Powers of the Mayor.

Milwaukee City Charter § 6-09

in effect

6-09. Powers of the Mayor. 1. EXECUTIVE DIRECTION. The mayor shall have executive direction and control of the office of emergency management and homeland security and shall be responsible for the carrying out of provisions of this chapter and ch. 323, Wis. Stats., as amended. During a period of emergency, the mayor shall assume command and direct control over all emergency management and homeland security operations and functions within the city. 2. COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES. The mayor is authorized to cooperate with other political subdivisions, other states, the federal government, and with federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands in all emergency management and homeland security matters pertaining to the city, state and nation. The mayor shall comply, so far as is practicable and consistent with the emergency management and homeland security requirements of the city, with program guides of the emergency management and homeland security agencies of the federal government and the state of Wisconsin. He or she shall prepare or cause to be prepared reports of emergency management and homeland security preparations, programs or progress which are required for eligibility or participation in financial or other assistance made available by or through the federal government or the state of Wisconsin. 3. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY. The mayor is further authorized and empowered to: a. Make, amend and rescind orders, rules, regulations and emergency management plans within the limits of the authority conferred upon him or her under this chapter, consistent with emergency management statutes and plans of the state of Wisconsin and the federal government. b. Enter into shelter licenses or other similar arrangements with other political subdivisions, or governmental or private agencies, or individuals. However, no expenditures of public funds or any obligation of such funds shall be made without prior approval of the common council, except during periods of emergency. c. Delegate administrative and contracting authority vested in him or her under this chapter, and authorize the subdelegation of such authority. d. Declare by proclamation a state of emergency and the termination thereof unless the common council by resolution shall sooner declare the termination of the state of emergency. When the proclamation is issued, the governor shall be immediately notified of its contents. 4. SAFETY PROTECTION. a. The mayor shall have the power during a period of emergency to take such action as he or she deems necessary to preserve or protect the lives, health and safety of persons and property and to provide emergency assistance to any victims during such period. The mayor shall not be required to comply with the procedures and formalities prescribed by any other ordinance or resolution of the city pertaining to the performance of public work, the issuance of temporary permits, entering into contracts, the incurring of obligations, the employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, or the requisition or purchase of supplies and materials. Such power or authority shall, however, not exceed the amount appropriated by the common council, and set aside and remaining in an emergency management and homeland security fund. In no event shall the liability of the city exceed the fair and reasonable value of the services, supplies, equipment or materials furnished by virtue of the exercise of such power or authority. b. The mayor shall have the power after a proclamation of emergency, and until the state of such emergency is terminated, to commandeer materials, services and property in the public interest and safety. c. The mayor shall immediately notify the common council president to convene the council as soon as conditions permit.

Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/City-Charter/Master-Charter.pdf#page=43Fetched: 10/26/2026