66.042(5)
(5) In cities of the 1st class, municipal disbursements of public moneys shall be by draft, order, check, order check or as provided under
sub. (3m). Checks or drafts shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the comptroller. Orders shall be signed by the mayor and clerk and countersigned by the comptroller, as provided in the charter of such city. Disbursements of school moneys shall be as provided by
s. 119.50.
66.042(6)
(6) Withdrawal or disbursement of moneys deposited in a public depository as defined in
s. 34.01 (5) by a treasurer as defined in
s. 34.01 (7), other than the elected, appointed or acting official treasurer of a county, city, village, town or school district, shall be by endorsement, written order, draft, share draft, check or other draft signed by the person or persons designated by written authorization of the governing board as defined in
s. 34.01 (1). The authorization shall conform to any statute covering the disbursement of the funds. Any public depository shall be fully warranted and protected in making payment in accordance with the latest authorization filed with it.
66.042(7)
(7) No order may be issued by the county, city, village, town, special purpose district, school district, cooperative education service agency or technical college district clerk in excess of funds available or appropriated for the purposes for which the order is drawn, unless authorized by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the entire membership of the governing body.
66.044
66.044
Financial procedure; alternative system of approving claims. 66.044(1)(1) The governing body of any village or of any city of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th class may by ordinance enact an alternative system of approving financial claims against the municipal treasury other than claims subject to
s. 893.80. The ordinance shall provide that payments may be made from the city or village treasury after the comptroller or clerk of the city or village audits and approves each claim as a proper charge against the treasury, and endorses his or her approval on the claim after having determined that the following conditions have been complied with:
66.044(1)(a)
(a) That funds are available therefor pursuant to the budget approved by the governing body.
66.044(1)(b)
(b) That the item or service covered by such claim has been duly authorized by the proper official, department head or board or commission.
66.044(1)(c)
(c) That the item or service has been actually supplied or rendered in conformity with such authorization.
66.044(1)(d)
(d) That the claim is just and valid pursuant to law. The comptroller or clerk may require the submission of such proof and evidence to support the foregoing as in that officer's discretion may be deemed necessary.
66.044(2)
(2) Such ordinance shall require that the clerk or comptroller shall file with the governing body not less than monthly a list of the claims approved, showing the date paid, name of claimant, purpose and amount.
66.044(3)
(3) The ordinance shall provide that the governing body of the city or village shall authorize an annual detailed audit of its financial transactions and accounts by a public accountant licensed under
ch. 442 and designated by the governing body.
66.044(4)
(4) Such system shall be operative only if the comptroller or clerk is covered by a fidelity bond of not less than $5,000 in villages and cities of the fourth class, of not less than $10,000 in cities of the third class, and of not less than $20,000 in cities of the second class.
66.044(5)
(5) If an alternative procedure is adopted by ordinance in conformity with this section, the claim procedure required by
ss. 61.25 (6),
61.51,
62.09 (10),
62.11 and
62.12 and other relevant provisions, except
s. 893.80, is not applicable in the city or village.
66.045
66.045
Privileges in streets. 66.045(1)
(1) Privilege for an obstruction or excavation beyond the lot line, or within a highway in any town, village, or city, other than by general ordinance affecting the whole public, shall be granted only as provided in this section.
66.045(2)
(2) Application therefor shall be made to the board or council, and the privilege shall be granted only on condition that by its acceptance the applicant shall become primarily liable for damages to person or property by reason of the granting of the privilege, be obligated to remove the same upon 10 days' notice by the state or the municipality and waive right to contest in any manner the validity of this section or the amount of compensation charged and that the applicant file such bond as the board or council require, not exceeding $10,000 running to the town, village, or city, and such third parties as may be injured, to secure the performance of these conditions. But if there is no established lot line and the application is accompanied by a blue print, the board or council may make such conditions as they deem advisable.
66.045(3)
(3) Compensation for the special privilege shall be paid into the general fund and shall be fixed, in towns by the chairperson, in villages by the president, and in cities by a board consisting of the board or commissioner of public works, city attorney and mayor.
