66.40(22)
(22) Tax exemption and payments in lieu of taxes. The property of an authority is declared to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and such property and an authority shall be exempt from all taxes of the state or any state public body; provided, however, that the city in which a project or projects are located may fix a sum to be paid annually in lieu of such taxes by the authority for the services, improvements or facilities furnished to such project or projects by such city, but in no event shall such sum exceed the amount that would be levied as the annual tax of such city upon such project or projects.
66.40(23)
(23) Reports. The authority shall at least once a year file with the mayor of the city a report of its activities for the preceding year.
66.40(24)(a)(a) When a housing authority has the approval of the council for any project authorized under
sub. (9) (a) or
(b), the authority shall complete and approve plans, specifications and conditions in connection therewith for carrying out such project, and shall then advertise by publishing a class 2 notice, under
ch. 985, for bids for all work which the authority must do by contract. The authority is not required to submit for bidding any contract in an amount of $25,000 or less, but if the estimated cost of the contract is between $10,000 and $25,000, the authority shall give a class 2 notice, under
ch. 985, of the proposed work before the contract is entered into. A contract subject to bidding shall be awarded to the lowest qualified and competent bidder.
Section 66.29 shall apply to such bidding.
66.40(24)(ag)
(ag) As an alternative to the advertising and bidding procedure under
par. (a), an authority may contract under any purchase procedure authorized for the authority by the federal government.
66.40(24)(b)
(b) An authority may contract for the acquisition of a housing project without submitting the contract for bids as required by
par. (a) if:
66.40(24)(b)1.
1. The contract provides for undertaking of the housing project on land not owned at the time of the contract by the authority except the contract may provide for undertaking of the housing project on land acquired and owned by a community development authority for the purpose of
ss. 66.405 to
66.425,
66.43,
66.431 or
66.46 if the community development authority is proceeding under this paragraph as provided by
s. 66.4325 (4);
66.40(24)(b)2.
2. The contract provides for conveyance or lease of the project to the authority after completion of the project; and
66.40(24)(b)3.
3. The authority invites developers to submit proposals to provide a completed project and evaluates proposals according to site, cost, design, the developer's experience and other criteria specified by the authority.
66.40(25)
(25) Liquidation and disposal of housing projects. 66.40(25)(a)(a) In any city or village the city council or village board by resolution or ordinance, or the electors by referendum under
s. 9.20, may provide that the authority shall liquidate and dispose of a particular project or projects held and operated under
ss. 66.40 to
66.404 or
66.43.
66.40(25)(b)
(b) Whenever liquidation and disposal of a project is provided for under
par. (a) the housing authority or other designated agency shall sell such project to the highest bidder after public advertisement, or transfer it to any state public body authorized by law to acquire such project. No such project shall be sold for less than its fair market value as determined by a board of 3 licensed appraisers appointed by the city council or village board.
66.40(25)(c)
(c) The arrangements for the liquidation and disposal of a project shall provide for the payment and retirement of all outstanding obligations in connection with the project, together with interest thereon and any premiums prescribed for the redemption of any bonds, notes or other obligations before maturity.
66.40(25)(d)
(d) Any proceeds remaining after payment of such obligations under
par. (c) shall be distributed in accordance with the federal law applicable at the time of the liquidation and disposal of the project. If no federal law is applicable to the liquidation and disposal of the project all of such remaining proceeds shall be paid to the city or village.
66.40(25)(e)
(e) If the highest bid received is insufficient for the payment of all obligations set forth in
par. (c) the project shall not be sold unless the city or village provides sufficient additional funds to discharge such obligations.
66.40(25)(f)
(f) In order to carry out this subsection an authority or other designated agency shall exercise any option available to it for the payment and redemption of outstanding obligations set forth in
par. (c) before maturity, if the city or village provides funds for such payment and redemption.
66.40(25)(g)
(g) No actions taken under this subsection shall affect or diminish the rights of any bondholders or other obligees of the authority.
66.40(25)(h)
(h) The term "outstanding obligations" or "obligations" as used herein includes bonds, notes or evidences of indebtedness, as well as aids, grants, contributions or loans made by or received from any federal, state or local political government or agency.
