March 22, 2021 | Number 12
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Special Zoom Call for Municipalities Under 5,000 on the American Rescue Plan -- March 23 at Noon
Tomorrow at noon, the League is hosting a special Zoom meeting on the American Rescue Plan for municipalities under 5,000. Michael Gleeson, a lobbyist for the National League of Cities, will explain what the latest federal COVID relief act means for Wisconsin municipalities, including when your municipality can expect to receive a payment and what your municipality can do with the funds.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 819 6831 8868
Passcode: 783076
Dial In: 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 819 6831 8868
Passcode: 783076
NLC Wants to Hear Your ARP Questions and Suggestions
The federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act includes unprecedented aid to local governments, including every city and village in Wisconsin. The National League of Cities (NLC) is working with the Department of the Treasury to address the details and provide guidance to municipalities, but NLC needs your help. Please provide NLC with any questions or suggestions that you have about ARP's direct payments to local governments by using the online form on the NLC's webpage here.
Assembly Committee Recommends Passage of Bill Continuing Personal Property Aid Payments after TIDs Close
The Assembly Ways and Means committee voted unanimously last week to recommend passage of an amended version of AB 56, a League initiated bill making it clear that personal property aid payments made to a TIF district continue after the district closes but transfer to the municipality and other taxing jurisdictions. The committee unanimously recommended approval of an amendment to the bill offered by the bill's author, Rep. Dave Steffen (R-Howard), which the League supported. The amendment makes the treatment of personal property aid payments made to TIDs that close retroactive. Under the amendment, TIDs that closed between 2017 and the date the bill is enacted, would also be covered by the bill.
Read the League's testimony in support of AB 56, here.
League Submits Comments on Proposed Change to MSA Population Threshold
A new proposal from the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would change the minimum core population threshold for metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) from 50,000 to 100,000, bumping 5 metro areas in Wisconsin into nonmetro status. The shift was recommended by the Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Standards Review Committee. The League filed comments last week with the OMB urging the agency to continue to utilize the current 100,000 population parameter for determining MSA’s. Read the League's comments here.
PSC Votes to end Utility Disconnection Moratorium
Last week the Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to lift the moratorium on utility disconnections as of April 15. The reduction in COVID-19 cases, the widespread availability of vaccinations, the extension of unemployment benefits, and the federal stimulus dollars going to households, contributed to the PSC's decision to end the moratorium.
Over the last year the PSC has issued several order prohibiting municipalities from disconnecting or refusing service du to nonpayment.
Legislature Indefinitely Suspends Key Aspects of Emergency Rule on Fire Fighting Foam Containing PFAS
Recent actions by the Senate and Assembly have blocked the reinstatement of certain provisions in an emergency rule affecting the discharge of PFAS-containing fire fighting foam for the remainder of the session.
On March 16, the Assembly and Senate voted to send Assembly Bill 13 and Senate Bill 34 back to committee where no action is expected to be taken for the rest of the session. The bills would have codified an action taken by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) in December 2020.
Current law prohibits the use or discharge of fire fighting foam containing PFAS unless the use or discharge is part of an emergency fire fighting or fire prevention operation or if the use is for testing purposes as long as the testing facility has implemented appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal or storage measures to prevent discharge of the foam to the environment. Appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal or storage measures may not include discharging the foam into a storm or sanitary sewer. In early December 2020 DNR issued an emergency rule regulating the use and disposal of fire fighting foam. On December 18, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) voted to partially suspend DNR's emergency rule.
The move by the Legislature on March 16 ensures that JCRAR's suspension of the provisions will remain in place. As a result, the rule no longer includes provisions that: 1) make it applicable to materials contaminated and mixed with PFAS; 2) define “treatment” which would have required a process for total immobilization, removal or destruction of a contaminant; 3) provide guidelines for treating PFAS contaminants not incinerated using specific numeric standards or treatment indicator parameter action levels; 4) specify how often wastewater samples should be collected; 5) specify how long samples must be retained.
TAKE ACTION - ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES
#TakeYourLeggieToWork for a behind-the-scenes tour of the election process
The upcoming Spring election is your opportunity to show your state legislators how it all works. Invite them to observe the process and help them understand the steps that are taken to secure the election. Since the process of elections has come under a national microscope, this is your chance to help inform and influence the debate on the changes Legislators will be considering. Recommendation! Please check in and work with your Clerk before extending the invitation. Details here.
