Mayoral Candidates Have History of Disagreeing on Council Issues

Voters in the will have two constrasting choices when they cast their ballot for mayor in the April 3 election.

Hudson Mayor Alan Burchill and challenger Scot O'Malley found plenty to disagree on during the three-and-a-half years they sat next to each other as aldermen on the Hudson Common Council. They have been on different sides of more than 60 votes during that span.

In April 2007 Burchill first assumed the role as District 6 alderman, and he was seated next to Scot O'Malley, a longtime District 5 alderman. Less than a month into that term, Burchill cast the lone dissenting vote in a 5-1 decision to deny a certificate of compliance request. In the final meeting in which the two served together as aldermen, a 4-2 vote handed Burchill the remainder of Dean Knudson's mayoral term. Of course, O'Malley cast one of the two "No" votes.

Among the motions on which the two have cast opposing votes, Burchill has voted with the majority 36 times while O'Malley has done so 25 times. In those same 61 motions, O'Malley has cast the lone dissenting vote 12 times while Burchill has done so 11 times.

When the two candidates face off in the next week, voters will have the chance to ask them about their council voting records, their stance on today's key issues, and more. The event will take place 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at the Phipps Center for the Arts. The event will be streamed live on Hudson Patch and taped for later broadcast on The River Channel Hudson/North Hudson Community Access TV (Comcast Channel 15). Community members can suggest questions by sending them in an email to foleymo@patch.com with "DEBATE QUESTION" in the subject line.

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ON THE RECORD

The following 61 excerpts are from City of Hudson Common Council meeting minutes as found on the city's website. Video links are to meeting footage by The River Channel.

May 7, 2007
Motion to deny the request of Jay Andrews/Tire Proz for a Certificate of Compliance for an auto service center at 805 Dominion Drive.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes

June 18, 2007
Motion to approve the $3,982.00 quote from B & B Electric, Inc., 1303 Western Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, for installation of a stainless steel lockable cabinet to secure the irrigation system controls in Lakefront Park.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 3-2 | Minutes

June 18, 2007
Motion to approve the renewal and issuance of a "Class B" Liquor & "B" Beer license for the period 7/1/07 through 6/30/08 to Sharon Horne-Ellstrom LLC d/b/a Stucci’s Italian Food & Spirits, 417 Second Street, Hudson, WI.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-1 | Minutes

July 16, 2007
Motion to forward to the Plan Commission the petition of Rock Island Land Company and Double Play Investments LLC to annex 54.41 acres from the Town of Hudson.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes

Sept. 17, 2007
Motion to approve installation of a stop sign at 8th and Oak Streets.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes

Sept. 17, 2007
Motion to approve the bid and award the Lakefront Park Seawall Project contract to Pember Companies, Inc. at $257,390, with an anticipated total project cost of $330,198, and amended to also approve the funding sources identified by Caruso to fund the Lakefront Park Seawall Project.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes

Jan. 21, 2008
Motion to recommend that an annual $9,500 IT expenditure needed to comply with legislation be funded with unused funds from the 2007 budget.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes

Feb. 20, 2008
Motion to remove the stop signs on Vine Street at the Third and Fourth Street intersections, and to implement the crossing flag system.
O’Malley: No | Burchill: Aye | Motion defeated: 4-2 | Minutes

March 17, 2008
Motion to replace the yield sign with a stop sign on Crest View Drive at Heggen Street, and to extend the traffic signal green light by 5 seconds for eastbound traffic, and to erect appropriate traffic signal change signage, and review the matter in 60 days.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes

April 15, 2008
Motion to confirm the appointment of Paul Radermacher as a citizen member of the Park Board for a five year term.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-1 | Minutes

June 16, 2008
Motion to combine the Parks and Public Works Departments and to create a job description for the Director of the combined departments, and amended to include that Department Heads should submit their recommendations for the position to the City Administrator, with the final draft of the job description submitted to the Finance Committee for review.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: Abstain | Motion carried, 5-0 | Minutes | Video

July 21, 2008
Motion to approve the amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for the Heritage Greens Planned Residential Development in the plan referred to as “Plan 10” with the recommendations of the Plan Commission and Mr. Darnold, and amended to approve (the amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for the Heritage Greens Planned Residential Development) Plan 10, with the recommendations of the Plan Commission and Mr. Darnold, and the designation that lot P1 would be Single Family, with P2 to remain as Limited Flex.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

July 21, 2008
Motion to call the question on a motion to approve advertising to fill the Director of Public Works and Parks position, with a salary range between $65,000 and $75,000.
O’Malley: No | Burchill: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

July 21, 2008
Motion to approve advertising to fill the Director of Public Works and Parks position, with a salary range between $65,000 and $75,000, and amended to advertise for the Director position October 1st with a January 1st start date, and to use the 2008 position funds for other City projects.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

July 21, 2008
Motion to approve advertising to fill the Director of Public Works and Parks position, with a salary range between $65,000 and $75,000.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: Abstain | Motion defeated, 4-1 | Minutes | Video

Sept. 22, 2008

Motion to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution 19-08.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Sept. 22, 2008
Motion to adopt Resolution 19-08 (Petition for direct legislation filed 8/14/08 by Citizen Action of Wisconsin).
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

Nov. 24, 2008
Motion to retain the stop sign on westbound Crest View Drive at Heggen Street and to paint the stopping block.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

Nov. 24, 2008
Motion to adopt 2009 Appropriation Ordinance for Municipal Operations – Ordinance No. 9-08 – with the provision that the room tax allocations be determined at a later date, and amended to further discuss the proposed room tax allocations noted within the 2009 Budget.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video 

Dec. 15, 2008
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 10-08 – Amend Municipal Code Ch. 145-20 d.(1) and (2) re: Class “B” Fermented Malt Beverage License Restrictions.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-1 | Minutes | Video

Jan. 19, 2009
Motion to approve the issuance of Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” Retailers Licenses to Hudson Crusader Hockey, Inc. to sell beer at five Hudson Crusader Hockey games, January 24th and 28th, and February 6th, 14th and 22nd.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Jan. 19, 2009
Motion to approve a 2009 wage adjustment to $50,000 for the City Clerk, and to direct City Staff to move toward creating a merit-based raise system.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

Feb. 2, 2009
Motion to deny the request of The Hendricks to locate an adult family home within 2,500 feet of an existing community based residential facility.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Feb. 2, 2009
Motion to approve the request of The Hendricks Group, Inc. to locate an adult family home at 1015 Crest View Drive within 2,500 feet of an existing community based residential facility, with the following conditions: -The operator shall maintain a state approved license for an Adult Family Home, per Wisconsin Statutes §50.033. -The facility to be occupied only by residents age 60 and over, or having a disability per the definition of the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Fair Housing Amendment Act. -A change in the license will automatically require the exception to be reconsidered for approval by the City of Hudson. -Per Wisconsin Statutes §62.23(i)9, the City may make a review and a determination as to the effect of the adult family home on the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City of Hudson.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Feb. 18, 2009
Motion to approve the agreement with the Hudson School District for a one year contract at a 60%/40% split for the Police School Liaison Officer, to be reviewed again in one year, and amended to add that the School District should pay 75% of the PSLO in 2010 and subsequent years.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

Feb. 18, 2009
Motion to recommend approval for Saint Croix Sailing School to lease a portion of Lakefront Park for a sailing school, for a period of three years, at $600 per year. Motion was amended to include review after one year.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 Minutes | Video

March 16, 2009
Motion to approve the installation of a stop sign on Canyon Boulevard at West Canyon Drive, pedestrian crossing markings and signage at Dunberry Pass and East Canyon Drive, Springhill Bay and East Canyon Drive, and Springbrook Bay and East Canyon Drive, and installation of a yield sign on Prosperity Way (Ashbury Court) at Tribute Avenue.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-1 | Minutes | Video

April 1, 2009
Motion to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 3-09 – Opposing Proposed Changes to Prevailing Wage Law.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

April 1, 2009
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 3-09 – Opposing Proposed Changes to Prevailing Wage Law.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

April 20, 2009
Motion to approve Consent Agenda items.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: Abstain | Motion carried, 5-0 | Minutes | Video

May 4, 2009
Motion to adopt the Policy for Placing Memorials on Public Property.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

May 4, 2009
Motion to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 4-09 – Framework of Sustainable Community Principles.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-2 |Minutes | Video

May 4, 2009
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 4-09 – Framework of Sustainable Community Principles.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

May 18, 2009
Motion to call the question and end discussion on a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 7-09 –  An Ordinance Rezoning Territory in the City of Hudson Extraterritorial Zoning District.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

May 18, 2009
Motion to approve the placement of a statue in Lakefront Park as proposed by the Boys Scouts of America (BSA), subject to the terms and requirements noted in the documentation provided to the Council, including the placement of the historic plaque and the maintenance agreement.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

May 18, 2009
Motion to request that the Public Safety Committee work with Denny Darnold to work on residency zone options that would better fit with the desire to protect the children in the community as pertaining to Municipal Code, Ch. 187-19, Sex Offender Residency–Ordinance No. 6-09.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

May 18, 2009
Motion to adopt Ordinance 6-09– Municipal Code, Ch. 187-19, Sex Offender Residency.
O’Malley: No | Burchill: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Sept. 8, 2009
Motion to approve the request to amend the premises description from Sharon Horne-Ellstrom for Ellie’s On Main as requested, to include a 20’ x 40’ deck, with the staff recommendation that the amended license be issued contingent on successful completion of the project and issuance of the occupancy permit.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

Sept. 8, 2009
Motion to approve adding a pedestrian ramp and curb cut (Option #2) as part of the 11th Street project for an additional amount of $5,500.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

Sept. 21, 2009
Motion to adopt the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee (for use of Room Tax revenues) as presented.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

Dec. 7, 2009
Motion to approve the Addendum to the Lease Agreement with Community Access TV until June 30, 2010.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

Dec. 7, 2009
Motion to convene into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats. to deliberate regarding marketing strategy for the sale of the Municipal Building at 911 Fourth Street, Hudson, WI.
O’Malley: No | Burchill: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Jan. 4, 2010
Motion to accept Frisbie Architects proposal (for design and documentation and construction administration of the Police Department project at 700 First Street), including review of the Frisbie contract by the City Attorney, with a cap of $200,000 (total charges) and a cap of $2,000 for reimburseables.

O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

May 17, 2010
Motion to accept the bid from Skyline Renovations ($13,570.00) for a City Hall renovation project, contingent on legal review of the contract and receipt of their insurance certificate.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

June 7, 2010
Motion to approve the renewal application from HAG, Inc. d/b/a Pudge’s Bar and Liquor Store at 302 & 304 Second Street including the basement, ground floor, second floor, and deck, contingent on successful completion of the building inspections.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

June 7, 2010
Motion to direct that petitioners with complaints concerning Ellie’s on Main pay the actual costs of the hearing and provide a $600.00 security deposit to the City, with the understanding that if the complaints are found to be frivolous, or in bad faith, the full security deposit amount would not be returned.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

June 7, 2010
Motion to delay the Second and Vine Street Project until the 2011 capital outlay.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carries, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

June 7, 2010
Motion to approve a permit for Patt Colten, to erect a fence at 804 Vine Street, as submitted.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carries, 4-2 | Minutes | Video 

June 14, 2010
Motion to to allow one round of rebuttals for each attorney during evidentiary hearing held pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes§125.12(2) regarding complaints filed by John Mingo, Robert and Ruth Misenko, and Jerry Washburn concerning alcohol beverage licensee Sharon Horne-Ellstrom LLC, alleging that Ellie’s on Main violates Wisconsin Statutes regarding maintaining a disorderly house.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carries, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

June 14, 2010
Motion to find that Ellie’s on Main is a disorderly house and to suspend the license for ten days.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

June 14, 2010
Motion to find the establishment not a disorderly house based on the definition in Cudahay vs. DeLuca, and the Police Chief’s testimony.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

June 21, 2010
Motion to approve the installation of “Children at Play” signage on Hunter Hill Court, with costs to be funded by the Public Works sign budget.
O’Malley: No | Burchill: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

June 21, 2010
Motion to retain the two 10-minute parking spaces on Second Street, and add a 10-minute space at the corner of Walnut Street, with the addition of the new “Free Time Meters” on those spaces for more enforcement.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Aug. 16, 2010
Motion to suspend the rules toward adoption of Ordinance 12-10 – Odd/Even Parking(version 1) – as recommended and approved by the Public Works and Public Safety Committees.
O’Malley: No | Burchill: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Aug. 16, 2010
Motion to send the issue back for further discussion by a Committee of the Whole.
O’Malley: Aye | Burchill: No | Motion carried, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video

Sept. 7, 2010
Motion to approve the stipulations regarding the application to amend the Class B beer and Liquor License for Sharon Horne Ellstrom LLC d/b/a Ellie’s on Main – as listed in the 8/25/10 letter from Attorney Michael Waterman, with the following changes to the proposal: Regarding item #3:  change the time music is allowed on the deck from “until 12 a.m.” to “until 11:00 p.m.” with ambient background music (meaning low background music) of a pre-determined level, to be determined by the City. Regarding item #4:  no windows and no doors would be permitted to be open. Regarding item #5, a licensed operator must be present on the back patio. Motion was clarified that a decibel level number would not be included in the motion and that further review of an appropriate decibel level would be needed before it could be implemented throughout the City; no speakers (would be allowed) on the deck, and they would be required to keep all the doors and windows closed, and that they have a bouncer present throughout the operation for a certain time period, seven days a week. Motion was amended to clarify that a bouncer would be required to be present on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 p.m. until closing, and at any other times as needed for control. Motion was amended to allow ambient music only.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-3 (mayor vote) | Minutes | Video 

Sept. 7, 2010
Motion to approve the Finance Committee and staff recommendations; to approve the premises description as presented, with no amplified music unless approved by Council, and that any amendment of the liquor license be contingent on successful completion of the building project, a plan be submitted regarding seating, and that $1,740.00 be paid for the additional sewer REUs.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 5-1 | Minutes | Video

Sept. 20, 2010
Motion to approve the Hudson Area Joint Library budget increase request of 6.43% for 2011.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Oct. 18, 2010
Motion to approve the Mayor’s suggested increase of 3% for 2011 for the Library’s budget allocation.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Nov. 29, 2010
Motion to order a special election for the Office of Mayor to be conducted on April 5, 2011.
Burchill: No | O’Malley: Aye | Motion defeated, 4-2 | Minutes | Video

Nov. 29, 2010
Motion to appoint Alan Burchill as Mayor to serve out the current term of office through April of 2012.
Burchill: Aye | O’Malley: No | Motion carried, 4-2 | Minutes | Video