Article I Boards and Commissions

Council members. The Common Council members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, during April for the duration of his or her current term of office on the Common Council. The term of office on the Commission shall begin on the third Tuesday of April.

[1]

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

Powers. The Commission may employ experts and a staff and pay for their services, and such other expenses as may be necessary and proper, not exceeding, in all, the appropriation that may be made for the Commission by the Council or placed at its disposal through gift, and subject to any ordinance or resolution enacted by the Council. The Commission shall have the powers and perform the functions enumerated in § 62.23, Wis. Stats., and as prescribed by the Common Council.

Master Plan. Subject to the approval of the Common Council, the Commission shall make and adopt a master plan for the physical development of the City, including any areas outside of its boundaries which, in the Commission's judgment, bear relation to the development of the City. The Commission shall keep such Master Plan current as required by this Code and the Master Plan.

Zoning permits. Under the City's Zoning Code, the Commission shall hear applications for zoning permits for all districts except the single-family residence district and the two-family residence district. The Commission shall grant or deny such applications and shall direct the Zoning Administrator to issue or refuse to issue zoning permits under the City's Zoning Code.

Occupancy permits. This subsection shall apply only to those uses, structures and buildings for which the Commission has granted a zoning permit. The authority to issue an occupancy permit for a use, structure or building for which a zoning permit has already been granted shall vest in the Commission, but the Commission may delegate this authority to the Zoning Administrator. Appeals of decisions of the Zoning Administrator to issue or refuse to issue occupancy permits shall be made to the Commission.

Advisory Economic Development Committee. The Common Council may create an Advisory Economic Development Committee to the Plan Commission. This advisory committee shall consist of five members nominated by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council for three years, except that, of those first appointed, one shall serve for one year, two shall serve for two years and two for three years. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term of members whose terms become vacant. The Committee shall:

Evaluate needs and opportunities for various types of future economic growth (industrial, office and commercial) that would be most directly beneficial to the residents of Monona, both as sources of goods and services and as sources of employment for Monona residents.

Recommend to the Commission detailed plans for the future development of Monona Drive as a center of retail and services activity for Monona.

Recommend to the Commission detailed plans for the future development of the Broadway area, recognizing that different areas will be appropriate for different uses.

Recommend detailed plans for points of access to the planned South Beltline, as these locations will be of prime importance to Monona's long-term industrial growth.

Hold joint meetings with the City of Madison Plan Commission, or other appropriate body, to discuss areas of mutual concern.

(6)

Review and recommend to the Commission revision of the City Zoning Code.

Advisory Environmental Committee. The Common Council may create an Advisory Environmental Committee to the Plan Commission. This advisory committee shall consist of five members nominated by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council for three years, except that, of those first appointed, one shall serve for one year, two shall serve for two years and two for three years. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term of members whose terms become vacant. The Committee shall:

Study issues which may affect the present and future environment in Monona and its surroundings.

Recommend to the Commission plans, programs or ordinance changes which would improve the living or working environment in Monona.

Hold joint meetings with the City of Madison Plan Commission, or other appropriate body, to discuss areas of mutual concern.

Review and recommend to the Commission revision of the City Zoning Code.

§ 18-2 Zoning Board of Appeals.

Creation and membership.

A zoning board of appeals is hereby established with the powers, duties and qualifications set forth in this section and in § 62.23(7)(e), Wis. Stats.

The Zoning Board of Appeals shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council for three years, except that, of those first appointed, one shall serve for one year, two shall serve for two years and two for three years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of members whose terms become vacant. The Mayor shall appoint two alternate members for staggered terms of three years, who shall act with full power only when a member of the Board refuses to vote because of conflict of interest or is absent. The members shall serve without compensation and shall be removable by the Mayor for cause upon written charges and after public hearing. A Council member shall be appointed as the Chair, provided the appointment is concurrent with membership on the Council. The Chair shall be one of the five voting members of the Board.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Powers. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have those powers prescribed in Chapter 480, Zoning, of this Code.

§ 18-3 Board of Review.

Composition. The Board of Review shall consist of a Chairperson, four citizen members, and two alternates, all of whom shall be residents of the City and one of whom may be a Council member and one of whom may be employed by the City. The Chairperson shall not vote except in the case of a tie.

Appointment; term of office.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Council members. If the Mayor chooses to appoint a Council member, the Mayor shall appoint the Council member for a one-year term commencing the third Tuesday of April. The appointment of the Council member shall be subject to confirmation by the Council.

Citizen members. Members of the Board shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The terms of the citizen members shall be three years beginning the third Tuesday of April and shall be staggered so that not more than two such regular appointments are made annually.

