City of Onalaska, WI General Provisions for Commissions

2.04.21 Police and Fire Commission.

The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners shall consist of five citizens who are residents of the City, three of whom shall constitute a quorum. The Mayor shall annually appoint at the organizational meeting one member for a term of five years, subject to confirmation by the Council. No appointment shall be made which will result in more than three members of the Board belonging to the same political party. The Commission shall keep a record of its proceedings. The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners shall have the power and authority prescribed by § 62.13, Wis. Stats., and this Code of Ordinances.

2.04.22 Plan commission.

Composition. The Plan Commission shall consist of seven members, as follows: the Mayor, one Council member, Director of Public Works, and four citizens.

Appointment. The Common Council member shall be appointed by the Mayor each April and confirmed by the Common Council for a period of one year, and the four citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years.

Organization of Commission. The Mayor shall appoint a presiding officer each year, which can be the Mayor or any member of Plan Commission and the Commission shall select by election a Vice Chairman, secretary and such other officers as may in their judgment be necessary.

Record. The Plan Commission shall keep a written record of its proceedings to include all actions taken, a copy of which shall be filed with the office of the City Clerk. Four members shall constitute a quorum, but all actions shall require the affirmative approval of a majority of all of the members of the Commission.

Duties.

The master plan.

The Plan Commission may make, adopt and, as necessary, amend, extend or add to the master plan, subject to Common Council confirmation, for the physical development of the City including areas outside of its boundaries which, in the Plan Commission's judgment, bear relation to the development of the City. The master plan, with the accompanying maps, plats 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 streets, highways, freeways, street grades, roadways, walks, parking areas, public places and areas, parks, parkways, playgrounds, sites for public buildings and structures, and the general location and extent of sewers, water conduits and other public utilities, whether privately or publicly owned, the acceptance, widening, narrowing, extension, relocation, removal, vacation, abandonment or change of use of any of the foregoing public ways, grounds, places, spaces, buildings, properties, utilities, routes or terminals, the general location, character and extent of community centers and neighborhood units, and a comprehensive zoning plan.

The Plan 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 from time to time 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 adoption of the plan or any part, amendment or addition, shall be by resolution carried by the affirmative votes of not less than a majority of all the members of the Plan Commission, subject to confirmation by the Common Council. The resolution shall refer expressly to the maps, descriptive matter, and other matters intended by the 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 Mayor and the City Clerk, and a copy of the plan or part thereof shall be certified to the Common Council. The purpose and effect of the adoption and certifying of the master plan or part thereof shall be solely to aid the Plan Commission and the Common Council in the performance of their duties.

Mandatory referrals to Commission. The Common Council or officer of the City having final authority thereon shall refer to the Plan Commission, for its consideration and report before final action is taken by the Council, public body or officer, the following matters: the location, acceptance, extension, alteration, vacation, abandonment, sale, acquisition of land for or lease of land for any street, alley or other public ways (along with other appropriate City boards or commissions), park, playground, airport, area for parking vehicles, or other memorial or public grounds; the location, extension, abandonment or authorization for any public utility, whether publicly or privately owned; all plats of lands in the City or within the territory over which the City is given platting jurisdiction by Ch. 236, Wis. Stats.; the location, character and extent or acquisition, leasing or sale of lands for public or semipublic housing, slum clearance, relief of congestion, or vacation camps for children; and the amendment or repeal of any land use ordinance. Unless such report from the Commission is made within 30 days, or such longer period as may be stipulated by the Common Council, the Council or other public body or officer may take final action without it.

Miscellaneous powers. The Plan Commission exercises final review and approval of site development plans and requests for conditional use permits and has the authority to make those decisions which the City of Onalaska Unified Development Code (Title 13) has given the Plan Commission the authority to make. The Plan Commission may make reports and recommendations relating to the plan and development of the City to public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional and other organizations and citizens. It may recommend to the Common Council programs for public improvements. All public officials shall, upon request, furnish to the Plan Commission, within a reasonable time, such available information as it may require for its work. The Plan Commission, its members and employees, in the performance of its functions, may enter upon any land, make examinations and surveys, and place and maintain necessary monuments and markers thereon. In general, the Plan Commission shall have such powers as may be necessary to enable it to perform its functions and promote municipal planning in cooperation with the Common Council.

Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as appointment for the full term.

Compensation; oaths. No compensation shall be paid for service on the Commission. Citizen members shall take the official oath as required by § 19.01, Wis. Stats., said oath to be filed with the office of the City Clerk.

2.04.23 Room tax commission.

Membership and organization. The Room Tax Commission shall consist of five members who shall be selected as follows: One member of the Common Council; one member shall be a representative of the Wisconsin hotel and motel industry; three members shall be citizens residing in the City of Onalaska. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to Common Council approval. Strong consideration shall be given to citizens members who are business owners or have experience in tourism and hospitality industries. All members of the Commission shall serve for a one-year term from the date of appointment. Any vacancies occurring on the Room Tax Commission shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Common Council. Any person so appointed shall serve the balance of the term of the person causing the vacancy. The Commission shall choose a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and such other officers as it deems appropriate.

Meetings. Meetings may be held under call of the Chairperson of the Commission or if requested in writing by three members of the Commission filed with the City Clerk, in which event, the City Clerk shall notify all members of the coming meeting. At least 24 hours' notice shall be allowed under this procedure. The City Clerk shall give written notice of each meeting to the Mayor and to all members of the Room Tax Commission. Three members shall constitute a quorum. Such regular meetings shall be open to the public.

