[Amended 4-7-2008 by Ord.
No. 2008-05; 8-4-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-24; 8-1-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-08; 6-18-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-08; 4-20-2015 by Ord. No.
2015-04; 5-3-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-08; 4-4-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05; 5-2-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-07; 6-6-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-09; 2-5-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-01; 11-4-2019 by Ord. No.
2019-10]
(1)
Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at
least twice during each calendar month, on such day and at such hour
as the Board shall designate. All meetings of the Board, including
special and adjourned meetings, shall be held in the Municipal Services
Center, or as otherwise designated by the Board. Any meeting which
the Board designates to be held shall be a regular meeting.
(2)
Special Meetings.
(a)
Special meetings of the Board may be called by two members of the
Board, in writing, filed with the Clerk at least 48 hours prior to
the time specified for such meeting; the Clerk shall immediately notify
the President and each Trustee of the time and purpose of such meeting
by causing a written notice thereof to be personally delivered to
each Board Member, if he or she can be found, or, if he or she cannot
be found, then by leaving a copy of such notice at the home of such
person in the presence of an adult member of his or her family or,
if notice cannot be given in such manner, by affixing a copy of the
notice in a conspicuous place at the premises of the Board Member
where it can be conveniently read and by mailing a copy by regular
or other mail. If the period between the time the meeting is called
and the time fixed for such meeting makes it not practicable to give
48 hours' notice, the longest possible notice of such meeting shall
be given each member by the Clerk, and the notice shall be signed
by at least two members of the Board. The Clerk shall cause an affidavit
showing service of such notice as herein provided to the file in his
or her office prior to the time fixed for such special meeting.
(b)
Appropriate public notice of any such meeting shall be given according
to Wisconsin Statutes.
(c)
Any special meeting attended by the Quorum of the Board shall be
a regular meeting for the transaction of any business that may come
before such meeting.
(d)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if for good cause such that 24 hours'
notice is impossible or impracticable due to the calling of a special
meeting for emergency purposes, notice shall be provided not less
than two hours in advance of the meeting in accordance with Wis. Stats.
§ 19.84(3) (most current edition).
(3)
Adjournments. The Board may, by a majority vote of those present
but by not less than three affirmative votes, adjourn from time to
time to a specific date and hour.
(4)
Open Meetings. All meetings shall comply with the notice and other
requirements of the Wisconsin Open Meeting Law.
(5)
Setting the Board Agenda.
(a)
Public Notice. In accordance with Wisconsin Open Meeting Laws, written
notice of the subject, time and place of any board meeting in the
form of an agenda shall be given to the public at least 24 hours prior
to the commencement of such meeting unless for good cause such notice
is impossible or impractical, in which case shorter notice may be
given, but in no case shall the notice be provided less than two hours
in advance of the meeting.
(b)
Preparation and Approval of Board Agendas. The Clerk shall prepare
the board agenda and the board agenda shall be approved and signed
by the President, or in his absence, the Administrator, prior to publication
and posting.
(c)
Placement of Agenda Items/Removal. The President or any two Board
Trustees may, prior to agenda approval by the President, request the
Clerk to place an item or items on the agenda. In addition, the Board
may, at any meeting, direct that certain items be placed on the agenda
for the following meeting or a later meeting. Once placed on the agenda,
neither the Clerk nor the President shall have authority to remove
the item from the agenda without the Board's approval.
(d)
Consent Agenda. The Clerk is authorized to create a section on any
agenda entitled Consent Agenda and then place matters that the Clerk
deems routine and non controversial and which do not require a special
vote or specific action by the Board. The President or any two Board
Trustees may, prior to approval by the President, remove any consent
agenda items that the President or any two Board Trustees deem controversial
or not appropriate for the consent agenda.
(1)
The President shall Preside. In the absence of the President, the
Clerk shall call the meeting to order and the Trustees present shall
elect one of their members as the Temporary Presiding Officer. If
the President appears while the meeting is in session, the Temporary
Presiding Officer shall vacate the chair.
(2)
Duties. The Presiding Officer shall preserve order and decorum, decide
all questions of order and conduct the proceedings of the meeting
in accordance with the parliamentary rules contained in the latest
revision of Robert's Rules of Order, unless otherwise provided by
statute or by these rules. For purposes of these Village Ordinances,
any references to Robert's Rules of Order shall refer to the parliamentary
rules contained in the latest addition, newly revised, of Robert's
Rules of Order in possession of the Clerk unless otherwise provided
by statute or Village Ordinance.
(3)
Decisions Challenging the Chair. Any member may appeal from a decision
of the Presiding Officer. An appeal shall be sustained by a majority
vote of the members present, excluding the Presiding Officer.
[Amended 4-20-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-08; 5-1-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-03]
(1)
Taking the Roll; Procedure When Quorum Not in Attendance. As soon
as the Board is called to order, the Clerk shall proceed to note who
is present and who is absent, and record the same in the proceedings
of the Board. If there is not a quorum present, the fact shall be
entered on the journal and the Board may adjourn; or the President,
or in his or her absence, the Clerk, when requested by three or more
members, may issue a process to a policeman commanding him or her
to summon all of the absentees to the meeting.
(2)
Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board physically present
at the publicly noticed location shall constitute a quorum. The President
shall be counted in computing a quorum. A majority vote of all members
of the Board in favor of any proposed ordinance, resolution, or appointment
shall be necessary for passage or approval, unless a larger number
is required by statute or contract. The President, pursuant to Wis.
Stats., § 61.24 (2004), shall have a vote as Trustee on
all matters to come before the Board.
(3)
Participation via Telecommunications — Regular Meetings. In
the event that a regular meeting of the Village Board is scheduled
and a Trustee cannot be physically present at the meeting, the Trustee
may participate via telecommunications under the following conditions:
(a)
There is a quorum of other Trustees physically present at the publicly
noticed location at the time that the meeting is called to order.
Those in attendance via telecommunications shall not be used to determine
a quorum.
(b)
The Trustee who desires to attend a meeting via telecommunications
shall contact the President or the Administrator as soon as practically
possible to advise the President that his or her presence at a meeting
will be physically impossible.
(c)
The Clerk will make arrangements to have the telephone handset available
for use in the publicly noticed location.
(d)
The handset or other communication device shall be placed in the
publicly noticed location, so that the member not physically present
can hear and be heard by all who are physically present including
the members of the public.
(e)
Trustees attending via telecommunications shall attend the entire
meeting and may not attend for certain selected items of interest
and then disconnect.
(f)
Trustees attending via telecommunications may participate in debate
the same as any other Trustee, but shall have no voting rights.
(g)
The Trustees attending the meeting via telecommunications shall initiate
the contact with the Clerk from wherever their physical presence may
be at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting to ensure a timely start
of the Board meeting. Failure to establish the connection at that
time shall result in the remote Trustee not being able to attend the
meeting. Any fees associated with this contact shall be at the Trustee's
expense.
(h)
Closed Session. Trustees are not permitted to attend closed session
via telecommunications.
(i)
Other Boards, Committees, and Commissions. Other boards, committees,
and commissions performing business for or on behalf of the Village
of Suamico shall be permitted to conduct meetings in the manner described
above, but shall not be entitled to the regular stipend.