Alternates. Alternates shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, for a term of one year, beginning the third Tuesday of April. The alternate members shall be designated "first alternate" and "second alternate" by the Mayor. Alternates shall act, with full power, only when a member of the Board refuses to vote because of conflict of interest or when a member is absent or removed by timely property owner request.

[Amended 8-6-2018 by Ord. No. 7-18-708]

Chair. The Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, shall appoint annually the Chair, who shall hold office for one year and until his or her successor is appointed and qualifies. The term of office of the Chair, except when appointed to fill a vacancy, shall commence on the third Tuesday of April of the year of appointment. The Chair shall have all qualifications, powers and duties of a Board member, but shall not vote except to break a tie.

Functions and powers.

Meetings. The Board shall meet annually at any time during the forty-five-day period beginning on the fourth Monday in April no sooner than seven days after the last day which the assessment roll is open for examination under § 70.45, Wis. Stats. The Board, through its Clerk, shall establish its meeting hours and location pursuant to § 70.47(3)(b), Wis. Stats. A majority shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of a quorum shall be required to raise or lower the Assessor's valuation of any property. Two members may hold an evidentiary hearing, but no member may vote or constitute part of a quorum for purposes of determining an assessment unless the member attended the hearing of the evidence, or received a transcript or a mechanical recording of the hearing not less than five days prior to the meeting and read such transcript or listened to such recording, or received a copy of a summary of the hearing and all exceptions thereto not less than five days prior to the meeting at which the determination is made.

[Amended 8-6-2018 by Ord. No. 7-18-708]

Duties. The Board shall have the functions and duties prescribed by the Wisconsin Statutes, particularly § 70.47 thereof.

Clerk. The City Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Board. The Clerk may not vote. The Clerk shall keep an accurate record of all Board proceedings.

Income and expense records.

[Added 5-15-2017 by Ord. No. 5-17-687]

Requirement to supply information. No person may appear before the Board of Review, testify to the Board by telephone or object to a valuation if that valuation was made by the Assessor or the objector using the income method, unless no later than seven days before the first meeting of the Board of Review the person supplies to the Assessor all of the information about income and expenses, as specified in the manual under § 73.03(2a), Wis. Stats., that the Assessor requests.

[Amended 8-6-2018 by Ord. No. 7-18-708]

Confidentiality of information. Whenever the Assessor, in the performance of his or her duties, requests and obtains income and expense information pursuant to § 70.47(7)(af), Wis. Stats., or any successor statute thereto, such income and expense information that is provided to the Assessor shall be held confidential by the Assessor; except, however, that such information may be disclosed to and used by persons in the discharge of duties imposed by law; in the discharge of duties imposed by office, including, but not limited to, use by the Assessor in performance of official duties of the Assessor's office and use by the Board of Assessors and Board of Review in performance of their official duties; or pursuant to order of a court. Income and expense information provided to the Assessor under § 70.47(7)(af), Wis. Stats., unless a court determines that it is inaccurate, is, pursuant to § 70.47(7)(af), Wis. Stats., not subject to the right of inspection and copying under § 19.35(1), Wis. Stats.

§ 18-4 Transit Commission.

Composition. The Commission shall consist of the Mayor or his or her designee and two Council members (both of whom shall share the Chairmanship of the Commission) and four citizens, all of whom may vote. The Mayor may appoint himself or herself as one of the Common Council members without being subject to confirmation by the Council. The Mayor, if not appointed as a full member, and the City Administrator or designee shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of the Commission, and the City Administrator or designee shall serve as its secretary.

Appointments.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Council member. The Council members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The Council members shall each serve a one-year term commencing the third Tuesday of April of each year or until his or her successors are appointed and confirmed by the Council.

Citizen members. The four citizen members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. Each citizen member shall be appointed for a two-year term beginning the third Tuesday of April.

Functions and powers. The Commission shall have the following functions and powers:

It shall be the general duty of the Commission to develop and recommend to the Common Council policies on the various elements of transportation and transportation facilities for the purpose of providing for the safe, efficient and economical movement of persons and goods in the City of Monona and the metropolitan area of service and recommendations for the purchase of vehicles. These elements shall be limited to the operation of mass transportation, bus and/or taxi vehicles and all matters usual or necessary to operate transportation by bus for disabled persons.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Supervise and direct the expenditure of the transit budget with authority:

(a)

By the Commission Chairman, to authorize emergency mechanical repairs for transit equipment up to $1,000.

(b)

By the Commission, to authorize repairs for any transit equipment owned by the City up to a maximum amount of $5,000 with the written consent of the Mayor.

(c)

By the Commission, to generally amend line items [other than those discussed in Subsection C(2)(a) and (b) above] within the transit budget up to $1,000, provided no changes are made in the amount committed to regular urban service or specialized services.

