Oct. 20, 2020 9:30a
(WGTD)---The Kenosha City Council Monday night approved the mayoral appointments of two men to top positions at city hall. But the vote wasn’t unanimous, and was preceded by debate.
"If we're going to hire outside of the city, why are we always hiring white men,?" asked Alder. Holly Kangas. "I know, mayor, you're a fair man but we need more diversity in city positions," she said.
Both men are white. Matt Krauter, who’ll be the city’s next Clerk-Treasurer, is a former vice-president of Blackhawk Community Credit Union, while Timothy Casey, appointed by Mayor Antaramian to the position of Development Director, comes from Waukesha County where he held a development position there.
Mayor Antaramian defended his hiring record, saying he was the first to place two women in high-level department head positions and also appointed the first African-American to a department head position. "It's very frustrating to me when my record gets portrayed as something it's not," he said.
Kangas also complained that Krauter, the new clerk-treasurer who has no direct experience, will be making the same salary as his predecessor, a woman who recently retired after decades on the job.
City Administrator John Morrissey explained that both Casey and Krauter were hired for their leadership skills. He added that Krauter will be taking a pay cut to come to the city.
Casey and Krauter were among the top two choices that were advanced to Administration by separate interview panels made up primarily of outsiders.
The vote to approve both appointments was 12 to 4.
Also Monday night, the council approved changes to the city’s cabaret license requirements.
The ordinance overhaul had been debated for weeks, and is designed to reduce the amount of friction between taverns and their neighbors.
The 15 to 2 vote to approve came after the council softened the ordinance more to the liking of the tavern league.
One change makes it possible for taverns and other performance venues to offer entertainment until 2 in the morning, as long as they have a clean record and the council sees fit. Actual closing time is 2:30.
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