BMLComm Packet - 7/25/2017
CITY OF MUSKEGO
BIG MUSKEGO LAKE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS AGENDA
BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION
AND REHABILITATION DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING
July 25, 2017
6:55 PM
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
VOUCHER APPROVAL
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. Board of Commissioners' Approval to Substitute a Class 2 Notice in Lieu of Sending
Written Notice to Electors Residing within the District for the Annual Meeting and
Budget Hearing
2. Discussion and Recommendation to Amend the By-Laws (Article III, Section 2) to
Substitute a Class 2 Notice for the Annual Meeting and Eliminate the Mailing
Notification for Electors Residing within the District
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MEMBERS OF AND POSSIBLY A QUORUM OF MEMBERS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF
THE MUNICIPALITY MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING TO GATHER INFORMATION; NO ACTION
WILL BE TAKEN BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING OTHER THAN THE GOVERNMENTAL
BODY SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO ABOVE IN THIS NOTICE.
ALSO, UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF DISABLED
INDIVIDUALS THROUGH APPROPRIATE AIDS AND SERVICES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST THIS
SERVICE, MUSKEGO CITY HALL, (262) 679-4100.
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BY-LAWS OF THE
BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY
PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION DISTRICT
PREFACE
In keeping with Resolution 180-78 of the Common Council of the City of Muskego
that created the Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District , the
electors of the said Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District
do adopt these By-laws. The purpose of these By-laws is to define and regulate the
activities of the lake District, its officers, and committees. These By-laws shall at all
times be interpreted in a manner consistent with the laws of the State of Wisconsin and
Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin Statutes under which the District was created and
operates.
ARTICLE 1 - ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT
Section 1 - Residents: Every resident of the District who is registered or eligible to vote
in general elections shall be an eligible elector of the District.
Section 2 - Non-Resident Property Owners: Every person whose name appears on the
District assessment role prepared for purposes of real property taxation or who has
provided proof of title to real property in the District, and who is a U.S. citizen 18 years
of age or older, shall be an eligible elector of the District and may vote in accordance
with Article II, Section 2. Any corporation, partnership, or association that owns real
property in the District may appoint an official representative who shall be an eligible
elector of the District.
ARTICLE II - VOTING
Section 1 - Multiple Voting: Any elector may cast only one vote on any question called
to a vote.
Section 2 - Non-Resident Multiple Owners: When more than one person owns a parcel
of real property, the joint tenants or tenants -in-common shall select no more than two of
the co-owners who shall represent them and each shall cast one vote.
Section 3 - Casting Ballots: To participate in all votes, an elector must be present at the
meeting at the time the vote is called. No elector may vote by proxy or absentee ballot
or referendum. All votes shall be counted by a show of hands or paper ballot by
demand, unless otherwise specified by Statute or these By-laws.
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ARTICLE III - ANNUAL MEETING
AND BUDGET HEARING
Section 1 - Time and Place: The annual meeting and budget hearing of the District
shall be held between May 22 and September 8 at a time and place selected by the
District Board of Commissioners, hereinafter referred to as the Board, unless the date
has been set by vote of the previous annual meeting.
Section 2 - Notice: The annual meeting shall be preceded by written notice mailed at
least 14 days in advance of the meeting to all electors within the district whose address
is known or can be ascertained with reasonable diligence, to all owners of property
within the district at the owner’s address as listed in the tax roll, and to the Department
of Natural Resources. The District Board of Commissioners may substitute a class 2
notice, under Chapter 985 of the Wisconsin State Statutes, in lieu of sending written
notice to electors residing in the district. The notice shall include all of the requirements
contained within Section 33.30 (2m) of the Wisconsin State Statutes along with any
amendments or revisions thereto.
Section 3 - Annual Budget and Tax: At the annual meeting and budget hearing, the
Board shall present a proposed budget and may vote by majority a tax for the coming
calendar year. The budget shall separately identify any item that has a cost to the
District in excess of $10,000. The electors of the District shall approve the budget and
vote the tax as proposed or modify the budget and change the funding accordingly.
The property tax levy of the District shall not exceed a rate of 2.5 mills of equalized
valuation. The annual meeting may direct the Board to adopt and collect special
charges or special assessments.
Section 4 - Project Approval: The Board of Commissioners may approve or disapprove
projects and enter into contracts accordingly, subject to availability of budgeted funds.
Section 5 - Other Business: The annual meeting shall take up and consider such other
business as comes before it.
ARTICLE IV - POWERS OF THE DISTRICT
Section 1 - General Powers of a Body Corporate: The District may sue and be sued,
make contracts accept gifts, purchase, lease, devise and otherwise acquire, h old,
maintain or dispose of real or personal property, disburse money, contract debt, and do
such other acts as are necessary to carry out a program of lake protection and
rehabilitation.
Section 2 - Specific Lake Management Powers: The District may conduct studies,
adopt a plan, and carry out implementation work including but not limited to aeration,
nutrient diversion, nutrient removal or inactivation, erosion control, sediment
manipulation, including dredging, bottom treatments, weed and algae control.
Section 3 - Others: The District may undertake projects to enhance the recreational
uses of a lake within its jurisdiction, including recreation boating facilities as defined
under WI Stats.§30.92(1)(c) and agreement by the Common Council of the City of
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Muskego. If authorized by an annual meeting of the District, the District may
appropriate money for the conservation of natural resources or for payment to a bona
fide nonprofit organization for the conservation of natural resources within the District o r
beneficial to the District.
