Rock Receives Multiple Violations Same Day as Oct 17 Common Council and Licensing Committee Meeting

Franklin Community News

Rock Receives "2" (TWO) Violations from City of Franklin the Same Day the Common Council and Licensing Committee Take Action to Approve Enchant and Modify Ordinance to Extend Events to more than 4 Consecutive Days

Notice of Intent Identifies Multiple Ordinance Violations the City of Franklin Is Not Enforcing with the Rock.  

The following letter was a Notice of Intent sent to the City of Franklin pertaining to Notice of Violations the Rock Received from the City of Franklin (Violation 1) (Violation 2) on the same day the Licensing Committee and Common Council met to approve the Enchant Application and Modification of the City Ordinance to allow 4 consecutive days of an event.  Alderman or staff did not mention the violation of ordinances at either meeting.

The Notice of Intent below from Citizens Concerned With Noise at Ballpark Commons and Franklin Community News is demanding that the City of Franklin take immediate action with the Rock.  Pursuant to the previous warnings issued to the Rock by the City of Franklin and in accordance with the Franklin Municipal Code, if the Extraordinary Event Permit for Hills has Eyes is not immediately revoked and if the City of Franklin does not issue a forfeiture to the Rock under Franklin Municipal Code 121-9 (L) by 5pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, we will have no choice than to file a formal complaint with the State Attorney General.  The complaint will be against the City of Franklin for collusion with a for profit business as well as discrimination and unfair treatment/business practices not afforded to other non profit organizations and businesses.

October 22, 2023

Mr. Reguluo Martinez-Montilva
City of Franklin
Principal Planner, Department of City Development

Re: Letter of Intent - Continuing Ordinance Violations for Hills Has Eyes and Other Ordinance Violations

Dear Mr. Martinez-Montilva,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the Franklin Concerned Residents with Sound at Ballpark Commons and Franklin Community News.  We are aware that on October 17, 2023 the Rock was given a Notice of Violation regarding operating hours and on the same day was given a Notice of Violation regarding technical issues with sound monitors.   The day these violations were issued were the same day as the Franklin Common Council Meeting and Licensing Committee where action was being taken to approve the Extraordinary Event Application for Enchant and to amend the City Ordinance to allow an event to run for more than 4 consecutive days.  These violations were not brought before either before the Licensing Committee or Common Council by City Staff.  In fact, during the Common Council meeting the Mayor went on to say:

“Mayor John Nelson confirmed at a council meeting Oct. 17 the speakers, “every one of them I’ve
seen,” have been turned inward toward the stadium.”

“Nelson said the city is still working to take over monitoring of the on-site sound meters and he’s been working with residents on the best placement.” Nelson also purchased a handheld decibel reader to allow elected officials and city staff to go out and get a real-time reading any time it may be needed to supplement the more permanent meters.”

“Our goal is to make sure we’ve got accurate data coming in from these decibel readers,” Nelson said, adding his plan going forward is “more efforts, more accountability.”

We are writing to inform you of another most recent violation of operating beyond approved hours for Hills has Eyes as well as other violations of the City of Franklin Code.  This is a Notice of Intent that pursuant to the previous warnings issued to the Rock and in accordance with the Franklin Municipal Code, if the Extraordinary Event Permit for Hills has Eyes is not immediately revoked and if the City of Franklin does not issue a forfeiture to the Rock under Franklin Municipal Code 121-9 (L) by 5pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, we will have no choice than to file a formal complaint with the State Attorney General.  The complaint will be against the City of Franklin for collusion with a for profit business as well as discrimination and unfair treatment/business practices not afforded to other non profit organizations and businesses.

Hills has Eyes - Friday, October 20, 2023, Open beyond Licensed Time of Midnight

We have received complaints from residents that the event Hills has Eyes was open and running until at least 1:02 am Saturday morning and a chainsaw, piano music, a loop of a male voice, explosive type noise, train horns on a loop, animal noises, an announcer could be heard a half mile away.  We do have time stamped proof of this occurrence. This was THREE days after the Rock received the notice of violation from the city. According to the license issued for the Hills has Eyes the event is required to end by midnight.  Additionally the Rock is in violation of Franklin Municipal Code 121-9 (E)(7)

"Noise. No licensee shall permit any sound created by the special event activity to carry unreasonably beyond the boundaries of the special event premises.”

Hills has Eyes 2023 Sunday Events - No License Issued

According to the Hills has Eyes website https://www.hillhaseyes.com/tickets-hours , the Rock has been selling tickets for Sunday Events the “Not So Scary Halloween Party on October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.  The License issued for the Extraordinary Event on May 24, 2023 only includes Friday and Saturdays 9/29 through 10/28.

Enchant - Any tickets sold or advertisement made prior to the grant of a license 

Enchant has been being promoted through social media and other media as well as tickets being sold since June, 2023, please see  https://enchantchristmas.com/milwaukee-wi-franklin-field/ .  The event as of now has not been issued a license by the city. The Rock has been in violation of Franklin Municipal Code 121-9 (E)(2) since June 2023.

“Any tickets sold or advertisement made prior to the grant of a license under this section and the satisfaction of all conditions of such license shall include therein, in like medium, a statement that "the occurrence of the (special event) remains subject to the approval of the City of Franklin."

Tacos and Tequila 2024 - Any tickets sold or advertisement made prior to the grant of a license 

Tacos and Tequila 2024 has been announced for 2024.  The website https://tacosandtequilamke.com/ has been promoting the event since the beginning of October 2023 and ticks are being sold.  The event as of now has not been issued a license by the city.  The Rock has been in violation of Franklin Municipal Code 121-9 (E)(2) since October 2023.

“Any tickets sold or advertisement made prior to the grant of a license under this section and the satisfaction of all conditions of such license shall include therein, in like medium, a statement that "the occurrence of the (special event) remains subject to the approval of the City of Franklin."

 

We look forward to a response from the City by 5pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.  You may email your response to the corresponding email.  Thank you for your immediate time and attention to this matter.

Regards,

Citizens Concerned with Sound at Ballpark Commons
Franklin Community News

Cc: Brian Sajdak, Assistant City Attorney
Alderman Jason Craig, Licensing Committee
Alderman Courtney Day, Licensing Committee
Alderman Michelle Eichmann, Licensing Committee
Karen L. Kastenson, City Clerk
Kelly Hersh, Director of Administration
Rick Oliva, Chief of Police

Rock Receives "Notice of Violation from Franklin" - Steve Taylor Further Evidence of Conflict of Interest

Franklin Community News

Rock Receives "Notice of Violation" on the Same Day Common Council Votes to Enact Temporary Ordnance to Accommodate Rock Event Enchant

County Supervisor Steve Taylor also Executive Director of the ROC Foundation Receives Notice of Violation on Enchant Further Providing Evidence of Conflict of Interest

Rock Receives "Notice of Violation" on the Same Day Common Council Votes to Enact Temporary Ordnance to Accommodate Enchant

Franklin Community News has become aware that on the very same day the Franklin Common Council approved a temporary ordinance that would accommodate approving an Extraordinary Special Event Application for Enchant at the Rock, the Rock Received a Notice of Violation regarding hours of operation for the Hills Has Eyes.

The Notice of Violation was signed by Regulo Martinez-Montilva the Principal Planner with the Franklin Department of City Development and was sent to Steve F. Taylor, Executive Director, ROC Foundation on October 17, 2023.  The Notice of Violation indicates:

"Dear Mr. Taylor:

Please be advised, it has come to our attention the City of Franklin that on Sunday, October 15, 2023, the "Hills has Eyes" event was still in operation as of 1:00AM.  The Hills has Eyes" event must end by 12:00AM (midnight) in accordance with the Extraordinary Event permit No. 23-1821 (attached).  Therefore, you are in violation of your Extraordinary Event permit and hereby notified that future "Hills has Eyes" events must end by 12:00AM.  Failure to comply with the approved hours of operation may result in revoking your Extraordinary Event permit.

On the VERY same day this Notice of Violation was issued the License Committee met to approve the Extraordinary Event Application for Enchant.  The License Committee voted 2 to 1 to table the application because it did not comply with Franklin Municipal Ordinance of an event can only be 4 consecutive days and the number of hours per day the event is held.  Voting Yes was Alderperson Eichmann and voting No was Alderpersons Day and Craig.  

Immediately following the Licensing Committee meeting the Common Council met and after disucssion voted to amend the current Municipal Ordinance to allow Extra Extra Ordinary Events that meet certain criteria the ability to run more than 4 consecutive days and longer daily time duration.  This amended ordinance will sunset on January 15, 2024.  The two Alderperson who voted no for this amended ordinance were Day and Craig.

It appears once again the City of Franklin is making special accommodations for the Rock unlike any other Franklin Business or Organization.  The issue of the Notice of Violation was not mentioned in the Licensing Committee or at the Common Council meeting.   Was the Common Council aware of this Notice of Violation Prior to the vote in both Committee and at the Common Council?  This may explain the absence of County Supervisor Steve Taylor, ROC Executive Director's absence from the meetings this past Tuesday.