66.045(4)
(4) The holder of such special privilege shall be entitled to no damages for removal of the obstruction or excavation, and if the holder shall not remove the same upon due notice, it shall be removed at the holder's expense.
66.045(5)
(5) Third parties whose rights are interfered with by the granting of such privilege shall have right of action against the holder of the special privilege only.
66.045(6)
(6) Subsections (1) to
(5) do not apply to public service corporations, or to cooperative associations organized under
ch. 185 to render or furnish telecommunications service, gas, light, heat or power, but such corporations shall secure permit from the proper official for temporary obstructions or excavation in a highway and shall be liable for all injuries to person or property thereby.
66.045(7)
(7) This section does not apply to such obstruction or excavation for not longer than 3 months, and for which permit has been granted by the proper official.
66.045(8)
(8) Obstruction or excavation by a city, village or town in any street, alley, or public place belonging to any other municipality is included in this section.
66.045(9)
(9) Anyone causing any obstruction or excavation to be made contrary to
subs. (1) to
(8) shall be liable to a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $500, or to imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than 6 months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
66.045 Annotation
See note to 81.15, citing Webster v. Klug & Smith, 81 W (2d) 334, 260 NW (2d) 686.
66.046
66.046
Street barriers; neighborhood watch signs. 66.046(1)(1) The governing body of a city, village or town may set aside streets or roads that are not a part of any federal, state or county trunk highway system for the safety of children in coasting or other play activities, and may obstruct or barricade such streets or roads to safeguard the children from accidents. The governing body of the city, village or town shall erect and maintain thereon barriers or barricades, lights, or warning signs therefor and shall not be liable for any damage caused thereby.
66.046(2)
(2) A city or village which has a neighborhood watch program authorized by the law enforcement agency of the city or village and in which the residents of the city or village participate may, in a manner approved by the city council or village board, place within the right-of-way of a street or highway within its limits a neighborhood watch sign of a uniform design approved by the department of transportation. No sign under this subsection may be placed within the right-of-way of a highway designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.
66.046(3)(a)(a) The governing body of a city may monitor or limit access to streets that are not part of any federal, state or county trunk highway system or connecting highway, as described in
s. 84.02 (11), for the purposes of security or public safety. The governing body of a city may authorize gates or security stations, or both, to be erected and maintained to monitor traffic or limit access on such streets. The restriction of access to streets that is authorized under this subsection may not affect a city's eligibility for state transportation aids.
66.046(3)(b)
(b) This subsection applies only to the city of Arcadia.
66.047
66.047
Interference with public service structure. No contractor having a contract for any work upon, over, along or under any public street or highway shall interfere with, destroy or disturb the structures of any public utility as defined under
s. 196.01 (5), and including a telecommunications carrier as defined in
s. 196.01 (8m), encountered in the performance of such work so as to interrupt, impair or affect the public service for which such structures may be used, without first procuring written authority from the commissioner of public works, or other properly constituted authority. It shall, however, be the duty of every public utility, whenever a temporary protection of, or temporary change in, its structures, located upon, over, along or under the surface of any public street or highway is deemed by the commissioner of public works, or other such duly constituted authority, to be reasonably necessary to enable the accomplishment of such work, to so temporarily protect or change its said structures; provided, that such contractor shall give reasonable notice of such required temporary protection or temporary change to the public utility, and shall pay or assure to the public utility the reasonable cost thereof, except when the public utility is properly liable therefor under the law, but in all cases where such work is done by or for the state or by or for any county, city, village, town sanitary district, metropolitan sewerage district created under
ss. 66.20 to
66.26 or
66.88 to
66.918 or town, the cost of such temporary protection or temporary change shall be borne by the public utility.
66.047 Annotation
Interference without written authority is prohibited only if parties cannot agree that requested changes are reasonably necessary. Town sanitary district is not a town within meaning of statute for cost provision. Wis. Gas Co. v. Lawrenz & Asso. 72 W (2d) 389, 241 NW (2d) 384.
