§ 2-2-6. Common Council, powers; vacancies

(a) Generally. The Common Council shall be vested with all the powers of the City not specifically given some other officer. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Common Council shall have the management and control of the City property, finances, highways, streets, navigable waters and the public service, and shall have the power to act for the government and good order of the City, for its commercial benefit and for the health, safety, welfare and convenience of the public, and may carry its powers into effect by license, regulation, suppression, borrowing, taxation, special assessment, appropriation, fine, imprisonment and other necessary or convenient means. The powers hereby conferred shall be in addition to all other grants and shall be limited only by express language.

(b) Acquisition and Disposal of Property. The Common Council may acquire property, real or personal, within or without the City, for parks, libraries, historic places, recreation, beautification, streets, waterworks, sewage or waste disposal, harbors, improvement of watercourses, public grounds, vehicle parking areas and for any other public purpose; may acquire real property within or contiguous to the City, by means other than condemnation, for industrial sites; may improve and beautify the same; may construct, own, lease and maintain buildings on such property for instruction, recreation, amusement and other public purposes; and may sell and convey such City-owned property, except dedicated, platted parks.

(c) Acquisition of Easements and Property Rights. Confirming all powers granted to the Common Council and in furtherance thereof, the Council is expressly authorized to acquire by gift, purchase or condemnation under Wis. Stats. ch. 32, any and all property rights in lands or waters, including rights of access and use, negative or positive easements, restrictive covenants, covenants running with land, scenic easements and any rights for use of property of any nature whatsoever, however denominated, which may be lawfully acquired for the benefit of the public or for any public purpose, including the exercise of powers granted under Wis. Stats. § 62.23; and may sell and convey such easements or property rights when no longer needed for public use or protection.

(d) City Finances. The Common Council may levy and provide for the collection of taxes and special assessments; may refund any tax or special assessment paid, or any part thereof, when satisfied that the same was unjust or illegal; and generally may manage the City finances.

(e) Construction of Powers. Consistent with the purpose of giving to cities the largest measure of self-government in accordance with the spirit of the home rule amendment to the Constitution, the grants of power to the Common Council in this Section and throughout this Code of Ordinances shall be liberally construed in favor of the rights, powers and privileges of cities to promote the general welfare, peace, good order and prosperity of the City and its inhabitants.

(f) Vacancies. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 62.09(5), if any officer be incapacitated or absent for any cause, the Common Council may appoint some person to discharge his/her duties until he returns or such disability has ended.

refstatelaw

Home rule generally, Wis. Const. Art. XI, § 3; council generally, Wis. Stats. §§ 62.09(7) and 62.11.