(4)
Participation Via Telecommunications — Special Meetings. In
the event that a special meeting of the Village Board is scheduled
and a Trustee cannot be physically present at the meeting due to prior
out-of-town commitments (remote Trustee), the Trustee may participate
via telecommunications under the following conditions:
(a)
There is a quorum of other Trustees physically present in the publicly
noticed location at the time that the special meeting is called. Under
no circumstances shall attendance via telecommunications be used to
determine a quorum.
(b)
Trustees attending via telecommunications for a special meeting may
participate in debate the same as any other Trustee and vote at the
appropriate time via roll call. To avoid confusion, the President
as Chair will ask the remote Trustee, prior to any votes taken, for
his or her comments on a particular issue.
(5)
Special Circumstances. During any attack, quarantine, absence due
to travel restrictions imposed by federal order, or in the event of
Village-declared emergencies, the Village Board shall have at its
own discretion the ability to carry on a voice vote via telecommunications
during a regularly scheduled or special Village Board meeting. This
includes but is not limited to telephone, secured email, videoconference
and video phone. Under this section attendance via telecommunications
may be used to constitute a quorum.
In the absence of the Clerk, a designee appointed by the Administrator
shall act as the Clerk Pro Tem.
The Presiding Officer shall maintain order and decorum, and
may order any person, other than a Trustee, to leave a Village meeting
if the person has conducted himself or herself in a disorderly manner
and persisted in such conduct after being directed by the Presiding
Officer to cease the conduct. If the person refuses the Presiding
Officer's order to withdraw, the Presiding Officer may order a Law
Enforcement Officer to take the person into custody until the meeting
is adjourned.
(1)
Appointed Officials Generally. Appointed officials of the Village
shall be those listed below. All appointive officials shall be appointed
by the Board with due regard to training, experience, and abilities
and general fitness for the office as shall be determined by the Board.
Each such officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Board unless
otherwise provided by an employment contract.
(2)
Employment Contracts. The Board may, at its sole discretion, enter
into employment contracts with appointed officials which modify the
provisions of this ordinance.
(3)
Protective Service Employees. The Fire Chief and any other employee
who is subject to Wis. Stats. § 62.13 shall be subject to
appointment or removal as provided therein.
(4)
Duties. Appointed officials shall perform the duties of their appointed
offices as provided by state statute, rule or these ordinances and
the job descriptions created in accordance with such statutes, rules
and ordinances. The duties of the appointed officials may be modified
by the Board at any time by adopting modifications of the applicable
job description, by employment contract or by adoption of an ordinance
or resolution providing for such change or by modifying the job description
pertaining to that position.
(5)
Procedure for Removal from Office. If the Board determines to discontinue
the employment of an appointed official, it may do so by a 2/3 vote
in open or closed session subject to the provisions of the Wisconsin
Open Meetings law. There shall be no requirement for hearing or any
other process or procedure unless specifically provided for in an
employment agreement or other written agreement that has been specifically
authorized by action of the Board.
(6)
Terms of Office Abolished. Unless otherwise specifically provided
in an employment agreement or other written agreement that has been
specifically authorized by action of the Board, all terms of office
for appointed officials shall be indefinite.
(7)
Village Administrator. The Village Administrator shall be the chief
administrative officer of the Village, responsible to the Board for
the proper administration of the business affairs of the Village,
pursuant and subject to the case and statutory law of the State of
Wisconsin and the resolutions and ordinances of the Village, and the
directives of the Board with such powers and duties as are delegated.
(1)
Definitions.
(a)
BOARD/COMMISSION — A permanent body of the Village whose members are officially appointed and empowered to exercise designated governmental functions. When used in this Section 2.07, the term Board shall not include the Board.
(b)
COMMITTEE — An official body of the Village to which has been
delegated particular duties which are to be performed in the expectation
that such acts will be confirmed by the Board, or that its recommendations
and advice will be of aid and assistance to the Board in determining
what acts and functions the Village should perform.
(2)
Creation. The following boards, commissions and committees are created
to perform such duties as required by the Wisconsin statutes, rules
and regulations, the Village codes, and as determined by the Board
from time to time.
(a)
Ethics Board.
(b)
Planning and Zoning Commission.
(c)
Public Works and Utility Commission.
(d)
Commercial Development Commission.
(e)
Historic Preservation Commission.
(f)
Recreation, Park, Forestry and Trails Committee.
(g)
Public Health and Safety Committee.
(h)
Design Review Committee.
(i)
Municipal Board of Absentee Canvassers.
(j)
Cemetery Committee.
(3)
Appointments. Members of such boards, commissions and committees
shall be appointed to regular terms by the President subject to confirmation
by the Board at the first meeting in May in which the term is to begin.
(a)
Regular terms shall commence on the day following the approval of
the appointments and shall be for terms as hereinafter provided.
(b)
In the event of a vacancy during a term, an appointment for the remainder
of the term shall be made by the President subject to confirmation
by the Board.
(c)
Members may be reappointed, except that no person shall serve or
be appointed to a term for which he would become ineligible to serve.
(d)
All appointments shall take into consideration the qualification
for members of the specific board, commission or committee as established
by the Village Board from time to time.
(e)
All members of boards, commissions and committees shall serve on
boards, commissions and committees at the pleasure of the Board. Trustee
members shall serve for one year terms while in office and be subject
to annual reappointment by the President and confirmed by the Board.
(4)
Boards and Commissions.
(a)
Ethics Board. The Ethics Board shall consist of five regular members all of which shall be residents of the Village and none of which shall hold any public office in the Village or in any other municipality. Each member shall be appointed for three year staggered terms except that the initial appointment shall be for two three year terms, two two year terms, and one one-year term. The Ethics Board shall have those powers as set forth at Section 2.09 as amended and shall further have the powers as set forth in Wis. Stats. § 19.59(3)(d).
(b)
Planning and Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall be constituted in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes including Wis. Stats. § 62.23. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist of seven members, one of which shall be a Trustee and at least five of which are citizen members who are not Village officials. Members shall be appointed for three year terms in accordance with Section 2.07(3) except for Trustee members whose appointment shall be made annually and whose term shall coincide with their term of office. In all other respects, the Village adopts the provisions of Wis. Stats. § 62.23 with respect to said Commission.
(c)
Public Works and Utility Commission. The Public Works and Utility
Commission shall be constituted in accordance with Wis. Stats. § 66.0805,
but its jurisdiction and authority shall be limited to providing recommendations
and advice to the Board in determining what acts and functions the
Board should perform with respect to management, supervision and operation
of the Village utilities and public works. The Public Works and Utility
Commission shall consist of seven members, one of which shall be a
Trustee and five of which shall be residents of the Village. The term
for the appointments shall be three years except that the initial
appointments shall be for two three year terms, two two year terms
and one one-year term.
(d)
Economic Development Committee. The Economic Development Committee,
will be constituted. The Committee shall consist of seven members,
one of which shall be a Trustee. Appointments of members shall be
three year terms except that initial appointments shall be for two
three year terms, three two year terms, and two one-year term.
(e)
Historic Preservation Commission. The Historic Preservation Commission
shall consist of seven members. Of the membership, if available in
the community, one shall be a registered architect; one shall be a
historian; one shall be a licensed real estate broker; one shall be
a Board member, and three shall be citizen members. Each member shall
have, to the highest extent practicable, a known interest in historic
preservation. The President shall appoint the Commissioners subject
to confirmation by the Board. Of the initial members so appointed,
two shall serve a term of one year, two shall serve a term of two
years, and three shall serve a term of three years. Thereafter, the
term for each member shall be three years.
