Glendale authorizes mandamus suit to challenge county placement of Chapter 980‑designated residents

Mayor Kennedy and city attorneys briefed the Common Council on a recommended legal step to compel the county to follow state placement rules for individuals designated under Chapter 980 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

City Attorney Mr. Baer said the city previously asked the county‑appointed committee to avoid placing the two people within 1,500 feet of designated areas — including park space and trail corridors — but “they essentially ignored our request,” and the county has been applying distance rules unevenly. He told the council the city had the option of filing a mandamus action to ask a court to require the county to apply the statutory 1,500‑foot restriction as written.

A remote participant, Bridal Swanson of 1820 West Wayside Drive, urged the council to authorize the suit “to ensure our community is kept safe and that the county is held accountable to the state laws.” Alderman Doherty moved to authorize the city attorney to file the action; Alderman Gehlhart seconded. The council approved the motion by voice vote.

The authorization directs the city attorney to commence a mandamus action; the motion and discussion did not change state law or specify additional remedies. City staff said the petition seeks a legal ruling on whether the county’s placement method must measure the 1,500‑foot restriction as a straight‑line ("as the crow flies") distance and whether the county may exclude features such as the Milwaukee County Parkway from that calculation.

Next steps: the city attorney will file suit on behalf of the City of Glendale; timing and any court schedule were not specified during the meeting.