WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- In a lengthy city council meeting on Tuesday evening, the council narrowly decided their preferred option for free swim days among other items.
The council had two options for free swim days, one from the Parks and Recreation committee that was amended to have free swim days at the beginning of the season, the end of the season, and every Thursday. The other option from the finance committee removed the weekly free swim day and proposed finding sponsors for the days.
Mayor Robert Mielke said the council has to consider the cost in everything. "Everybody wants to do nice things for our kids. Especially those that are underprivileged. However, like everything all these items have is a cost. This stuff is not free it's gotta be paid for. And we don't make money off our city pools in the first place."
The council decided in a 6-5 vote to approve the amended option from the Parks and Recreation committee. Mayor Mielke explains why he believes the vote was so close among the council. "So I think the reason why the vote was so close tonight is a lot of people realize we've got to be fiscally responsible. With that, we'll see what happens and move it forward."
But the most surprising part of the meeting was towards the beginning when District 10 Alderperson Mary Thao announced she would no longer be attending closed sessions as a member of the council. This comes after reports surfaced of Thao feeling bullied by council members in a closed session back in August where she called for a roll call vote based on her time on the Wausau School Board.
During the meeting's usual public comment portion, several citizens came forward in support of Thao. This included Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger who urged the council to bring in an unbiased mediator to help solve the issue. A meeting was held in October to try and help resolve the issue.
In her brief speech, Thao stressed creating a safe environment on the council. When WSAU News asked for comment from Mayor Robert Mielke on the situation, he said it was her decision not to participate and that she would be counted as a non-voting member.
After the public comment period, the council also passed the sale of Sherman Street parcels to Central Wisconsin Real Estate for the development of bungalows. And authorizations for a revenue bond on the water and sewer system that would make the city responsible for the insurance charge.
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