66.048
66.048
Viaducts in cities, villages and towns. 66.048(1)
(1)
Viaducts, private in cities, villages and towns. The privilege of erecting a viaduct above a public street, road or alley, for the purpose of connecting buildings on each side thereof, may be granted by the city council, village board or town board upon the written petition of the owners of all the frontage of the lots and lands abutting upon the portion thereof sought to be connected, and the owners of more than one-half of the frontage of the lots and lands abutting upon that portion of the remainder thereof which lies within 2,650 feet from the ends of the portion proposed to be so connected. Whenever any of the lots or lands aforesaid is owned by the state, or by a county, city, village or town, or by a minor or incompetent person, or the title thereof is held in trust, as to all lots and lands so owned or held, said petition may be signed by the governor, the chairperson of the county board, the mayor of the city, the president of the board of trustees of the village, the chairperson of the town board, the guardian of the minor or incompetent person, or the trustee, respectively, and the signature of any private corporation may be made by its president, secretary or other principal officer or managing agent. Written notice stating when and where the petition will be acted upon, and describing the location of the proposed viaduct, shall be given by the city council, village board or town board by publication of a class 3 notice, under
ch. 985.
66.048(2)
(2) Viaducts, removal of private. A viaduct in any city, village or town may be discontinued by the city council, village board or town board, upon written petition of the owners of more than one-half of the frontage of the lots and lands abutting on the street or road approaching on each end of such viaduct, which lies within 2,650 feet from the ends of such viaduct. Whenever any of the lots or lands aforesaid is owned by the state, or by a county, city, village or town, or by a minor or incompetent person, or the title thereof is held in trust, as to all lots and lands so owned or held, said petition may be signed by the governor, the chairperson of the county board, the mayor of the city, the president of the board of trustees of the village, the chairperson of the town board, the guardian of the minor or incompetent person, or the trustee, respectively, and the signature of any private corporation may be made by its president, secretary or other principal officer or managing agent. Written notice stating when and where the petition will be acted upon, and stating what viaduct is proposed to be discontinued, shall be given by the city council, village board or town board by publication of a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985, not less than one year before the day fixed for the hearing and a class 3 notice, under
ch. 985, within the 30 days before the date of the hearing.
66.048(3)
(3) Lease of space by cities, villages and towns. 66.048(3)(a)(a) Any city, village or town may lease space over any street, road, alley or other public place in the city, village or town which is more than 12 feet above the level of the street, road, alley or other public place for any term not exceeding 99 years to the person who owns the fee in the property on both sides of the portion of the street, road, alley or other public place to be so leased, whenever the governing body of the city, village or town is of the opinion that such place is not needed for street, road, alley or other public purpose, and that the public interest will be served by such leasing.
66.048(3)(b)
(b) The leasing of each space shall be authorized by ordinance. The ordinance shall set forth the proposed lease, the purpose for which the space may be used and the terms of the lease with reasonable certainty.
66.048(3)(c)
(c) The lease shall be signed on behalf of the city, village or town by the mayor, village president or town board chairperson and shall be attested by the city, village or town clerk under the corporate seal. The lease shall also be executed by the lessee in such manner as necessary to bind the lessee. After being duly executed and acknowledged the lease shall be recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county in which is located the leased premises.
66.048(3)(d)
(d) If, in the judgment of such governing body, the public interest requires that any building erected in the leased space be removed so that a street, road, alley or public place may be restored to its original condition, the lessor city, village or town may condemn the lessee's interest in the leased space by proceeding under
ch. 32. After payment of such damages as may be fixed in the condemnation proceedings, the city, village or town may remove all buildings or other structures from the leased space and restore the buildings adjoining the leased space to their original condition.
