| Eau Claire City Council | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1909 |
| Purpose/focus | City Legislative Body |
| Headquarters | Eau Claire City Hall |
| Location | Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
| Region served | City of Eau Claire |
| Membership | 11 |
| President | Kerry Kincaid |
| Budget | 126,058,200 (2009 Budget)[1] |
The Eau Claire City Council is the non-partisan 11-member governing council of the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Members of the City council are elected at-large and by district.[2]
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The president is Kerry Kincaid, and David Duax serves as the vice-president.[3] The members as of August 1, 2011 are:[4]
In November 1909 a movement to change the city government from Aldermanic to the commission form was launched by the West Side Boosters, the forerunners of the Water Street, Eau Claire Business Men. The campaign that preceded the February 15 election was a heated one. Local rallies were held in various sections of the city and mass meetings in the Opera House. The 20 members of the old common council were about equally split about the change. The final vote was 1867 for change and 995 against.
Since switching from a mayoral system in 1948, Eau Claire has had a city manager-city council form of government. Eau Claire City Council presidents are elected at-large to serve as head of the council. They are elected in odd-numbered years.
"We work together to meet public needs, provide for the common good, and deliver services essential for a healthy, safe, and sustainable community. We accomplish this through transparent and accountable governance, civic engagement, and collaborative problem solving."[5]
The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. These are legislative meetings where the Council votes on items. Public hearings are held at 7 p.m. on the Monday evening before each legislative session. All meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 203 S. Farwell Street.[6]
City Council meetings are televised live on Public-access television channel 97 and Digital Cable Channel 994. The program is re-broadcast at 8 a.m. on the Thursday and at noon on the Saturday following the meetings. The meetings are also simulcast on radio station WRFP 101.9 FM.[7]
There are 11 members on the Eau Claire City Council, five elected from aldermanic districts and five and the Council President elected at large. District alderpersons and the City Council president were elected to three-year terms in April 2009. At-large Alderpersons were elected to three-year terms in 2010.[8]