(f)
Municipal Board of Absentee Canvassers. Boards and Commissions. Municipal
Board of Absentee Ballot Canvassers shall be composed of the Municipal
Clerk, or a qualified elector of the municipality designated by the
Clerk, and 2 other qualified electors of the municipality appointed
by the Clerk for a term of two years commencing on January 1 of each
odd-numbered year. The municipality may appoint additional inspectors
under § 7.30(2)(a) to assist the absentee ballot board of
canvassers in canvassing absentee ballots under this section.
1.
The Village of Suamico declares in lieu of canvassing absentee ballots
at polling places under § 6.88, the Municipal Board of Absentee
Ballot Canvassers shall canvass all absentee ballots at all elections
held in the municipality pursuant to procedures established by the
State division governing elections.
2.
The Municipal Clerk shall give at least 48 hours' notice of any meeting
under this subsection.
3.
The Municipal Clerk, no later than the closing hour of the polls,
shall post at his or her office and on the Internet at a site announced
by the Municipal Clerk before the poll opens, and shall make available
to any person upon request, a statement of the number of absentee
ballots that the Clerk has mailed or transmitted to electors and that
have been returned by the closing hour on election day.
(5)
Committees.
(a)
Recreation, Parks, Forestry and Trails Committee. The Recreation
Parks, Forestry and Trails Committee shall consist of seven members,
one of which shall be a Trustee. Appointments shall be for three year
terms, except that the initial appointment shall be for two three
years terms, three two year terms, and two one year terms.
(b)
Public Health and Safety Committee. The Public Health and Safety
Committee shall consist of five regular members, one of which shall
be a Trustee, and one alternate member who shall serve whenever a
regular member recuses himself of herself or is otherwise unable to
attend. Appointments shall be for three-year staggered terms, except
that the initial appointment shall be for two three-years terms, two
two-year terms, and one one-year term. The initial appointment of
the alternate member shall expire in May of 2022 and shall subsequently
be appointed to three-year terms.
[Amended 11-15-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
(c)
Design Review Committee. The Design Review Committee shall consist
of three regular members, one of which shall be a Trustee, one of
which shall be the Village Zoning Administrator and one of which shall
be an appointed Village citizen. Appointments shall be for three-year
terms. The Committee is to meet on an as needed basis. All decisions
shall be by unanimous (3-0) approval. Any 2-1 vote in favor of, shall
go to the Village Board for final approval. Anything less will be
considered denied.
(d)
Other Committees. The Board may create such other advisory or ad hoc committees for such period of time, for such purposes, and of such size as it shall determine from time to time. Any appointments to such committees shall be made by the President subject to confirmation of the Board in accordance with Section 2.07(3).
(e)
The Cemetery Committee shall Consist of Five Members. One member
shall be a Trustee. Three members shall be appointed by the Village
President, subject to confirmation by the Village Board for terms
of three years. The Cemetery Sexton shall be the fifth member. The
terms shall be staggered, so one member is appointed each year. The
term of each member shall commence February 1, following appointment.
All members must be Village residents (see 2.07(6)(e) of the Village
Code) with the exception of the appointment of the Sexton and, at
the commencement of the Committee, nonresident Robert Vickery shall
be an initial member of the Committee due to his immediate prior service
as Suamico Cemetery Association President. The Cemetery Committee,
subject to approval of the Village Board, will adopt rules and regulations
for the operation and maintenance of any municipal cemetery, including
the cemetery grounds previously maintained by the now dissolved Suamico
Cemetery Association.
(6)
Miscellaneous. Each committee, board and commission shall elect its
President annually at its first regular meeting held after May 1.
No person shall be elected or act as President for more than two consecutive
years, but such person may act as President for more than two years
during his or her tenure of all terms he or she may serve on such
committee, board or commission.
(a)
Compensation.
1.
Trustees attending meetings under Section 2.07 shall not count said meetings toward their attendance compensation package of attending 30 meetings for pay.
2.
Compensation for citizen and Trustee members of boards, commissions
and committees shall be as set from time to time by resolution of
the Board.
(b)
Notice. Notice of all meetings shall comply with the notice and other
requirements of the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law.
(c)
Information Request. Any board, commission or committee may request
any Village officer to confer with it and supply information needed
in connection with any matter pending before it. Every such request
shall be in writing furnished to the appropriate officer with a copy
to the Clerk, at least 72 hours before the expected return or meeting
date.
(d)
Quorum. A majority of the members of any board, commission or committee
shall constitute a quorum. If there is not a quorum present at a meeting,
the fact shall be entered in the minutes and the board, commission
or committee may adjourn. However, there shall be no adjournment until
such time as 15 minutes has elapsed after the scheduled commencement
of a meeting. If a quorum is present, a majority vote of all members
present shall be necessary for passage or approval of any matter coming
before the board, commission or committee unless otherwise set forth
in state statute or Village ordinance.
(e)
Residency. With respect to any appointment herein, unless required
otherwise by state statute or Village ordinance, all appointed members
of any Village board, commission or committee shall be residents of
the Village.
(f)
Brown County Plan Commission. The Village shall make its appointment
in accordance with Section 2.07(c) to the Brown County Plan Commission.
(g)
Advance Green Bay. The Village shall make its appointment in accordance with Section 2.07(3) to the Advance Board of Directors.
(h)
Compensation for the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Review.
As required to be set by ordinance in section 1.03(2)(a.1) and 1.03(2)(b.1)
respectively, shall be as set from time to time by resolution of the
Board.
(i)
Absence from Meetings. Board, commission and committee members who
miss more than three consecutive meetings shall be considered by the
President for recommendation for removal from office. This removal
shall be subject to confirmation by the Board.
(j)
Compensation for Village Board Members. The compensation for all Trustees and the President shall be as determined by the Board in accordance with Village Code Section 1.01 (3). Effective with the April 2008 Election, the salary of the President shall be $8,500 per year beginning with the next term of office at which the President is elected.
(1)
Declaration of Policy. In recognition of the fact that a representative
government is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared
to be the public policy of this Village that all persons are entitled
to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government
and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent
them. Further, providing persons with such information is declared
to be an essential function of a representative government and an
integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose
responsibility it is to provide such information.
(2)
Definitions.
(a)
AUTHORITY — Any of the following Village entities having custody
of a Village record: an office, elected or appointed official, agency,
board, commission, committee, council, department or public body corporate
and politic created by constitution, law, ordinance, rule or order;
or a formally constituted subunit of the forgoing.
(b)
CUSTODIAN — That officer, department head, division head or employee of the Village designated under Section 2.08(4) or otherwise responsible by law to keep such records in his or her office, who is lawfully in possession or entitled to possession of such public records and is required by this section to respond to requests for access to such records.
(c)
RECORD — Any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken,
visual or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, regardless
of physical form or characteristics, which has been created or is
being kept by an authority. Record includes, but is not limited to,
handwritten, typed or printed pages, maps, charts, photographs, films,
recordings, tapes (including computer tapes), and computer printouts.
Record does not include drafts, notes, preliminary computations and
like materials prepared for the originator's personal use or prepared
by the originator in the name of a person for whom the originator
is working; materials which are purely the personal property of the
custodian and have no relation to his or her office; materials to
which access is limited by copyright, patent or bequest; and published
materials in the possession of an authority other than a public library
which are available for sale, or which are available for inspection
at a public library.
(3)
Duty to Maintain Records.
(a)
Except as provided under Section 2.08 (3), each officer and employee of the Village shall safely keep and preserve all records received from his or her predecessor or other persons and required by law to be filed, deposited or kept in his or her office or which are in the lawful possession or control of the officer or employee or his or her deputies, or to the possession or control of which he or she may be lawfully entitled as such officer or employee.
(b)
Upon the expiration of an officer's term of office or an employee's
term of employment, or whenever the office or position of employment
becomes vacant, each such officer or employee shall deliver to his
successor all records then in his or her custody and the successor
shall receipt to the officer or employee who shall file such receipt
with the Clerk. If a vacancy occurs before a successor is selected
or qualifies, such records shall be delivered to and receipted for
by the Clerk, on behalf of the successor, to be delivered to such
successor upon the latter's receipt.
(4)
Legal Custodians.
(a)
Each elected or appointed official is the legal custodian of his
or her records and the records of his or her office, but the official
may designate an employee of his or her staff to act as the legal
custodian.
(b)
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Clerk or his or her designee
shall act as legal custodian for the Board and for any committees,
commissions, boards or other authorities created by ordinance or resolution
of the Board.
(c)
For every authority not specified in Section 2.08(4)(a) and (b), the authority's chief administrative officer is the legal custodian for the authority, but the officer may designate an employee of his or her staff to act as the legal custodian.
(d)
Each legal custodian shall name a person to act as legal custodian
in his or her absence or the absence of his or her designee.
(5)
Public Access to Records.
(a)
Except as provided in Section 2.08(2) of this chapter, any person has a right to inspect a record and to make or receive a copy of the record in the presence of the custodian or receive a copy of any record as provided in Wis. Stats. § 19.35(1).
(b)
Records will be available for inspection and copying during all regular
business hours.
(c)
If regular office hours are not maintained at the location where
records are kept, the records will be available for inspection and
copying upon at least 48 hours' advance notice of intent to inspect
or copy.
(d)
A requester shall be permitted to use facilities comparable to those
available to Village employees to inspect, copy or abstract a record.
(e)
The legal custodian may require supervision during inspection or
may impose other reasonable restrictions on the manner of access to
an original record if the record is irreplaceable or easily damaged.
(f)
A requester shall be charged a fee to defray the cost of locating
and copying records as follows:
1.
The cost of photocopying shall be calculated not to exceed the actual,
necessary and direct cost of reproduction.
2.
If the form of a written record does not permit copying, the actual
and necessary cost of photographing and photographic processing shall
be charged.
3.
The actual full cost of providing a copy of other records not in
printed form on paper, such as films, computer printouts and audiotapes
or videotapes, shall be charged.
4.
If mailing or shipping is necessary, the actual cost thereof shall
also be charged.
5.
There shall be no charge for locating a record unless the actual
cost therefor exceeds $50, in which case the actual cost shall be
determined by the legal custodian and billed to the requester.
6.
The legal custodian shall estimate the cost of all applicable fees
and may require a cash deposit adequate to assure payment, if such
estimate exceeds $5.
7.
Elected and appointed officials of the Village shall not be required
to pay for public records they may reasonably require for the proper
performance of their official duties.
8.
The legal custodian may provide copies of a record without charge
or at a reduced charge where he or she determines that waiver or reduction
of the fee is in the public interest.
(g)
Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 19.34 and the guidelines therein listed, each authority shall adopt, prominently display and make available for inspection and copying at its offices, for the guidance of the public, a notice containing a description of its organization and the established times and places which, the legal custodian from whom, and the methods whereby, the public may obtain information and access to records in its custody, make requests for records, or obtain copies of records, and the costs thereof. Each authority shall also prominently display at its offices, for the guidance of the public, a copy of Sections 2.08(5), (6), and (7). This section does not apply to members of the Board.
(6)
Access Procedures.
(a)
A request to inspect or copy a record shall be made to the legal custodian. A request shall be deemed sufficient if it reasonably describes the requested record or the information requested. However, a request for a record without a reasonable limitation as to subject matter or length of time represented by the record does not constitute a sufficient request. A request may be made orally, but a request must be in writing before an action to enforce the request is commenced under Wis. Stats. § 19.37. Except as provided below, no request may be refused because the person making the request is unwilling to be identified or to state the purpose of the request. No request may be refused because the request is received by mail, unless prepayment of a fee is required under Section 2.08(5)(f)5. A requester may be required to show acceptable identification whenever the requested record is kept at a private residence or whenever security reasons or federal law or regulations so require.
(b)
Each custodian, upon request for any record, shall, as soon as practicable
and without delay, either fill the request or notify the requester
of the authority's determination to deny the request in whole or in
part and the reasons therefore. If the legal custodian, after conferring
with the Village Attorney, determines that a written request is so
general as to be unduly time consuming, the party making the request
may first be required to itemize his or her request in a manner which
would permit reasonable compliance.
(c)
A request for a record may be denied as provided in Section 2.08(7). If a request is made orally, the request may be denied orally unless a demand for a written statement of the reasons denying the request is made by the requester within five business days of the oral denial. If a written request is denied in whole or in part, the requester shall receive a written statement of the reasons for denying the request. Every written denial of a request shall inform the requester that if the request for the record was made in writing, then the determination is subject to review upon petition for a writ of mandamus under Wis. Stats. § 19.37(1), or upon application to the Attorney General or a district attorney.
(7)
Limitations on Right to Access.
(a)
The Village hereby adopts Wis. Stats. § 19.36. The following
records are exempt from inspection under this section:
1.
Records specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal
law or authorized to be exempted from disclosure by state law.
2.
Any record relating to investigative information for law enforcement
purposes if federal law or regulations require exemption from disclosure
or if exemption from disclosure is a condition to receipt of aids
by the state.
3.
Computer programs, although the material used as input for a computer
program or the material produced as a product of the computer program
is subject to inspection.
4.
A record or any portion of a record containing information qualifying
as a common law trade secret.
(b)
As provided by Wis. Stats. § 43.30, public library circulation
records are exempt from inspection under this section.
(c)
In responding to a request for inspection or copying of a record
which is not specifically exempt from disclosure, the legal custodian,
after conferring with the Village Attorney, may deny the request,
in whole or in part, only if he or she determines that the harm to
the public interest resulting from disclosure would outweigh the public
interest in full access to the requested record. Examples of matters
for which disclosure may be refused include, but are not limited to,
the following:
1.
Records obtained under official pledges of confidentiality which
were necessary and given in order to obtain the information contained
in them.
2.
Records of current deliberations after a quasi-judicial hearing.
3.
Records of current deliberations regarding any Village officer or
employee concerning employment, dismissal, demotion, compensation,
performance or discipline, or the investigation of charges against
a Village officer or employee, unless such officer or employee consents
to such disclosure.
4.
Records concerning current strategy for crime detection or prevention.
5.
Records of current deliberations or negotiations on the purchase
of Village property, investing of Village funds or other Village business
whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require nondisclosure.
6.
Financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary
data of specific persons which, if disclosed, would be likely to have
a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred
to in such history or data.
7.
Communications between legal counsel for the Village and any officer,
agent or employee of the Village, when advice is being rendered concerning
strategy with respect to current litigation in which the Village or
any of its officers, agents or employees is or is likely to become
involved, or communications which are privileged under Wis. Stats.
§ 905.03.
(d)
If a record contains information that may be made public and information
that may not be made public, the custodian of the record shall provide
the information that may be made public and delete the information
that may not be made public from the record before release. The custodian
shall confer with the Village Attorney prior to releasing any such
record and shall follow guidance of the Village Attorney when separating
out the exempt material. If, in the judgment of the custodian and
the Village Attorney, there is no feasible way to separate the exempt
material from the nonexempt material without unreasonably jeopardizing
nondisclosure of exempt material, the entire record shall be withheld
from disclosure.
(e)
Confidentiality of income and expenses provided to assessor for assessment
purposes.
1.
Adoption. This ordinance adopts by reference Wis. Statutes § 70.47(7)(af).
Income and expense information provided by a property owner to an
assessor for the purposes of establishing the valuation for assessment
purposes by the income method of valuation shall be confidential and
not a public record open to inspection or copying under § 19.35
(1) of Wis. Statutes.
2.
Exceptions. An officer may make disclosure of such information under
the following circumstances:
a.
The assessor has access to such information in the performance
of his/her duties;
b.
The board of review may review such information when needed,
in its' opinion, to decide upon a contested assessment;
c.
Another person or body has the right to review such information
due to the intimate relationship to the duties of an office or as
set by law;
d.
The officer is complying with a court order;
e.
The person providing the income and expense information has
contested the assessment level at either the board of review or by
filing a claim for excessive assessment under § 74.37, in
which case the base records are open and public.
3.
Severability. The several sections of this ordinance are declared
to be severable. If any section or portion thereof shall be declared
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable,
such decision shall apply only to the specific section or portion
thereof directly specified in the decision, and shall not affect the
validity of any other provisions, sections, or portions thereof of
the ordinance. The remainder of the ordinance shall remain in full
force and effect. Any other ordinances whose terms are in conflict
with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed as to those
terms that conflict.
(8)
Destruction of Records.
(a)
Village officers may destroy the following non-utility financial
records of which they are the legal custodians and which are considered
obsolete, after completion of any required audit by the Bureau of
Municipal Audit or an auditor licensed under Wis. Stats. Ch. 442,
but not less than seven years after payment or receipt of any sum
involved in the particular transaction, unless a shorter period has
been fixed by the State Public Records Board pursuant to Wis. Stats.
§ 16.61(3)(e), and then after such shorter period.
1.
Bank statements, deposit books, slips and stubs.
2.
Bonds and coupons after maturity.
3.
Cancelled checks, duplicates and check stubs.
4.
License and permit applications, stubs and duplicates.
5.
Official bonds.
6.
Payrolls and other time and employment records of personnel included
under the Wisconsin Retirement Plan.
7.
Receipt forms.
8.
Special assessment records.
9.
Vouchers, requisitions, purchase orders and all other supporting
documents pertaining thereto.
(b)
Village officers may destroy the following records of which they
are the legal custodian and which are considered obsolete, but not
less than seven years after the record was effective unless another
period has been set by statute, and then after such period, or unless
a shorter period has been fixed by the State Public Records Board
pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 16.61(3)(e), and then after such
a shorter period:
1.
Assessment rolls and related records, including Board of Review minutes.
2.
Contracts and papers relating thereto.
3.
Correspondence and communications.
4.
Financial reports other than annual financial reports.
5.
Insurance policies.
6.
Oaths of office.
7.
Reports of boards, commissions, committees and officials duplicated
in council minutes.
8.
Petitions.
9.
Election notices.
10.
Cancelled registration cards.
(c)
Unless notice is waived by the State Historical Society, at least
60 days' notice shall be given the State Historical Society prior
to the destruction of any record as provided by Wis. Stats. § 19.21(4)(a).
(d)
Any tape recording of a governmental meeting of the Village may be
destroyed, erased or reused no sooner than 90 days after the minutes
of the meeting have been approved and published, if the purpose of
the recording was to make minutes of the meeting. (Note: Only Board
minutes are required to be published or posted.)
(9)
Preservation through Microfilm. Any Village officer or the director
of any department or division of Village government may, subject to
the approval of the Board, keep and preserve public records in his
or her possession by means of microfilm or other photographic reproduction
method. Such records shall meet the standards for photographic reproduction
set forth in Wis. Stats. § 16.61(7)(a) and (b), and shall
be considered original records for all purposes. Such records shall
be preserved along with the other files of the department or division
and shall be open to public inspection and copying according to the
provisions of state law and of this chapter.
The Village adopts and incorporates Wis. Stats. § 19.59.
The Village reserves its right to adopt further ordinances including
the following policies in accordance with Wis. Stats. § 19.59
and, further, amends the prior Village ethic ordinance as follows:
(1)
Declaration of Policy.
(a)
High moral and ethical standards are essential to the operation of
free government. A code of ethics is established for all Village officials,
whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, all Village employees
and agents of the Village, all members of Village boards and committees
and persons furnishing contracted services to the Village and its
boards and committees. This code establishes guidelines for ethical
standards of conduct for all such officials, employees, agents, committee
and board members and persons furnishing contracted services. It directs
disclosure by officials, board and committee members, employees, agents
and candidates for Village office of private financial or other interests
in matters affecting the Village.
(b)
This code of ethics does not prohibit Village officials from having
other employment and financial interests. Village officials, however,
need to distinguish between inconsequential conflicts which are unavoidable
and those conflicts which are substantial. The purpose of this code
is to help Village officials in avoiding serious conflicts of interest
and promote confidence in our local government.
(2)
Responsibility of Public Officials and Standards of Conduct.
(a)
Elected and appointed officials, committee and board members and
employees of the Village should work for the benefit of the public
and are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and
the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin and to carry out independently
and impartially the laws of the Nation, State and Village; observe
in their official acts the highest standards of morality; and to discharge
faithfully the duties of their office/position regardless of personal
consideration, recognizing that public interests must be their prime
concern. The conduct of Village officials, board and committee members,
employees, agents and those furnishing contracted services to the
Village should foster respect for government.
(b)
The provisions of the following sections of the Wisconsin Statutes
are made part of this section and shall apply to elected and appointed
officials whenever applicable, namely: Wis. Stats. § 19.81-§ 19.98
Open Meetings of Government Bodies; Wis. Stats. § 946.10
Bribery of Public Officers and Employees; Wis. Stats. § 946.11
Special Privileges from Public Utilities; Wis. Stats. § 946.12
Misconduct in Public Office; Wis. Stats. § 946.13 Private
Interest in Public Contract Prohibited;
(3)
Dedicated Service.
(a)
A Village official, board or committee member or employee should
not use his or her position or office to obtain financial gain or
anything of substantial value for his or her own personal benefit
other than salary and benefits which he or she is due. These individuals
should avoid promoting the special interests of any persons or group
other than the best interests of the Village.
(b)
A Village official, board or committee member, employee, agent or
person furnishing contracted services should not exceed his or her
authority and should work in full cooperation with public officials,
board and committee members and Village employees. Employees, agents
and those furnishing contracted services should adhere to the rules
of work and performance established as the standard for their positions
by the appropriate authority.
