Tensions Arise at Committee of the Whole Meeting

Tensions were high at times during  (COW) this past Wednesday evening as Second District Alderman Kert Harenda and Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti clashed a number of times over whether or not individual aldermen should be discussing proposed plans to redraw ward and aldermanic district boundaries with City staff.

The deadline for the city to submit a plan to Waukesha County is next Wednesday, July 27, the day after the next Common Council meeting.

The conflict between Harenda and Chiaverotti originated at the Common Council meeting on July 12, when Harenda wanted to be able to freely meet individually with city staff if he had any questions on the redistricting process.

Mayor Chiaverotti stated during that meeting that aldermen should only interact with city staff on the matter collectively as the full Council so City staff would not get tied up amid the pressing deadline, trying to answer individual questions. She also expressed concern that individual aldermen approaching staff could inject personal politics into the matter when politics need to be left out.

The tension escalated further during Wednesday’s special session of the COW when Harenda again reiterated his intent to approach city staff if he had any questions.

“I was handcuffed by the Mayor at the last Council meeting…told I can’t talk to staff - and I have a problem with that,” Harenda said during the meeting, prompting a strong response by Chiaverotti.

“I have a problem with you making stuff up,” Chiaverotti returned.

“You’re disenfranchising an alderman,” Harenda said, going on to argue that it is his duty as an alderman to be able to conduct due diligence .

Seventh District Alderman Noah Fiedler entered the fray by saying, “A single alderman meeting with staff about something like this gives the appearance of impropriety, no matter what is discussed.”

Chiaverotti told Harenda that he would have an opportunity, as all aldermen will, to ask questions at the next Common Council meeting.

All other aldermen present at the meeting agreed not to individually approach city staff.  

In an interview with Patch following the meeting, resident Suzi Link, who was in the audience, sided with Harenda, saying, “Denying any alderman access to city staff is unprecedented.”

City staff will create two more proposed maps, bringing the total to three, and e-mail them to all aldermen by Friday, July 22, if possible. 

The next Common Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 26, when the three proposed redistricting plans are slated to be presented to the Council for discussion and a vote.