WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau City Council will take up a controversial resolution that would require masks in all publicly-accessible indoor buildings within the city.
The resolution would encourage all residents to wear face coverings when visiting any business, restaurant, office, or any other publicly-accessible building to prevent the spread of Coronavirus particles.
The resolution passed a special meeting of the Public Health and Safety committee last Monday on a 3-2 vote. It comes with no enforceable action and instead encourages residents to mask up in public places.
RELATED: Public Health and Safety Committee passes mask resolution
The committee chose the resolution route as a way of putting the least invasive measure out there first. The ordinance version of the mandate, which would come with fines or other forms of enforceable action, has been shelved but could be brought back if Alders feel the situation would warrant.
Police Chief Ben Bliven added that calls to enforce an ordinance would be an extremely low priority given the department’s current staffing levels.
Alders Lisa Rasmussen, Pat Peckham, and Dawn Herbst voted yes on the measure. Alders Jim Wadinski and Becky McElhaney voted no.
According to the posted agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, there will be time for public input by pre-registered citizens. Last Monday’s vote came without scheduled time for public comment, though Alders have been taking feedback from residents throughout the week and the city has been taking online comments on the issue.
Tuesday’s discussion and vote will come following a public hearing on the proposed 2021 city budget, which Mayor Rosenberg told WSAU is currently sitting at $96 million. The council will also vote on two emergency proclamations made by Rosenberg at the end of October, one for an emergency declaration due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and another that would limit public gatherings in government facilities.
