WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau City Council, meeting in a committee of the whole, has advanced a public comment statement that will be read before Council meetings.
Council President Lisa Rasmussen says the six-sentence statement reminds everyone that the city values their input, but will shut down public comment if things don’t stay civil. “We know in general terms we don’t want personal attacks, we don’t want abusive language.”
The statement reads in full:
The City of Wausau 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 3 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 public comment that do not adhere to these rules.
Some alders proposed replacing the word “may” with “shall” in the final sentence regarding the termination of public comment if the situation gets too rowdy. Rasmussen said that could be done in the future. “Right now, we have no statement at all. I feel like we need to try something. What if we were to try this the way it came from the rules review committee? If it’s not working, we could make adjustments.
“It’s a tool. Either option is better than having none,” added Rasmussen.
Discussion also centered on what behavior or language would qualify as disruptive. Alder Terry Kilian suggested it should be left up to the Committee Chair or the Mayor, depending on what meeting is in session. “We elect the chairs of our committee because they are capable people. I think we need to allow them the discretion of making that decision.”
“We have the option to call a point of order. We have the option to request that the chair assert control if we feel they are not, whoever that is. As a body, if we feel something is way out of line or has been ignored, it behoves us to call it out in real time,” added Rasmussen.
Alders passed the proposal on to a future Council meeting unanimously. If approved there, it would take effect this fall.
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