Adopt the Shared Revenue Resolution!
Thank you to the cities and villages that have adopted or have added the Shared Revenue Resolution to their agenda for consideration. If your municipality isn’t on the list, it is NOT TOO LATE to take action in support of long-term funding for police, fire, parks, etc. We provide a sample resolution > League Shared Revenue Take Action Plan
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RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION
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On Tuesday, March 16th a suite of bills relating to election reform were introduced. The League is reviewing these proposals with the Municipal Clerks Association and has not taken a position to date on the legislation.
SB 203, relating to: the secure delivery of absentee ballots and providing a penalty. Senator Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative August (R-Lake Geneva).
SB 204, relating to: absentee ballot applications, unsolicited mailing or transmission of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, canvassing absentee ballots, electronic voter registration, and providing a penalty. Senator Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative Gundrum (R-Slinger).
SB 205, relating to: absentee voting in certain residential care facilities and retirement homes and providing a penalty. Senator Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative Duchow (R-Town of Delafield).
SB 206, relating to: status as an indefinitely confined voter for purposes of receiving absentee ballots automatically and providing a penalty. Senator Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative Duchow (R-Town of Delafield).
SB 207, relating to: private resources used for election administration, appointment of election officials, and providing a penalty. Senator Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative Neylon (R-Pewaukee).
SB 208, relating to: publication of Elections Commission meeting minutes. Senator Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative Neylon (R-Pewaukee).
SB 209, relating to: returning absentee ballots to the office of the municipal clerk. Senator Darling (R- River Hills) and Representative Steffen (R-Green Bay).
SB 210, relating to: election observers and providing a penalty. Senator Darling (R-River Hills) and Representative Tittl (R-Manitowoc).
SB 211, relating to: applications for absentee ballots. Senator Darling (R- River Hills) and Representative Steffen (R-Green Bay).
SB 212, relating to: defects on absentee ballot certificates, certain kinds of election fraud, and providing a penalty. Senator Darling (R-River Hills) and Representative Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin).
SB 213, relating to: actions for violations of elections laws. Senator Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Representative Brooks (R-Saukville).
SB 214, relating to: early canvassing of absentee ballots, issuance of presidential ballots, combined polling places, timeline for sending or transmitting absentee ballots, nomination papers for certain independent candidates, and providing a penalty. Senator Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) and Representative Tauchen (R-Bonduel).
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PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS WEEK
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Assembly Bill 131 will have a public hearing in the Assembly Transportation Committee this Thursday, March 25th at 1:00 pm. in the North Hearing Room at the State Capitol. AB 13 prohibits the sale and use of coal tar-based sealants and high PAH sealant products. Representative Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) and Senator Cowles (R-Green Bay). The League supports this bill.
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IN THE NEWS
(Paywalls may apply)
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DHS: State May Have Supply To Immunize 80 Percent Of Vaccine-Eligible Population By End Of June Read the article.
PSC awards $28.4 million to expand high-speed internet in 39 counties Read the article.
Wisconsin Legislature blocks limits on PFAS firefighting foam it paved way for last session Read the article.
Assembly passes bills allowing hair braiding without a cosmetology license and cocktails to go Read the article.
Small Cities In Wisconsin Protest Federal Proposal To Downgrade Them To 'Micropolitan' Areas Read the article.
One year later: Wisconsin Dells officials reflect on start of COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns Read the article. Click here to like/comment on the article on the League's Facebook page.
Paul Fanlund: These UW-Madison students solve problems across the state (UniverCity) Read the article.
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League Membership Virtual Roundtable
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Zoom information is posted here on the League's Covid-19 page.
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Cyber Security Workshop
April 20, 2:00-3:00 p.m. via Zoom
This workshop is Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association credit eligible.
Local Government 101
May 7, May 21 and June 4 via Zoom
Please thank our sponsors!
Clerks, Treasurers & Finance Officers Institute
June 9-11, 2021 via Zoom
Please thank our sponsors!
This workshop is Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association credit eligible.
Chief Executives Summer Workshop
August 19 & 20, 2021 – Hotel Retlaw, Fond du Lac
Please thank our sponsor! MPIC
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