66.40(26)
(26) Dissolution of housing authority. Any housing authority may be dissolved upon adoption of an ordinance or resolution by the council or village board concerned declaring that the need therefor no longer exists, that all projects under such authority's jurisdiction have been disposed of, that there are no outstanding obligations or contracts and that no further business remains to be transacted by such authority.
66.40 History
History: 1973 c. 172;
1975 c. 94,
221,
350;
1977 c. 418;
1979 c. 89;
1979 c. 110 s.
60 (13);
1979 c. 221;
1981 c. 112,
190,
232;
1983 a. 24;
1983 a. 81 s.
11;
1983 a. 83 s.
20;
1983 a. 189,
444;
1987 a. 27,
163;
1991 a. 316;
1993 a. 172,
184,
268,
379;
1995 a. 27,
225.
66.40 Annotation
The office of county planning and zoning commission member is incompatible with the position of executive director of the county housing authority.
81 Atty. Gen. 90.
66.401
66.401
Housing authorities; operation not for profit. 66.401(1)(1) It is declared to be the policy of this state that each housing authority shall manage and operate its housing projects in an efficient manner so as to enable it to fix the rentals for dwelling accommodations at the lowest possible rates consistent with its providing decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations, and that no housing authority shall construct or operate any such project for profit, or as a source of revenue to the city.
66.401(2)
(2) To this end an authority shall fix the rentals for dwellings in its projects at no higher rates than it shall find to be necessary in order to produce revenues which (together with all other available moneys, revenues, income and receipts of the authority from whatever sources derived) will be sufficient:
66.401(2)(a)
(a) To pay, as the same become due, the principal and interest on the bonds of the authority;
66.401(2)(b)
(b) To meet the cost of, and to provide for, maintaining and operating the projects (including the cost of any insurance) and the administrative expenses of the authority;
66.401(2)(c)
(c) To create (during not less than the 6 years immediately succeeding its issuance of any bonds) a reserve sufficient to meet the largest principal and interest payments which will be due on such bonds in any one year thereafter and to maintain such reserve.
66.402
66.402
Housing authorities; rentals and tenant selection. 66.402(1)(1) In the operation or management of housing projects an authority shall at all times observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenant selection:
66.402(1)(a)
(a) It may rent or lease the dwelling accommodations therein only to persons of low income and at rentals within the financial reach of such persons of low income.
66.402(1)(b)
(b) It may rent or lease to a tenant dwelling accommodations consisting of the number of rooms, but no greater number, which it considers necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants thereof, without overcrowding.
66.402(1)(c)
(c) It shall not accept any person as a tenant in any housing project if the person or persons who would occupy the dwelling accommodations have an aggregate annual income in excess of 5 times the annual rental of the quarters to be furnished the person or persons, except that in the case of families with minor dependents the aggregate annual income of the person or persons who would occupy the dwelling accommodations may exceed 5 times the annual rental of the quarters to be furnished by $100 for each minor dependent or by an amount equal to the annual income of the minor dependents. In computing the rental for the purpose of selecting tenants, the authority shall determine and include in the rental the average annual cost to the occupants, of heat, water, electricity, gas, cooking range and other necessary services or facilities, whether or not the charge for such services and facilities is in fact included in the rental.
66.402(2)
(2) Nothing contained in the housing authorities law, as hereby amended, shall be construed as limiting the power of an authority:
66.402(2)(a)
(a) To invest in an obligee the right, in the event of a default by the authority, to take possession of a housing project or cause the appointment of a receiver thereof, free from all the restrictions imposed by said law, as amended, with respect to rentals, tenant selection, manner of operation, or otherwise; or
66.402(2)(b)
(b) Pursuant to
s. 66.40 (16) to vest in obligees the right, in the event of a default by the authority, to acquire title to a housing project or the property mortgaged by the housing authority, free from all the restrictions imposed by
ss. 66.401 and
66.402.
66.402(3)
(3) Subsection (1) (a) and
(c) does not apply in the case of housing projects to the financing of which the Wisconsin housing and economic development authority is a party, as to which
ch. 234 shall be controlling.
