City of South Milwaukee, WI Boards and Commissions

Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 70.47(7)(af) income and expense information provided by a property owner to the assessor for the purpose of establishing a valuation for assessment purposes by the income method of valuation shall be confidential and not a public record open to inspection or copying under Wis. Stats. § 19.35(1).

Exceptions. Disclosure of such income and expense information may be made in the following circumstances:

To or by the assessor in the course of his/her duties.

To or by the board of review in connection with its review of any assessment.

To persons using the information in the discharge of duties imposed by law or of the duties of their office, including as necessary to attorneys or expert witnesses acting on behalf of the City in defense of any claim of excessive assessment under Wis. Stats. § 74.37 as well as to any board or court reviewing such a claim.

Pursuant to an order from a court.

§ 4.07 City Plan Commission.

[Amended 4-18-2000 by Ord. No. 1768]

Members. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 62.23(1), the City of South Milwaukee Plan Commission shall consist of seven members. All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor. The citizens members will preferably be from different aldermanic districts.

[Amended 4-23-2018 by Ord. No. 2172]

The Mayor may appoint himself or herself to the Commission and may appoint other City elected or appointed officials, except that the Commission shall always have at least three citizen members who are not City officials.

(Reserved)

(Reserved)

Citizen members shall be persons of recognized experience and qualifications. The citizen members of the Commission shall be appointed to hold office for a period of three years. Elected City officials shall serve during his/her term of office. Appointed City officials shall be appointed to hold office for a period of three years. Appointments shall be made by the Mayor during the month of April for terms that expire in April or at any other time if a vacancy occurs during the middle of a term.

In the event that the Mayor selects an appointed or elected official other than the City Engineer to serve on the Commission, the City Engineer shall attend all meetings of the Plan Commission but shall not be a member.

All appointments in this section are subject to confirmation of a majority vote of the Common Council.

Meetings. The Commission shall meet at least once each month when there is business requiring its attention. Commission meetings shall be at such regular time and place as the Commission shall determine. Special meetings shall be held when called by the presiding officer. The presiding officer shall be selected by the Mayor. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Commission may adopt such meeting and public hearing rules and procedures, not in conflict with State Statutes and City ordinances, as it shall determine will best serve it. The Commission may appoint a secretary.

[Amended 4-23-2018 by Ord. No. 2172]

The Commission shall have such powers and duties as are prescribed by law or ordinance of the City of South Milwaukee. It shall consider and speedily report thereon to the Common Council any subject or matter that may be referred to the Commission by the Common Council. The Common Council shall refer to the Commission for its consideration and report before final action is taken thereon by the Council, those matters required to be referred by State Statute and other matters as determined by the Common Council or the ordinances of the City.

[Amended 4-21-1998 by Ord. No. 1705]

The Plan Commission shall act as the primary body charged with redevelopment of the blighted areas of the City and redevelopment of those areas otherwise designed by the Common Council in need of redevelopment. All the contractual duties and obligations as well as all the rights and contractual authority previously vested in the Community Development Authority are hereby vested and transferred to the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission is hereby designated as the primary authority for the exiting TIF districts and it shall undertake all the duties with respect to the TIF districts formerly undertaken by the Community Development Authority including management of the development of the TIF districts in a fashion which will result in a return of the investment which the City has made in those districts. The limitations on the authority of the CDA with respect to redevelopment shall apply to the Plan Commission in its redevelopment efforts. These limitations include the following actions which the Plan Commission shall not take without specific authorization of the Common Council by motion or resolution as may be appropriate:

Issue bonds, execute notes or other form of indebtedness,

Take over, lease or manage any real property,

Take property by an exercise eminent domain,

Buy or sell any lands or real estate of any kind,

Mortgage any property,

Enter into any development agreements except as the Common Council has previously authorized the Community Development Authority in which case the Plan Commission may act with all the authority the Community Development Authority previously could have acted,

(7)

Designate any lands as blighted or in need of redevelopment, except as previously designated by the Common Council.

§ 4.08 Water/Wastewater Commission.

