Milton Common Council to consider restricting where sex offenders can live

MILTON — The Milton Common Council will consider a resolution Tuesday that would restrict where registered sex offenders can live.

As proposed in a draft resolution, it would prohibit them from living within 1,200 feet of certain facilities, including: any facility for children; a public park, parkway, parkland and park facility; a public swimming pool; a public library or museum; a recreational trail; a public playground; a school for children; athletic fields used by children; a daycare center; aquatic facilities open to the public or any specialized school for children, including but not limited to a gymnastics academy, dance academy or music school.

The common council meeting is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Milton City Hall, 710 S. Janesville St.

The city currently has an ordinance regarding sex offenders, according to a memo from Police Chief Brandon Sachse. This would strengthen it, Sachse said.

“Without any restrictions in place, it allows sex offenders to reside anywhere in the city, which can set up offenders for failure on their path to rehabilitation, and place community members in an unsafe setting,” the memo states. “Wisconsin statutes do not limit where most sex offenders may live. State law restricts only where a sexually violent person on supervised release may live, and where Department of Corrections may initially place sex offenders released to parole or extended supervision. Sex offenders have a high rate of recidivism, and this ordinance proposal aims to reduce their potential to reoffend while keeping residents safe.”

Loitering also prohibited

Also, according to the ordinance, it would be unlawful for sex offenders to loiter in those places listed at a time or manner “not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity.”

“Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether such alarm is warranted is the fact that the actor takes flight up on appearance of a peace officer, refuses to identify himself/herself or manifestly endeavors to conceal himself/herself or any object. Unless flight by the actor or other circumstances make it impracticable, a peace officer shall prior to any arrest for an offense under this section, afford the actor an opportunity to dispel any alarm which would otherwise be warranted, by requesting him/her to identify himself/herself and explain his/her presence,” the draft states.

The draft resolution explicitly lists 27 state statutes that could be cited per the ordinance, describing them broadly as “crime against children,” such as various degrees of sexual assault, rape, incest, possession of child pornography and abduction of another’s child.

The draft proposes fines of between $1,000-$5,000 for each violation, and depending on the violation, fines could be levied daily. If a sex offender establishes a permanent or temporary residence, the police chief may refer the situation to the city attorney, according to the draft.

Facade grants

The council will also take up a proposal on Tuesday to raise the cap in its commercial facade grant program. The cap is now set at $5,000, and is proposed to be raised to $10,000.

“The city has often awarded grants of $10,000 without altering the guidelines,” a memo from City Administrator Paul Hensch states.

Funds for the grants come from Tax Increment District 7, which is comprised of the Junction Square Business District and other properties in the surrounding areas. TID 7 was opened on July 6, 2004, and is set to close no later than June 7, 2031, according to the city’s website.

The city will also consider granting $5,000 to Stockman Property Assets LLC through the Commercial Facade Grant program for 144 Merchant Row. The total project proposal is $11,450, which is to remove and replace the current awning and paint the front facade of both structures.

Indoor tennis facility

Among other action will be possibly supporting fundraising efforts for an indoor tennis facility at Crossridge Park discussion and potentially action on a residential developer’s agreement for a third addition to Red Hawk Farms.

There will also be a presentation regarding the upcoming Milton School District referendum and two proclamations from Mayor Anissa Welch, one for Hispanic Heritage Month and the other for Underground Railroad Month.