MONROE - Alderman Charles Koch, a member of the Monroe Board of Police and Fire Commissioners (PFC) for 15 years, will serve a fourth 5-year term, following confirmation of his mayoral appointment on a 6-to-4 vote of the Common Council Tuesday.
The council unanimously voted to confirm also the appointment of Angie Rogerson to the commission. Mayor Bill Ross appointed Rogerson to fill the seat left empty by Reid Stangel, who resigned after being elected to the Council in April.
Koch's confirmation came to a vote after nearly 30 minutes of debate centering on the what Alderman Thurston Hanson called the "risks and rewards" for the city to have an elected official serving on the PFC board.
Koch was appointed to the PFC on April 19, but his confirmation was postponed when Hanson raised questions about potential risks for litigation, particularly in the event of an officer's discipline or firing.
Koch's appointment was back on the Council's agenda Tuesday.
In the Common Council meeting, Hanson cited Wisconsin court cases and quoted Peggy Lautenschlager, a past Wisconsin Attorney General, to back his position that the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners is to be filled with citizens, not elected officials, to prevent the board from having any "appearance of impropriety" and to insulate the board from politics.
"What advantage, reward or benefit is it to the city? I can find no reasonable answer, but the risk is very evident to me," he said.
During the meeting, Koch spoke only to indicate that he had already served 15 years on the board.
"I stand by my record," he said.
Hanson said his concerns did not stem from Koch's character nor his past service as a Police and Fire Commissioner.
"No one argues that Chuck (Koch) hasn't done a great job," Hanson said.
Hanson motioned to divide the question of confirmations, separating the vote on Koch's and Rogerson's appointment. Michael Boyce seconded the motion, which passed 7 to 3.
Koch, Stangel and Neal Hunter voted against. Boyce said he seconded the motion in order to enable the debate on the issue.
After the meeting, Koch said he was relieved the vote and the controversy was finally over.
"I didn't really know what to expect," Koch said. "It's a service I've done for 15 years, and I'd like to continue."
The council unanimously voted to confirm also the appointment of Angie Rogerson to the commission. Mayor Bill Ross appointed Rogerson to fill the seat left empty by Reid Stangel, who resigned after being elected to the Council in April.
Koch's confirmation came to a vote after nearly 30 minutes of debate centering on the what Alderman Thurston Hanson called the "risks and rewards" for the city to have an elected official serving on the PFC board.
Koch was appointed to the PFC on April 19, but his confirmation was postponed when Hanson raised questions about potential risks for litigation, particularly in the event of an officer's discipline or firing.
Koch's appointment was back on the Council's agenda Tuesday.
In the Common Council meeting, Hanson cited Wisconsin court cases and quoted Peggy Lautenschlager, a past Wisconsin Attorney General, to back his position that the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners is to be filled with citizens, not elected officials, to prevent the board from having any "appearance of impropriety" and to insulate the board from politics.
"What advantage, reward or benefit is it to the city? I can find no reasonable answer, but the risk is very evident to me," he said.
During the meeting, Koch spoke only to indicate that he had already served 15 years on the board.
"I stand by my record," he said.
Hanson said his concerns did not stem from Koch's character nor his past service as a Police and Fire Commissioner.
"No one argues that Chuck (Koch) hasn't done a great job," Hanson said.
Hanson motioned to divide the question of confirmations, separating the vote on Koch's and Rogerson's appointment. Michael Boyce seconded the motion, which passed 7 to 3.
Koch, Stangel and Neal Hunter voted against. Boyce said he seconded the motion in order to enable the debate on the issue.
After the meeting, Koch said he was relieved the vote and the controversy was finally over.
"I didn't really know what to expect," Koch said. "It's a service I've done for 15 years, and I'd like to continue."