62.237(2)(a)3.
3. Foreclose any mortgage and sell the mortgaged property for collection purposes if the mortgagor defaults on the payment of principal and interest of a loan issued under this section.
62.237(2)(b)
(b) The resolution shall designate each area in which dwellings are eligible for loans.
62.237(2)(c)
(c) No loan may be issued to purchase, purchase and rehabilitate or construct a dwelling that violates applicable provisions of the one- and 2-family dwelling code under
ss. 101.60 to
101.66, or that violates any ordinance the municipality adopts regulating the dwelling. If the dwelling is found to be violating the dwelling code or any ordinance after issuance of the loan, the loan shall default. The municipality may require the full loan to become due or may increase the interest rate to the maximum allowable. The municipality may defer imposing a penalty for up to one year after the violation is found to exist.
62.237(3)
(3) Eligible areas. Owner-occupied dwellings in any area of the municipality are eligible for loans under this section if any 2 of the following conditions exist:
62.237(3)(a)
(a) The median assessed property value of one- and 2-family dwellings in the area is less than or equal to 80% of the median assessed property value of one- and 2-family dwellings in the municipality.
62.237(3)(b)
(b) The median family income of the area is less than or equal to 80% of the median family income of the municipality.
62.237(3)(c)
(c) The proportion of owner-occupied dwellings in the area is less than or equal to 80% of the proportion of owner-occupied dwellings in the municipality.
62.237(3)(d)
(d) The vacancy rate of dwellings in the area is greater than or equal to 120% of the vacancy rate of dwellings in the municipality.
62.237(4)(a)(a) The governing body of any municipality may issue revenue bonds by resolution, to finance low-interest mortgage loans under this section. The resolution shall state the maximum dollar amount of authorized bonds and the purpose for which the municipality may issue the bonds. The resolution shall state the terms, form and content of the bonds. These bonds may be registered under
s. 67.09.
62.237(4)(b)
(b) Debt service is payable solely from revenues received from the loans issued under this section. No mortgage revenue bond or revenue bond issued under this section is a debt of the municipality or a charge against the city's general credit or taxing powers. The municipality shall plainly state the provisions of this paragraph on the face of each mortgage revenue bond or revenue bond.
62.237(4)(c)
(c) The municipality shall use revenues from payment of the principal and interest of loans issued under this section to pay debt service. The municipality shall use any excess revenues to pay other costs accruing from the issuance of the loans. The municipality shall deposit any remaining revenues in a revolving fund of the municipal treasury, to use for additional loans under this section.
62.237(4)(d)
(d) The resolution may authorize appointment of a receiver to collect interest and principal on loans issued under this section for paying debt service, if the municipality defaults on paying debt service.
62.237 History
History: 1979 c. 221;
1983 a. 24,
27,
207;
1999 a. 150 s.
378; Stats. 1999 s. 62.237.
62.25
62.25
Claims and actions. 62.25(1)(1)
Claims. No action may be brought or maintained against a city upon a claim or cause of action unless the claimant complies with
s. 893.80. This subsection does not apply to actions commenced under
s. 19.37,
19.97 or
281.99.
62.25(2)(a)(a) Damages, if any, in an action against a city officer in the officer's official capacity, except the action directly involve the title to the officer's office, shall not be awarded against such officer, but may be awarded against the city.
62.25(2)(b)
(b) In an action to restrain payment by a city for work performed or material furnished, the plaintiff shall give a bond conditioned for payment to the claimant, if the action is finally determined in the claimant's favor, of damages caused by the delay, including expense incurred in the action, and interest. The bond shall be with 2 sureties to be approved by the court, and in an amount fixed by the court and sufficient to cover all probable damages.
62.25(2)(d)
(d) No person shall be ineligible to sit as judge, justice or juror in an action to which the city is a party, by reason of being an inhabitant of the city.
62.25 Annotation
Cross-references: As to filing claims and demands against the city, see s. 62.12 (8).
62.25 Annotation
For an alternative system of approving claims, see s. 66.044.
