By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review
City leaders are seeking additional funding for planned security upgrades at City Hall, after bids for the project exceeded the amount approved in April by the council.
The security upgrade will include restrictions for visitors in the main lobby, with a secure entrance that limits access to the elevators, stairs and basement areas. Mayor Katie Rosenberg and former Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven made the case for the upgrades earlier this year, after several incidents raised alarm bells for staff.
Over the past few years “there have been a few vagrant and hostile individuals roaming through City Hall,” according to city documents and some people were found living in the basement of the building. Police say more than a dozen people walked in and out of the building in a single weekend alone, and in January of 2022 a a man accused of creating a disturbance at City Hall was arrested and charged criminally.
Initially, the project was expected to cost roughly $180,000 and would have received American Rescue Act funding. But in April, that changed, and project funds were granted through the general fund.
City staff completed plans and opened bids on Oct. 17 for the plan and saw the low bid come in from J.H. Findorff and Son, Inc., for about $231,000. Staff is now going back to the council to request additional money from the General Fund surplus for $68,000 to complete the job.
The matter comes before the Finance Committee before being passed on to the full council for approval on Tuesday. Click here for the full packet.
