66.94(43)
(43) Application of section. This section shall be construed as constituting complete statutory authority for the creation of metropolitan transit authorities and the acquisition, ownership and operation of a transportation system by such authority and for the issuance of bonds as herein authorized, any other law relating to the matters herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
66.94(44)
(44) Public utility labor disputes. Notwithstanding any provision of this section the authority shall be deemed an employer under
subch. III of ch. 111, and the authority shall be subject to the same laws as other similar organizations engaged in like activities, and any provision of this section in conflict with the provisions of this subsection is to the extent of such conflict superseded by the provisions of this subsection.
66.94 History
History: 1973 c. 172,
243;
1975 c. 94 ss.
38,
91 (9), (12);
1975 c. 147 s.
54;
1975 c. 199;
1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (9) (h);
1979 c. 102 s.
237;
1979 c. 110;
1981 c. 96;
1981 c. 347 s.
80 (2);
1983 a. 24,
189;
1983 a. 207 s.
93 (8);
1983 a. 368;
1985 a. 135,
187;
1985 a. 297 s.
76;
1987 a. 403;
1991 a. 39,
221,
282,
316;
1993 a. 16,
123,
279,
490;
1995 a. 225.
66.94 Annotation
Railroad property is subject to special assessment for sanitary sewer even though the sewer is of no immediate benefit. Soo Line RR. Co. v. Neenah, 64 W (2d) 665, 221 NW (2d) 907.
66.943
66.943
City, village and town transit commissions. 66.943(1)(1) Any city, village or town may enact an ordinance for the establishment, maintenance and operation of a comprehensive unified local transportation system, the major portion of which is or is to be located within or the major portion of the service of which is or is to be supplied to the inhabitants of such city, village or town, and which system is used or to be used for the transportation of persons or freight.
66.943(2)
(2) The transit commission shall be designated "Transit Commission" preceded by the name of the enacting city, village or town.
66.943(3)(a)
(a) "Comprehensive unified local transportation system" means a transportation system comprised of motor bus lines and any other local public transportation facilities or freight transportation facilities, the major portions of which are within the city, village or town.
66.943(3)(b)
(b) "Transit commission" or "commission" means the local transit commission created under this section.
66.943(4)
(4) The transit commission shall consist of not less than 3 members to be appointed by the mayor or village board or town board chairperson and approved by the common council or village or town board, one of whom shall be designated as chairperson.
66.943(5)(a)(a) The first members of the transit commission shall be appointed for staggered 3-year terms. The term of office of each member thereafter appointed shall be 3 years.
66.943(5)(c)
(c) No person holding stocks or bonds in any corporation subject to the jurisdiction of the transit commission, or who is in any other manner pecuniarily interested in any such corporation, may be a member of nor be employed by the transit commission.
66.943(6)
(6) The transit commission may appoint a secretary and employ accountants, engineers, experts, inspectors, clerks and other employes and fix their compensation, and purchase furniture, stationery and other supplies and materials, that are reasonably necessary to enable it to perform its duties and exercise its powers.
66.943(7)(a)(a) The transit commission may conduct hearings and may adopt rules relative to the calling, holding and conduct of its meetings, the transaction of its business, the regulation and control of its agents and employes, the filing of complaints and petitions and the service of notices.
66.943(7)(b)
(b) For the purpose of receiving, considering and acting upon any complaints or applications that may be presented to it or for the purpose of conducting investigations or hearings on its own motion the transit commission shall hold regular meetings at least once a week except in the months of July and August and special meetings on the call of the chairperson or at the request of the city council or town board.
66.943(7)(c)
(c) The transit commission may adopt a seal, of which judicial notice shall be taken in all courts. Any process, writ, notice or other instrument that the commission may be authorized by law to issue shall be considered sufficient if signed by the secretary of the commission and authenticated by the commission's seal. All acts, orders, decisions, rules and records of the commission, and all reports, schedules and documents filed with the commission may be proved in any court by a copy of the documents that is certified by the secretary under the seal of the commission.
66.943(8)
(8) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the jurisdiction, powers and duties of the transit commission shall extend to the comprehensive unified local transportation system for which the commission is established including any portion of the system extending into adjacent or suburban territory that is outside of the city, village or town not more than 30 miles from the nearest point marking the corporate limits of the city, village or town. The jurisdiction, powers and duties of a transit commission providing rail service shall extend to the comprehensive unified local rail transportation system for which the commission is established including any portion of the system that extends into adjacent or suburban territory that is outside of the city, village or town and in an adjoining state whose laws permit, subject to the laws of that state but subject to the laws of this state in all matters relating to rail service.
