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TO:

Members of the Common Council

FROM:

Matt Mugerauer, Mayor

DATE:

August 14, 2024

SUBJECT:

Res 24-462 Remove Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Member (Pishler)

BACKGROUND

Alex Pishler was appointed to the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee in June 2022. His appointment was renewed on May 23, 2023, effective June 1, 2023, for a term expiring on May 31, 2025. Mr. Pishler has not attended a DEI Committee meeting since April 2023 and has generally not contacted board members or staff, despite numerous attempts to contact Mr. Pishler.

ANALYSIS
Vacancies and removal of Board and Commission members are governed by Wisconsin Statutes. Section 17.03 of the Wisconsin Statutes provides that vacancies are caused by death, resignation, removal, or non-residency when residency is a requirement.

Section 17.12 of the Wisconsin Statutes provides a method for the removal of an appointed City official, such as a Committee member, by the Common Council. In this case, because the appointment is made by the Council upon recommendation of the Mayor, the Council may remove the person with or without cause. Cause is defined by the Statutes as inefficiency, neglect of duty, official misconduct, or malfeasance in office.

Because of Mr. Pishler's repeated failure to attend meetings and his failure to respond to inquiries regarding service on the DEI Committee, this behavior qualifies as a neglect of duty, for which removal is warranted.

RECOMMENDATION

I recommend that the Common Council remove Alex Pishler from the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Attachments

RES 24-462