Housing Authority
Formal Duties: The Housing Authority shall have all the powers and perform all of the duties conferred upon it by Section 66.40, Wis. Stats.
Composition of Board and Term Conditions: The Mayor, with the confirmation of the Council, is to appoint five (5) persons who are citizens of the City as Commissioners of the Housing Authority. No Commissioner may be connected in any official capacity with any political party nor shall more than two (2) be officers of the City. The term of office shall be five (5) years.
Board of Review
Board’s Duty: This board is responsible for examining the assessment roll and correct all apparent errors in description or computation. The board may add omitted property to the assessment roll, but shall not raise or lower the assessment of any property except after hearing.
Formal Duties: Please reference Sections §70.46 and §70.47 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of five (5) residents of the City, none of whom may occupy any public office or be publicly employed. Members are appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Common Council for terms of five (5) years, with one member to be appointed annually.
Library Board
Board’s Duty: This board is responsible for promoting the mission and vision of the Elisha D. Smith Public Library. The board helps establish policies and helps oversee the overall management of the library.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of seven (7) members. Members may be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the common Council for a term starting July 1 for three (3) years terms. Members are to be Menasha residents, except the Menasha School District Superintendent (if appointed), or a county may appoint additional members from among residents of the library’s service area.
Formal Duties: Please reference Section §43.58 of Wisconsin State Statutes.
Water & Light Commission
Board’s Duty: This commission is responsible for general powers such as the construction, extension, improvement and operation of the Water and Light Department for the City of Menasha.
Formal Duties: Please reference the City Charter Ordinance regarding this board.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of five (5) residents of the City, none of whom may occupy any public office or be publicly employed. Members shall be elected by the Common Council. One member has a term of one (1) year, one for a term of two (2) years, one member for a term of three (3) years, one for the term of four (4) years, and one member to be elected for the term length of five (5) years, on the 1st day of October following the election.
Zoning Board of Appeals
Board’s Duty: This board hears applications for variances to the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
Formal Duties: Please reference Section §62.23(7)(e) of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of five (5) members, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council. The Mayor designates the chairman.
Plan Commission
Board’s Duty: This commission is responsible for a number of items, including 1) community planning, 2) plan implementation, 3) development review and 4) referrals and advisory recommendations. Items normally brought before this board include: zoning amendment requests, new site plan reviews for proposed constructions, and conditional use applications.
Formal Duties: Please reference Municipal Code Sec. 2-4-5 for details on the City Plan Commission.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of seven (7) voting members as follows: The Mayor, (1) Alderman, Director of Public Works, Chairperson of Parks & Recreation, and three (3) City residents. The residents are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Common Council for a period ending in one (1), two (2) and three (3) years thereafter from succeeding May 1st. Annually in April, members should be appointed for a term of three (3) years.
Parks & Recreation Board
Board’s Duty: This commission is responsible for a number of items, including to recommend, oversee work, and oversee funds of all parks, playgrounds, and recreational activities as part of properties within the City.
Formal Duties: Please reference Municipal Code Sec. 2-4-6 for details on the Parks & Recreation Board.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of seven (7) members as follows, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Common Council: The (1) Alderman (appointed annually), and six (6) members shall be citizen members. Annually in September, members should be appointed for a term of three (3) years.
Police Commission
Formal Powers & Duties: Please reference Municipal Code Sec. 2-4-7 for details on the Police Commission and State Law Reference §62.13, Wisconsin State Statues.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of five (5) citizens who are residents of the City. Annually, the Mayor shall appoint in writing to the secretary of the Commission between April/May, one member for a term of five (5) years, subject to confirmation by the Common Council. No appointment shall be made which shall result in more than three (3) members of the Board belonging to the same political party.
Neenah-Menasha Joint Fire Commission
Formal Powers & Duties: Please reference Municipal Code Sec. 2-4-7 for details on the Police Commission and State Law Reference §62.13, Wisconsin State Statues.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of six (6) citizens who are residents of the City, three (3) appointed by the Mayor of Neenah, and three (3) appointed by the Mayor of Menasha. Annually, each Mayor shall appoint in writing to the secretary of the Commission between April/May, appoint one member for a term of three (3) years, subject to confirmation by the Common Council. No appointment shall be made which shall result in more than three (3) members of the Board belonging to the same political party.
Landmarks Commission
Board’s Duty & Formal Duties: Under the general direction of the Common Council, this commission assists in the protection, enhancement, and improvements of special value, historic significance regarding properties within the City of Menasha.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board has its members appointed by the Mayor ,subject to the confirmation of the Common Council as follows:
1) City's Community Development Director (ex officio, non-voting member)
2) Six (6) members at large for three (3) year terms
3) An Alderman appointed for a one (1) year / annual reorganization meeting.
The Mayor takes into consideration to appoint those who have expertise in historical, architectural, geological, or cultural preservation, among other factors.
Please refer to Sec. 2-4-8 of the Municipal Code for more specifics concerning this board.
To learn more about the Landmarks Commission, please see their web page on the City's website.
Committee on Aging
Board’s Duty: The Committee shall make recommendations to the Mayor and Common
Council regarding the well-being of senior citizens.
Formal Duties: Please refer to Municipal Code SEC. 2-4-10.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: The Committee on Aging shall consist of eight (8) members appointed to three (3) year terms by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Common Council. The Public Health Director and Active Older Adult Programming Coordinator of the Neenah/Menasha YMCA shall be a permanent members of the Committee on Aging.
Redevelopment Authority
Board’s Duty & Formal Duties: The City of Menasha - Redevelopment Authority’s purpose is governed within the Wisconsin State Statues §66.1333, where it states:
An authority is created for the purpose of carrying out blight elimination, slum clearance, and urban renewal programs and projects as set forth in this section, together with all powers necessary or incidental to effect adequate and comprehensive blight elimination, slum clearance and urban renewal programs and projects.
Commitment term length: Five (5) Years; a commissioner holds office until a successor is appointment and qualified to fill the upcoming vacancy.
Examples of Work Conducted through the Redevelopment Authority:
- Consideration of various blighted properties
- Lawson Canal Draft Concept Plan review
- Review of development agreements for proposed subdivisions
Board of Health
Board’s Duty & Formal Duties: This board is follows the duties specified in §251.03 and §251.04 of the Wisconsin State Statues, and shall make recommendations to the Mayor and Common Council regarding the health of the citizens of Menasha.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This board consists of five (5) members, one being the Public Health Director, and one being the City Physician. The other citizen members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Common Council, with an effort to have one of these citizen members a physician, a registered nurse, or employed/trained in a health-related field.
Neenah-Menasha Sewerage Commission
Board’s Duty: This commission is responsible for the treatment of the municipal and industrial wastewater for the City of Neenah and Menasha.
Formal Duties: Please reference §66.031 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
Composition of Board & Term Conditions: This commission has seven (7) members for three (3) year staggered terms. Two (2) of these members are appointed by the Mayors of Neenah and Menasha, and confirmed by their respective Common Councils. The President of the Town of Neenah and President of Fox Crossing Utilities and President of the Village of Harrison Utilities each appoint one member, and confirmed by their respective municipal governing bodies.