(4)
Definitions.
(a)
AGENT — Any representative, including only those Village employees
specifically designated by the Board, whose function is to bring about,
modify, affect, accept performance of or terminate contractual obligations
between the Village and third persons. All other non-designated full
or part-time Village employees are specifically excluded from this
definition.
(b)
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION — Written material or oral information
related to city government, which is not otherwise subject to release
under the public records law and which is expressly designated or
marked as confidential.
(c)
FINANCIAL INTEREST — Any interest which shall yield directly
a monetary or other material benefit to the official, employee or
agent or to any person employing or retaining the services of the
official, employee or agent.
(d)
IMMEDIATE FAMILY — The official's or employee's spouse and
any relative by marriage, lineal descent or adoption who receives,
directly or indirectly, more than one-half of his support from the
official or employee.
(e)
IMPROPER CONDUCT — Any violations of this section.
(f)
OFFICIAL — Any elected or appointed office holder of the Village.
These include, but are not limited to, President, Trustees, Clerk,
and Assessor.
(g)
PERSON — Any natural person, corporation, partnership or joint
venture.
(h)
RELATIVE — A person related by blood as a first cousin or closer
in kinship; a person related by blood to one's spouse as a first cousin
or closer in kinship; or a person who through adoption is related
to one's self or one's spouse as a first cousin or closer in kinship.
(5)
Fair and Equal Treatment. Obligation to Citizens. No official, employee
or agent shall grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage
to any citizen beyond that which is available to every other citizen.
(6)
Conflict Of Interest.
(a)
Financial or Personal Interests Prohibited. No official, employee
or agent, whether paid or unpaid, shall engage in any business or
transaction or shall act in regard to financial or other personal
interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper
discharge of his or her official duties in the public interest contrary
to the provisions of this section or would be reasonably expected
to impair his independence of judgment or action in the performance
of his official duties.
(b)
Specific Conflicts Enumerated.
1.
Incompatible Employment. No official, employee or agent shall engage
in or accept private employment or render service for private interest
when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge
of his or her official duties or would tend to impair such official's,
employee's or agent's independence, judgment or action in the performance
of his or her official duties, unless otherwise permitted by law and
unless disclosure is made herein provided.
2.
Disclosure of Confidential Information. No official, employee, board
or committee member or agent shall, without proper legal authorization,
disclose confidential information concerning the property, government
or affairs of the Village, nor shall such official, employee or agent
use such information to advance the financial or other private interest
of their self or others.
3.
Gifts and Favors.
a.
No elected or appointed official, employee or agent of the Village
shall accept anything of value, whether in the form of a gift, service,
loan, thing or promise, from any person which may be reasonably expected
to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance
of his or her duties. No elected or appointed official or agent shall
grant in the discharge of his or her duties any improper favor, service
or thing of value. Any elected or appointed official or agent who
receives, directly or indirectly, any gift or gifts having an aggregate
value of more than $50 within any calendar year from any person who
is known by such official to be interested directly or indirectly
in any manner whatever in business dealings with the Village upon
which the official or agent has any influence or input or over which
the official or agent has any jurisdiction, discretion or control,
shall disclose the nature and value of such gifts to the Ethics Board
by January 20 of the next year in which the gift or gifts are received.
A gift or favor made or granted to a member of any official's or agent's
immediate family shall be deemed made or granted to the official.
b.
No elected or appointed official, employee or agent of the Village
may solicit or accept, either directly or indirectly, from any person
or organization money or anything of value if it could reasonably
be expected to influence the official's actions or judgments or be
considered a reward for any action or inaction on the part of the
official. Campaign contributions are an exception and should be carefully
documented and handled in accordance with the provisions of the Wisconsin
Statutes.
c.
An elected or appointed official, employee or agent is not to
accept hospitality if after consideration of the surrounding circumstances
it could reasonably be concluded that such hospitality would not be
extended were it not for the fact that the guest or a member of the
guest's immediate family was a Village official. Participation in
celebrations, grand openings, open houses, informational meetings
and similar events are excluded from this prohibition. This paragraph
further shall not be construed to prevent candidates for elective
office from accepting hospitality from citizens for the purpose of
supporting the candidate's campaign.
d.
Gifts received by an elected or appointed official, employee
or agent under unusual circumstances may be referred to the Ethics
Board within 10 days of receipt for recommended disposition.
4.
Contracts with the Village. Except to the extent allowed by Wis.
Stat. 946.13, no official, employee or agent of the Village who, in
his or her capacity as such official, in which such official, employee
or agent has a private pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, or
performs in regard to that contract some function requiring the exercise
of discretion on the part of such official, employee or agent shall
enter into any contract with the Village.
5.
Employment of Relatives. No official, employee or agent, except as
designated by the Board, shall participate in a discussion or proceeding
which is held for the purpose of interviewing and/or hiring a job
applicant; setting the salary, duties and/or conditions of employment
of a job applicant or any employee; or firing of an employee, who
is a relative of such official. No official shall head a department
which employs a relative. No employee shall work in a department which
is headed by a relative. Relatives of elected officials or the Village
Administrator shall not be hired into a full- or part-time position
in any Village department. This provision shall not apply to current,
limited term or volunteer on-call positions.
[Amended 11-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
(7)
Disclosure of Interest in Matters before the Village Board. To the
extent known, all elected and appointed officials of the Village,
members of its boards and committees or employees of the Village who
have a financial interest in any proposed action shall disclose on
the records of the Village promptly the nature and extent of such
interest. To the extent known, all persons furnishing contracted services
to the Village, its boards or committees who have a financial interest
in any proposed action shall, to the extent the proposed action relates
to the contracted services provided or to be provided, disclose on
the records of the Village promptly the nature and extent of such
interest.
Any other official, employee or agent who has a financial interest
in any proposed action and who participates in discussion with or
gives an official opinion or recommendation to the Board or any board
or committee shall disclose on the records of the Village promptly
the nature and extent of such interest.
(8)
Campaign Contributions. Campaign contributions shall be reported
by all candidates for official and employee positions in the Village
in strict conformity with the provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes.
(9)
Ethics Board. There is hereby created an Ethics Board for the Village.
(a)
Structure and Method of Appointment. The Ethics Board shall be appointed according to Section 2.07(4)(a). Upon prior request of the Board, the Village Attorney shall furnish the Board whatever legal assistance is necessary to carry out its functions.
(b)
Membership. The members of the Ethics Board shall be appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Board. Terms of office shall be
three years, except that when initial appointments are made, one shall
be appointed for one year, two for two years and two for three years.
If any member of the Ethics Board petitions the Board for an advisory
opinion regarding his or her conduct, such member shall be mandatorily
excluded from sitting in his or her own case.
(c)
Leadership and Procedures. The Ethics Board shall elect its own chairperson
and vice-chairperson and shall develop written rules of procedure
which shall be submitted to the Board for approval.
(d)
Amendment to Code of Ethics. The Ethics Board may make recommendations
to the Board with respect to amendments to this section.
(10)
Filing of a Verified Complaint.
(a)
Any person may initiate a review before the Ethics Board of
the conduct of any Village officer or employee alleged to be in violation
of the Village ethics code by filing a verified complaint, with the
Village Clerk together with a processing fee in the amount of $200.
