City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you. Okay. Hey, Ted. Okay. Yeah, I know. Thank you. ALL RIGHT, YOU SAY WHEN. ARE WE READY? TED, YOU READY IN THE BACK? OKAY, WE GOT VIDEO ROLLING. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. YOU WERE HERE FOR A COMMON COUNCIL MEETING, BUT DUE TO SOME LAST-MINUTE CALL-INS, WE HAVE, WE DO NOT HAVE A QUORUM OF EIGHT TO PERFORM THE MEETING. SO WE ARE GOING TO NOT CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. WE HAVE ONE PRESENTATION THAT WE WILL BE GIVING HERE INFORMALLY. WE HAVE A SPECIAL ONE HERE TODAY. IT'S A RETIREMENT FOR CHERYL BARRE, WHO'S BEEN HERE ON POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 28 YEARS. So I just Googled some stuff on what was going on in 1998 when Cheryl started on the commission. Some of the local community things. The Wausau Bulldogs, the American Legion baseball team, captured the first state championship in program's history behind a dominant offensive lineup that averaged 10 runs per game. Governor Tommy Thompson visited Wausau and Marathon County in August of 98 as part of an initiative to meet with local leaders and Hmong community leaders on regional engagement. On the public health and safety side of things, there was a change in a couple of chiefs. In 1998, Wausau Police Chief William Branimore served as a prestigious term as the president of the Wausau Chiefs of Police Association, bringing statewide recognition and prominence to the city's police department. And that's aboard our current chief, Matt Barnes serves on. Wasa Fire, longtime fire department chief, KP Zielinski, wrapped up a 17-year career passing operational torch to GL Buckberger, who stepped up to lead the department into the modern era. It was the birth of Central Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police. The region's law enforcement community expanded its support network significantly in June 98, when the Central Wisconsin Lodge 3 was officially chartered under the Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police, fostering new regional solidarity among officers. Also this era marks advancements in fire service training, The year marked major push for advanced localized medical care, notably adjacent regional emergency personnel such as future history-making area chiefs were completing intensive paramedic certifications in 1998, signaling a decade of rapid modernization for the region's emergency response, according to Google. So I'd like to invite Cheryl BAR UP TO THE PODIUM AND IF THE POLICE CHIEF, FIRE CHIEF WANT TO JOIN US.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR SPEECH READY?

OH, I DON'T HAVE ONE.

THIS ISN'T A ROAST, BUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE KNOWN YOU THE LONGEST SHOULD SPEAK FIRST.

Jeremy and I said we're going to try and stick to 60 to 90 seconds, but I know myself better than that, so maybe I get 120. Just some things that I don't think the average citizen or even council member realizes is that members of the Police and Fire Commission meet at least once every month. Currently they meet at 7.30 in the morning. I'm not a morning person, so I'm like, oh, it's that Monday. But they give of their time and sometimes those meetings go till 10 or 11 o'clock because they are responsible for two very important things that rest by statute with them. One is selecting the chief of the fire department and the chief of the police department, which sets the culture and the direction for the organization. I happen to think they've made some pretty good decisions. But they also are responsible for approving and interviewing every single firefighter, paramedic, and every single police officer. So when I think about my own career in the police department, I think it's worth noting that every single sworn member of the Wausau Police Department was interviewed by Cheryl, myself included. And although it was quite a few years ago, I remember being a young kid that wasn't, is this really what I want to do? And you've been through all these processes. You've been sent to a psychiatrist. They've asked you all sorts of invasive questions. And the last thing you have to do is this commission of individuals who are going to interview you. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. And I walked in, and that's the face I saw. And she said, hi, Matt. We're so happy that you're here. And I went, oh, this isn't as terrifying as I thought it was. And I've watched her put people at ease for the last decade when I get to be in the room during these interviews. And so you, as well as your counterparts, but you much longer, have made Wausau a better place. And you leave it with big shoes to fill. And we are very appreciative of your service.

So I too have looked back a little bit at that and almost every member of the department was interviewed by Cheryl as a police and fire commissioner Except for one who has been here a little longer than Cheryl's been a police and fire commissioner but she's also been on every interview for every promotion and You know the one thing that that I can point out at each one of those interviews whether it's a new firefighter New new police officer or a promotion coming through either department is number one Cheryl's smiley face But she always cared and always asked follow-up questions and always wanted to know Personal details and really really put the time and effort into getting to know each candidate and we really appreciated that and you know I had some things written, but I'm not gonna Not going to read that to you, I'll give you the card, but we also have some things from the fire department and some members that all signed it and I'll give it to you here shortly after your plaque. But thank you for your service and thank you for everything you've done for the fire department in the last 28 years.

So Cheryl, this is small token here to commemorate your journey of leadership. that began in an era of transportation. Thank you for all you've done for public safety. So the certificate reads, come on up. City of Wausau, Wisconsin recognizes Cheryl Barr in recognition and appreciation of your leadership, insight, and dedication as a commissioner of the Wausau Police and Fire Commission from 1998 to 2026. Wow I Just want to say that it's really been an honor to first of all I've been chosen to be a commissioner and then second of all to have served for you know these 28 years of

You know, I've traveled a fair amount for my job, my career. And so I've been all over the world and in a lot of cities all over the United States. And I just have to tell you, Wausau is, it's just one of the greatest cities in the United States. And we have just the best police and fire department. And we have had for years. Our chiefs have so much integrity. And it comes through in every meeting that we have. And the people that they choose and that we on the commission approve to be firemen and policemen, or policewomen too, they're awesome. They're just awesome. So I guess thank you for... The council, I think, had to approve me every time my appointment was up. So thank you for that. And that's all. So thank you for the applause.

THAT CONCLUDES THE INFORMAL PORTION OF THE MEETING PRESENTATION, SO WE CAN... TED, YOU CAN KILL THE VIDEO. ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOOD. CONCERT ON A SQUARE TONIGHT. YOU CAN STILL CATCH IT. Stay tuned. We'll have to potentially reschedule. Thank you.