66.1039

66.1039 Transit authorities.

66.1039(1)

(1) Definitions. In this section:

66.1039(1)(a)

(a) “Authority” means a transit authority created under this section.

66.1039(1)(b)

(b) “Bonds” means any bonds, interim certificates, notes, debentures, or other obligations of an authority issued under this section.

66.1039(1)(c)

(c) “Common carrier” means any of the following:

66.1039(1)(c)1.

1. A common motor carrier, as defined in § 194.01 (1).

66.1039(1)(c)2.

2. A contract motor carrier, as defined in § 194.01 (2).

66.1039(1)(c)3.

3. A railroad subject to ch. 195, as described in § 195.02 (1) and (3).

66.1039(1)(c)4.

4. A water carrier, as defined in § 195.02 (5).

66.1039(1)(d)

(d) “Comprehensive unified local transportation system” means a transportation system that is comprised of motor bus lines and any other local public transportation facilities, the major portion of which is located within, or the major portion of the service of which is supplied to the inhabitants of, the jurisdictional area of the authority.

66.1039(1)(e)

(e) “Madison metropolitan planning area” means the metropolitan planning area, as defined in 23 USC 134 (b) (1), that includes the city of Madison.

66.1039(1)(f)

(f) “Municipality” means any city, village, or town.

66.1039(1)(g)

(g) “Participating political subdivision” means a political subdivision that is a member of an authority, either from the time of creation of the authority or by later joining the authority.

66.1039(1)(h)

(h) “Political subdivision” means a municipality or county.

66.1039(1)(i)

(i) “Transportation system” means all land, shops, structures, equipment, property, franchises, and rights of whatever nature required for transportation of passengers within the jurisdictional area of the authority and, only to the extent specifically authorized under this section, outside the jurisdictional area of the authority. “Transportation system” includes elevated railroads, subways, underground railroads, motor vehicles, motor buses, and any combination thereof, and any other form of mass transportation, but does not include transportation excluded from the definition of “common motor carrier” under § 194.01 (1) or charter or contract operations to, from, or between points that are outside the jurisdictional area of the authority.

66.1039(2)

(2) Creation of Transit Authorities.

66.1039(2)(b)

(b) Dane County regional transit authority.

66.1039(2)(c)

(c) Chippewa Valley regional transit authority.

66.1039(2)(e)

(e) Chequamegon Bay regional transit authority.

66.1039(2)(b)1.

1. The Dane County regional transit authority, a public body corporate and politic and a separate governmental entity, is created if the governing body of Dane County adopts a resolution authorizing the county to become a member of the authority. Once created, this authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

66.1039(2)(b)2.

2. If Dane County adopts a resolution under subd. 1., any municipality located in whole or in part within the Madison metropolitan planning area on January 1, 2003, shall be a member of the authority.

66.1039(2)(b)3.

3. Any municipality located in whole or in part within Dane County that is not located in whole or in part within the Madison metropolitan planning area on January 1, 2003, may join the authority created under subd. 1. if the governing body of the municipality adopts a resolution to join the authority and the board of directors of the authority approves the municipality’s joinder.

66.1039(2)(b)4.

4. The jurisdictional area of the authority created under this paragraph is the geographic area formed by the Madison metropolitan planning area combined with the territorial boundaries of all municipalities that join the authority under subd. 3.

66.1039(2)(b)5.

5. For purposes of determining a municipality’s territorial boundaries and the geographic area formed by the Madison metropolitan planning area, annexed territory that was subject to an unresolved challenge on January 1, 2003, shall not be considered part of the annexing municipality or the Madison metropolitan planning area.

66.1039(2)(b)6.

6. If a municipality joins the authority after the authority is created, the authority shall provide the department of revenue with a certified copy of the resolution that approves the joining and the joining shall take effect on the first day of the calendar quarter that begins at least 120 days after the department receives the certified copy of the resolution. The authority shall also provide the department with a description of the new boundaries of the authority’s jurisdictional area, as provided under sub. (4) (s) 2.