66.4025
66.4025
Penalties; evidence. 66.4025(1)(a)(a) Any person who secures or assists in securing dwelling accommodations under
s. 66.402 by intentionally making false representations in order to receive more than $1,000 and less than $2,500 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.
66.4025(1)(b)
(b) Any person who secures or assists in securing dwelling accommodations under
s. 66.402 by intentionally making false representations in order to receive at least $2,500 but not more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 2 years or both.
66.4025(1)(c)
(c) Any person who secures or assists in securing dwelling accommodations under
s. 66.402 by intentionally making false representations in order to receive more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years or both.
66.4025(2)
(2) Any administrator or employe of an authority under
s. 66.402 who receives or solicits any commission or derives or seeks to obtain any personal financial gain through any contract for the rental or lease of dwelling accommodations under
s. 66.402 shall be punished under
s. 946.13.
66.4025(3)
(3) Any person who receives assistance for dwelling accommodations under
s. 66.402, who has been notified by the authority of the obligation to report an increase in income or assets that would reduce the amount of that assistance and who intentionally fails to notify the authority of the receipt of such income or assets is subject to:
66.4025(3)(a)
(a) The penalty under
sub. (1) (a) if the failure to report results in the receipt of more than $1,000 and less than $2,500 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled.
66.4025(3)(b)
(b) The penalty under
sub. (1) (b) if the failure to report results in the receipt of at least $2,500 but not more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled.
66.4025(3)(c)
(c) The penalty under
sub. (1) (c) if the failure to report results in the receipt of more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled.
66.4025 History
History: 1987 a. 173,
403;
1995 a. 225.
66.403
66.403
Housing authorities; cooperation in housing projects. For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of housing projects located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any state public body may upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine:
66.403(1)
(1) Dedicate, sell, convey or lease any of its property to a housing authority or the federal government;
66.403(2)
(2) Cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished adjacent to or in connection with housing projects;
66.403(3)
(3) Cause services to be furnished to the authority of the character which it is otherwise empowered to furnish;
66.403(4)
(4) Subject to the approval of the council, furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks or other places which it is otherwise empowered to undertake;
66.403(5)
(5) Enter into agreements with a housing authority or the federal government respecting action to be taken by the state public body pursuant to any of the powers granted by
ss. 66.40 to
66.404. The agreements may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary;
66.403(6)
(6) Do any and all things, necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of such housing projects;
66.403(7)
(7) Purchase or legally invest in any of the bonds of a housing authority and exercise all of the rights of any holder of such bonds;
66.403(8)
(8) With respect to any housing project which a housing authority has acquired or taken over from the federal government and which the housing authority by resolution has found and declared to have been constructed in a manner that will promote the public interest and afford necessary safety, sanitation and other protection, no state public body shall require any changes to be made in the housing project or the manner of its construction or take any other action relating to such construction;
66.403(9)
(9) In connection with any public improvements made by a state public body in exercising the powers herein granted, such state public body may incur the entire expense thereof. Any law or statute to the contrary notwithstanding, any sale, conveyance, lease or agreement provided for in
ss. 66.40 to
66.404 may be made by a state public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement or public bidding.
66.403 History
History: 1995 a. 225.
66.404
66.404
Housing authorities; contracts with city; assistance to counties and municipalities. 66.404(1)
(1)
Contracts between authority and city. In connection with any housing project located wholly or partly within the area in which it is authorized to act, any city may agree with an authority or government that a certain sum, subject to the limitations imposed by
s. 66.40 (22), or no sum shall be paid by the authority in lieu of taxes for any year or period of years.
66.404(2)
(2) Advances to housing authority. When any housing authority which is created for any city becomes authorized to transact business and exercise its powers therein, the governing body of the city, may immediately make an estimate of the amount of money necessary for the administrative expenses and overhead of such housing authority during the first year thereafter, and may appropriate such amount to the authority out of any moneys in such city treasury not appropriated to some other purposes. The moneys so appropriated may be paid to the authority as a donation. Any city, town or incorporated village located in whole or in part within the area of operation of a housing authority shall have the power from time to time to lend or donate money to the authority or to agree to take such action. The housing authority, when it has money available therefor, shall make reimbursements for all such loans made to it.