Such verified complaint shall specify the activities of such officer
or employee which are alleged to be in violation of the code of ethics.
The Clerk shall provide a form, created by the Ethics Board that may
be used for such complaint.
(b)
Determination of Probable Cause. The Village Attorney or in
the event of conflict special counsel appointed by the Ethics Board,
shall act as counsel to the Ethics Board. Upon receipt the Clerk shall
forward such complaint to the Chair of the Ethics Board who will see
to it that the officer or employee accused in the complaint is notified
of fact that a complaint has been filed and served (in person or by
certified mail) a copy of the complaint within 10 days of its filing.
The Chair also shall convene the Ethics Board within 30 days of the
date of filing of the complaint with the clerk for the purposes of
determining whether, when viewing the complaint in the light most
favorable to the complaining party there is probable cause to believe
the employee or officer has acted in violation of the Ethics Code.
Such review shall be in closed session. The Ethics Board shall give
the complaining party and the officer or employee named in the complaint
notice of the meeting and may request clarification of the complaint
from either party.
1.
If the Ethics Board determines that no probable cause exists,
it shall dismiss the complaint and notify the accused officer or employee,
the complainant and such other persons as the board determines to
have an interest.
2.
If the Ethics Board finds probable cause to believe a violation
exists, it shall then proceed to hold a hearing as provided by this
code.
3.
The Ethics Board may also, upon agreement of the complaining
party and the officer or employee named in the complaint proceed to
issue an advisory opinion on the facts alleged in the complaint in
lieu of a hearing.
4.
The Ethics Board may direct the Village Attorney or special
counsel to further investigate the facts stated in the verified complaint
and report back to the board.
5.
The complaining party may withdraw the complaint prior to a
finding of probable cause. If probable cause is found by the Ethics
Board, the complaint may not be withdrawn without the consent of the
Ethics Board which may, at its complete discretion, require the matter
to continue to hearing with or without the complaining parties consent
and voluntary participation.
(c)
Hearing Process.
1.
Notice of the finding of probable cause and notice of hearing
and a copy of the complaint shall be sent to the accused officer or
employee by certified mail at his last known post office address within
five days of the determination of probable cause.
2.
Such hearing shall be scheduled more than 20 days but less than
30 days from the postmarked date of the notice of hearing. The hearing
may however be adjourned at the request of either party for good cause
shown or the Ethics Board.
3.
Prior to the hearing date, the Chair or the designated representative
shall contact the parties for the purpose of a pre-hearing conference.
At the pre-hearing conference, the parties shall disclose the witnesses
they intend to call request any subpoenas and discuss any other evidentiary
or procedural issues related to the hearing.
4.
The hearing shall be held before a quorum of the Ethics Board,
presided over by the Chair or designated representative. At the hearing
each party may be represented by counsel at their own expense, the
parties may present evidence, call and examine witnesses and cross-examine
witnesses of the other party. Such witnesses shall be sworn by the
person presiding over the hearing. The chairman of the board is empowered
to issue subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses at such hearing.
Statutory due process procedures and admissibility of evidence will
be subject to the guidelines of Wis. Stats. § 227-45(1).
5.
The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Wisconsin
Rules of Criminal Evidence, and the Secretary of the Ethics Board
or designee shall take notes of testimony and shall mark and preserve
all exhibits. The burden shall be on the complaining party to show
to by clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence that an ethics code
violation has occurred by the officer or employee accused.
6.
The hearing shall be noticed to be and conducted in closed session
unless the accused officer or employee requests, in writing, that
it be open to the public.
7.
Within 20 days of the completion of the hearing and the filing
of briefs, if any, the board shall make a written determination as
to the existence of a violation of the code of ethics by the accused
officer or employee. Such determination shall be mailed by certified
mail to such officer or employee within the 20 day period. Copies
shall also be delivered to the Village Board in the same manner as
a report of a standing committee for such action as the Village Board
may deem proper.
8.
The Ethics Board may compromise or settle any potential action
or violation of this chapter. Whenever the board enters into a settlement
agreement with an individual who is accused of a violation of this
chapter, the board shall reduce the agreement to writing, together
with a statement of the board's findings and reasons for entering
into the agreement and shall retain the statement and agreement in
its records for inspection.
(11)
Advisory Opinions.
(a)
Request for Advisory Opinion. Any individual, either personally
or on behalf of an organization or governmental body, may, in writing,
request the ethics board, to issue an advisory opinion regarding the
propriety of any matter to which the person is or may become a party.
It is prima facie evidence of intent to comply with the Ethics Code
when a person requests an advisory opinion abides by the advisory
opinion, if the material facts are as stated in the opinion request.
The Ethics Board may authorize the Village Attorney to act in its
stead in instances where delay is of substantial inconvenience or
detriment to the requesting party.
(b)
Confidentiality. Except as provided in par. (c), neither the
Village Attorney, a member of the Ethics Board, nor anyone else who
becomes privy to the request or opinion may make public the identity
of an individual requesting an advisory opinion or of individuals
or organizations mentioned in the opinion.
(c)
Exception to Confidentiality. The Ethics Board or Village Attorney
replying to a request for an advisory opinion may make the opinion
public with the consent of the individual requesting the advisory
opinion or the organization or governmental body on whose behalf it
is requested and may make public a summary of an advisory opinion
issued under this subsection after making sufficient alterations in
the summary to prevent disclosing the identities of individuals involved
in the opinion. A person who makes or purports to make public the
substance of or any portion of an advisory opinion requested by or
on behalf of the person waives the confidentiality of the request
for an advisory opinion and of any records obtained or prepared by
the Ethics Board or the Village Attorney for the local governmental
unit in connection with the request for an advisory opinion.
(12)
Distribution of Code. The Clerk shall provide copies of this section
annually to elected and appointed officials, candidates for political
office and the designated employees of the Village who are required
to file disclosure statements annually and shall keep at least one
copy permanently on file for the use of the public. All employees
shall receive a copy when they are hired.
(1)
Municipal Judge.
(a)
Office Created. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 755.01, there
is created the office of Municipal Judge for the Village.
(b)
Election Term. The Municipal Judge shall be elected at large at the
spring election in odd-numbered years for a term of four years, or
until a successor is elected and qualifies, commencing on May 1 next
succeeding his/her election. Mid-term vacancies in the office of Municipal
Judge shall be filled by appointment by the Board.
(c)
Inception. The Municipal Judge shall be appointed by the Village
and shall take office September 18, 1996. Thereafter, the position
of Municipal Judge shall be filled pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 8.50(4)(fm)
and this Code.
(d)
Salary. The Municipal Judge shall receive a salary as determined
from time to time by the Board, which shall be in lieu of fees and
costs. No salary shall be paid to the Judge for any time during his
term for which he/she has not executed and filed his/her official
bond and oath as required by paragraph (e) of this section.
(e)
Bond; Oath. The Municipal Judge shall execute and file with the Clerk
of Courts for Brown County the oath prescribed by Wis. Stats. § 757.02
and a bond in the penal sum of $2,000. The Municipal Judge shall not
be qualified to act until a certified copy of the bond is filed with
the Clerk and a certified copy of the oath is filed with the office
of the State Administrator of Courts as required by Wis. Stats. § 755.03.
(f)
Residency. The Municipal Judge shall be a resident of the Village.