ARTICLE V - DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Section 1 - Composition: The affairs of the District shall be managed by the Board of
Commissioners which shall consist of the governing body of the City of Muskego.
Section 2 - Meeting Frequency and Open Meetings: The Board shall meet at least
quarterly, and at other times on the call of the Chairman or the request of three of the
commissioners. Meetings shall be open and proper notice given in accordance with
legislation governing meeting of public bodies.
Section 3 - Quorum: No action shall be taken unless a quorum is present. Four of the
commissioners shall constitute a quorum. A lesser number may compel the attendance
of absent members or may adjourn. The Chairman shall not be counted in determining
whether a quorum is present at a meeting. The Board may, by a majority vote of those
present, adjourn from time to time.
Section 4 - Function: The Board shall conduct all business of the District not
specifically reserved to the electors of the District, shall carry out the provisions of these
By-laws and Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin Statutes, and shall carry out the mandates of
the annual meeting and special meetings, if any.
Section 5 - Officers: At the first Board meeting immediately following each annual
meeting of the District, the Board shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, who are not
required to be members of the Board.
1. The chairman, who shall be the Mayor of the City of Muskego, or in the
Mayor’s absence the Acting Mayor, shall preside at the annual and special
meetings, all meetings of the Board, and all public hearings held by the
Board. In the event of a tie, the chairman shall be allowed to cast the tie
breaking vote.
2. The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the District and the Board
and hearings held by it and shall annually provide the DNR with the names
and addresses of commissioners, and shall annually notify the Department of
Natural Resources (Lake Management Section, Bureau of Water Resou rces
Management, DNR, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707) of the continued
existence of the District.
3. The treasurer shall receive and take charge of all monies of the District, and
pay out the same only on order of the Board. The Board authorize s the
treasurer, upon written approval of the chairman, to pay budget approved
items which do not exceed $10,000. *
*(Amended 8/28/2003 and 8/23/2016)
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Section 6 - Compensation: The commissioners shall receive no remuneration for their
service in office.
Section 7 - Powers and Duties: The Board shall be responsible for:
1. Initiating and coordinating research and surveys for the purpose of gathering
data on the lake, related shorelines, and the drainage basin.
2. Planning lake rehabilitation projects.
3. Contacting and attempting to secure the cooperation of units of general
purpose government in the area for the purpose of enacting ordinances
deemed necessary by the Board to further the objectives of the District.
4. Adopting and carrying out lake protection plans and obtaining a ny necessary
permits therefor.
5. Maintaining liaison with those officials of State government involved in lake
protection and rehabilitation.
6. Implementing the decisions of the electors at annual and special meetings.
The Board shall have control over the fiscal matters of the District, subject to the
powers and directives of the annual meeting. The Board shall annually, at the close of
the fiscal year, cause an audit to be made of the financial transactions of the district,
which shall be submitted to the annual meeting. A majority of the commissioners plus
one must be present when a resolution is passed to commit the District to borrowing
money or to using any other financing method prescribed by law. The Board may use
special assessment or charges for the purpose of carrying out District protection and
rehabilitation projects, or for other lake management activities undertaken by the
District.
Section 9 - Advisory Body: A Board of District Deputies shall be responsible for
advising the Board of District Commissioners and shall perform activities for the benefit
of the District as directed by the Board of District Commissioners. The Board of District
Deputies shall consist of five (5) District members and shall be elected by the District
members at the District annual meeting.
The Deputy Commissioners shall receive no remuneration for their service in office, but
a Deputy Commissioner shall be paid for actual and necessary expenses incurred while
conducting the business of the District.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
Section 1 - Committees: The chairman may appoint committees as s/he deems
necessary to further the interests of the District.
Section 2 - Reporting: All committees shall report to the Chairman or the Board of
Commissioners upon request at the annual meeting.
Section 3 - Compensation; Committee members shall receive no remuneration for
service to the District. With prior approval from the Board, committee members may
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submit vouchers for actual and necessary expenses incurred while conduct ing the
business of the District.
ARTICLE VIII - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1 - Special Meetings: Special meetings of the District may be held for the
purpose of transacting any lawful business which might be done at the annual meeting
except approval of the annual budget, amendment of by-laws, or dissolution of the
District. Amendments to the annual budget may be considered. The meeting may be
called by the Board or upon a written request to the secretary signed by at least 10% of
the qualified electors of the District. The annual meeting notice requirements under
Article III shall apply and the purpose of the meeting shall be stated. A matter voted
upon at any special meeting may not be reconsidered at another special meeting prior
to the next annual meeting.
Section 2 - Conduct of Meetings: All meetings of the district shall be conducted
according to Roberts Revised Rules of Order unless contrary to the requirements of
these By-laws. The chairman, or a person appointed by him/her shall serve as
parliamentarian.
Section 3 - Adoption of By-Laws: These By-laws may be adopted at any legal annual
meeting of the District providing the proposed adoption was included in the notice.
Adoption shall require a two-thirds vote of the voting electors, as defined herein,
present at the meeting. The By-laws shall become effect immediately upon passage.
Section 4 - Amending By-Laws: By-law changes may be proposed by a majority of the
commissioners or a majority vote of the previous annual meeting. These By-laws may
be amended at any legal annual meeting of the District providing the proposed change
was included in the notice. Amendments shall require a two -thirds vote of the electors
present and voting at the meeting.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED AT BIG MUSKEO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION
AND REHABILITATION ANNUAL MEETING HELD AUGUST 25, 1997
T:General Government/Boards and Committees/BML/BML-BY-LAWS.doc