Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 1. Roll Call: Council President Gray called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present:: Council President Gray, Mayor Arnold, Alders: Albright, Reid, Roelke, Steiner; Staff: City Administrator Ellefson, City Clerk Goebel, City Attorney Johnson, Chief Weiner, Lt Ward, interested citizens, media. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Roelke, second by Arnold to approve agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Karl Green, business address 1132 Park Avenue spoke in favor of moving the City of Columbus back to Eastern Columbia County Joint Municipal Court to make municipal court more profitable. Edwin Schellin, 1435 Waterloo Street, requested the Council table Ordinance #774-22, which would dissolve Municipal Court in Columbus for further citizen input. He feels local court for local citizens is convenient and more cost effective than circuit court. Richard Ginkowski, President WI Municipal Judges Association, spoke against dissolving the Municipal Court as circuit court would be more expensive. 5. Discuss Continued Operation of Municipal Court: City Administrator Ellefson reported the Eastern Columbia County Joint Municipal Court would welcome the City back as it benefits everyone. He reiterated the City continues to subsidize the court when the court should be self- supporting. Police Chief Weiner has no concerns with staffing when an officer has to attend court; and was happy with the previous joint municipal court. Eastern Columbia County Joint Municipal Court does not need tax subsidy whereas the City's court does. Council members agreed that continuing to pay for the court for the convenience of a few was not cost effective. Forward to Regular meeting September 29. 6. Adjourn: Motion by Steiner, second by Albright to adjourn at 7:24 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk