SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A recommendation to change the number of city aldermen back to 16 from a upcoming 10 was narrowly approved last night at committee of the whole.
The issue was brought up by the current council after the council voted last year to cut the aldermen to fit the county's supervisory boundaries. The committee of the whole heard from city attorney Charles Adams that the change before the council could be illegal if there's a challenge before the April elections. He told the councilmembers that moving for a charter ordinance like this before the April Elections could lead to residents voting on how many aldermen they want to have and for their terms of office at the same time they're electing the aldermen.
Alderman Bill Thiel voted against the recommendation. "I do agree with our city attorney. I'm taking his advice that our timing isn't correct, that we should wait and do it correctly to make sure it's completely legal." Thiel had start the night as an aye vote, but as Adams and city council president Mary Lynne Donohue explained the issue, he said he wanted to make sure the city wasn't about to break the law. "He's in the business to give us his advice, I'm taking his advice to heart. I'm voting no now, but if we did it he right way when the time is right, I'd definitely vote yes to keep it at 16."
Alderperson Susan Lessard says she's still opposed to having only ten aldermen. "I may have missed a few things, because I voted in favor of reducing the council, and have come to find that is not where I'm standing today." Lessard acknowledges that the current measure not might nullify that change, but she's not giving up. "So I'm not certain that we'll be able to get this passed, but I know that there is a remedy that is legally bearing and I will pursue that if this doesn't work."
The measure passed last night on a vote of 8 to 7, but will need a 2/3rds vote to pass the city council and head to the ordinances.