62.25 Annotation
An action against a municipality based on a filed "claim" that did not state a dollar amount must be dismissed. The fact that the city council denied the claim did not bar the defense. By purchasing liability insurance the city did not waive the protection of the statute. The plaintiff can start a new action under s. 893.35. Sambs v. Nowak,
47 Wis. 2d 158,
177 N.W.2d 144.
62.25 Annotation
Sub. (1) is applicable to a counterclaim for money damages in a lawsuit commenced by a city. Milwaukee v. Milwaukee Civic Developments,
71 Wis. 2d 647,
239 N.W.2d 44.
62.25 Annotation
Nothing in either ch. 62 or ch. 120 precludes a school board from qualifying as a proper "claimant" under s. 62.25. Joint School Dist. No. 1 v. City of Chilton,
78 Wis. 2d 52,
253 N.W.2d 879.
62.25 Annotation
This section does not apply to a claim for equitable relief. Kaiser v. City of Mauston,
99 Wis. 2d 345,
299 N.W.2d 259 (Ct. App. 1980).
62.26
62.26
General provisions. 62.26(1)(1)
Laws in force. The general laws for the government of cities, villages and towns, the assessment and collection of taxes, the preservation of public and private property, highways, roads and bridges, the punishment of offenders, the collection of penalties and the manner of conducting elections shall be in force in all cities organized under this subchapter except as otherwise provided under this subchapter.
62.26(2)
(2) Equity in land. The acquisition or retention by a city of an equity of redemption in lands shall not create any liability on the part of the city to pay any bonds issued or mortgage or trust deed upon such lands executed prior to the acquisition by the city of such equity.
62.26(3)
(3) Forms. The use of any forms prescribed by the statutes of this state, as far as the same are applicable, shall be as legal and of the same force and effect as the use of the forms prescribed by this subchapter.
62.26(4)
(4) Rewards. When any heinous offense or crime has been committed against life or property within any city the mayor, with the consent of a majority of the alderpersons, may offer a reward for the apprehension of the criminal or perpetrator of such offense.
62.26(6)
(6) Cities in more than one county. In cities lying in more than one county the following shall apply:
62.26(6)(b)
(b) Accused persons may be put in custody of an officer or committed to the jail of the city or of the county where the offense was committed.
62.26(6)(d)
(d) Officers of the city, who by law have the powers of constables in the county in which the city is located, shall have such powers in either county.
62.26(7)
(7) Change of city name. The name of any city of the fourth class shall be changed if a majority of the electors shall address a written petition therefor to the council designating the new name, and the council shall by a two-thirds vote of all the members adopt an ordinance changing to such new name. The change shall be in effect upon publication of the ordinance in the official paper, and the filing of a copy thereof in the office of the secretary of state.
62.26 History
History: 1977 c. 151;
1993 a. 184.
FIRST CLASS CITIES
62.50
62.50
Police and fire departments in 1st class cities. 62.50(1)(1)
Organization. In all 1st class cities, however incorporated, there shall be a board of fire and police commissioners, consisting of 5 citizens, not more than 2 of whom shall at any time belong to the same political party. The staff and members of the board shall receive the salary or other compensation for their services fixed by the common council. The salary shall be fixed at the same time and in the same manner as the salary of other city officials and employees. Three members of the board shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of business. It shall be the duty of the mayor of the city, on or before the 2nd Monday in July, to appoint 5 members of the board, designating the term of office of each, one to hold one year, one to hold 2 years, one to hold 3 years, one to hold 4 years and one to hold 5 years, and until their respective successors shall be appointed and qualified. Thereafter the terms of office shall be 5 years from the 2nd Monday in July, and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Every person appointed a member of the board shall be subject to confirmation by the common council and shall, before entering upon the duties of the office take and subscribe the oath of office prescribed by
article IV, section 28, of the constitution, and file the same duly certified by the officer administering it, with the clerk of the city. Appointments made prior to the time this subchapter first applies to a 1st class city shall not be subject to confirmation by the common council.
62.50(1m)
(1m) Policy review. The board shall conduct at least once each year a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments of the city. The board may prescribe general policies and standards for the departments. The board may inspect any property of the departments, including but not limited to books and records, required for a review under this section.
62.50(2)
(2) Control of appointments. No person may be appointed to any position either on the police force or in the fire department of the city, except with the approval of the board.
62.50(3)(a)(a) The board may prescribe rules for the government of the members of each department and may delegate its rule-making authority to the chief of each department. The board shall prescribe a procedure for review, modification and suspension of any rule which is prescribed by the chief, including, but not limited to, any rule which is in effect on March 28, 1984.
62.50(3)(am)
(am) The common council may suspend any rule prescribed by the board under
par. (a).
62.50(3)(b)
(b) The board shall adopt rules to govern the selection and appointment of persons employed in the police and fire departments of the city. The rules shall be designed to secure the best service for the public in each department. The rules shall provide for ascertaining, as far as possible, physical qualifications, standing and experience of all applicants for positions, and may provide for the competitive examination of some or all applicants in such subjects as are deemed proper for the purpose of best determining the applicants' qualifications for the position sought. The rules may provide for the classification of positions in the service and for a special course of inquiry and examination for candidates for each class.
