On 05/04/2022, the Appleton Common Council voted to allow anti-pipeline Resolution 4-R-22, the Clean Water and Treaty Rights Resolution, to be withdrawn by its authors.
This resolution was introduced at the 03/02/2022 Common Council meeting. Due to its subject matter and lack of overlap with city business, it did not fall under the jurisdiction of any of the Council’s standing committees, and was, therefore, originally scheduled to be taken up during a special meeting of the Common Council. That special meeting ended up being cancelled because of a lack of a quorum.
Alderperson Katie Van Zeeland (District 5), the Council President, was chairing the meeting in place of Mayor Woodford who was excused. She asked Attorney Christopher Behrens to remind them what the rule on withdrawing resolutions was.
Attorney Behrens answered that, at the Council level, a request to withdraw a resolution required a motion, a second, and a 2/3rd vote in favor of allowing the withdrawal.
Alderperson Alex Schultz (District 9) moved, seconded by Alderperson Firkus, that the withdrawal of the resolution be approved. This was followed by a brief discussion.
Alderperson Vered Meltzer (District 2) who was the main sponsor of the resolution said, “I respectfully request my colleagues to allow withdrawing this resolution. This resolution was targeted for a specific timeframe for the DNR’s period of comment and that timeframe is now passed. So, I would like to withdraw this resolution since it’s no longer timely and the intention of the resolution would not be able to be carried out at this time. Thank you.”
Alderperson Chad Doran (District 15) said, “I was disappointed that the Council passed the rule to allow resolutions to be withdrawn. I feel that this is a good example why that rule shouldn’t have been in place to begin with. This is a resolution that never had anything to do with the City of Appleton, should have never been before this body, and I fear that having this rule in place will allow more types of resolutions like this to be submitted and withdrawn just for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with our Council business. So, I encourage my colleagues not to allow this to be withdrawn.
“If our colleagues want to submit resolutions, they should do the work to make sure it applies and it’s something that’s gonna matter to our residents, have an impact in our community, and if not, we’ll have that discussion and handle it that way. Thank you.”
Alderperson Nate Wolff (District 12) asked to call the question. His motion was approved by a voice vote of 14-1.
The Council then voted 12-3 to approve the withdrawal of the resolution with Alderpersons Sheri Hartzheim (District 13), Chris Croatt (District 14), and Doran voting against.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=937640&GUID=F6AE9C58-538F-45F3-9611-FC274F269E1B
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