66.048(4)(a)(a) Any city, village or town may sell or lease the space over any street, road, alley or public place or municipally owned real estate or below ground level thereof to any person, if the governing body determines by resolution that such action is in the best public interest and states the reasons therefor and the prospective purchaser or lessee has provided for the removal and relocation expense for any facilities devoted to a public use where such relocation is necessary for the purposes of the purchaser or lessee. Leases shall be granted by ordinance and shall not exceed 99 years in length. No lease shall be granted nor use authorized hereunder which substantially interferes with the public purpose for which the surface of the land is used.
66.048(4)(b)
(b) Leases shall specify purposes for which the leased space is to be used. If the purpose is to erect in the space a building or a structure attached to the lot, the lease shall contain a reasonably accurate description of the building to be erected and of the manner in which it shall be imposed upon or around the lot. The lease shall also provide for use by the lessee of such areas of the real estate as are essential for ingress and egress to the leased space, for the support of the building or other structures to be erected and for the connection of essential public or private utilities to the building or structure.
66.048(4)(c)
(c) Any building erected in the space leased shall be operated, as far as practicable, separately from the municipal use. Such structure shall conform to all state and municipal regulations.
66.048 Annotation
A statute authorizing cities and villages to lease space over a parking lot would be constitutional. 58 Atty. Gen. 179.
66.0485
66.0485
Accident record systems. Every city, village and town having a population of 5,000 or more shall maintain a traffic accident record system whereby traffic accidents occurring within the city, village or town may be located within 100 feet of the occurrence and shall provide a copy of the record quarterly to the county traffic safety commission under
s. 83.013 (1) (a).
66.049
66.049
Removal of rubbish. Cities, villages and towns may cause the removal of ashes, garbage, and rubbish from such classes of places therein as the board or council shall direct. The removal may be from all such places or from those whose owners or occupants desire the service. Districts may be created and removal provided for certain of them only, and different regulations may be applied to each removal district. The cost of removal may be provided for by special assessment against the property served, by general tax upon the property of the respective districts, or by general tax upon the property of the city, village or town.
66.049 History
History: 1993 a. 246.
66.0495
66.0495
Removal of wharves and piers in navigable waters. 66.0495(1)(a)(a)
Order to remove wharves or piers. The governing body of a city, village or town or a designated officer may order the owner of a wharf or pier which constitutes an unlawful obstruction of navigable waters under
s. 30.13 (4) to remove that portion of the wharf or pier which constitutes an unlawful obstruction.
66.0495(1)(b)
(b)
Order to repair or remove dilapidated wharves and piers in navigable waters. The governing body of a city, village or town or a designated officer may order the owner of a wharf or pier in navigable waters which in its judgment is so old, dilapidated or in need of repair that it is dangerous, unsafe or unfit for use to repair or remove the wharf or pier. If the governing body of a city, village or town or a designated officer determines that the cost of repair is likely to exceed 50% of the equalized assessed value of the wharf or pier or, if the wharf or pier is not subject to assessment, if the cost of repair is likely to exceed 50% of the current fair market value, then repair is presumed unreasonable and the wharf or pier is presumed to be a public nuisance.
66.0495(1)(d)
(d)
Order; service; contents. An order under this subsection shall be served upon the owner or person responsible in the manner provided for the service of a summons in circuit court. If the owner or person responsible cannot be found, the order may be served by posting it on the wharf or pier and by publishing it as a class 3 notice under
ch. 985. The order shall specify the action to be taken and the time within which it shall be complied with. At least 50 days must be allowed for compliance.
66.0495(2)(a)(a)
Removal by municipality. If the owner or person responsible fails to comply with an order issued under
sub. (1), the governing body of a city, village or town or a designated officer may cause the wharf or pier to be removed through any available public agency or by a contract or arrangement by a private person. The cost of the removal may be charged against the real estate on which or adjacent to which the wharf or pier is located, constitutes a lien against that real estate and may be assessed and collected as a special tax. The governing body of the city, village or town or the designated officer may sell any salvage or valuable material resulting from the removal at the highest price obtainable. The governing body of the city, village or town or the designated officer shall remit the net proceeds of any sale, after deducting the expense of the removal, to the circuit court for use of the person entitled to the proceeds subject to the order of the court. The governing body of the city, village or town or the designated officer shall submit a report on any sale to the circuit court which shall include items of expense and the amount deducted. If there are no net proceeds, the report shall state that fact.