62.50(3)(c)
(c) The rules of each department shall be available to the public at a cost not to exceed the actual copying costs.
62.50(4)
(4) Printing and distribution of regulations. The board shall cause the rules and regulations prepared and adopted under this section, and all changes therein, to be printed and distributed as the board deems necessary, and the expense thereof shall be certified by the board to the city comptroller and shall be paid by the city. The rules and regulations shall specify the date when they take effect, and thereafter all selections of persons for employment, appointment or promotion, either in the police force or the fire department of such cities except of the chief of police, the inspector of police, the chief engineer and the first assistant of the fire department, shall be made in accordance with such rules and regulations.
62.50(5)
(5) Examinations. The examinations which the rules and regulations provide for shall be public and free to all U.S. citizens with proper limitations as to residence, age, health and, subject to
ss. 111.321,
111.322 and
111.335, arrest and conviction record. The examinations shall be practical in their character and shall relate to those matters which fairly test the relative capacity of the candidates to discharge the duties of the positions in which they seek employment or to which they seek to be appointed and may include tests of manual skill and physical strength. The board shall control all examinations and may designate suitable persons, either in the official service of the city or not, to conduct such examinations and may change such examiners at any time, as seems best.
62.50(6)
(6) Appointment of chiefs. If a vacancy exists in the office of chief of police or in the office of chief engineer of the fire department, the board by a majority vote shall appoint proper persons to fill such offices respectively. When filling a vacancy in the office of chief of police or in the office of chief engineer of the fire department occurring after June 15, 1977, the board shall appoint the person to a term of office the number of years and commencement date of which shall be set by the city of the 1st class by ordinance and which may not exceed 10 years, or for the remainder of an unexpired term.
62.50(7)
(7) Assistant chiefs, inspectors and captains; vacancies. 62.50(7)(a)(a) If a vacancy exists in the office of assistant chief, the chief of police shall nominate and, with the approval of the board, shall appoint a person to a term of office coinciding with the term of the chief making the appointment, subject thereafter to reinstatement to a previously held position on the force in accordance with rules prescribed by the board. Removal of the assistant chief shall be pursuant to
s. 17.12 (1) (c). The chief may summarily suspend the assistant chief whose removal is sought by the chief.
62.50(7)(b)
(b) If a vacancy exists in the office of inspector of police or captain of police, the chief of police shall nominate and, with the approval of the board, shall appoint a person to the office subject to suspension and removal under this section.
62.50(8)
(8) First assistant engineer, vacancy. If a vacancy exists in the office of the first assistant engineer of the fire department, the chief engineer shall nominate and with the approval of the board shall appoint a suitable person to the office, subject to suspension and removal under this section.
62.50(9)
(9) Members of force, vacancies. All of the members of the force in either department named, at the time when the rules and regulations go into effect, shall continue to hold their respective positions at the pleasure of their respective chiefs, subject to trial under this section, and all persons subsequently appointed shall so hold. All vacancies in either department shall be filled and all new appointments shall be made by the respective chiefs with the approval of the board. Where vacancies in old offices or newly created offices can, with safety to the department, be filled by the promotion of officers or persons already in the service and who have proved their fitness for the promotion, the vacancies in newly created offices shall be so filled by promotion by the respective chiefs with the approval of the board.
62.50(10)
(10) Salaries; pensions. Provision may be made by the common council of a city by general ordinance that the salaries of the members of the force in the police and fire department of the city shall increase with the length of term of service. The salary and compensation of all members of the force in such departments shall be at all times subject to change by the common council, but the salary or compensation of the members of the force in the service of either department may not be decreased, except upon the previous recommendations of such change made in writing by the board to the common council. The common council may provide for an annual pension for life for such members of either service as are honorably discharged from same.
62.50(10m)
(10m) Rest days. The council of every city of the 1st class, however organized, may provide for, and when such provision is made, the chief of the police department shall assign to each police officer in the service of the city one full rest day of 24 consecutive hours during each 192 hours, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious emergency, which, in the judgment of the chief of police, demands that such day of rest not be given at such time. Arrangements shall be made so that each full rest day may be had at such time as will not impair the efficiency of the department.
62.50(11)
(11) Discharge or suspension. No member of the police force or fire department may be discharged or suspended for a term exceeding 30 days by the chief of either of the departments except for cause and after trial under this section.
