The first Common Council of the 2023-24 session met on Tuesday night, highlighted by ceremony and election of officers. The Sheboygan Police Department set the tone with a somber presentation of the colors in advance of the pledge of allegiance, an invocation, and recognition of the original peoples who first occupied what is now Sheboygan.
After that the recently re-elected Alderpersons Barb Felde, Amanda Salazar, Angela Ramey, Grazia Perrella and Trey Mitchell were sworn in for their new term on the council, followed by installation of the City Attorney, Charles Adams, City Clerk Meredith DeBruin, and Multi-Jurisdictional Judge Natasha Torry.
With new members installed, the elections of officers and appointments to committees saw Alder Dean Dekker selected as the new Council President replacing Barb Felde, and the Vice President nod going to Amanda Salazar succeeding Roberta Filicky-Peneski. Alder Trey Mitchell was appointed Representative to the City Plan Commission while Roberta Filicky-Peneski and Barb Felde were named as Representatives to the Capital Improvements Commission.
After adjourning and then convening as the Committee of the Whole, Alder Zach Rust was elected Chair by an 8-2 vote over Joe Heidemann, and the Common Council then re-convened.
Newly-elected Council President Dean Dekker said in his inaugural message that many challenges awaited in the year ahead, including “…the hiring of a new administrator, continuing efforts to seek out developers for both affordable and conventional housing, and our continuing efforts to improve our infrastructure…these being our top priorities. I feel this group is up to the challenge, and I look forward to a great Council year.”
Mayor Ryan Sorenson told the new council in his message, “…let us remind ourselves of the trust that the citizens of Sheboygan have instilled in us. They have elected us to represent their interests and make decisions that will affect their lives. Let us never forget that we serve the people of Sheboygan, and it is our duty is to act in their best interest as well.”
And he concluded: “Let us embark on this journey together with optimism, determination, and a deep sense of responsibility to serve the people of Sheboygan to the best of our abilities. Thank you so much, and may God bless the great City of Sheboygan.”
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