66.943(9)
(9) Initial acquisition of the properties for the establishment of and to comprise the comprehensive unified local transportation system shall be subject to
s. 66.065 or
ch. 197.
66.943(10)(a)(a) Any city, village, town or federally recognized Indian tribe or band may by contract under
s. 66.30 establish a joint municipal transit commission with the powers and duties of city, village or town transit commissions under this section. Membership on such a joint transit commission shall be as provided in the contract established under
s. 66.30.
66.943(10)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no joint municipal transit commission under
par. (a) may provide service outside the corporate limits of the parties to the contract under
s. 66.30 which establish the joint municipal transit commission unless the joint municipal transit commission receives financial support for the service pursuant to a contract with a public or private organization for such service. This paragraph does not apply to service provided by a joint municipal transit commission outside the corporate limits of the parties to the contract under
s. 66.30 which establish the joint municipal transit commission if the joint municipal transit commission is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and elects to continue such service.
66.943(11)(a)(a) In lieu of providing transportation services, a city, village or town may contract with a private organization for such services.
66.943(11)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no municipality may contract with a private organization to provide service outside the corporate limits of such municipality unless the municipality receives financial support for the service pursuant to a contract with a public or other private organization for such service. This paragraph does not apply to service provided under
par. (a) outside the corporate limits of a municipality if a private organization is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and the municipality elects to continue such service.
66.943(12)
(12) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no transit commission may provide service outside the corporate limits of the city which establishes the transit commission unless the transit commission receives financial support for the service pursuant to a contract with a public or private organization for such service. This subsection does not apply to service provided by a transit commission outside the corporate limits of the city which establishes the transit commission if the transit commission is providing the service on April 28, 1994, without receiving financial support from a public or private organization for the service, and elects to continue such service.
66.944
66.944
Transit employes; Wisconsin retirement system. 66.944(1)(a)(a) This subsection applies to all affected employes of a transportation system which is acquired, after June 29, 1975, but prior to January 1, 1982, by a city, a city transit commission or a metropolitan transit authority which is a participating employer in the Wisconsin retirement fund.
66.944(1)(b)
(b) Within 60 days after May 19, 1978, or within 60 days after a system is acquired by a city, a city transit commission or a metropolitan transit authority, whichever is later, an election shall be conducted by the department of employe trust funds under procedures adopted by the department of employe trust funds. If all of the affected employes of the transportation system who are members of a retirement system established by the previous employer vote to be included within the Wisconsin retirement fund, prior to January 1, 1982, or the Wisconsin retirement system, after that date, rather than their present retirement system, their eligibility for participation within the Wisconsin retirement system shall be computed from the date of acquisition.
66.944(1)(c)
(c) Notwithstanding
s. 66.94 (29) or any other law, after the election under
par. (b), no city, city transit commission or metropolitan transit authority may be required to contribute to more than one retirement fund for an affected employe.
66.944(2)(a)(a) Notwithstanding any other law pension benefits, rights and obligations of persons who are employed by a transportation system on the date of its acquisition by a participating employer in the Wisconsin retirement system shall be determined under
pars. (b) and
(c) if the date of acquisition is on or after January 1, 1982.
66.944(2)(b)
(b) Participating employers who acquire a transportation system on or after January 1, 1982 may elect to permit the employes of the transportation system on the date of acquisition to elect to continue participation under a retirement plan which has been established for those employes prior to the acquisition, rather than to participate in the Wisconsin retirement system. An employe who elects to continue participation in the prior established retirement plan is included under the Wisconsin retirement system as a participating employe but no contributions shall be made to the Wisconsin retirement system, and the employe is not eligible for any benefits from the system for service as an employe of the transportation system. If an affected employe does not elect to continue participation in the previously established retirement plan the employe is a participant in the Wisconsin retirement system from the date of acquisition and employer and employe contributions are required commencing with that date. The government entity acquiring the transportation system is not required to contribute, directly or indirectly, to the Wisconsin retirement system and also to another retirement plan for the employe.
66.944(2)(c)
(c) An employe may elect to continue under a previously established retirement plan as provided by
par. (b) only if the participating employer in the Wisconsin retirement system which acquired the transportation system files with the department of employe trust funds within 60 days after the date of acquisition notice of election to make the option available. An employe who does not elect under
par. (b), according to the procedures established by the department of employe trust funds, to continue participation under a previously established retirement plan within 60 days after the employer's notice is filed is a participant in the Wisconsin retirement system.