62.50(12)
(12) Trial to be ordered. Whenever complaint against any member of the force of either department is made to the chief thereof, the chief shall immediately communicate the same to the board of fire and police commissioners and a trial shall be ordered by the board under this section.
62.50(13)
(13) Discharge or suspension; appeal. The chief discharging or suspending for a period exceeding 5 days any member of the force shall give written notice of the discharge or suspension to the member and immediately report the same to the secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners together with a complaint setting forth the reasons for the discharge or suspension and the name of the complainant if other than the chief. Within 10 days after the date of service of the notice of a discharge or suspension order the members so discharged or suspended may appeal from the order of discharge or suspension or discipline to the board of fire and police commissioners, by filing with the board a notice of appeal in the following or similar form:
To the honorable board of fire and police commissioners:
Please take notice that I appeal from the order or decision of the chief of the .... department, discharging (or suspending) me from service, which order of discharge (or suspension) was made on the .... day of ...., .... (year).
62.50(14)
(14) Complaint. The board, after receiving the notice of appeal shall, within 5 days, serve the appellant with a copy of the complaint and a notice fixing the time and place of trial, which time of trial may not be less than 5 days nor more than 15 days after service of the notice and a copy of the complaint.
62.50(15)
(15) Notice of trial. Notice of the time and place of the trial, together with a copy of the charges preferred shall be served upon the accused in the same manner that a summons is served in this state.
62.50(16)
(16) Trial; adjournment. The accused and the chief shall have the right to an adjournment of the trial or investigation of the charges, not to exceed 15 days. In the course of any trial or investigation under this section each member of the fire and police commission may administer oaths, secure by its subpoenas both the attendance of witnesses and the production of records relevant to the trial and investigation, and compel witnesses to answer and may punish for contempt in the same manner provided by law in trials before municipal judges for failure to answer or to produce records necessary for the trial. The trial shall be public and all witnesses shall be under oath. The accused shall have full opportunity to be heard in defense and shall be entitled to secure the attendance of all witnesses necessary for the defense at the expense of the city. The accused may appear in person and by attorney. The city in which the department is located may be represented by the city attorney. All evidence shall be taken by a stenographic reporter who first shall be sworn to perform the duties of a stenographic reporter in taking evidence in the matter fully and fairly to the best of his or her ability.
62.50(17)(a)(a) Within 3 days after hearing the matter the board shall, by a majority vote of its members and subject to
par. (b), determine whether by a preponderance of the evidence the charges are sustained. If the board determines that the charges are sustained, the board shall at once determine whether the good of the service requires that the accused be permanently discharged or be suspended without pay for a period not exceeding 60 days or reduced in rank. If the charges are not sustained the accused shall be immediately reinstated in his or her former position, without prejudice. The decision and findings of the board shall be in writing and shall be filed, together with a transcript of the evidence, with the secretary of the board.
62.50(17)(b)
(b) No police officer may be suspended, reduced in rank, suspended and reduced in rank, or discharged by the board under
sub. (11),
(13) or
(19), or under
par. (a), based on charges filed by the board, members of the board, an aggrieved person or the chief under
sub. (11),
(13) or
(19), or under
par. (a), unless the board determines whether there is just cause, as described in this paragraph, to sustain the charges. In making its determination, the board shall apply the following standards, to the extent applicable:
62.50(17)(b)1.
1. Whether the subordinate could reasonably be expected to have had knowledge of the probable consequences of the alleged conduct.
62.50(17)(b)2.
2. Whether the rule or order that the subordinate allegedly violated is reasonable.
62.50(17)(b)3.
3. Whether the chief, before filing the charge against the subordinate, made a reasonable effort to discover whether the subordinate did in fact violate a rule or order.
62.50(17)(b)4.
4. Whether the effort described under
subd. 3. was fair and objective.
62.50(17)(b)5.
5. Whether the chief discovered substantial evidence that the subordinate violated the rule or order as described in the charges filed against the subordinate.
62.50(17)(b)6.
6. Whether the chief is applying the rule or order fairly and without discrimination against the subordinate.
62.50(17)(b)7.
7. Whether the proposed discipline reasonably relates to the seriousness of the alleged violation and to the subordinate's record of service with the chief's department.
62.50(18)
(18) Salary during suspension. No chief officer of either department or member of the fire department may be deprived of any salary or wages for the period of time suspended preceding an investigation or trial, unless the charge is sustained. No member of the police force may be suspended or discharged under
sub. (11) or
(13) without pay or benefits until the matter that is the subject of the suspension or discharge is disposed of by the board or the time for appeal under
sub. (13) passes without an appeal being made.