During the Common Council Meeting one Alderperson opined that once the modified Extraordinary Event language is approved to allow an event to go more than 4 days could the Croatians apply for their Beer Garden next season 2024 and run everyday rather than just on every Thursday?  I certainly hope they take advantage and do apply because if they are not approved I think there might be a great case for discriminatory business practices by the City of Franklin.

As it relates to changing the ordinance requiring no event is longer than 4 days.  I believe Enchant is truly a great event. I am opposed to changing the ordinance when the ROC was fully aware of it and thought that again the rules do not apply to them when they were following the same rules (4 days) for Hills Has Eyes. The Rock did not believe that the city was going to hold the line and follow the ordinance.  

The loop hole in the ordinance is that any event can be promoted and tickets can be sold at any time.  What the ordinance requires is that the Extraordinary Event application be submitted no later than 30 days PRIOR to the event.  Hence the reason why Enchant was being promoted and tickets being sold back in June and Tacos and Tequila 2024 was just announced and tickets already being sold without any major dialog with the city on major improvements for next year.  What the Rock continues to do by submitting applications at the last minute is hope they can ram the event thru without giving the city the opportunity to throughly review and application for an event that will have major logistical issues for the promotor and the city.  

By submitting at the last minute the city succumbs to the pressure of the event is good for Franklin and has great opportunity for local economic development.  Meanwhile city staff do not have an opportunity to provide due diligence and the poor City Clerks Office, DPW, Fire, Police, EMS, and City Development are left to pick up the bag and spin in circles to make sure the city is prepared for a 12,000 person a day event that should have been submitted many months in advance to have adequate planning time.  This is not fair to city staff and is costing the taxpayers of Franklin an inordinate amount of money devoted to this last minute amateur approach.  Could you imagine Summerfest or Amfam Field operating like this? 

County Supervisor Steve Taylor also Executive Director of the ROC Foundation Receives Notice of Violation on Enchant Further Providing Evidence of Conflict of Interest

Franklin Community News has previous reported a conflict of interest with County Supervisor Steve Taylor and his role as ROC Foundation Executive Director, along with his role in ROC Ventures, along with his direct conflict with the City of Franklin and Mayor Nelson.

Franklin Community News has also reported that Steve Taylor led the campaign election team for Mayor Nelson and working with him on the "campaign committee" was Mike Zimmerman, CEO ROC Ventures, Kelly Hersh, Recently hired Director of Administration for the City of Franklin and former Alderwomen Kristen Wilhelm.

According to a 2020 Tax Filing of the ROC Foundation Steve Taylor is a paid employee of a Not for Profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  As such one would ask why Mr. Taylor received the Notice of Violation from the city of Franklin and what the Hills has Eyes event has to do with the ROC Foundation?

The answer is simple - NOTHING.  The ROC Foundation is being used by Mike Zimmerman and Steve Taylor to conduct the work of ROC Ventures under the ROC Foundation and that is illegal according to the IRS.

As previously reported by Franklin Community News, Franklin Community News and Franklin Residents Concerned with Sound at Ballpark Commons, have submitted a formal Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Form 13909) against ROC Foundation, Inc. The ROC Foundation is the charitable arm, a not for profit 501(c)(3) of ROC Ventures. 

The complaint to the IRS Exempt Organization Classification Unit alleges:

Directors/Officers/Persons are using income/assets for personal gain

Organization is engaged in commercial, for-profit business activity

Organization is involved in political campaign

Organization is engaged in excessive lobbying activity

The complaint is based on over 3000 pages of open records received from the City of Franklin of any email or correspondence to or from “Steve Taylor” or “Steven F Taylor” or “Steven Taylor” and any email or correspondence containing “Steve Taylor” or “Steven F Taylor” or “Steven Taylor” from July 1, 2020 thru August 22, 2023 as well as other public information and documents.  The time frame requested is the time the ROC Foundation was incorporated to the present. 

The emails show a direct conflict of interest with Steve Taylor in his role as Rock Foundation Executive Director, Inc and Taylor also appears to be acting as an employee of Rock Ventures who would be responsible for daily operations and government relations. Taylor uses the email address of “stevet@rocventures.org” for many different responsibilities and purposes.  It’s almost impossible for City of Franklin Staff to know which Steve Taylor they are dealing with on a daily basis.  Of the over 3000 open records obtained from the City of Franklin, the following email addresses and positions have been identified:

ROC FoundationExecutive Director – stevet@rocventures.org

Issues NOT Relating to ROC Foundation but to ROC Ventures Operations/Government relations – stevet@rocventures.org

Milwaukee County Supervisor – Steve.Taylor@milwaukeecountywi.gov

Issues related to Open Records Requests, Requesting Mayor Nelsons campaign finance reports and other non-Rock or County Business – stevetaylor4milwaukeecounty@gmail.com

According to the ROC Foundation Webpage  https://www.rocventures.org/foundation/about-us  the current Mission Statement of the Organization is:

“The ROC Foundation’s mission is to provide support and unique experiences for youth, high school, and young adults in sports, recreation, education, employment and wellness; through a robust network of like-minded businesses and supporters.  The ROC Foundation thrives to create impactful outcomes in the communities where we live, work, and play.”