66.944(3)
(3) A person who commences employment on or after January 1, 1982 or the date of acquisition, whichever is later, with a transportation system which has been acquired by a participating employer in the Wisconsin retirement system is, if otherwise eligible under the Wisconsin retirement system, a participating employe under that system.
66.944 History
History: 1977 c. 418;
1981 c. 96.
66.945
66.945
Creation, organization, powers and duties of regional planning commissions. 66.945(1)(a)
(a) "Governing body" means the town, village or county board or the legislative body of a city.
66.945(1)(b)
(b) "Local governmental units" or "local units" means cities, villages, towns and counties.
66.945(1)(c)
(c) "Population" means the population of a local unit as shown by the last federal census or by any subsequent population estimate under
s. 16.96.
66.945(2)
(2) Creation of regional planning commissions. 66.945(2)(a)(a) A regional planning commission may be created by the governor, or such state agency or official as the governor designates, upon petition in the form of a resolution by the governing body of a local governmental unit and the holding of a public hearing on such petition. If the petition is joined in by the governing bodies of all the local units in the proposed region, including the county board of any county, part or all of which is in the proposed region, the governor may dispense with the hearing. Notice of any public hearing shall be given by the governor by mail at least 10 days in advance to the clerk of each local unit in the proposed region.
66.945(2)(b)
(b) If the governor finds that there is a need for a regional planning commission, and if the governing bodies of local units within the proposed region which include over 50% of the population and equalized assessed valuation of the region as determined by the last previous equalization of assessments, consent to the formation of such regional planning commission, the governor may create the regional planning commission by order and designate the area and boundaries of the commission's jurisdiction taking into account the elements of homogeneity based upon, but not limited to, such considerations as topographic and geographic conformations, extent of urban development, the existence of special or acute agricultural, forestry, conservation or other rural problems, uniformity of social or economic interests and values, park and recreational needs, civil defense, or the existence of physical, social and economic problems of a regional character.
66.945(2)(c)
(c) Territory included within a regional planning commission that consists of one county or less in area also may be included in the creation of a multicounty regional planning commission. Such creation does not require that the existing regional planning commission consisting of one county or less in area be terminated or altered, but upon creation of the multicounty commission, the existing commission shall cease to have authority to make charges upon participating local governmental units pursuant to
sub. (14) and shall adopt a name other than "regional planning commission".
66.945(2m)
(2m) Limitation on territory. No regional planning commission may be created to include territory located in 3 or more uniform state districts as established by
1970 executive order 22 dated August 24, 1970. Any existing regional planning commission which includes territory located in 3 or more such uniform state districts shall be dissolved no later than December 31, 1972.
66.945(3)
(3) Composition of regional planning commissions. 66.945(3)(a)(a) The membership composition of a regional planning commission which includes a city of the first class shall be as follows:
66.945(3)(a)1.
1. One member appointed by the county board of each county, part or all of which is initially within the region or is later added.
66.945(3)(a)2.
2. Two members from each participating county shall be appointed by the governor. At least one such appointee shall be a person, selected from a list of 2 or more persons nominated by the county board, who has experience in local government in elective or appointive offices or who is professionally engaged in advising local governmental units in the fields of land-use planning, transportation, law, finance, engineering or recreation and natural resources development. The governor in making appointments hereunder shall give due weight to the place of residence of the appointees within the various counties encompassed by the region.
66.945(3)(a)3.
3. The secretary of commerce or a designee shall serve as a nonvoting member of each regional planning commission organized under this section.
66.945(3)(b)
(b) For any region which does not include a city of the first class, the membership composition of a regional planning commission shall be in accordance with resolutions approved by the governing bodies of a majority of the local units in the region, and these units shall have in the aggregate at least half the population of the region. For the purposes of this determination a county, part or all of which is within the region, shall be counted as a local unit, but the population of an approving county shall not be counted. In the absence of the necessary approval by the local units, the membership composition of a commission shall be determined as follows:
66.945(3)(b)1.
1. For regions which include land in more than one county
par. (a) shall apply.
66.945(3)(b)2.
2. For regions that include land in only one county, the commission shall consist of the following:
66.945(3)(b)2.b.
b. Three members appointed by the governing body of each city, village and town in the region having a population of 20,000 or more. If there is no city, village or town having a population of 20,000 or more, the governor shall appoint one member from each city, village or town with a population of 5,000 or more within the region. All governor appointees under this
subd. 2. b. shall be persons who have experience in local government in elective or appointive offices or who are professionally engaged in advising local governmental units in the fields of land-use planning, transportation, law, finance or engineering.