62.50(19)
(19) Charges by aggrieved person. In cases where duly verified charges are filed by any aggrieved person with the board of fire and police commissioners, setting forth sufficient cause for the removal of any member of either of the departments, including the chiefs or their assistants, the board or chief may suspend such member or officer pending disposition of such charges. The board shall cause notice of the filing of the charges with a copy to be served upon the accused and shall set a date for the trial and investigation of the charges, following the procedure under this section. The board shall decide by a majority vote and subject to the just cause standard described in
sub. (17) (b) whether the charges are sustained. If sustained, the board shall immediately determine whether the good of the service requires that the accused be removed, suspended from office without pay for a period not exceeding 60 days or reduced in rank. If the charges are not sustained, the accused shall be immediately reinstated without prejudice. The secretary of the board shall make the decision public.
62.50(20)
(20) Circuit court review; notice. Any officer or member of either department discharged, suspended or reduced, may, within 10 days after the decision and findings under this section are filed with the secretary of the board, bring an action in the circuit court of the county in which the city is located to review the order. Such action shall begin by the serving of a notice on the secretary of the board making such order and on the city attorney of such city, which notice may be in the following or similar form:
In Circuit Court, .... County.
To .... Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
To .... City Attorney:
Please take notice that I hereby demand that the circuit court of .... County review the order made by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners on the ... day of ... A.D. .... discharging, (or suspending) .... from the .... department.
(Signed) ....
62.50(21)
(21) Certification and return of record; hearing. Upon the service of the demand under
sub. (20), the board upon which the service is made shall within 5 days thereafter certify to the clerk of the circuit court of the county all charges, testimony, and everything relative to the trial and discharge, suspension or reduction in rank of the member. Upon the filing of the return with the clerk of court, actions for review shall be given preference. Upon application of the discharged member or the board, the court shall fix a date for the trial which shall be no later than 15 days after the date of the application except upon agreement between the board and the discharged or suspended member. The action shall be tried by the court without a jury and shall be tried upon the return made by the board. In determining the question of fact presented, the court shall be limited in the review thereof to the question: "Under the evidence is there just cause, as described in
sub. (17) (b), to sustain the charges against the accused?" The court may require additional return to be made by the board, and may also require the board to take additional testimony and make return thereof.
62.50(22)
(22) Costs; reinstatement. No costs may be allowed in the action to either party and the clerks' fees shall be paid by the city in which the department is located. If the decision of the board is reversed, the discharged or suspended member shall forthwith be reinstated in his or her former position in the department and shall be entitled to pay the same as if not discharged or suspended. If the decision of the board is sustained, the order of discharge, suspension or reduction shall be final and conclusive in all cases.
62.50(23)
(23) Duties of chief. The chief engineer of the fire department and the chief of police of a 1st class city, shall be the head of their respective departments. The chief of police shall preserve the public peace and enforce all laws and ordinances of the city. The chiefs shall be responsible for the efficiency and general good conduct of the department under their control. The board may review the efficiency and general good conduct of the departments. A chief shall act as an adviser to the board when the board reviews his or her department. The board may issue written directives to a chief based on a review of the chief's department. The chief receiving a directive shall implement the directive unless the directive is overruled in writing by the mayor. Each of the chiefs shall maintain and have custody of all property of their respective departments, including but not limited to, all books and records, which shall be available and subject to inspection by the board.
62.50(23m)
(23m) Firearm law media campaign. The board shall conduct a city-wide communications media campaign designed to deter the unlawful possession and use of firearms by educating the public about the legal consequences of unlawful possession and use of firearms. The department of administration shall provide funding to the board for the media campaign under this subsection from the appropriation under
s. 20.475 (1) (f). The amounts paid by the department of administration under this subsection may not exceed $90,000 in the 1999-2000 fiscal year and $60,000 in the 2000-01 fiscal year.
62.50(24)
(24) Signal service department. All apparatus and all mechanical appliances requiring the use of telegraph or telephone wire or other wire for signaling purposes, with the consequent use of the public highways, together with such wire and all appurtenances to such apparatus and the constructional work therefor, may be placed under the management and control of a separate department. Such department shall be established and the compensation of the superintendent and all employees of such department shall be fixed by ordinance of the common council. The superintendent of the department shall be appointed by the board, and all other employees of the department shall be appointed in the same manner, and shall be subject to removal upon the same conditions as the members of the fire and police departments, and wherever applicable this section shall apply to such department the same as to the fire and police departments.
