By Brad Allen
J486 Student Reporter
WHITEWATER, WI
Whitewater Common Council members quibbled Tuesday, Oct. 4, over a proposed ordinance to raise the fines of vandalism of landmarks before tabling a vote in lieu of further discussion at a later meeting.
Council members Lynn Binnie (Wards 5 & 6) and Stephanie Vander Pas (Wards 10-12) expressed dissent to particular details concerning how acutely the various landmarks throughout the city are labeled and questioned whether the ordinance targeted UW-Whitewater students.
Binnie said he does not plan to oppose the ordinance that proposes raising the minimum fines of vandalism to local landmarks to $1,000, but he said he feels wary of “possible unintended consequences.”
Vander Pas questioned whether every landmark in the city – both public and private – is properly labeled as such and suggested it isn’t “fair to receive a specific citation if a landmark isn’t labeled.” She added that vandalism is “horrendously wrong,” but she said the proposed raise in fines warrants further review before a final vote.
Council member Jimmy Schulgit (Wards 7 & 8) disagreed with the dissent and calls for further review. He said “the legislation is fine as written” and that he has “no problem asking offenders to make a large donation to the city” if they choose to vandalize city or private property.
Binnie filed a motion to suggest an amendment to the ordinance that specifies publically owned landmarks regarding raises vandalism fines.
Resident Pat Blackmer, owner of a private landmark property, said the ordinance is necessary to preserving local landmarks.
“I think this needs to be enforced, because individuals are not respecting private property,” Blackmer said.
UW-Whitewater senior Analise Sandoval said the ordinance unfairly targets college students.
“Approving this too quickly could mean a lot of backlash if students can’t clearly read if something is a landmark,” Sandoval said.
Schulgit and council member James Allen (at-large) said people don’t look for signs when vandalizing property. Allen added that he does not want to give preferential treatment to students over community members.
Council member Chris Grady motioned to postpone the amendment until after budget time. The council voted 6-1 in favor or postponing the vote, with Schulgit being the lone “Nay” against the motion.
After the debate on the proposal to raise vandalism fines, City Manager Cameron Clapper presented the preliminary 2019 city budget proposal, which will be further discussed over the next several weeks before being voted on for approval.
The proposed 2019 city budget calls for a tax levy increase of about three percent. The three largest recipients of public funds in the budget are Public Safety at 36 percent of the pie, General Government at 15 percent and Public Works at 10 percent.
Because “state revenues diminish over time,” the city must tax residents higher in order to pay for city upkeep next year, Clapper said.
Also in the proposed 2019 budget, property taxes in Walworth County would go slightly up, while property taxes in Jefferson County would go slightly down.
Some major public works projects included in the proposed 2019 budget are drawing down the lake water in Cravath Lake, replacing street lights, construction on Milwaukee Street and construction of an amphitheater.
In other action at the Oct. 2 Common Council meeting, Clapper proclaimed Oct. 7 as Whitewater’s 28th annual Crop Hunger Walk Day.
Event organizer Patty Harmon said the local chapter of the Crop Hunger Walk organization has raised more than $186,000 since 1990, with about $13,548 being raised in 2017 alone. A total of 25 percent of money raised goes to the Whitewater Food Pantry.
The Common Council also approved an ordinance in a 7-0 vote that establishes a “No Parking” zone from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Church Street from Center Street to Forrest Avenue.
Before adjourning, the council members voted 7-0 to table a decision on a proposed ordinance to ban sales to and possession of electronic cigarette and vaping products to minors.
Whitewater Common Council meets again Tuesday, Oct. 9. The meeting’s agenda can be found at www.whitewater-wi.gov.