66.945(3)(b)2.c.
c. Three members appointed at large by the governor. All governor appointees under this
subd. 2. c. shall be persons who have experience in local government in elective or appointive offices or who are professionally engaged in advising local governmental units in the fields of land-use planning, transportation, law, finance or engineering.
66.945(3)(c)
(c) Terms of office for regional planning commission members shall be as follows:
66.945(3)(c)1.
1. If the composition of the commission is approved by local units under
par. (b), the terms shall be as prescribed in the resolutions of approval.
66.945(3)(c)2.
2. For members of all other commissions the term is 6 years after the initial term. At the first meeting of the commission it shall be determined by lot which of the initial members shall have 2, 4 and 6-year terms, respectively, and each group shall be as nearly equal as may be.
66.945(3)(d)
(d) All regional planning commission members shall be electors of the state and reside within the region.
66.945(4)
(4) Compensation; expenses. A per diem compensation may be paid members of regional planning commissions. This shall not affect in any way remuneration received by any state or local official who, in addition to serving as a state or local official, serves also as a member of the regional planning commission. All members may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred as members of the commission in carrying out the work of the commission.
66.945(5)
(5) Chairperson; rules of procedure; records. Each regional planning commission shall elect its own chairperson and executive committee and shall establish its own rules of procedure, and may create and fill such other offices as it may determine necessary. The commission may authorize the executive committee to act for it on all matters pursuant to rules adopted by it. The commission shall meet at least once each year. It shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which shall be a public record.
66.945(6)
(6) Director and employes. The regional planning commission shall appoint a director and such employes as it deems necessary for its work and may hire such experts and consultants for part-time or full-time service as may be necessary for the prosecution of its responsibilities.
66.945(7)
(7) Advisory committees or councils; appointment. The regional planning commission may appoint advisory committees or councils whose membership may consist of individuals whose experience, training or interest in the program may qualify them to lend valuable assistance to the regional planning commission by acting in an advisory capacity in consulting with the regional planning commission on all phases of the commission's program. Members of such advisory bodies shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
66.945(8)
(8) Functions, general and special. 66.945(8)(a)(a) The regional planning commission may conduct all types of research studies, collect and analyze data, prepare maps, charts and tables, and conduct all necessary studies for the accomplishment of its other duties; it may make plans for the physical, social and economic development of the region, and may adopt by resolution any plan or the portion of any plan so prepared as its official recommendation for the development of the region; it may publicize and advertise its purposes, objectives and findings, and may distribute reports thereon; it may provide advisory services on regional planning problems to the local government units within the region and to other public and private agencies in matters relative to its functions and objectives, and may act as a coordinating agency for programs and activities of such local units and agencies as they relate to its objectives. All public officials shall, upon request, furnish to the regional planning commission, within a reasonable time, such available information as it requires for its work. In general, the regional planning commission shall have all powers necessary to enable it to perform its functions and promote regional planning. The functions of the regional planning commission shall be solely advisory to the local governments and local government officials comprising the region.
66.945(8)(b)
(b) The regional planning commission shall make an annual report of its activities to the legislative bodies of the local governmental units within the region, and shall submit 2 copies of the report to the legislative reference bureau.
66.945(9)
(9) Preparation of master plan for region. The regional planning commission shall have the function and duty of making and adopting a master plan for the physical development of the region. The master plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts, programs and descriptive and explanatory matter, shall show the commission's recommendations for such physical development and may include, among other things without limitation because of enumeration, the general location, character and extent of main traffic arteries, bridges and viaducts; public places and areas; parks; parkways; recreational areas; sites for public buildings and structures; airports; waterways; routes for public transit; and the general location and extent of main and interceptor sewers, water conduits and other public utilities whether privately or publicly owned; areas for industrial, commercial, residential, agricultural or recreational development. The regional planning commission may amend, extend or add to the master plan or carry any part or subject matter into greater detail.
66.945(10)
(10) Adoption of master plan for region. The master plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the region which will, in accordance with existing and future needs, best promote public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity or the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development. The regional planning commission may adopt the master plan as a whole by a single resolution, or, as the work of making the whole master plan progresses, may by resolution adopt a part or parts thereof, any such part to correspond generally with one or more of the functional subdivisions of the subject matter of the plan. The resolution shall refer expressly to the maps, plats, charts, programs and descriptive and explanatory matter, and other matters intended by the regional planning commission to form the whole or any part of the plan, and the action taken shall be recorded on the adopted plan or part thereof by the identifying signature of the chairperson of the regional planning commission and a copy of the plan or part thereof shall be certified to the legislative bodies of the local governmental units within the region. The purpose and effect of adoption of the master plan shall be solely to aid the regional planning commission and the local governments and local government officials comprising the region in the performance of their functions and duties.