66.404(3)
(3) Project submitted to planning commission. Before any housing project of the character designated in
s. 66.40 (9) (a) be determined upon by the authority, or any real estate acquired or agreed to be acquired for such project or the construction of any of the buildings begins or any application made for federal loan or grant for such project, the extent thereof and the general features of the proposed layout indicating in a general way the proposed location of buildings and open spaces shall be submitted to the planning commission, if any, of the city or political subdivision in which the proposed project is located, for the advice of such planning commission upon the proposed location, extent, and general features of the layout.
66.404(4)
(4) Cooperation with cities, villages and counties. For the purpose of cooperating with and assisting cities, villages and counties, a housing authority may exercise its powers in the territory within the boundaries of any city, village or county not included in the area in which such housing authority is then authorized to function, or in any designated portion of such territory, after the governing body of such city, village or county, as the case may be, adopts a resolution declaring that there is a need for the authority to function in such territory or in such designated portion thereof. If a housing authority has previously been authorized to exercise its powers in such territory or designated portion, such a resolution shall not be adopted unless such housing authority finds that ultimate economy would thereby be promoted, and such housing authority shall not initiate any housing project in such territory or designated portion after the adoption of such a resolution.
66.404(6)
(6) Controlling statutes. Insofar as
ss. 66.40 to
66.404 are inconsistent with any other law, the provisions of
ss. 66.40 to
66.404 shall be controlling.
66.404(7)
(7) Supplemental nature of statute. The powers conferred by
ss. 66.40 to
66.404 shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.
66.404 History
History: 1995 a. 225.
66.405
66.405
Urban redevelopment. 66.405(1)(1)
Short title. Sections 66.405 to
66.425 shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Urban Redevelopment Law".
66.405(2)
(2) Finding and declaration of necessity. It is declared that in the cities of the state substandard and insanitary areas exist which have resulted from inadequate planning, excessive land coverage, lack of proper light, air and open space, defective design and arrangement of buildings, lack of proper sanitary facilities, and the existence of buildings, which, by reason of age, obsolescence, inadequate or outmoded design, or physical deterioration have become economic or social liabilities, or both; that such conditions are prevalent in areas where substandard, insanitary, outworn or outmoded industrial, commercial or residential buildings prevail; that such conditions impair the economic value of large areas, infecting them with economic blight, and that such areas are characterized by depreciated values, impaired investments, and reduced capacity to pay taxes, that such conditions are chiefly in areas which are so subdivided into small parcels in divided ownerships and frequently with defective titles, that their assembly for purposes of clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction is difficult and costly; that the existence of such conditions and the failure to clear, replan, rehabilitate or reconstruct these areas results in a loss of population by the areas and further deterioration, accompanied by added costs to the communities for creation of new public facilities and services elsewhere; that it is difficult and uneconomic for individual owners independently to undertake to remedy such conditions; that it is desirable to encourage owners of property or holders of claims thereon in such areas to join together and with outsiders in corporate groups for the purpose of the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of such areas by joint action; that it is necessary to create, with proper safeguards, inducements and opportunities for the employment of private investment and equity capital in the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of such areas; that such conditions require the employment of such capital on an investment rather than a speculative basis, allowing however, the widest latitude in the amortization of any indebtedness created thereby; that such conditions further require the acquisition at fair prices of adequate areas, the gradual clearance of such areas through demolition of existing obsolete, inadequate, unsafe and insanitary buildings and the redevelopment of such areas under proper supervision with appropriate planning, land use and construction policies; that the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of such areas on a large scale basis are necessary for the public welfare; that the clearance, replanning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of such areas are public uses and purposes for which private property may be acquired; that such substandard and insanitary areas constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state; that such conditions require the aid of redevelopment corporations for the purpose of attaining the ends herein recited; that the protection and promotion of the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state are matters of public concern; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
66.405(2m)
(2m) Discrimination. Persons otherwise entitled to any right, benefit, facility or privilege under
ss. 66.405 to
66.425 shall not, with reference thereto, be denied them in any manner for any purpose nor be discriminated against because of sex, race, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.
