? Yes, come on up and state your name.

Good evening. My name is Mariana Savlla. I am the board president of Ola, uh, Healthy Opportunities for Latin Americans, and I do appreciate this moment to speak with you. Um, I just want to invite um the people who have some concerns. Um, Mrs. Killian, Mr. Neil and Grryer, um, I want to invite you to, uh, have a conversation one-on-one with us if you would like to look at our records. Uh, we do have trusted people. We have a board of directors why we are a 501c3 that we were established with all the uh alignments and policies that a 501c3 requires. We do have rudderware which is one of the biggest and very well-known firms as fiduciary services and also we do know board which is very reputable. we have Mark Bradley which um also he's a former uh attorney from Rderware Services. So I I just want to invite people who may have any concerns to have a meeting with us and whatever was said regarding the last minute that I don't even have the information that came through regarding immigration or tax purposes. We are uh very reliable and trustworthy in the community. We serve eight counties and we do manage a project that is for health equity and we are a very strong candidate. We have a staff who are verify I mean if anyone wants to do e- verifications um I any documentations when it comes to immigration if the concern was because of the employees or contractors that Ola may have uh I just want to refute that because that is not something that is happening in our organization and if a meeting needs to be placed within um Maron County Health Department or the Paris the city of of WASA uh we'll have

the representatives there and again we are open records book and we can uh review anything that is concerning from the members. Thank you. Uh we do also have uh a lot of experience working already on the city projects and will talk about it.

Hi everyone. Um it's nice to meet you all and see you all. My name is Yinga Kia Vang. I am the outreach uh coordinator for the echoflow lead program as well. And so with that program, we have this um experience of already doing the outreach work for that, going to events, leading events, going and knocking on doors and doing canvas canvasing, um translating documents and interpreting for homeowners who don't speak English. And so all of these different things we already have that experience for. So um I'm excited to for us to be able to work on this project. And um I think that's all.

Thank you. Okay, looks like uh what we're at the adjournment for close session. I would look to someone to read that motion language. Alder Lukans.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um Okay. I move that we adjourn to close session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.85. 85 uh sub one subf to consider financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons. uh preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where paragraph B applies, which if discussed in public would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data or involved in such problems or investigations to discuss an investigation into allegations against a city of Wasau official. Okay. Motion from Lucans, second from Neil. Uh just one note is we won't need staff to stick around for this. So you're dismissed. And we're also appointing Lisa Noak as the clerk for the close session.

I'll do a a roll call all vote. Alder Lukans. Hi. Alder Martins. Hi. Alder Kellian. Hi. Alder Neil. Hi. Alder Grryer. Hi. Alder Malaney. Hi. Alder Rasmmanson. Hi. Alder Watson. Hi. Alder Tierney. Hi. Alder Larson. Hi. Alder Hanky. Hi. Motion passes 11 to zero. Uh we're going up to the c the uh boardroom on second floor. Maple room is still out of