May 4, 2023 at 1:44 p.m.
Council votes to give itself special appointment powers
Following a unanimous vote on April 24, the council now has the ability to appoint - via majority vote - a qualified individual to an open committee or commission position if said position remains unfilled for a period of six months.
The move comes after a position on the Rhinelander Tourism Marketing Committee (RTMC) remained vacant for an extended period of time.
During the council's April 10 meeting, after a number of speakers spoke in favor of the reappointment of longtime RTMC member Erin Skinner - the alderpersons directed city attorney Steve Sorenson to prepare ordinance language that would allow the panel to fill a vacant position in the event the mayor failed to appoint someone. This was deemed necessary because Mayor Kris Hanus repeatedly indicated he did not feel the reappointment of Skinner was in the best interest of the committee.
In February, the council rejected Hanus's choice for the position, former city administrator Zach Vruwink.
The council was uncomfortable with Vruwink serving on the RTMC as a representative of the lodging industry given that his experience in lodging is in operating an Airbnb.
The city repeatedly sought candidates for the vacant RTMC position and received some interest. However, the interested parties backed out before their names could be presented to the council for approval.
Given the impasse, the council asked that language be drafted allowing the panel to step in should a similar situation arise in the future.
The new language is as follows:
Chapter 2.02.07 - Special Appointment Powers in regard to Unfilled Positions
1. If a Mayoral appointment remains unfilled for a period of six (6) months after the position becomes available for appointment by the Mayor pursuant to this Code the Council may by majority vote of the Council appointment a qualified individual to fill the position.
2. If the Council would reject a Mayoral appointment the Mayor shall have an additional three (3) month period to submit an appointment to the Council.
3. Any person appointed by the Council, pursuant to the terms of this Code Section, shall remain in that position as if appointed by the Mayor for the designated period of the term of the office or position to which the person has been appointed as outlined in the appropriate City of Rhinelander Ordinance."
During the same meeting, the council resolved the RTMC vacancy issue by reappointing Skinner to a term to end in 2025.
The RTMC was scheduled to meet Thursday morning, after this edition went to press, for its first meeting with a full panel.
In other business, the council also approved the purchase of HVAC units for the city's server room and fire department's bunkhouse room at a cost of $21,970.33.
"Since the day I started my employment here in Rhinelander, Tara Tessmann - the IT coordinator for the City - and I have been speaking about the need for air conditioning in the server room, in order to keep temperatures cool which will, in turn, keep the server running and will allow for the City to get many years of use out of this critical piece of equipment," city administrator Patrick Reagan wrote in a memo to the council. "As you may know, these servers kick out quite a bit of heat and electronics and excess heat are a very poor combination. Along with that. Fire Chief Tonnancour has informed me that the bunkhouse area of the fire department building has experienced failure of their AC unit as well, so this needs work as well."
Finally, the council approved the emergency purchase of two pumps for the Rose Street life station.
Public works director Randy Myrum explained that the lift station experienced a failure in early April, due to the age of the equipment and increased groundwater infiltration due to rapid snow melt.
Both Myrum and Reagan recognized wastewater treatment plant employee Curt Johnson for his work in response to the pump failure.
According to a memo from Reagan to the council, Johnson "went above and beyond to get the backup pump going after it initially failed to start."
Lift stations are used to move wastewater from lower to higher elevations. According to Myrum, failure to resolve the issue with the Rose Street pumps could lead to wastewater finding its way into Boom Lake.
The council also approved upgrades to the Eagle Street Lift Station as recommended by Myrum.
To watch the entire council meeting, visit www.hodagtv.com.
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