On or before September 1 of each year, submit a budget to the Finance and Personnel Committee to carry out existing policies of the Council with alternatives for suggested changes.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Report to the Mayor and Council within 45 days after the close of each calendar quarter upon the financial status of the regular urban bus service and specialized services.

§ 18-5 Senior Citizens Committee.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Composition. The Committee shall consist of seven citizens, one of whom may be a Council member, all of whom may vote. The Mayor and City Administrator or their designees shall be ex officio nonvoting members of the Committee.

Appointment; term of office.

Council member. If the Mayor chooses to appoint a Council member, the Mayor shall appoint the Council member for a one-year term commencing the third Tuesday of April. The appointment of the Council member shall be subject to Council confirmation.

Citizen members. The Committee members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The terms shall be for three years beginning the third Tuesday of April and shall be staggered so that not more than two such regular appointments are made annually.

Functions and powers. The Committee shall investigate the needs of senior citizens of the City, shall develop programs and services specifically to serve senior citizens, shall provide public information regarding senior citizens' programs and services to the people of the City and to the Council, and shall have such other duties as prescribed by the Common Council.

§ 18-6 Library Board.

Composition. The Library Board shall consist of the School District Administrator (or his or her designee) and six citizen members, one of whom shall be a Council member, all of whom may vote. The Mayor and City Administrator or their designees shall be ex officio nonvoting members of the Board.

Appointment; term of office.

Council member. The Mayor shall appoint the Council member for a one-year term commencing the third Tuesday of April. The appointment of the Council member is subject to confirmation by the Council.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Citizen members. The citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, for terms of three years beginning July 1. The term of citizen members shall be staggered so that not more than two such regular appointments are made annually.

School district member. The Monona Grove School District Superintendent or his or her designee shall be appointed to the Board by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, for a term of three years. The term of office on the Board shall begin July 1.

Functions and powers. The Board shall have the power outlined in Chapter 43, Wis. Stats.

§ 18-7 Public Safety Committee.

[Amended 6-17-2013 by Ord. No. 06-13-646; 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Composition. The Committee shall consist of two Council members, one of whom shall be Chair, six citizens, and one member of the Police and Fire Commission, all of whom may vote. The Mayor and City Administrator or their designees shall be ex officio nonvoting members of the Committee. The Committee shall hear appeals pursuant to the City's Fire Prevention Code. The Committee may adopt written notes outlining the procedure for processing such appeals.

Appointment; term of office.

Council members. The Council members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The term of office on the Committee shall be for one year beginning the third Tuesday of April.

Citizen members. The six citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The terms of citizen members shall be three years beginning the third Tuesday of April and shall be staggered so that not more than two such regular appointments are made annually.

Police and Fire Commission member. A member of the Public Safety Committee shall be selected by the Police and Fire Commission for a term of one year beginning the third Tuesday of April, subject to confirmation by the Council.

[Amended 2-5-2018 by Ord. No. 1-18-694]

Functions and powers.

The Committee shall be advisory to the Common Council.

The Committee shall review and recommend ordinances affecting public safety to the Common Council.

The Committee shall review and recommend ordinances and policies relating to the organization and operation of the Police and Fire Departments and the emergency medical service units.

The Committee shall not possess the functions or the powers prescribed for a police and fire commission in §§ 62.13(3), (4)(a), (5) and (7), Wis. Stats., including but not limited to hiring, firing, disciplining or promotion of personnel; nor shall the Committee conduct any hearing or other quasi-judicial proceeding. None of the functions and powers in this subsection shall be construed to include the functions and powers of the Police and Fire Commission.

The Committee shall hear appeals pursuant to the City's Fire Prevention Code. The Committee may adopt written notes outlining the procedure for processing such appeals.

(6)

The Committee shall establish and modify all fees and charges of the emergency medical services other than the base transport fee at a minimum of once annually. Said fees shall approximate the cost incurred by the City to obtain, administer and provide such goods and services.

§ 18-8 Landmarks Commission.

[Amended 9-19-2016 by Ord. No. 9-16-682; 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689; 3-5-2018 by Ord. No. 3-18-697; 10-21-2024 by Ord. No. 9-24-779]

Composition. The Commission shall consist of one Common Council member and six citizens, all of whom may vote. The Mayor and City Administrator or their designees shall be ex officio nonvoting members of the Commission. The Mayor shall designate the chairperson annually who shall hold office for one year and until his or her successor is appointed and qualifies. The term of office of the chairperson, except when appointed to fill a vacancy, shall commence on the third Tuesday of April of the year of appointment. At the discretion of the Mayor, the chairperson may be either the Common Council member or a citizen member, or the chairmanship may be shared by any two members as co-chairpersons.