66.945(11)
(11) Matters referred to regional planning commission. The officer or public body of a local governmental unit within the region having final authority thereon may refer to the regional planning commission, for its consideration and report, the following matters: The location of or acquisition of land for any of the items or facilities which are included in the adopted regional master plan. Within 20 days after the matter is referred to the regional planning commission or such longer period as may be stipulated by the referring officer or public body, the commission shall report its recommendations to the referring officer or public body. The report and recommendations of the commission shall be advisory only. State agencies may authorize the regional planning commission with the consent of the commission to act for such agency in approving, examining or reviewing plats, under
s. 236.12 (2) (a). Regional planning commissions authorized by a local unit on November 1, 1980 to act for the local unit in approving plats may continue to so act until the commission withdraws its consent or the local unit its approval. A local unit may authorize a regional planning commission, with the consent of the commission, to conduct an advisory review of plats.
66.945(12)
(12) Local adoption of plans of regional commission; contracts. 66.945(12)(a)(a) Any local governmental unit within the region may adopt all or any portion of the plans and other programs prepared and adopted by the regional planning commission.
66.945(12)(b)
(b) In addition to the other powers specified in this section a regional planning commission may enter into a contract with any local unit within the region under
s. 66.30 to make studies and offer advice on:
66.945(12)(b)1.
1. Land use, thoroughfares, community facilities, and public improvements;
66.945(13)
(13) Aid from governmental agencies; gifts and grants. Aid, in any form, for the purpose of accomplishing the objectives of the regional planning commission may be accepted from all governmental agencies whether local, state or federal, if the conditions under which such aid is furnished are not incompatible with the other provisions of this section. The regional planning commission may accept gifts and grants from public or private individuals or agencies if the conditions under which such grants are made are in accordance with the accomplishment of the objectives of the regional planning commission.
66.945(14)(a)(a) For the purpose of providing funds to meet the expenses of a regional planning commission, the commission shall annually on or before October 1 prepare and approve a budget reflecting the cost of its operation and services to the local governmental units within the region. The amount of the budget charged to any local governmental unit shall be in the proportion of the equalized value for tax purposes of the land, buildings and other improvements thereon of such local governmental unit, within the region, to the total such equalized value within the region. The amount charged to a local governmental unit shall not exceed .003 per cent of such equalized value under its jurisdiction and within the region, unless the governing body of such unit expressly approves the amount in excess of such percentage. All tax or other revenues raised for a regional planning commission shall be forwarded by the treasurer of the local unit to the treasurer of the commission on written order of the treasurer of the commission.
66.945(14)(b)
(b) Where one-half or more of the land within a county is within a region, the chairperson of the regional planning commission shall certify to the county clerk, prior to August 1 of each year, the proportionate amount of the budget charged to the county for the services of the regional planning commission. Unless the county board finds such charges unreasonable, and institutes the procedures set forth below for such a contingency, it shall take such necessary legislative action as to provide the funds called for in the certified statement.
66.945(14)(c)
(c) Where less than one-half of the land within a county is within a region, the chairperson of the regional planning commission shall before August 1 of each year certify to the clerk of the local governmental unit involved a statement of the proportionate charges assessed to that local governmental unit. Such clerk shall extend the amount shown in such statement as a charge on the tax roll under
s. 281.43 (2).
66.945(14)(d)
(d) If any local governmental unit makes a finding by resolution within 20 days of the certification to its clerk that the charges of the regional planning commission are unreasonable, it may:
66.945(14)(d)1.
1. Submit the issue to arbitration by 3 arbitrators, one to be chosen by the local governmental unit, one to be chosen by the regional planning commission and the third to be chosen by the first 2 arbitrators. If the arbitrators are unable to agree, the vote of 2 shall be the decision. They may affirm or modify the report, and shall submit their decision in writing to the local governmental unit and the regional planning commission within 30 days of their appointment unless the time be extended by agreement of the commission and the local governmental unit. The decision shall be binding. Election to arbitrate shall be waiver of right to proceed by action. Two-thirds of the expenses of arbitration shall be paid by the party requesting arbitration and the balance by the other, or
66.945(14)(d)2.
2. If a local governmental unit does not elect to arbitrate, it may institute a proceeding for judicial review under
ch. 227.
66.945(14)(e)
(e) By agreement between the regional planning commission and a local governmental unit, special compensation to the commission for unique and special services provided to such local governmental unit may be arranged.