[Added 12-6-2011 by Ord. No. 2037]

Members - terms. There is hereby established a non-partisan Water/Wastewater Commission to consist of seven members plus one alternate, who shall be eligible to vote at any meeting when any of the regular members are absent, to be known as Water/Wastewater Commissions. The Commissioners shall be elected by the Common Council of the City of South Milwaukee for a term of five years except that the terms of the Commissioners first elected shall expire successively two each year for the first three years and then one each year on each succeeding first day of October. The Commissioners shall receive no compensation, except expenses, unless otherwise provided by ordinance.

Duties. The Water/Wastewater Commission shall take entire charge and management of the Water Utility/Water Department and the Wastewater Department of the City of South Milwaukee, under the general control and supervision of the Common Council. The Commission shall request the services of the City Engineer when needed. The Commission shall follow all City Policies, Procedures and applicable labor rules and contracts. When the common Council deems it appropriate, the Common Council shall directly manage, initiate or terminate such projects or actions as it deems appropriate and may enter into any contract the Council deems appropriate to the work of either department.

Rates. Whenever necessary the Commission shall make recommendations to the Common Council for changes in the water rate and shall, when required, apply to the Public Service Commission for approval of rate changes which the Common Council has adopted. Whenever necessary, the Commission shall recommend changes in the sewer user fees. Annually the Commission shall cause to be prepared and presented to the Common Council a report of operations of the Water Utility and Wastewater Department.

Budget. Annually before October 1, the Commission shall forward to the Common Council a proposed budget for the following year. The budget shall show all anticipated revenues, liabilities and expenditures including contingency accounts as well as anticipated year end balances of current accounts. Approval of the budget by the Common Council will authorize expenditures within the budget. Contingency expenditures may be authorized by the Commission when necessary provided such expenditures do not exceed the contingency account(s) balances. All capital expenditures which require the borrowing of money or issuance of bonds shall be submitted to the Common Council for approval prior to the execution of any commitment for such expenditure and capital funds shall not be used for operational expenses.

Employees. Appointment to the position(s) of Superintendent of the Water Utility and Wastewater Department shall be made by the City Administrator. Employment of nonmanagement employees shall be subject to the rules and procedures adopted by the Common Council. Wages and benefits for all employees of the Water Utility and Wastewater Department shall be as established by the Common Council.

[Amended 9-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2193]

Accounts. Books of account shall be kept in the manner and form prescribed by the Public Service Commission and/or City Clerk/Comptroller and shall be open to public inspection at the Commission's office. Capital expenditures which have been budgeted shall be audited by the Commission, and if approved, shall be submitted to the City Clerk/Comptroller for payment upon warrant signed by the President and Secretary of the Commission or direct representative thereof. The City Treasurer shall be the cashier for the Commission and all water and wastewater accounts shall be payable at his/her office.

Officers-meetings. The Commission shall choose from among its members a President and Secretary annually at the first meeting in November of each year. Meetings shall be held when determined by the Commission.

Limitation of power. Subject to the previous provisions of this ordinance, the Commission shall have complete charge of construction, extension, improvement and operation of the Water Utility and Wastewater Department.

§ 4.09 Civic Grants Commission. [1]

[Added 2-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2239]

Created. There is hereby created a voluntary Civic Grants Commission.

Membership and terms. There shall be five Commissioners to be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the confirmation of the Common Council, who shall be appointed for one-year terms, and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. One Commissioner shall be a member of the Common Council. One Commissioner shall have a college level degree in the field of finance and practical expertise in financial investments. Two Commissioners shall be employees of the City. One Commissioner shall be an adult resident of the City. The Commissioners shall receive no compensation. At the first meeting, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Commission shall elect its Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from amongst its members.

Duties. The Commission shall have the following duties:

Develop a grant application process to recommend for Common Council approval;

Recommend grant award criteria consistent with the any specified conditions set by the original donor;

Explore and recommend investment opportunities for grant funds;

Recommend specific grant expenditures to the Common Council;

Review any grant applications and recommend awards to the Common Council;

Oversee any projects supported by grant funds;

(7)

Submit an annual report to the Common Council summarizing all revenues and expenditures of the grant fund for the prior year.

Editor's Note: Former § 4.09, Board of Purchases, was repealed 6-20-1995 by Ord. No. 1614.

