Marathon County passed an ordinance that would trigger a review process when engineering documents are submitted for a large energy project.
That move came after a motion to refer the item back to the Environmental Resources Committee and have it consider a moratorium on projects failed.
The idea, Marathon County Administrator Lance Leonhard explained, was to take a novel approach that would allow the county to potentially intervene early in the process when a large energy project is proposed.
The move comes in response to the Hub City Wind Farm, a proposed wind farm in the southwest corner of the county. The review would be triggered when proposers file engineering plans to the Public Service Commission 60 days before the formal application.
That gives the county time to consider whether to intervene, pursue a joint agreement or formally communicate concerns. Leonhard told the board that as far as he and other staff members knew, no other county had tried this approach yet.
A separate motion specifically about the Hub City Wind Farm project was sent back to the Executive Committee to come up with a more specific recommendation.
This week The Wausonian got first access to an investigation report looking into allegations against Kronenwetter Administrator James Davel. But instead of clarifying things, it opened up more questions, our reading of the documents found:
The Kronenwetter Davel investigation raises more questions than it answers
The $45,000 investigation cleared Administrator James Davel, but uncovered troubling allegations of its own — and prompted lengthy rebuttals alleging bias, resignations and retaliation
And, The Wausonian got a first look at the Greater Wausau Chamber’s new The Powerhouse project:
Long in the making, the Wausau Chamber’s The Powerhouse is finished
Through a tour of the recently renovated The Powerhouse, the Greater Wausau Chamber’s project that aims to be a business innovation center, Chamber President/CEO Dave Eckmann points at numbers written in marker on a wood beam.
And finally, our regular Wausau Tavern Report got some attention since it highlights a burglary at the former Great Dane Pub building:
The Great Dane burglary | The Wausau Tavern Report
Police in March began investigating a suspected burglary at the former Great Dane Pub building.
What else in Wausau?
Move to change ethics board appointment process fails: A city rules committee this week looked into changing how appointments to the city’s ethics board are handled — but it turns out, they can’t. Assistant City Attorney Vincent Bonino told members of the city’s Rules and Review Committee that appointments to the Ethics Board, which is handled by the mayor subject to city council approval, don’t fall under the purview of the city rules committee. Those changes must come from the Ethics Board itself.
Former city HR director joins Police and Fire Commission: The former Wausau Human Resources Director, Lisa Nowak, joined the city’s Police and Fire Commission Monday after being appointed by the city council last week. Commission President Kathy Strasser told the commission that Nowak’s HR background would be useful to the commission, as it has hiring powers over police and fire personnel. Nowak resigned as HR director effective July 31.
The city now has at least $3.4 million in PFAS settlement money: The has $3.4 million as part of a settlement from a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals, city staff says. That money has not yet been earmarked for a particular use, Finance Director Maryanne Groat told members of the Finance Committee. She said more money came in recently, which should add to the total. The city’s Finance Committee plans to discuss the settlement money in the near future, and get updated numbers on the total.
Around the metro
County board reverses course on infrastructure chair appointment: An appointment of the chair of the county’s Infrastructure Committee, ordinarily a pretty routine matter, hit a snag this week. The Marathon County Board rejected Aaron Griner’s appointment for the seat. County Board members including Jennifer Aarrestad, argued Duane Gau was a better choice because of his current role as vice chair and his work following the Ringle tornado in April. But County Board Chair Kurt Gibbs told the board Gau wasn’t selected in part because he was a first-term board member. Gibbs and vice chair Matt Bootz will bring back another recommendation to the board next month.
County passes data center moratorium: Marathon County leaders ensured a pause on any data centers built in the county for a year while county staff develops zoning rules. The moratorium holds for up to 12 months and would apply to any area under the purview of county zoning. Cities and villages aren’t impacted, and neither are towns that have their own zoning. The ordinance comes as data center projects are popping up around the state, though none has been proposed for Marathon County yet.
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Business
Boy Scout Center in Weston sold: The Scout Center on Camp Phillips Road sold last month, according to real estate records. The property was bought by Tundra LLC for $927,500, according to online real estate sales records. Tundra is registered to Robert Andrew Greenheck, according to state corporate records databases. Nearby camp property was also sold, to JPRM Investments for $1.092 million, real estate records show, though the grantee in the record also lists Robert Greenheck as the grantee.
Arrow Sports Bar closed: Weston officials confirmed that the seller’s permit for Arrow Sports Bar is currently invalid, and that the bar is closed. Weston said in June it was withholding its liquor licenses renewal pending payment to the village and distributors. Because of that, Weston Administrator Jami Gebert told The Wausonian that Arrow is closed until further notice.
Entertainment
Summer is winding down but it’s not quite over yet, and this weekend’s Edgar Steam Show is a great late summer event to enjoy. Plus, two more blues bands coming to Cheeks Bar and Grill and The Garage, an interesting historic architecture walk, a luau celebration and more. All that in Your Wausome Weekend Guide below.
The steam comes to Edgar | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
The Wausonian is expected to drop a major story on Wednesday, so we’re coming out with our guide a day early. Keep an eye on your inboxes for that story Wednesday morning.
Sports
Football: Wausau West won its first game of the season last week. The Warriors defeated Menomonie 36-21 Thursday to kick off the season. D.C. Everest lost to Chippewa Falls 50-22. Wausau West will host Rice Lake this week and D.C. Everest will host Menomonie. Both games are 7 pm Friday.
Boys soccer: The season kicks off Tuesday with D.C. Everest heading to Stevens Point, Wausau East heading to Marshfield and Wausau West hosting Wisconsin Rapids. All games are at 7 pm.
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