66.1039(2)(c)1.

1. The Chippewa Valley regional transit authority, a public body corporate and politic and a separate governmental entity, is created if the governing body of Eau Claire County adopts a resolution authorizing the county to become a member of the authority. Once created, this authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

66.1039(2)(c)2.

2. If an authority is created under subd. 1., any municipality located in whole or in part within Eau Claire County shall be a member of the authority.

66.1039(2)(c)3.

3. After an authority is created under subd. 1., Chippewa County may join the authority created under subd. 1. if the governing body of Chippewa County adopts a resolution to join the authority.

66.1039(3)

(3) Transit authority governance.

66.1039(3)(g)2.

2. The powers, duties, and limitations of the authority.

66.1039(2)(c)4.

4. If Chippewa County joins an authority as provided in subd. 3., any municipality located in whole or in part within Chippewa County shall be a member of the authority.

66.1039(2)(c)5.

5. The jurisdictional area of the authority created under this subsection is the territorial boundaries of Eau Claire County or, if Chippewa County also joins the authority as provided in subd. 3., the combined territorial boundaries of Eau Claire County and Chippewa County.

66.1039(2)(e)1.

1. The Chequamegon Bay regional transit authority, a public body corporate and politic and a separate governmental entity, is created if the governing bodies of the counties of Ashland and Bayfield each adopt a resolution authorizing that county to become a member of the authority. Except as provided in subd. 2., once created, this authority shall consist of the counties of Ashland and Bayfield and any municipality located in whole or in part within these counties. Once created, this authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

66.1039(2)(e)2.

2. After an authority is created under subd. 1., any county other than Ashland County or Bayfield County may join this authority if the governing body of the county adopts a resolution authorizing the county to become a member of the authority, and the board of directors of the authority approves the county’s joinder. If a county becomes a member of an authority under this subdivision, any municipality located in whole or in part within the county shall also be a member of the authority.

66.1039(2)(e)3.

3. The jurisdictional area of the authority created under this subsection is the combined territorial boundaries of the counties of Ashland and Bayfield and any county that joins the authority under subd. 2.

66.1039(2)(e)4.

4. If a county joins the authority under subd. 2. after it is created, the authority shall provide the department of revenue with a certified copy of the resolution that approves the joining and a certified copy of the authority’s board of directors approval. The county’s joining of the authority shall take effect on the first day of the calendar quarter that begins at least 120 days after the department receives this information. The authority shall also provide the department with a description of the new boundaries of the authority’s jurisdictional area, as provided under sub. (4) (s) 2.

66.1039(3)(a)

(a) The powers of an authority shall be vested in its board of directors. Directors shall be appointed for 4-year terms, except that directors appointed under par. (c) 5. shall serve 2-year terms. A majority of the board of directors’ full authorized membership constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting the authority’s business and exercising its powers. Action may be taken by the board of directors upon a vote of a majority of the directors present and voting, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number.

66.1039(4)(a)

(a) Establish, maintain, and operate a comprehensive unified local transportation system primarily for the transportation of persons.

66.1039(4)(b)1.

1. Operate and maintain it or lease it to an operator or contract for its use by an operator.

66.1039(3)(c)

(c) If an authority is created under sub. (b), the board of directors of the authority consists of the following members:

66.1039(3)(c)1.

1. Two members from the Madison metropolitan planning area, appointed by the county executive and approved by the county board.

66.1039(3)(c)2.

2. Two members appointed by the mayor of the city of Madison and approved by the common council.

66.1039(3)(c)3.

3. One member appointed by the governor.

66.1039(3)(c)4.

4. One member from each city, other than the city of Madison, with a population of more than 15,000 located in Dane County, appointed by the mayor of each such city and approved by the common council.

66.1039(3)(c)5.

