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Trustees explore liens, tougher commercial ordinances and media outreach to force remediation of DMI property
Summary
Trustees discussed legal options to compel remediation of a blighted DMI property, including liens, focused commercial ordinances and public storytelling to increase pressure; staff said it has consulted the village attorney and will bring options back to the PLP committee.
Trustees and committee members devoted substantial discussion to enforcement options for the DMI property, including municipal liens, targeted commercial ordinances and media outreach to raise public pressure and prompt remediation.
A meeting participant who said they had reviewed correspondence with the village attorney told trustees that state law permits placing liens on properties for enforcement and suggested drafting an ordinance that targets commercial properties with higher fines to create more leverage at sale or transfer.
"It is legal to put a lien on that on their properties… under the state of Wisconsin, it's legal, and that we have a lot of leeway in doing so," the participant said, urging the board to publicize the enforcement plan so potential buyers or owners would see the consequences.
Trustees directed staff to gather data and legal options: Ben reported he had discussed possible enforcement steps with the village attorney and will present legal avenues and recommended next steps to the PLP committee. Trustees also discussed resurrecting the ad hoc committee on DMI to coordinate enforcement and communications, and some trustees recommended involving local media to highlight municipal action and signal follow-through.
Several trustees emphasized coordination with county offices (for example, notifying the county treasurer) and the need to balance enforcement with fairness to residents and commercial owners. The board did not take a formal vote on a lien or ordinance at this meeting; staff will return with legal guidance and proposed ordinance language or administrative processes for committee review.
What comes next: PLP will receive staff’s legal summary and data at the next meeting; trustees said options could include ordinance changes focusing on commercial properties, lien placement, or increased ticketing as an enforcement pathway.
