Marshfield council to discuss Weinbrenner redevelopment options, judge vacancy process at Jan. 13 meeting

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!

MARSHFIELD, Wis. — The Marshfield Common Council is expected to spend significant time Tuesday, Jan. 13, discussing next steps for the former Weinbrenner Shoe Co. property and reviewing several administrative and policy items, according to a Council Preview program hosted by Tom Loucks with City Administrator Steve Barg and Mayor Lois TeStrake.

Barg said the city’s spring election field is set following a Jan. 6 filing deadline, with TeStrake seeking reelection and Nick Poeschel also filing for mayor. In City Council races, District 1’s Mike Feirer, District 5’s Scott Koran, and District 7’s Brian Giles are unopposed, while District 3 Alderperson Natasha Tompkins will face challenger Joe Konieczny. District 9 will also have a new representative after Mike O'Reilly did not file; Richard Kranz has filed for the seat.

On the agenda, Barg said Finance Director Jennifer Selenske will provide a staff update focused on how the city tracks and communicates project cost increases—an item requested by Alderperson Rebecca Spiros—aimed at keeping council members informed earlier in projects when bids or requirements push budgets higher.

Council members are also expected to consider a “capital expenditure reimbursement” resolution establishing a priority order for how different funding sources are applied to city projects—such as grants, donations, special funds, enterprise funds, debt financing and as a last resort, general fund dollars. Barg said the policy is intended to ensure restricted revenues are used appropriately and to clarify what happens when projects come in under or over budget.

Another major item involves filling a municipal judge vacancy after Judge Cruz tendered his resignation effective Jan. 9. Barg said the council will be asked to authorize a notice seeking applicants and to appoint a five-member group—comprised of the mayor and two council members, plus one representative each from Stratford and Spencer—to review applications and conduct interviews for a temporary appointment until an election can be held later this year. Applicants must live within Marshfield, Stratford or Spencer and be licensed Wisconsin attorneys in good standing, he said.

Barg said the Weinbrenner property discussion remains open-ended after two attempts to find a redevelopment partner did not pan out. Options discussed include returning to a previous developer for affordable housing, issuing another RFP/RFQ, pursuing alternate uses such as a business incubator or community/nonprofit space, seeking temporary occupancy ideas, or potentially demolishing portions or all of the building—though he noted the structure’s historic significance. TeStrake encouraged residents to attend and share ideas during citizen comment.

The council will also be asked to discuss how to move forward with citywide strategic planning after multiple attempts to schedule sessions fell short of a quorum, Barg said.

While the open-session agenda is relatively short, Barg noted the council has four closed-session items planned—three involving amendments to existing development agreements and one involving an extension of a lease for city-owned property.O'Reilly

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