66.0495(2)(b)
(b)
Court action. If the owner or person responsible fails to comply with an order issued under
sub. (1), the governing body of a city, village or town or a designated officer may commence an action in circuit court for a court order requiring the person to comply with the order issued under
sub. (1). The court shall give the hearing on this action precedence over other matters on the court's calendar. Costs may be assessed in the discretion of the court.
66.0495(3)
(3) Contesting order for removal. A person affected by an order issued under
sub. (1) may apply to circuit court within 30 days after service of the order for a restraining order prohibiting the governing body of the city, village or town or the designated officer from removing the wharf or pier. The court shall conduct a hearing on the action within 20 days after application. The court shall give this hearing precedence over other matters on the court's calendar. The court shall determine whether the order issued under
sub. (1) is reasonable. If the court finds that the order issued under
sub. (1) is unreasonable, it shall issue a restraining order or modify it as the circumstances require and the governing body of the city, village or town or the designated officer may not issue another order under
sub. (1) with respect to the wharf or pier unless its condition is substantially changed. Costs may be assessed in the discretion of the court. The remedy provided under this subsection is exclusive and no person affected by an order issued under
sub. (1) may recover damages for the removal of a wharf or pier under this section.
66.0495 History
History: 1981 c. 252.
66.05
66.05
Razing buildings; excavations. 66.05(1g)
(1g) "Building" as used in this section includes any building or structure.
66.05(1m)(a)(a) The governing body or the inspector of buildings or other designated officer in every municipality may order the owner of premises upon which is located any building or part thereof within such municipality, which in its judgment is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, and so that it would be unreasonable to repair the same, to raze and remove such building or part thereof and restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition, or if it can be made safe by repairs to repair and make safe and sanitary or to raze, remove and restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition at the owner's option; or where there has been a cessation of normal construction of any building for a period of more than 2 years, to raze and remove such building or part thereof and restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition. The order shall specify a time in which the owner shall comply therewith and specify repairs, if any. It shall be served on the owner of record or the owner's agent where an agent is in charge of the building in the manner provided for service of a summons in the circuit court. If the owner and the owner's agent cannot be found, or if the owner is deceased and an estate has not been opened, the order may be served by posting it on the main entrance of the building and by publishing it as a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985, before the time limited in the order commences to run. The time limited in the order commences to run from the date of service upon the owner or the agent in the manner of a summons or, if the owner and agent cannot be found, from the date that the order was posted on the building. The order shall also be served on the holder of any encumbrance of record by 1st class mail at the last-known address and by publication as a class 1 notice under
ch. 985.
66.05(1m)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
sub. (9), if a municipal governing body, inspector of buildings or designated officer determines that the cost of such repairs would exceed 50 per cent of the assessed value of such building divided by the ratio of the assessed value to the recommended value as last published by the department of revenue for the municipality within which such building is located, such repairs shall be presumed unreasonable and it shall be presumed for the purposes of this section that such building is a public nuisance.
66.05(1m)(c)
(c) Acts of municipal authorities under this section shall not increase the liability of an insurer.
66.05(1m)(d)
(d) If a raze order issued under
par. (a) is recorded with the register of deeds in the county in which the building is located, the order is considered to have been served, as of the date the raze order is recorded, on any person claiming an interest in the building or the real estate as a result of a conveyance from the owner of record unless the conveyance was recorded before the recording of the raze order.
