Development News for Elkhorn, Wisconsin

City Committee Advances Draft Sign Policy for Nonprofits and Civic Groups, Sends to Legal Review

The committee discussed a draft sign recognition policy for community nonprofit organizations and civic groups. The policy, intended to recognize and promote these entities for public welfare, would involve the DPW installing a sign structure funded by the Chamber of Commerce. Signs would require approval from the architectural review board, plan commission, and common council. The city would be responsible for maintenance and graffiti removal after initial installation. The potential location discussed was a boulevard on East Wall Street. The motion was made to send the draft policy to the city attorney for legal review regarding content neutrality and compliance with laws, as well as to consider if the policy should be narrowed to civic groups versus all nonprofits.

City Committee Directs Legal Review of Police and Fire Commission Duties

The committee discussed directing the city attorney to review city code provisions concerning the duties and responsibilities of the Police and Fire Commission. This review is to ensure consistency with state guidelines and the current structure of the police and fire departments. The ordinance regarding the Police and Fire Commission was last adopted in 2010, and questions were raised by a commission member about confusing or potentially outdated language, particularly concerning operational powers and the transition from a paid-on-call volunteer fire department to a full-time one. The motion to forward this to the city attorney for review was approved.