§ 4.10 Board of Zoning Appeals.

There shall be a Board of Zoning Appeals created in the manner set forth in Chapter 15 of the South Milwaukee Code and with such powers and duties as are prescribed by law or by ordinance of the City of South Milwaukee.

§ 4.11 (Reserved)

§ 4.12 Grievance procedure.

[Amended 3-2-1993 by Ord. No. 1529; 9-30-2011 by Ord. No. 2029; 7-17-2012 by Ord. No. 2054; 10-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2073; 9-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2193]

Discipline and Grievance Procedure.

Discipline. Discipline may result when an employee's actions do not conform with generally accepted standards of good behavior, when an employee violates a policy or rule, when an employee's performance is not acceptable, or when the employee's conduct is detrimental to the interests of the City. Disciplinary action may call for any of four steps - verbal warning, written warning, suspension (with or without pay), or termination of employment - depending on the problem and the number of occurrences. There may be circumstances when one or more steps are bypassed. Certain types of employee problems are serious enough to justify either a suspension or termination of employment without going through progressive discipline steps. The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to impose disciplinary action as may be appropriate to the particular circumstances.

Grievance Procedure. This policy is intended to comply with § 66.0509, Wis. Stats., and provides a grievance procedure addressing issues concerning workplace safety, discipline and termination. This policy applies to all employees covered under § 66.0509, Wis. Stats., other than police and fire employees subject to § 62.13(5), Wis. Stats. An employee may appeal any level of discipline under this grievance procedure. For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

"Employee discipline" includes all levels of progressive discipline, but shall not include the following items:

Placing an employee on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation;

Counseling, meetings, or other pre-disciplinary action;

Actions taken to address work performance, including use of a performance improvement plan or job targets;

Demotion, transfer, or change in job assignment; or

(e)

Other personnel actions taken by the employer that are not a form of progressive discipline.

"Employee termination" shall include action taken by the employer to terminate an individual's employment for misconduct or performance reasons, but shall not include the following personnel actions:

Voluntary quit;

Layoff or failure to be recalled from layoff at the expiration of the recall period;

Retirement;

Job abandonment, "no-call, no-show," or other failure to report work; termination of employment due to medical condition which renders the employee unable to perform the essential functions of the job and for which a reasonable accommodation is not available; or lack of qualification or license, or other inability to perform job duties.

"Workplace safety" is defined as conditions of employment affecting an employee's physical health or safety, the safe operation of workplace equipment and tools, safety of the physical work environment, personal protective equipment, workplace violence, and training related to same.

Any written grievance filed under this policy must contain the following information:

The name and position of the employee filing it;

A statement of the issue involved;

A statement of the relief sought;

A detailed explanation of the facts supporting the grievance and the names of all witnesses to the facts;

(e)

The date(s) the event(s) giving rise to the grievance took place;

(f)

The identity of the policy, procedure, or rule that is being challenged;

(g)

The steps the employee has taken to review the matter, either orally or in writing, with the employee's supervisor; and

(h)

The employee's signature and the date.

Steps of the Grievance Procedure. Employees should first discuss complaints or questions with their immediate supervisor. Reasonable efforts should be made by supervisors and employees to resolve any questions, problems, or misunderstandings that have arisen before filing a grievance.

Step 1 - Written Grievance Filed with the Department Head. The employee must prepare and file a written grievance with the Department Head within five business days of when the employee knows, or should have known, of the events giving rise to the grievance. The Department Head or his/her designee will investigate the facts giving rise to the grievance and inform the employee of his/her decision, if possible within 10 business days of receipt of the grievance. In the event the grievance involves the Department Head, the employee may initially file the grievance with the City Administrator, who shall conduct the Step 1 investigation.

Step 2 - Review by City Administrator. If the grievance is not settled at Step 1, the employee may appeal the grievance to the City Administrator within five business days of the receipt of the decision of the Department Head at Step 1. The City Administrator or his/her designee will review the matter and inform the employee of his/her decision, if possible within 10 business days of receipt of the grievance. The City Administrator or his/her designee's decision bay be orally or in writing, but if given orally, the City Administrator shall, as soon as may be convenient, reduce the decision to writing and provide the employee with a copy of the written decision. An oral decision is effective as of the time it is given to the employee.

Step 3 - Impartial Hearing Officer. If the grievance is not settled at Step 2, the employee may request in writing, within five business days following receipt of the City Administrator's decision, a written review by an Impartial Hearing Officer. The City shall select the Impartial Hearing Officer. The Impartial Hearing Officer shall not be a City employee. In all cases, the grievant shall have the burden of proof to support the grievance. The Impartial Hearing Officer will determine whether the City acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner. This process does not involve a hearing before a court of law; thus, the rules of evidence will not be followed. Depending on the issue involved, the Impartial Hearing Officer will determine whether a hearing is necessary, or whether the case may be decided based on a submission of written documents. The Impartial Hearing Officer shall prepare a written decision.

Step 4 - Review by the Governing Body. If the grievance is not resolved after Step 3, the employee or the City Administrator may have the decision of the Impartial Hearing Officer reviewed by the Governing Body. A request for review must be filed within five business days of receipt of the written decision from the Impartial Hearing Officer. For Library employees, the appeal shall be filed with the Library Board. For all other employees, the appeal shall be filed with the Common Council. The Common Council or Library Board shall not take testimony or evidence; it may only determine whether the Impartial Hearing Officer reached an arbitrary or incorrect result based on a review of the record before the Impartial Hearing Officer. The matter will be scheduled for the Common Council's or Library Board's next regular meeting. The Common Council or Library Board will inform the employee of its findings and decision in writing within 10 business days of the Common Council or Library Board meeting. The Common Council or Library Board shall decide the matter by majority vote and this decision shall be final and binding.

An employee may not file a grievance outside of the time limits set forth above. If the employee fails to meet the deadlines set forth above, the grievance will be considered resolved. If it is impossible to comply with the deadlines due to meeting notice requirements or meeting preparation, the grievance will be reviewed at the next possible meeting date. An employee must process his/her grievance outside of normal work hours, unless the employee elects to use accrued paid time (vacation, comp time, etc.) in order to be paid for time spent processing his/her grievance through the various steps of the grievance procedure.

A decision is deemed received by the employee two business days after it is mailed by first class mail to the employee's address of record. [For example, a decision mailed on a Friday will be deemed received on the following Tuesday.] A request for review or hearing before the hearing officer is filed when received by the City Administrator during normal business hours.

(7)

Costs. Each party shall bear its own costs for witnesses and all other out-of-pocket expenses, including possible attorney fees, in investigating, preparing, or presenting a grievance. The fees of the Hearing Officer will be paid for by the City. If the Hearing officer finds that the grievance is frivolous, the Hearing Officer shall order that the Hearing Officer's fees paid by the City be reimbursement to the City by the grievant.

(8)

A grievance or decision or appeal is considered timely if received by the City Administrator during normal business hours.

The employer and grievant may mutually agree, in writing, to waive any step to facilitate or expedite resolution of the grievance.

If the grievance is not answered within the time limits, the grievant may proceed to the next available step within seven days.

Workplace Safety Grievance Procedure.

Step 1: Any employee who personally identifies, or is given information about a workplace safety issue or incident must notify his/her supervisor of the issue or incident as soon as reasonably practicable. All safety issues, no matter how insignificant the situation may appear to be, must be reported.

Time Limit: Any workplace safety incident or issue must be reported by an employee within 24 hours after the incident or issue was raised in order to be addressed as part of the grievance procedure.

A written report of the incident or issue, outlining the events that transpired and resolution, if any, shall be signed by all concerned parties and submitted to the City Administrator for review and consideration within seven days of the incident or issue.

Step 2: After receipt of the written report, the City Administrator will conduct additional investigation, as required, and normally issue a final report on his/her findings and conclusions within 21 days of receipt of the written report. Copies of the report will be given to the persons who signed the written report.

Step 3: The employee may appeal the findings and conclusions of the City Administrator and request a review by an Impartial Hearing Officer. The City shall select the Impartial Hearing Officer. The Impartial Hearing Officer shall not be a City employee. In all cases, the grievant shall have the burden of proof to support the grievance. The Impartial Hearing Officer will determine whether the City acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner. This process does not involve a hearing before a court of law; thus, the rules of evidence will not be followed. Depending on the issue involved, the Impartial Hearing Officer will determine whether a hearing is necessary, or whether the case may be decided based on a submission of written documents. If the Impartial Hearing Officer determines a hearing is necessary, he/she may require the parties to submit documents and witness lists in advance of the hearing in order to expedite the hearing. At the conclusion of the review, the Impartial Hearing Officer shall record one of three outcomes:

Sustaining the conclusions of the City Administrator;

Reversing the conclusions of the City Administrator; or

Recommending additional investigation prior to final determination.

Time Limit: If the employee does not submit a written appeal to the City Administrator requesting a review before an Impartial Hearing Officer with seven days after receipt of the City Administrator's Report, the grievance can no longer be addressed in the grievance procedure. If requested timely, the review will normally be scheduled with 30 days of receipt of the request for review.

Step 4: If the grievance is not resolved after Step 3, the employee or the City Administrator may have the decision of the Impartial Hearing Officer reviewed by the Governing Body. In cases where the Impartial Hearing Officers recommends additional investigation, at the conclusion of the additional investigation, the matter will be automatically referred to the Governing Body. In cases where the Impartial Hearing recommends additional investigation, at the conclusion of the additional investigation, the matter will be automatically referred to the Governing Body. For Library employees, the appeal shall be filed with the Library Board. For all other employees, the appeal shall be filed with the Common Council. The Common Council or Library Board shall not take testimony or evidence; it may only determine whether the Impartial Hearing Officer reached an arbitrary or incorrect result based on a review of the record before the Impartial Hearing Officer. The matter will be scheduled for the Common Council's or Library Board's next regular meeting. The Common Council or Library Board will inform the employee of its findings and decision in writing within 10 business days of the Common Council or Library Board meeting. The Common Council or Library Board shall decide the matter by majority vote and this decision shall be final and binding.

Time Limit: The employee may request a review before the Governing Body by filing a request within five business days of receipt of the written decision of the Impartial Hearing Officer. If not submitted timely, the grievance can no longer be addressed in the grievance procedure.

Costs: Each party shall bear its own costs for witnesses and all other out-of-pocket expenses, including possible attorney fees, in investigating, preparing or presenting a grievance. The fee of the Impartial Hearing Officer will be paid for by the City. If the Impartial Hearing Officer finds that the grievance is frivolous, the Impartial Hearing Officer shall order that the Impartial Hearing Officer's fees paid by the City be reimbursed to the City by the grievant.

Time limits. The term "days" as used in this provision means business days, and a business day is each day or part of a day when the City Clerk's office is open for business. The employer and grievant may mutually agree to waive time limits, in writing. An employee must process his/her grievance outside of normal work hours, unless the employee elects to use accrued paid time (vacation, comp time, etc.) in order to be paid for time spent processing his/her grievance through the various steps of the grievance procedure. A decision is deemed received by the employee two business days after it is mailed by first class mail to the employee's address of record. [For example, a decision mailed on a Friday will be deemed received on the following Tuesday.]

A grievance or decision or appeal is considered timely if received by the City Administrator during normal business hours.

The employer and grievant may mutually agree, in writing, to waive any step to facilitate or expedite resolution of the grievance.

If the grievance is not answered within the time limits, the grievant may proceed to the next available step within seven days.

Construction of these Rules and Regulations. The provisions of these rules and regulations are severable, and if any part of these rules and regulations shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, by the valid judgment or decree of any court of regulations shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such particular part be rejected or deleted without affecting, impairing, or invalidating the remaining parts of these rules and regulations It is hereby declared that it is the intent of the Common Council that these rules and regulations, and each word, clause, sentence, paragraph, and section thereof would have been enacted, had such constitutional or invalid section or part thereof not have been included herein.

§ 4.13 (Reserved)

§ 4.14 (Reserved) [1]

Editor’s Note: Former § 4.14, Traffic Commission, was repealed 12-5-2017 by Ord. No. 2163.

§ 4.15 through § 4.16. (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 4.16, Port Commission, was repealed 4-21-1998 by Ord. No. 1705.

§ 4.17 Emergency government.

[Amended 7-2-1996 by Ord. No. 1649; 12-21-2010 by Ord. No. 2014]

Pursuant to Chapter 323, Wis. Stats., the following Program of Emergency Government is hereby adopted.

Overall control. The Mayor and the Common Council shall have overall control of the Program of Emergency Management for the City of South Milwaukee except as such authority is expressly delegated herein.

[Amended 2-2-1999 by Ord. No. 1728; 12-19-2006 by Ord. No. 1930]

Head of Emergency Management Services.

[Amended 2-2-1999 by Ord. No. 1728]

The Fire Chief shall be the Director of Emergency Management and shall have the powers specified in Chapter 323, Wis. Stats. The Police Chief shall be the Deputy Director of Emergency Management and shall have the powers and duties of the Director of Emergency Management in the latter's absence.

[Amended 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2253]

In the absence of the Director and the Deputy Director, the first available of the following individuals listed in the order of their seniority shall function as "Acting Director" with all the powers of Director specified in Chapter 323, Wis. Stats.: Public Health Administrator, Fire Captain, Police Operations Captain, Fire Lieutenant, Police Shift Commander. An "Acting Director" shall continue as "Acting Director" until the Director, Deputy Director, or more senior "Acting Director" is present and able to take control as Director or "Acting Director." The Director, and in his/her absence or incapacity, the "Acting Director," shall have the power during the time of disaster to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat such disaster, protecting the lives and safety of persons and property providing emergency assistance to the victims of such disasters. The Director is authorized to exercise the powers vested in them in the light of the exigencies of the extreme emergency situation without regarding the time consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by other provisions of law pertaining to the performance of public work, entering into contracts, the employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, and the purchase of supplies and materials. In no event shall the liability of the City of South Milwaukee under any circumstances exceed the fair and reasonable value of the services rendered or supplies and equipment furnished or materials furnished. Further, the Mayor hereby authorizes the Director of Emergency Management to exercise those powers conferred upon him in Chapter 323.

[Amended 12-15-1998 by Ord. No. 172; 12-19-2006 by Ord. No. 1930; 12-21-2010 by Ord. No. 2014; 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2253]

The Director may, in collaboration with other public and private agencies within the State of Wisconsin and the nation, develop or cause to be developed, mutual aid arrangements for reciprocal emergency management and disaster aid and assistance in case of war or disaster too great to be dealt with unassisted. Such arrangements shall be consistent with the State of Wisconsin Emergency Management and Disaster Plan and Program of the Federal Government, and in time of emergency it shall be the duty of the South Milwaukee Emergency Management Committee to render assistance in accordance with the provisions of such mutual aid arrangements.

The Director of Emergency Management and Disaster may, subject to the approval of the Common Council, enter into mutual aid agreements with civil defense and disaster agencies or organizations in other political subdivisions or in the State of Wisconsin or in other states for reciprocal emergency management and disaster to aid and assist in case of war or disaster too great to be dealt with unassisted.

Operation. The Emergency Management Services of the City shall operate in accordance with the State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Plan, the Milwaukee County Emergency Operations Plan, and the City of South Milwaukee All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan, which have been adopted by resolution of the Common Council. Copies of the current State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Plan, the Milwaukee County Emergency Operations Plan and the City of South Milwaukee All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan, shall be kept on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

[Amended 2-2-1999 by Ord. No. 1728]

Emergency Management Advisory Committee.

[Amended 2-2-1999 by Ord. No. 1728; 12-21-2010 by Ord. No. 2014]

There is hereby created an Emergency Management Advisory Committee consisting of the following:

Director of Emergency Government (Public Health Administrator).

Deputy Director of Emergency Government (Fire Chief).

Police Chief.

Street Superintendent.

(e)

Water Superintendent.

(f)

Wastewater Superintendent.

City Engineer.

Mayor.

City Clerk.

City Treasurer.

Library Director.

Senior Center Director.

(m)

School District Representative.

The Emergency Management Advisory Committee shall act in an advisory capacity only. The Director shall be Chairman of the Committee and shall preside at all meetings. He/She may appoint sub-committees and delegate to them various duties and shall have any and all powers necessary to carry out and effectuate the purpose for which the Committee is established.

Participation. All employees of the City, all departments, boards, bureaus, committees, officers and agents of said City are hereby directed to participate in and become members of the Emergency Management Organization for the City and to participate in all test exercises when requested.

[Added 12-6-1977 by Ord. No. 1060; amended 2-2-1999 by Ord. No. 1728]

§ 4.18 Senior Citizens Center Board of Directors.

[Amended 4-6-1983 by Ord. No. 1238; 2-18-1986 by Ord. No. 1323]

There is hereby created a Board of Directors to govern the operation of South Milwaukee Senior Citizens Center. The Board shall consist of seven members, three of whom shall be elected from among the active participants of the City of South Milwaukee Senior Citizens Center, four whom shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of the Common Council.

The appointed and elected members of the Board of Directors shall serve a term of two years. The term of office for appointed members begins on the date of appointment. The term of office for elected members begins on the first meeting of the Board of Directors following presentment of the election results to the Board of Directors.

[Amended 8-18-1998 by Ord. No. 1712]

The Director of the Senior Citizen Center shall attend all meetings of the Board and shall participate in all Board Meetings but shall not have a vote in any Board action.

The members of the Board shall be selected from diversified fields and when possible shall represent the following fields: health, law, education, ministry, recreation, and social services.

The Board shall hold regular meetings, which meetings shall be open to the public and which meetings shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, Advisory Chairman in the absence of Chairman and Secretary in the absence of both.

The Common Council will be the overseer of the Center and Board of Directors and shall be responsible for the budgetary affairs of the Center. The Director of the Senior Citizen Center shall be appointed by the City Administrator.

[Amended 9-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2193]

It is hereby declared the policy of the Common Council and made a directive from the Common Council to the Board above created that the operation of the Senior Citizen Center as a Senior Citizen Center is to be the primary function of the facility.

During the period of time necessary for the proper conduct of the Nutrition Center activities, there will be no activities sponsored by any other agency in the main room of the Senior Citizen Center. The smaller activity room may be used for other activities during this time.

The financial affairs of the Senior Citizen Center shall be audited on an annual basis in conjunction with the general City Audit.

§ 4.19 Equity and Inclusion Commission. [1]

[Amended 8-18-2020 by Ord. No. 2202]

Created. There is hereby created a voluntary Equity and Inclusion Commission.

Membership and terms. There shall be seven Commissioners who live or work in the City of South Milwaukee to be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the confirmation of the Common Council, who shall be appointed for two-year terms, and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. Membership should consist of a mix of residents, business representatives, youth, and community leaders. One Commissioner shall be of high-school age and shall reside or attend school in the City of South Milwaukee. One Commissioner shall be a member of the Common Council. The Commissioners shall receive no compensation. No less than six members shall be residents of the City. The Mayor shall appoint, subject to the confirmation of the Common Council, a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, and after the first term the Commission shall elect its Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from amongst its members once annually. Membership should reflect a racially and culturally diverse population. The Equity and Inclusion Commission shall administratively dissolve two years from the date it is created unless extended by the Common Council.

Purpose and duties. The Commission shall act as an advisory body to the Common Council and the Mayor in providing comment and support regarding appropriate strategies to develop and implement activities, resources and services that promote a positive environment of equity, inclusion, and the celebration of diverse identities in the City of South Milwaukee. In doing so, the Commission will consider how the City can, within its powers, best:

Set and achieve goals for safety, health, education, housing, and economic mobility helping to ensure equity and inclusion of all who live, work, learn, and play in the City of South Milwaukee.

Serve and represent a broad spectrum of residents, business leaders, students and employees from diverse backgrounds and all geographic areas of South Milwaukee.

Promote a vibrant business, educational, and cultural community by supporting an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse backgrounds.

Recognize, promote, and celebrate efforts to further the advancement of equality and inclusion of diverse identities in the City of South Milwaukee.

Report to the Common Council on the interests, needs and recommendations concerning matters of inclusion and equity in South Milwaukee.

Editor's Note: Former § 4.19, Community Development Authority, was repealed 3-29-2016 by Ord. No. 2126.