66.05(2)(a)(a) If the owner fails or refuses to comply within the time prescribed, the inspector of buildings or other designated officer may cause such building or part thereof to be razed and removed and may restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition either through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons, or closed if unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use. The cost of such razing, removal and restoration of the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition or closing may be charged in full or in part against the real estate upon which such building is located, and if that cost is so charged it is a lien upon such real estate and may be assessed and collected as a special tax. Any portion of the cost charged against the real estate that is not reimbursed under
s. 632.103 (2) from funds withheld from an insurance settlement may be assessed and collected as a special tax. When any building has been ordered razed and removed and an order has been issued to restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition, the governing body or other designated officer under said contract or arrangement aforesaid may sell the salvage and valuable materials at the highest price obtainable. The net proceeds of such sale, after deducting the expenses of such razing, removal and restoration of the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition, shall be promptly remitted to the circuit court with a report of such sale or transaction, including the items of expense and the amounts deducted, for the use of the person who may be entitled thereto, subject to the order of the court. If there remains no surplus to be turned over to the court, the report shall so state. If the building or part thereof is insanitary and unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, and is not in danger of structural collapse the building inspector shall post a placard on the premises containing the following words: "This Building Cannot Be Used for Human Habitation, Occupancy or Use". And it is the duty of the building inspector or other designated officer to prohibit the use of the building for human habitation, occupancy or use until the necessary repairs have been made.
66.05(2)(b)
(b) Any municipality, inspector of buildings or designated officer may, in his, her or its official capacity, commence and prosecute an action in circuit court for an order of the court requiring the owner to comply with an order to raze or remove any building or part thereof issued under this section if the owner fails or refuses to do so within the time prescribed in the order, or for an order of the court requiring any person occupying a building whose occupancy has been prohibited under this section to vacate the premises, or any combination of the court orders. Hearing on such actions shall be given preference. Costs shall be in the discretion of the court.
66.05(2)(c)
(c) Any person who rents, leases or occupies a building which has been condemned for human habitation, occupancy or use shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $50 or imprisoned not more than 30 days for each week of such violation, or both.
66.05(3)
(3) Anyone affected by any such order shall within the time provided by
s. 893.76 apply to the circuit court for an order restraining the inspector of buildings or other designated officer from razing and removing the building or part thereof and restoring the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition or forever be barred. The hearing shall be held within 20 days and shall be given preference. The court shall determine whether the order of the inspector of buildings is reasonable, and if found reasonable the court shall dissolve the restraining order, and if found not reasonable the court shall continue the restraining order or modify it as the circumstances require. Costs shall be in the discretion of the court. If the court finds that the order of the inspector of buildings is unreasonable, the inspector of buildings or other designated officer shall issue no other order under this section in regard to the same building or part thereof until its condition is substantially changed. The remedies provided in this subsection are exclusive remedies and anyone affected by such an order of the inspector shall not be entitled to recover any damages for the razing and removal of any such building and the restoration of the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition.
66.05(5)
(5) If any building ordered razed and removed and the site ordered restored to a dust-free and erosion-free condition or made safe and sanitary by repairs contains personal property or fixtures which will unreasonably interfere with the razing or repair of such building and restoration of such site or if the razing and removal of the building and the restoration of the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition makes necessary the removal, sale or destruction of such personal property or fixtures the inspector of buildings or other designated officer may order in writing the removal of such personal property or fixtures by a certain date. Such order shall be served as provided in
sub. (1m). If the personal property or fixtures or both are not removed by the time specified the inspector may store the same, or may sell it, or if it has no appreciable value he or she may destroy the same. In case the property is stored the amount paid for storage shall be a lien against such property and against the real estate and, to the extent that the amount is not reimbursed under
s. 632.103 (2) from funds withheld from an insurance settlement, shall be assessed and collected as a special tax against the real estate if the real estate is owned by the owner of the personal property and fixtures. If the property is stored the owner thereof, if known, shall be notified of the place of its storage and if it be not claimed by the owner it may be sold at the expiration of 6 months after it has been stored. In case of sale the handling of the sale and the distribution of the net proceeds after deducting the cost of storage and any other costs shall be handled as specified in
sub. (2) and a report made to the circuit court as therein specified. Anyone affected by any order made under this subsection may appeal as provided in
sub. (3).
66.05(5m)
(5m) This section shall not limit powers otherwise granted to municipalities by other laws of this state.