Appointment; term of office.

Council member. The Mayor shall appoint the Council member, subject to confirmation by the Council, during April for the duration of his or her current term of office on the Common Council. The term of office on the Commission shall begin on the third Tuesday of April.

Citizen members. The six citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, during April for terms of three years beginning on the third Tuesday of April. The terms of the citizen members shall be staggered so that not more than two such regular appointments are made annually. All Commission members shall have, to the highest extent practicable, a known interest, competence, or knowledge in historic preservation. To the extent available in the community, professional members from disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology, or other historic preservation related disciplines such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, or cultural geography shall be appointed.

Functions and powers. The Landmarks Commission may designate as a landmark or landmark site any site, natural or improved, including any building, improvement or structure located thereon, or any area of particular historical, architectural or cultural significance to the City, such as historic structures or sites, after following the criteria listed in § 480-20.

§ 18-9 Police and Fire Commission.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners shall consist of five citizens, three of whom shall constitute a quorum. The Mayor shall annually, between the last Monday of April and the first Monday of May, appoint in writing, to be filed with the Secretary of the Board, one member for a term of five years. No appointment shall be made which will result in more than three members of the Board belonging to the same political party. The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings.

§ 18-10 Community Media Committee.

[Amended 10-6-2014 by Ord. No. 8-14-665]

Composition. The Committee shall consist of one Council member and six citizen members and one member representing the Monona Grove School District. The Mayor and City Administrator shall be ex officio nonvoting members of the Committee.

[Amended 9-7-2021 by Ord. No. 8-21-743]

Appointments.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Council member. The Council member of the Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The Council member shall serve for a one-year term commencing the third Tuesday of April of each year or until his or her successor is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. The Council member shall serve as Chair of the Committee.

Citizen members. The six citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The terms of the citizen members shall be for three years beginning the third Tuesday of April and shall be staggered so that not more than two such appointments are made annually.

[Amended 9-7-2021 by Ord. No. 8-21-743]

Monona Grove School District member. The Monona Grove School District Superintendent or his or her designee shall be appointed to the Committee by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, for a term of three years beginning the third Tuesday of April.

Duties and responsibilities. The Community Media Committee is established to advise and assist the Media Coordinator in the carrying out of his/her duties. The Committee shall perform the responsibilities and duties assigned by the Common Council, including but not limited to:

Coordinate with the Administrator to assure the general health of broadband telecommunications, radio and other media outlets in the community.

Monitor and review programming provided over the community access television and radio and make recommendations to users especially with respect to public access and/or local origination programming.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Recommending the purchase of equipment to upgrade the City's community access television and radio.

[Amended 10-16-2017 by Ord. No. 9-17-689]

Promoting the use of the citizen access channel over the community access television, radio and other media outlets and related programming.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

§ 18-11 Community Development Authority.

Form subcommittees as needed.

Creation and composition. There is hereby created a Community Development Authority for the City, with membership as provided in § 66.1335(2), Wis. Stats.

Appointment; term of office. The members of the Authority shall be appointed by the Mayor as provided in § 66.1335, Wis. Stats.

Functions and powers. The Authority shall have all of the functions and powers set forth in § 66.1335(4), Wis. Stats., except that the Authority shall not have or exercise the powers of the City Plan Commission under § 62.23, Wis. Stats.

Authority to report to Council. The Authority shall make monthly and annual reports to the Council on the actual and contemplated activities of the Authority.

§ 18-12 Park and Recreation Board.

Composition. The Park and Recreation Board shall consist of two Council members and seven citizen members. The Mayor and City Administrator shall be ex officio nonvoting members of the Board.

Appointments.[1]

Council members. The Council members of the Board shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the Council. The Council members shall serve for a one-year term commencing the third Tuesday of April of each year or until their successors are appointed and confirmed by the Council. One of the Council members shall be designated by the Mayor to serve as Chair of the Board.

Citizen members. The seven citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council. The terms of the citizen members shall be three years beginning the third Tuesday of April and shall be staggered so that not more than two such appointments are made annually.

[1]

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

Duties and responsibilities. The Board shall have the following duties and responsibilities, which shall be advisory except as otherwise provided:

To review and recommend to the Council policies necessary for the governance of the City parks and recreation facilities and programs, which shall take into consideration and attempt to provide for the social, physical and cultural well-being of the citizens of the City.

To review and recommend to the Finance and Personnel Committee all budgetary, revenue and expenditure proposals relating to park and recreation facilities and programs.

To review and recommend to the Community Recreation Director rules and regulations necessary for the effective management of the City parks and recreation facilities and programs.

To perform such duties and have such responsibilities as the Council shall from time to time, by ordinance, resolution or by law, direct.