5. One member from a village within the jurisdictional area of the authority, or from a city within the jurisdictional area of the authority other than a city from which a member is appointed under subd. 2. or 4., appointed by the Dane County Cities and Villages Association. A member appointed under this subdivision may not serve more than one consecutive term. Board membership under this subdivision shall follow a rotating order of succession and every village or city eligible to have a member appointed from that village or city shall have such a member appointed before any village or city has an opportunity to have another member appointed under this subdivision.

66.1039(3)(d)

(d)

66.1039(3)(d)1.

1. If an authority is created under sub. (c), the board of directors of the authority shall be determined by resolution of the governing body of Eau Claire County or, if Chippewa County also joins the authority as provided in sub. (2) (c) 3., by resolution of the governing bodies of Eau Claire County and Chippewa County, except that all of the following shall apply:

66.1039(3)(d)1.a.

a. The board of directors shall consist of not more than 17 members.

66.1039(3)(d)1.b.

b. The board of directors shall include at least 3 members from Eau Claire County, appointed by the county executive and approved by the county board.

66.1039(3)(d)1.c.

c. If Chippewa County joins the authority as provided in sub. (2) (c) 3., the board of directors shall include at least 3 members from Chippewa County, appointed by the county executive and approved by the county board.

66.1039(3)(d)1.e.

e. The board of directors shall include at least one member from the authority’s jurisdictional area, appointed by the governor.

66.1039(3)(f)

(f)

66.1039(3)(f)1.d.

d. The board of directors shall include at least one member from the authority’s jurisdictional area, appointed by the governor.

66.1039(3)(g)1.

1. The functions or services to be provided by the authority.

66.1039(3)(d)1.d.

d. The board of directors shall include at least one member from the most populous city of each county that is a member, appointed by the mayor of the city and approved by the common council of the city.

66.1039(3)(d)2.

2. If Chippewa County joins the authority as provided in sub. (2) (c) 3. and the governing bodies of Eau Claire County and Chippewa County are unable to agree upon a composition of the board of directors as specified in subd. 1., the board of directors of the authority shall be limited to the minimum members specified in subd. 1. b. to e.

66.1039(3)(f)1.

1. If an authority is created under sub. (e), the board of directors of the authority shall be determined by resolution of the governing bodies of the counties of Ashland and Bayfield and of any county that joins the authority under sub. (2) (e) 2., except that all of the following shall apply:

66.1039(3)(f)1.a.

a. The board of directors shall consist of not more than 17 members, unless the minimum number of members specified in this subd. 1. b. to d. exceeds 17.

66.1039(3)(f)1.b.

b. The board of directors shall include at least 3 members each from the counties of Ashland and Bayfield and from any county that joins the authority under sub. (2) (e) 2., appointed by the county executive and approved by the county board.

66.1039(3)(f)1.c.

c. The board of directors shall include at least one member from the most populous city of each county that is a member, appointed by the mayor of the city and approved by the common council of the city.

66.1039(3)(fm)

(fm) If any provision of this subsection provides for the appointment of a member of an authority’s board of directors by the mayor of a city that has no mayor, the appointment shall instead be made by the chairperson of the common council. If any provision of this subsection provides for the appointment of a member of an authority’s board of directors by the county executive of a county that has no county executive, the appointment shall be made by the chairperson of the county board.

66.1039(3)(g)

(g) The bylaws of an authority shall govern its management, operations, and administration, consistent with the provisions of this section, and shall include provisions specifying all of the following:

66.1039(4)(b)2.

2. Contract for superintendence of the system with an organization that has personnel with the requisite experience and skill.

66.1039(4)(b)4.

4. Maintain and improve railroad rights-of-way and improvements on these rights-of-way for future use.

66.1039(4)(c)

(c) Contract with a public or private organization to provide transportation services in lieu of directly providing these services.

66.1039(3)(f)2.

2. If the governing bodies of the counties of Ashland and Bayfield and of any county that joins the authority under sub. (2) (e) 2. are unable to agree upon a composition of the board of directors as specified in subd. 1., the board of directors of the authority shall be limited to the minimum members specified in subd. 1. b. to d.

66.1039(3)(g)3.

3. The maximum rate of the taxes that may be imposed by the authority under sub. (s), not to exceed the maximum rate specified in § 77.708 (1).

66.1039(3)(g)4.

4. The composition of the board of directors of the authority, as determined under para. (d) or (f).

66.1039(4)

(4) Powers. Notwithstanding § 59.84 (2) and any other provision of this chapter or ch. 59 or 85, an authority may do all of the following, to the extent authorized in the authority’s bylaws:

66.1039(4)(b)

(b) Acquire a comprehensive unified local transportation system and provide funds for the operation and maintenance of the system. Upon the acquisition of a comprehensive unified local transportation system, the authority may:

66.1039(4)(b)3.

3. Delegate responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the system to an appropriate administrative officer, board, or commission of a participating political subdivision.

66.1039(4)(d)

(d) Purchase and lease transportation facilities to public or private transit companies that operate within and outside the jurisdictional area.

66.1039(4)(e)

(e) Apply for federal aids to purchase transportation facilities considered essential for the authority’s operation.

66.1039(4)(f)

(f) Coordinate specialized transportation services, as defined in § 85.21 (2)(g), for residents who reside within the jurisdictional area and who are disabled or aged 60 or older, including services funded under 42 USC 3001 to 3057n, 42 USC 5001, and 42 USC 5011 (b), under §§ 49.43 to 49.499 and 85.21, and under other public funds administered by the county. An authority may contract with a county that is a participating political subdivision for the authority to provide specialized transportation services, but an authority is not an eligible applicant under § 85.21 (2)(e) and may not receive payments directly from the department of transportation under § 85.21.

66.1039(4)(g)

(g) Acquire, own, hold, use, lease as lessor or lessee, sell or otherwise dispose of, mortgage, pledge, or grant a security interest in any real or personal property or service.

66.1039(4)(h)

(h) Acquire property by condemnation using the procedure under § 32.05 for the purposes set forth in this section.

66.1039(4)(i)

(i) Enter upon any state, county, or municipal street, road, or alley, or any public highway for the purpose of installing, maintaining, and operating the authority’s facilities. Whenever the work is to be done in a state, county, or municipal highway, street, road, or alley, the public authority having control thereof shall be duly notified, and the highway, street, road, or alley shall be restored to as good a condition as existed before the commencement of the work with all costs incident to the work to be borne by the authority.

66.1039(4)(j)

(j) Fix, maintain, and revise fees, rates, rents, and charges for functions, facilities, and services provided by the authority.

66.1039(4)(k)

(k) Make, and from time to time amend and repeal, bylaws, rules, and regulations to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority.

66.1039(4)(L)

(L) Sue and be sued in its own name.

66.1039(4)(m)

(m) Have and use a corporate seal.

66.1039(4)(n)

(n) Employ agents, consultants, and employees, engage professional services, and purchase such furniture, stationery, and other supplies and materials as are reasonably necessary to perform its duties and exercise its powers.

66.1039(4)(o)

(o) Incur debts, liabilities, or obligations including the borrowing of money and the issuance of bonds under subs. (7) and (10).

66.1039(4)(q)

(q) Do and perform any acts and things authorized by this section under, through, or by means of an agent or by contracts with any person.

66.1039(4)(s)

(s)

66.1039(4)(p)

(p) Invest any funds held in reserve or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, including the proceeds from the sale of any bonds, in such obligations, securities, and other investments as the authority deems proper in accordance with § 66.0603 (1m).

66.1039(4)(r)

(r) Exercise any other powers that the board of directors considers necessary and convenient to effectuate the purposes of the authority, including providing for passenger safety.

66.1039(4)(s)1.

1. Impose, by the adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, the taxes under subch. V of ch. 77 in the authority’s jurisdictional area, except that no taxes may be imposed under this paragraph unless the resolution of the board of directors is adopted prior to July 10, 2011. If an authority adopts a resolution to impose the taxes, it shall deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date. The authority may, by adoption of a resolution by the board of directors, repeal the imposition of taxes under subch. V of ch. 77 and shall deliver a certified copy of the repeal resolution to the department of revenue at least 120 days before its effective date.

66.1039(4)(s)2.

2. If an authority adopts a resolution to impose the tax, as provided in subd. 1., an authority shall specify to the department of revenue, as provided in this subdivision, the exact boundaries of the authority’s jurisdictional area. If the boundaries are the same as the county lines on all sides of the authority’s jurisdictional area, the resolution shall specify the county or counties that comprise the authority’s entire jurisdictional area. If the boundaries are other than a county line on any side of the authority’s jurisdictional area, the authority shall provide the department with a complete list of all the 9-digit zip codes that are entirely within the authority’s jurisdictional area and a complete list of all the street addresses that are within the authority’s jurisdictional area and not included in any 9-digit zip code that is entirely within the authority’s jurisdictional area. The authority shall provide a certified copy of the information required under this subdivision to the department, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department, at least 120 days prior to the first day of the calendar quarter before the effective date of the tax imposed under subd. 1. If the boundaries of the authority’s jurisdictional area subsequently change, the authority shall submit a certified copy of the information required under this subdivision to the department at least 120 days prior to the first day of the calendar quarter before the effective date of such change, in the manner, format, and layout prescribed by the department.

66.1039(5)(c)

(c) In exercising its powers under sub. (4), an authority shall consider any plan of a metropolitan planning organization under 23 USC 134 that covers any portion of the authority’s jurisdictional area.

66.1039(6)(a)

(a) An authority acquiring a comprehensive unified local transportation system for the purpose of the authority’s operation of the system shall assume all of the employer’s obligations under any contract between the employees and management of the system to the extent allowed by law.

66.1039(7)(c)

(c)

66.1039(8)

(8) Issuance of bonds.

66.1039(8)(b)

(b) The authority may sell the bonds at public or private sales at the price or prices determined by the authority.

66.1039(11)(a)3.

3. Insurance companies.

66.1039(11)(a)4.

4. Trust companies.

66.1039(4)(s)3.

3. Notwithstanding subd. 1., an authority created under sub. (c) may not impose the taxes authorized under subd. 1. unless the authorizing resolution under sub. (2) (c) 1. and, if applicable, sub. (2) (c) 3., and, if applicable, sub. (2) (c) 3., clearly identifies the maximum rate of the taxes that may be imposed by the authority under subd. 1.

66.1039(4)(s)4.

4. Notwithstanding subd. 1., an authority created under sub. (e) may not impose the taxes authorized under subd. 1. unless the authorizing resolution under sub. (2) (e) 1. and, if applicable, subd. 2., and, if applicable, subd. 2., clearly identifies the maximum rate of the taxes that may be imposed by the authority under subd. 1.

66.1039(5)

(5) Limitations on authority powers.

66.1039(5)(b)

(b) Whenever the proposed operations of an authority would be competitive with the operations of a common carrier in existence prior to the time the authority commences operations, the authority shall coordinate proposed operations with the common carrier to eliminate adverse financial impact for the carrier. This coordination may include route overlapping, transfers, transfer points, schedule coordination, joint use of facilities, lease of route service, and acquisition of route and corollary equipment. If this coordination does not result in mutual agreement, the proposals of the authority and the common carrier shall be submitted to the department of transportation for arbitration.

66.1039(6)

(6) Authority obligations to employees of mass transportation systems.

66.1039(6)(c)

(c) In all negotiations under this subsection, a senior executive officer of the authority shall be a member of the authority’s negotiating body.

66.1039(7)

(7) Bonds; generally.

66.1039(7)(b)

(b) An authority may issue bonds in such principal amounts as the authority deems necessary.

66.1039(5)(a)

(a) Notwithstanding sub. (a), (b), (c), (d), (q), and (r), no authority, and no public or private organization with which an authority has contracted for service, may provide service outside the jurisdictional area of the authority unless the authority receives financial support for the service under a contract with a public or other private organization for the service or unless it is necessary in order to provide service to connect residents within the authority’s jurisdictional area to transit systems in adjacent counties.

66.1039(6)(b)

(b) An authority acquiring, constructing, controlling, or operating a comprehensive unified local transportation system shall negotiate an agreement with the representative of the labor organization that covers the employees affected by the acquisition, construction, control, or operation to protect the interests of employees affected. This agreement shall include all of the provisions identified in s. 59.58 (4) (b) 1. to 8. and may include provisions identified in § 59.58 (4)(c). An affected employee has all the rights and the same status under subch. IV of ch. 111 that he or she enjoyed immediately before the acquisition, construction, control, or operation and may not be required to serve a probationary period if he or she attained permanent status before the acquisition, construction, control, or operation.

66.1039(7)(a)

(a) An authority may issue bonds, the principal and interest on which are payable exclusively from all or a portion of any revenues received by the authority. The authority may secure its bonds by a pledge of any income or revenues from any operations, rent, aids, grants, subsidies, contributions, or other source of moneys whatsoever.

66.1039(7)(c)1.

1. Neither the members of the board of directors of an authority nor any person executing the bonds is personally liable on the bonds by reason of the issuance of the bonds.

66.1039(7)(c)2.

2. The bonds of an authority are not a debt of the participating political subdivisions. Neither the participating political subdivisions nor the state are liable for the payment of the bonds. The bonds of any authority shall be payable only out of funds or properties of the authority. The bonds of the authority shall state the restrictions contained in this paragraph on the face of the bonds.

66.1039(8)(a)

(a) Bonds of an authority shall be authorized by resolution of the board of directors. The bonds may be issued under such a resolution or under a trust indenture or other security instrument. The bonds may be issued in one or more series and may be in the form of coupon bonds or registered bonds under § 67.09. The bonds shall bear the dates, mature at the times, bear interest at the rates, be in the denominations, have the rank or priority, be executed in the manner, be payable in the medium of payment and at the places, and be subject to the terms of redemption, with or without premium, as the resolution, trust indenture, or other security instrument provides. Bonds of an authority are issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and are public instrumentalities and, together with interest and income, are exempt from taxes.

66.1039(8)(c)

(c) If an officer whose signatures appear on any bonds or coupons ceases to be an officer of the authority before the delivery of the bonds or coupons, the officer’s signature shall, nevertheless, be valid for all purposes as if the officer had remained in office until delivery of the bonds or coupons.

66.1039(9)

(9) Covenants. An authority may do all of the following in connection with the issuance of bonds:

66.1039(9)(a)

(a) Covenant as to the use of any or all of its property, real or personal.

66.1039(9)(b)

(b) Redeem the bonds, or covenant for the redemption of the bonds, and provide the terms and conditions of the redemption.

66.1039(9)(c)

(c) Covenant as to charge fees, rates, rents, and charges sufficient to meet operating and maintenance expenses, renewals, and replacements of any transportation system, principal and debt service on bonds creation and maintenance of any reserves required by a bond resolution, trust indenture, or other security instrument and to provide for any margins or coverages over and above debt service on the bonds that the board of directors considers desirable for the marketability of the bonds.

66.1039(9)(d)

(d) Covenant as to the events of default on the bonds and the terms and conditions upon which the bonds shall become or may be declared due before maturity, as to the terms and conditions upon which this declaration and its consequences may be waived, and as to the consequences of default and the remedies of bondholders.

66.1039(9)(e)

(e) Covenant as to the mortgage or pledge of, or the grant of a security interest in, any real or personal property and all or any part of the revenues of the authority to secure the payment of bonds, subject