66.05(6)
(6) In any town, city or village in any county having a population of 500,000 or more no excavation for building purposes, whether or not completed, shall be left open for more than 6 months without proceeding with the erection of a building thereon. In the event any such excavation remains open for more than 6 months, the inspector of buildings or other designated officer in such town, village or city shall order that the erection of a building on the excavation begin forthwith or in the alternative that the excavation be filled to grade. The order shall be served upon the owner of the land or the owner's agent and upon the holder of any encumbrance of record as provided in
sub. (1m). If the owner of the land fails to comply with the order within 15 days after service thereof upon the owner, the inspector of buildings or other designated officer shall cause the excavation to be filled to grade and the cost shall be charged against the real estate as provided in
sub. (2).
Subsection (3) shall also apply to orders issued under this subsection. This shall not be construed to impair the authority of any city or village to enact ordinances in this field.
66.05(8)(a)(a) In this subsection "building" means a building, dwelling or structure.
66.05(8)(am)
(am) Whenever an owner of any building in any city, village or town permits the same, either as a result of vandalism or for any other reason, to deteriorate or become dilapidated or blighted to the extent where windows, doors or other openings or plumbing or heating fixtures or facilities or appurtenances of such building are either deteriorated, damaged, destroyed or removed so that such building offends the aesthetic character of the immediate neighborhood or produces blight or deterioration by reason of such condition, the building inspector or other designated officer of such city, village or town shall issue a written notice respecting the existence of such defect; such written notice shall be served on the owner of such building as set forth in
sub. (1m) (a) and shall direct the owner of such building to promptly remedy the defect within 30 days following the service of such notice.
66.05(8)(b)1.1. If an owner fails to remedy or improve the defect in accordance with the written notice furnished by the building inspector or other designated officer under
par. (am) within the 30-day period specified in the written notice, the building inspector or other designated officer shall apply to the circuit court of the county in which the building is located for an order determining that the building constitutes a public nuisance. As a part of the application for such order from the circuit court the building inspector or other designated officer shall file a verified petition which recites the giving of such written notice, the defect or defects in such building, the owner's failure to comply with the notice and such other pertinent facts as may be related thereto. A copy of the petition shall be served upon the owner of record or the owner's agent if an agent is in charge of the building and upon the holder of any encumbrance of record under
sub. (1m) (a) and the owner shall have 20 days following service upon the owner in which to reply to such petition. Upon application by the building inspector or other designated officer the circuit court shall set promptly the petition for hearing. Testimony shall be taken by the circuit court with respect to the allegations of the petition and denials contained in the verified answer. If the circuit court after hearing the evidence with respect to the petition and the answer determines that the building constitutes a public nuisance, the court shall issue promptly an order directing the owner of the building to remedy the defect and to make such repairs and alterations as may be required. The court shall set a reasonable period of time in which the defect shall be remedied and the repairs or alterations completed. A copy of the order shall be served upon the owner as provided in
sub. (1m) (a). The order of the circuit court shall state in the alternative that if the order of the court is not complied with within the time fixed by the court, the court will appoint a receiver or authorize the building inspector or other designated officer to proceed to raze and remove the building and restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition under
par. (bg).
66.05(8)(b)2.
2. In an action under this subsection, the circuit court before which the action is commenced shall exercise jurisdiction in rem or quasi rem over the property which is the subject of the action. The owner of record of the property, if known, and all other persons of record holding or claiming any interest in the property shall be made parties defendant and service of process may be had upon them.
66.05(8)(b)3.
3. It shall not be a defense to an action under this subsection that the owner of record of the property is a different person, partnership or corporate entity than the owner of record of the property on the date the action was commenced or thereafter if a lis pendens was filed before the change of ownership.
66.05(8)(bg)
(bg) If the order of the circuit court under
par. (b) is not complied with within the time fixed by the court under
par. (b), the court shall authorize the building inspector or other designated officer to raze and remove the building and restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition or shall appoint a disinterested person to act as receiver of the property to do either of the following within a reasonable period of time set by the court:
