Summary

Wausau Common Council (Apr 28, 2026): approves bike rack form and street assessments; rule-change ordinance fails final passage

WausauApr 28, 20264 min read

At a glance

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Council approved minutes and consent items including a resolution levying special assessments for 2025 street projects, approved a Bike Rack Request Form (10–1), confirmed multiple mayoral appointments (one ethics appointment withdrawn), voted to suspend Rule 11(A) but failed to suspend Rule 21, and considered extensive amendments to an ordinance amending the Council's standing rules that ultimately failed final passage (6–5). Several proclamations were presented and public comment was received.

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LaborTransportationBudget & TaxEducationCommerceEnvironmental

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes of March 24, 2026 and April 14, 2026 regular Common Council meetings.
Approved Consent Agenda including Resolution 24-1110 levying special assessments for the 2025 street construction projects.
Approved Joint Resolution 26-0412 (Bike Rack Request Form) — Motion passed Yes 10, No 1 (Alderperson Trueblood opposed over cost coverage concerns).
Confirmed Mayor's appointments (26-0402) to the Historic Preservation Commission, Sustainability, Energy & Environment Committee, Business Improvement District Board, and Community Development Authority Board; the Mayor withdrew the appointment to the Ethics Board. Motion passed Yes 11, No 0.
Suspended Rule 11(A) (Referral of ordinances) — Motion passed Yes 8, No 3.
Motion to suspend Rule 21 (Amending of the Rules) failed — Motion failed Yes 5, No 6.
Consideration of Ordinance 02-0432 (amending Wausau Municipal Code Ch. 2.16, Standing Rules of the Common Council) produced multiple amendments; an amendment package passed but the motion to approve the ordinance as amended failed — final vote Yes 6, No 5 (motion failed).
Presented proclamations: Arbor Day; Week of the Young Child; National Preservation Month; Workers Memorial Day.
Public comment included remarks by Tom Neal (city-owned property at 1300 Cleveland Avenue) and Jesse Kearns (environment/sustainability).

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Meeting information

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Common Council Meeting

Apr 28, 2026, 6:30 PMWausau City Hall — Council Chambers, 407 Grant Street, Wausau WI 54403completed

Agenda

1 Call to order by the presiding officer.
2 Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call and Proclamations.
2026-670 Arbor Day Proclamation
attachments=1
Decision: Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call and Proclamations.
2026-671 Week of the Young Child Proclamation
attachments=1
Decision: Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call and Proclamations.
2026-672 National Preservation Month Proclamation
attachments=1
Decision: Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call and Proclamations.
2026-696 Workers Memorial Day Proclamation
attachments=1
Decision: Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call and Proclamations.
3 Consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting, approval of the minutes if correct, and correction of mistakes if any.
2026-695 Regular Common Council Minutes
attachments=1
Decision: Consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting, approval of the minutes if correct, and correction of mistakes if any.
2026-697 Regular Common Council Minutes
attachments=1
Decision: Consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting, approval of the minutes if correct, and correction of mistakes if any.
4 Reading of the City of Wausau Public Comment Statement.
5 Comments and suggestions from preregistered citizens.
6 Consent agenda.
2026-534 Joint Resolution from the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Infrastructure & Facilities Committee Approving the Bike Rack Request Form.
attachments=5 | reports=2
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-451 Resolution from the Infrastructure & Facilities Committee Levying Special Assessments for the 2025 Street Construction Projects.
attachments=2 | reports=2
Decision: Consent agenda.
7 Ordinances and resolutions.
8 Suspend Rule 11(A) Referral of ordinances, 6(B) Filing, and 21 Amending of the Rules.
2026-694 Ordinance from the Common Council to Amend Wausau Municipal Code Ch. 2.16, Standing Rules of the Common Council.
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 11(A) Referral of ordinances, 6(B) Filing, and 21 Amending of the Rules.
2026-681 Confirming Appointments of the Mayor of the City of Wausau to the Historic Preservation Commission, Sustainability, Energy & Environment Committee, Business Improvement District Board,Community Development Authority Board. and Ethics Board.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 11(A) Referral of ordinances, 6(B) Filing, and 21 Amending of the Rules.
9 Announcement from Mayor and Alderpersons.
10 Comments and suggestions from citizens present during Public Comment occurring both before and after the business meeting.
11 Adjournment.