City of Milwaukee - File #: 201112

• File #: 201112
• Version: 1
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Dead
• File created: 11/24/2020
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 1/19/2021
• Title: Substitute resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation relating to the appointment of the executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners for cities of the 1st class.
• Sponsors: ALD. BAUMAN, ALD. BORKOWSKI
• Indexes: APPOINTMENTS, FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION, STATE LEGISLATION

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
1/19/2021	1	COMMON COUNCIL	VETO SUSTAINED	Pass	9:6
12/23/2020	1	MAYOR	VETOED
12/15/2020	1	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Pass	10:4
12/7/2020	1	JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Brenda Wood - City Clerk's Office Kim Montgomery - Intergovernmental Relations	Pass	4:1
11/24/2020	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

201112

Version

SUBSTITUTE 1

Reference

180185

Sponsor

ALD. BAUMAN AND BORKOWSKI

Title

Substitute resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation relating to the appointment of the executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners for cities of the 1^st class.

Analysis

This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Affairs Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation to amend ss. 62.50 and 62.51, Wis. Stats., to provide that the executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners in cities of the 1^st class are appointed by the board (rather than by the mayor), subject to confirmation by the common council.

Body

Whereas, On July 10, 2018, the Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 180185, directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Affairs Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation relating to the appointment of the executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners for cities of the 1^st class; and

Whereas, The Common Council desires to reaffirm its stance seeking introduction and passage of such State legislation to provide that the executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners in cities of the 1^st class are appointed by the board (rather than by the mayor), subject to confirmation by the common council;

Whereas, On March 26, 2019, the Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 181665 directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to remove Common Council-sponsored recommendations from the annual State Legislative Package after each four-year election cycle; and

Whereas, Common Council members who wish certain items to remain in the State Legislative Package shall inform the Director of Intergovernmental Relations of those items at each four-year review; and

Whereas, The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission was created in 1885 to provide a public safety oversight body that was responsive to the community and that shielded police and fire services from political influences; and

Whereas, Prior to creation of the Fire and Police Commission, the fire and police chiefs were appointed by the Mayor, thereby making these positions likely candidates for political patronage; and

Whereas, After the Commission was created, the chiefs were appointed by the citizens serving on the Fire and Police Commission; and

Whereas, For over 100 years (1885 - 1988), the Fire and Police Commission also appointed its executive secretary (a/k/a executive director), helping to keep that position out of the political realm as well; and

Whereas, In 1988, a change in State law authorized the mayor of a 1^st class city to appoint the executive secretary of the fire and police commission, thereby interjecting politics in the appointment process; and

Whereas, Because of this change in State law, Milwaukee is the only city in Wisconsin where the lead staff person of the fire and police commission is appointed by the mayor; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Affairs Division is directed to seek introduction and passage of State legislation to amend ss. 62.50 and 62.51, Wis. Stats., such that the executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners in a city of the 1^st class is appointed by the board (rather than by the mayor), subject to confirmation by the common council; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby the State Legislature to enact such legislation; and, be it

Further Resolved, That Resolution File Number 200668 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “AMENDED 2021-2022 State Legislative Detailed Proposals and Key Issues”:

Local Control and Flexibility

Common Council

Amend Wis. Stat. §§62.50 and 62.51 to provide that the executive secretary of the board of fire and police commissioners in a city of the 1st class is appointed by the board (rather than by the mayor), subject to confirmation by the common council.

; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to each member of Milwaukee’s delegation to the State Legislature.

Requestor

Drafter

LRB 176440-2

Christopher H. Hillard

11/30/2020