66.405(3)
(3) Definitions. The following terms, as used in
ss. 66.405 to
66.425, shall, unless a different intent clearly appears from the context, be construed as follows:
66.405(3)(a)
(a) "Area" means a portion of a city which its planning commission finds to be substandard or insanitary, so that the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation or reconstruction thereof is necessary or advisable to effectuate the public purposes declared in
sub. (2); and may include any buildings or improvements not in themselves substandard or insanitary, and any real property, whether improved or unimproved, the inclusion of which is deemed necessary for the effective clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of the area of which such buildings, improvements or real property form a part; and also includes vacant land which is in such proximity to other land or structures so as to impair the economic value thereof.
66.405(3)(d)
(d) "Development" shall mean a specific work, repair or improvement to put into effect a development plan and shall include the real property, buildings and improvements owned, constructed, managed or operated by a redevelopment corporation.
66.405(3)(e)
(e) "Development area" shall mean that portion of an area to which a development plan is applicable.
66.405(3)(f)
(f) "Development cost" shall mean the amount determined by the planning commission to be the actual cost of the development, or of the part thereof for which such determination is made, and shall include, among other costs, the reasonable costs of planning the development, including preliminary studies and surveys, neighborhood planning, and architectural and engineering services, legal and incorporation expense, the actual cost, if any, of alleviating hardship to families occupying dwelling accommodations in the development area where such hardship results from the execution of the development plan, the reasonable costs of financing the development, including carrying charges during construction, working capital in an amount not exceeding 5 per cent of development cost, the actual cost of the real property included in the development, the actual cost of demolition of existing structures, the actual cost of utilities, landscaping and roadways, the amount of special assessments subsequently paid, the actual cost of construction, equipment and furnishing of buildings and improvements, including architectural, engineering and builder's fees, the actual cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, remodeling or initial repair of existing buildings and improvements, reasonable management costs until the development is ready for use, and the actual cost of improving that portion of the development area which is to remain as open space, together with such additions to development cost as shall equal the actual cost of additions to or changes in the development in accordance with the original development plan or after approved changes in or amendments thereto.
66.405(3)(g)
(g) "Development plan" shall mean a plan for the redevelopment of all or any part of an area, and shall include any amendments thereto approved in accordance with the requirements of
s. 66.407 (1).
66.405(3)(h)
(h) "Local governing body" shall mean the board of alderpersons, common council, council, commission or other board or body vested by the charter of the city or other law with jurisdiction to adopt or enact ordinances or local laws.
66.405(3)(n)
(n) "Mortgage" shall mean a mortgage, trust indenture, deed of trust, building and loan contract or other instrument creating a lien on real property, and the indebtedness secured by each of them.
66.405(3)(o)
(o) "Neighborhood unit" shall mean a primarily residential district having the facilities necessary for well-rounded family living, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, parking areas and local shopping districts.
66.405(3)(p)
(p) "Planning commission" shall mean the official bureau, board, commission or agency of the city established under the general city law or under a general or special charter and authorized to prepare, adopt and amend or modify a master plan for the development of the city.
66.405(3)(q)
(q) "Real property" shall include lands, buildings, improvements, land under water, waterfront property, and any and all easements, franchises and hereditaments, corporeal or incorporeal, and every estate, interest, privilege, easement, franchise and right therein, or appurtenant thereto, legal or equitable, including rights-of-way, terms for years and liens, charges, or encumbrances by mortgage, judgment or otherwise.
66.405(3)(r)
(r) "Redevelopment" shall mean the clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of an area or part thereof, and the provision of such industrial, commercial, residential or public structures or spaces as may be appropriate, including recreational and other facilities incidental or appurtenant thereto.
66.405(3)(s)
(s) "Redevelopment corporation" shall mean a corporation carrying out a redevelopment plan under
ss. 66.405 to
66.425.
66.406
66.406
Urban redevelopment; plans, approval. 66.406(1)
(1) A development plan shall contain such information as the planning commission shall, by rule or regulation require, including:
