The Beloit City Council approves a memorial bench and tree program policy.
Michael Raethz says he has been trying for years to donate a bench in honor of his son Chad who was killed by a drunk driver in 2021. Raethz says there was never a clear procedure in place and anytime he started to make progress, the person he was working with either changed jobs or departments.
Public Works Director Bill Frisbee told the council that peer cities with similar programs have not experienced issues with inappropriate messages on the memorial plaques – an issue raised previously by council member Kevin Leavy.
The City Council gave the thumbs up to the new policy this week that allows the Public Works Department to administer the memorial bench and tree program, without having to bring each request to the council and Plan Commission.