§ 4.20 Claims processing.

[Added 2-16-2005]

Adoption of state law. All applicable State laws including, but not limited to, statutes of limitations, procedures, and other requirements pertaining to municipal claims and damages, as from time to time amended, changed, deleted, modified, or created, are hereby adopted by reference, made effective, and incorporated as if fully set forth herein. Any act required to be performed or prohibited by any laws so incorporated by reference is required or prohibited by this ordinance.

Adoption of Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions. All applicable Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions, as promulgated by the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions Committee, currently in effect or any subsequent additions thereto or deletions therefrom are hereby adopted by the City of South Milwaukee as guidelines upon which to determine whether to deny, settle, or pay any claim filed against the City of South Milwaukee as may be appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Definitions.

CITY CLAIMS COMMITTEE

Those persons who, from time to time, are appointed to serve for an indeterminate term on the Claims Committee and who are charged with the responsibility of coordinating and administrating the City's claims procedure and all claims filed in a manner consistent with the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable laws. The City Claims Committee shall have the sole, complete, and final authority to deny, to settle, or to pay certain claims as defined in the manner set forth below. The Claims Committee shall consist of the City Administrator, the City Clerk and a member of the Finance Committee designated by the Finance Committee. The City Attorney shall act as legal counsel for the committee.

[Amended 9-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2193]

CLAIM

A correct, complete, and proper, in substance and form, itemized written statement of personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage in strict conformity with the requirements of State law, which sets forth with specificity and particularity the correct and complete name, home address, and telephone number of the claimant together with a specific and legally-sufficient description and itemization of the nature, kind, and type of injury and/or damage, the specific dollar amount of damages claimed, together with a full and accurate statement of the facts and circumstances upon which the claim is based, including the reasons for believing the City is liable therefore.

Procedure.

Each and every claim of whatever kind or nature against the City shall be served upon the City Clerk or his/her designee, by each aggrieved party or someone acting on his/her behalf in strict conformity with the time limits and manner required by State law. The City Clerk shall immediately forward such claim to the City's insurance carrier, to the department involved in the claim and to the City Attorney who shall cause a file to be created and maintained for each claim received and shall retain and process the original claim as required by law. The City Clerk shall request the department to provide to the City Attorney any information concerning the claim it has. Department heads are directed to promptly prepare reports in response to any possible claim or litigation involving their department and to forward those reports to the City Attorney.

The City Attorney, or his/her designee, shall promptly notify the claimant of the receipt of such claim and request of the claimant such additional information as may be necessary to process the claim.

Upon the receipt of requested information from the appropriate department and from the claimant, the City Attorney shall ask that a Claims Committee meeting be scheduled to review the claim and make such determinations as it deems appropriate.

The City Attorney may utilize the services of a claims investigator/adjuster from time to time as he/she deems appropriate.

Every three months, the City Clerk shall prepare a report of the Committee's activities for the Common Council. The report shall indicate the name of the claimant, the department involved and the current status of the claim (pending, denied or settled).

Empowerment.

The Common Council of the City of South Milwaukee hereby fully, completely, and without reservation authorized and empowers the City Claims Committee to deny any and all claims regardless of the face amount which in the Claims Committee's discretion, upon applying the principles of law as enunciated in the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions and State Statutes, it determines should be denied.

The Common Council of the City of South Milwaukee hereby fully, completely, and without reservation authorizes and empowers the City Claims Committee to process, settle, defend, adjust, and/or pay any and all claims against the City of whatsoever kind or nature which, in the Committee's sole discretion upon review and verification, it finds should be compromised, adjusted, settled, defended, and/or paid up to an amount equal to the City's insurance deductible. The Committee's decisions shall be based on those principles of law as enunciated in the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions and State Statutes.

For all such claims paid, the Claims Committee shall, every three months, prepare and forward a written summary of each and every claim settled or paid, setting forth the name of the claimant, the date the claim was filed, the general description of the nature of the claim, the amount of the claim, the Claims Committee's determination and disposition, and the amount and date of compromise, settlement, and payment. Such report shall be filed with the City Clerk and be submitted to the Finance Committee and then to the Common Council to be received and placed on file.