(g)
Qualifications. The Municipal Judge shall be licensed to practice
law in the State of Wisconsin. He shall also be a member in good standing
with the State Bar of the State of Wisconsin.
(2)
Municipal Court Established. The Municipal Court for the Village
is established pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 55.02 and Ch. 755.
The first court session held is on November 20, 1996.
(a)
Hours. The Municipal Court shall be open as determined by order of
the Municipal Judge.
(b)
Location. The Municipal Judge shall keep his or her office and hold
court in the Municipal Services Center.
(c)
Procedure. The procedure in Municipal Court for the Village shall
be as provided by this section and state law including, without limitation
because of enumeration, Wis. Stats. Chs. 755, 778 and 800.
(d)
Collection and Return of Forfeitures. The Municipal Judge shall collect
all forfeitures, penalty assessments, fees and taxable costs in any
action or proceeding before him or her and shall pay over such monies
to the Treasurer within seven days of collection. At such time the
Municipal Judge shall also report to the Treasurer the title, nature
of offenses and total amount of judgments imposed in actions and proceedings
in which such monies were collected.
(e)
Contempt of Court. The Municipal Judge, after affording an opportunity
to the person accused to be heard in defense, may punish for contempt
of Municipal Court persons guilty of either of the following acts
and no other:
(f)
Penalty for Contempt of Court. The Municipal Judge may, upon finding
any person guilty of contempt, order such person to forfeit not more
than $50 plus the penalty assessment under Wis. Stats. § 165.87.
Upon nonpayment of the forfeiture and penalty, the person found guilty
of contempt may be sentenced to the County Jail not to exceed seven
days.
(3)
Stipulation and Deposits in Municipal Court.
(a)
Deposit Schedule to be Established. The Municipal Judge shall establish
and submit to the Board for approval in accordance with Wis. Stats.
§ 800.03(3), a schedule of deposits for violation of Village
ordinances, resolutions, and by-laws except traffic violations governed
by Wis. Stats. § 23.67.
(b)
Stipulation and Deposit in Lieu of Court Appearance. Persons cited
for violations of Village ordinances, resolutions or by-laws for which
a deposit has been established under this section shall be permitted
to make a stipulation of no contest and a deposit in lieu of court
appearance as provided in Wis. Stats. § 800.03, § 800.04,
and § 800.09.
(c)
Traffic and Boating Deposits. The deposit schedule established by
the Wisconsin Judicial Conference and the procedures set forth in
Wis. Stats. Ch. 23 and 345 shall apply to stipulation and deposits
for violations of traffic regulations enacted in accordance with Wis.
Stat. § 345.27 and boating regulations enacted in accordance
with Wis. Stat. § 30.77.
(d)
When Not Permitted. Stipulations and deposits shall not be permitted
after initial appearance or in cases of contempt.
(4)
Dispositions and Sanctions for Juveniles.
(a)
For a juvenile adjudged to have violated an ordinance, a court is
authorized to impose any of the dispositions listed in Wis. Stat.
§ 938.343 and § 938.44 in accordance with the
provisions of those statutes.
(b)
For a juvenile adjudged to have violated an ordinance who violates
a condition of a dispositional order of the court under Wis. Stat.
§ 938.343 or § 938.44, the Municipal Court is
authorized to impose any of the sanctions listed in Wis. Stat. § 938.355(6)(d)
in accordance with the provisions of those statutes.
(c)
This section is enacted under the authority of Wis. Stat. § 938.17(2)(cm).
(1)
Municipal Court Created. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. Ch. 755 there is
hereby created and established a municipal court designated "municipal
court for the Village of Suamico, the Town of Chase, and the Town
on Little Suamico" and identified as "Suamico Area Joint Municipal
Court" and will be presided over by a municipal judge. This court
shall become an operating court on January 1, 2020.
(2)
Municipal Judge. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. Ch. 755 the office of municipal
judge is hereby created. The eligibility for office of municipal judge
shall be as follows "to be eligible for the office of municipal judge
a person must be a qualified elector in one of the municipalities."
The judge must be a licensed attorney, and in good standing, with
the Wisconsin State Bar Association. The current municipal judge for
the Village of Suamico Municipal Court will remain as judge through
the end of his current term which expires on April 30, 2023 or unless
he resigns his position prior to the end of his term.
(3)
Election and Term of Judge. The judge appointed must run for election at large in the spring election in odd numbered years for a term of four years commencing on May 1. Electors of the municipalities shall be eligible to vote for the municipal judge. All candidates for the position of municipal judge shall be nominated by nomination papers as provided in Wis. Stats. § 8.10, and selection in a primary election if such is held is provided in Wis. Stats. § 8.11. The clerk of Brown County shall serve as filing officer for the candidates. The municipal judge shall receive a fixed salary and municipal judges training pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 755.18. The salary shall be determined by the Village of Suamico Board.
(4)
Bond and Oath of Municipal Judge. The municipal judge shall, after
election or appointment to fill a vacancy, take and file the official
oath as prescribed in Wis. Stats. § 757.02(1) pursuant to
Wis. Stats. § 755.03 and at the same time shall execute
and file an official bond. The municipal judge shall have jurisdiction
as provided by the statutes and laws of the State of Wisconsin and
pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 755.045. Additionally, the municipal
judge shall have exclusive jurisdiction over actions in the municipalities
seeking to impose forfeitures for violations of municipal ordinances,
resolutions, and bylaws. The municipal judge may issues civil warrants
to enforce matters under the jurisdiction of the municipal court under
Wis. Stats. § 755.045(2) and § 66.0119. The municipal
judge also has jurisdiction over juvenile defenders pursuant to Wis.
Stats. § 938.17(2)(cm).
(5)
Procedures of Joint Municipal Court.
(a)
The joint municipal court shall be open as determined by order
of the municipal judge.
(b)
The joint municipal court shall be held in the courtroom which
is located in the Village of Suamico municipal building.
(c)
The procedure in joint municipal court shall be as provided
in the statutes and laws of Wisconsin.
(6)
Municipal Clerk. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. Ch. 755, the office of clerk
of the municipal court is hereby created. Said clerk shall take the
position upon appointment of the municipal judge. Training and compensation
of said clerk shall be as determined by the municipal court and/or
the Village of Suamico.
(7)
Collection of Forfeitures and Costs. The municipal judge may impose
punishment and sentences as provided by Wis. Stats. Ch. 800 and 938
as provided in the ordinances of the municipalities. All forfeitures,
fees, assessments, surcharges, and costs shall be paid to the treasurer
of the municipality within which the case arose within 30 of receipt
of the money by the municipal court. At the time of the payment, the
municipal court shall report to the treasurer the title of the action,
the nature of the offenses, and the total amount of judgments imposed
in actions and proceedings in which such monies were collected.
(8)
Contempt of Court. The municipal judge may impose a sanction as authorized
under Wis. Stats. § 800.12(2)., for contempt of court as
defined in Wis. Stats. § 785.01(1). In accordance with the
procedures under Wis. Stats. § 785.03.
(9)
Termination. Any municipality may withdraw from this agreement by
giving notice in writing to the judge no later than August 31, of
any year. Upon giving such notice, that municipality's participation
in the municipal court shall terminate at the end of the said year.
No member, pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 755.01(2), may abolish
municipal court while this agreement is in effect.