Powers. The Room Tax Commission shall require for all organizations, whether private or governmental, who receive funds hereunder, an annual accounting of the application of all room tax funds designated for tourism development and tourism promotion ("tourism funds"). The Room Tax Commission shall designate the use of all tourism funds of the City of Onalaska.

Statutory authority. The Room Tax Commission shall be the entity in which room tax is allocated for the City of Onalaska pursuant to § 66.0615, Wis. Stats., as may be amended.

Compensation; oaths. No compensation shall be paid for service on the Commission. Members shall take an official oath as prescribed by § 19.01, Wis. Stats., to be filed with the office of the City Clerk.

Annual budget. An annual budget shall be established by the Room Tax Commission in conjunction with the Financial Services Director, which budget shall be subject to approval of the Finance and Personnel Committee and the Common Council.

2.04.24 Historic Preservation Commission.

Composition and appointment. A Historic Preservation Commission is hereby created, consisting of up to eight members but no less than seven members. The membership shall consist of one Council member; and up to seven citizen members. Where possible, preference shall be given to have three of the citizen members have one or more of the following backgrounds: real estate, property development or construction, attorney, architecture, land use or planning, history or local historian. In addition, the Common Council may appoint an ex officio member of the Ho Chunk Nation or other Native American Nation having cultural history in Onalaska. The ex officio member shall serve a three-year term. Each member shall have, to the highest extent practicable, a known interest in historic preservation. The Mayor shall appoint the Commissioners subject to confirmation by the Common Council.

Appointment, confirmation and term of Commissioners; vacancies. The Commissioners of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council for three-year terms.

A Commissioner shall hold office until their successor has been appointed and qualified, unless such Commissioner's term is vacated earlier because of their change of residence, removal, resignation, incapacity or death.

Vacancies occurring during any term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term, and new appointments or reappointments of Commissioners shall be made, in the same manner in which the original appointments were made.

Powers and duties of historic preservation commission.. The Commission shall have the power, subject to the procedures set forth § 13.02.45, Wis. Stats., to designate structures and historic sites and to recommend designation of Historic Districts within the City limits.

Compensation; oaths. No compensation shall be paid for service on the Commission. Members shall take an official oath as prescribed by § 19.01, Wis. Stats., said oath to be filed with the office of the City Clerk.

2.04.25 Municipal Harbor Commission.

Creation. Pursuant to a resolution by the City of Onalaska Common Council, there shall be a Municipal Harbor Commission (the "MHC"), pursuant to § 30.37, Wis. Stats.

Composition of governing body. The MHC shall consist of seven resident persons who shall serve as the governing body (the "Commissioners") of the MHC.

Appointment, confirmation and term of Commissioners; vacancies.. The Commissioners of the MHC shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council, as follows:

The appointments of the seven Commissioners shall be made for terms of three years. A Commissioner shall hold office until their successor has been appointed and qualified, unless such Commissioner's term is vacated earlier because of their change of residence, removal, resignation, incapacity or death.

Vacancies occurring during any term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term, and new appointments or reappointments of Commissioners shall be made in the same manner in which the original appointments were made.

Filing of certificate of appointment. A certificate of the appointment or reappointment of any Commissioner shall be filed with the office of the City Clerk. Such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of the Commissioner if such Commissioner has been duly confirmed as herein provided and has duly taken and filed the official oath before entering upon their office.

Meetings; quorum; bylaws. All meetings of the MHC shall be held in compliance with the provisions of Subch. IV of Ch. 19, Wis. Stats. and this Code of Ordinances. Four Commissioners shall constitute a quorum of the MHC for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the MHC upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Commissioners present at any meeting of the MHC at which a quorum is present. No vacancy in the membership of the MHC shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the MHC. The MHC may adopt and from time to time amend or repeal such bylaws and other rules and regulations not inconsistent with applicable law as it deems necessary in the performance of its functions.

Selection of officers, agents and employees.

The MHC shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the Commissioners. Vacancies occurring in the office of Chairperson or Vice Chairperson shall be filled from among the Commissioners for the unexpired portion of the term.

The MHC may employ technical experts and such other officers, agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require from time to time in the performance of its duties and functions, within the limits of the funds available for such purpose. The MHC may delegate to one or more of its agents or employees such powers or duties as may deem proper.

The MHC may call upon the City Attorney for such legal services as it may require, and may also retain specialists to render legal services as required by the MHC from time to time. The MHC may also contract with the City or any other agency or entity, public or private, for the provision of any necessary staff services associated with or required by the MHC in the performance of its duties or functions which could be performed by the staff of the MHC.

Duties and powers. The purpose of the MHC is to provide for the development and operation of harbors and the preservation of navigable waterways within the City of Onalaska. The City of Onalaska Municipal Harbor Commission has the powers and shall perform all duties set forth in §§ 30.37 and 30.38, Wis. Stats., which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Relationship to other Municipal Board and Commissions. The MHC shall make recommendations to the Onalaska Common Council. The MHC shall function independently from the Onalaska Common Council except when incurring debt, obtaining real property, selling real property or taking any action requiring Common Council approve pursuant to § 30.38, Wis. Stats.