Marshfield Common Council Approves New Alderman for 7th District and Other Items

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

The Marshfield Common Council approved the new candidate for their recently vacated 7th District Alderperson seat.

There were four candidates who were seeking the chair including Mary Besler, Brian Giles, Dan Hollenbeck, and Tim Moen. First the Council nominated all four candidates for the seat and the Council voted to narrow the field down to two candidates.

Mary Besler received 2 votes, Brian Giles received 3 votes, Dan Hollenbeck received 1 vote, and Tim Moen received 3 votes. The Council then voted on the top two candidates, Giles and Moen, to get the final candidate. In the end Brian Giles received 6 votes and Tim Moen received 3 votes. Giles was then given the Oath of Office and seated as the 7th District Alderperson.

The Council then approved the submission of Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities Plan to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Jon Lindert from Strand Associates presented the Stormwater Management Plan and the Council approved to accept and place on file the Stormwater Management Plan.

The Council also approved transferring $7,500 from the Economic Development Fund for payment to Site Selection Group in connection with the Certified Site application.

The Council also approved the second reading of an ordinance rezoning properties located at 710 South Columbus Avenue, 1414 West 5th Street and parcel #33-03354 from SR-2 (Single-Family Residential) to CD (Campus Development District).

The Council also approved the second reading of an ordinance to adopt the Campus Master Plan for Columbus Catholic Schools. The campus is located at 710 South Columbus Avenue, 1414 West 5th Street, and parcel #33-03354. All are zoned SR-2 (Single-Family Residential) but in the process of rezoning to CD (Campus Development).

The Council also approved the second reading of an ordinance restricting the sale of products containing Delta 8 & 10 THC. The Council approved to appoint Mary Jo Wheeler to the Economic Development Board to complete the vacant term ending in April 2025. The Council DID NOT approve the appointment of Adam Fischer to the Economic Development Board to complete the vacant term ending in April 2024.

The Council also approved to direct staff to draft an ordinance to amend Section 3-05 of Marshfield Municipal Code to establish an “Administrator’s Update” and move “Future Agenda Items” before closed session, but it was approved with an amendment that would include adding an agenda item “Identify Potential Conflicts of Interest” at the beginning of Common Council meetings.

City Administrator Steve Barg provided an update on housing. One Alderperson requested an update on the development of the employee survey committee at the next meeting. Troy Larson and Nick Bartolerio from Strand Associates presented on future plans for the Wastewater Treatment Facilities.

During the Citizen Comments portion of the meeting, a resident commented on the selection of the replacement to fill the vacancy for the 7th District of the Common Council. He referenced a past alderperson who said, you are not just an alderman for your district, you are also an alderman for all of the City.

This concept is easy to understand when you consider the boards, committees and commissions of which the alderperson serves. That alderperson becomes a de facto alderperson for other districts when making decisions in those bodies.

What did you read and what did you hear from the candidates? Generalizations or specifics? What were their positions? Were you able to discern clear reasons why each candidate wishes to represent District 7? The 7th District needs an alderman, but the entire City does as well.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.