Based on the stated mission of the ROC Foundation both on their web page and in their August 26, 2019 Articles of Incorporation with the State of Wisconsin, Mr. Taylors activity with ROC Ventures and the licensing of the Hills has Eyes has nothing to do with meeting the stated mission of the ROC Foundation.

Mr. Taylor made the following post in response (summary) to a citizen that called Taylor out for working on political and non-charitable tasks for ROC Ventures on a Franklin Community social media site.

“Oh….I don’t work for ROC Ventures.  Get your facts straight”

“Like I said I don’t work for ROC VENTURES or collect a paycheck from the organization.  I run ROC Foundation and answer to a BOD (Board of Directors).  People should be able to figure out the difference.”

In the Facebook post Taylor directly admits that he is not paid by ROC Ventures and does not work for ROC Ventures.  However, according to some (or many) of the over 3000 public records from the City of Franklin much of the job and activities that Taylor fulfills under the title of “Executive Director, ROC Foundation has absolutely NOTHING to do with the ROC Foundation and the stated mission of the ROC Foundation. The Open Records indicate that much (most/vast majority of) Taylors job has to do with the OPERATIONS and GOVERNMENT RELATIONS of  ROCK VENTURES.  This not only creates a conflict of interest, but also puts the ROC Foundation Inc. in serious jeopardy of losing the 501(c)(3) status.

“The corporation shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) if the IRS code or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under sections 170(c)(2), 2055(a)(2)m and 2522(a)(2) of the IRS code.

Directors/Officers/Persons are using income/assets for personal gain

Organization is engaged in commercial, for-profit business activity

Organization is involved in political campaign

Organization is engaged in excessive lobbying activity

The numbers tell us for 2020, the last year the ROC Foundation, Inc filed their 990EZ with the IRS that the ROC Foundation lost $18,826 for the year.  They needed to use a fund balance of $14,947 to stop the bleed.  They only made charitable contributions grants/funding in direct relationship to their stated mission of $2,835.  Steve Taylor the Executive of the Foundation received more from the Foundation than the Foundation provided in charitable contributions.  His Salary and benefits were $62,232.  The ROC paid itself rent for the ROC Foundation of $7,800.  Professional fees/independent of some unknown nature were paid $16,665.  The Foundation held three fundraising events for the year that provided $58,660 gross revenue with expenses of $43,995 leaving a balance of $8,363.  The ROC Foundation certainly did not generate enough revenue to sustain itself and pay for its operations.  The 990 EZ also indicates that the ROC Foundation, Inc was paying a loan back to ROC Ventures but not much in detail.

Based on the over 3000 public records, text messages, IRS documentation, the following allegations are identified to the IRS in the formal Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint:

ROC Foundation activity related to its stated mission is very minimal.

The ROC Foundation was set up as a cover business for Steve Taylor to lobby the City of Franklin and to avoid a conflict of interest with his position as Milwaukee County Supervisor which includes the Rock which in his district.  It also serves as the Trojan Horse charitable arm for Mike Zimmerman.

The ROC Foundation is paying for Mr. Taylor’s salary and benefits while the majority of his time is focused on ROC Venture Operations and Government Relations, not the stated charitable mission statement.

There is a definite conflict of interest between Mr. Taylor and his work, representation, and influence as ROC Foundation, Inc Executive Director; Steve Taylor, ROC Ventures; Steve Taylor, Milwaukee County Supervisor; Steve Taylor, Campaign Chair to elect John Nelson; and Steve Taylor, citizen of Franklin.

Mr. Taylor was the Chair of the Campaign to elect John Nelson and was very heavily involved in running the campaign, very active on social media promoting candidate Nelson, and involved in the community in fundraising events, meetings and activities to elect candidate Nelson.  There is a definite conflict of interest as Mr. Taylor is a part-time Milwaukee County Supervisor and a Full Time employee as ROC Foundation Executive Director and his efforts to place a “ROC friendly” mayor in Franklin.  Milwaukee County and the State of WI Ethics Board strictly prohibit election campaigning during paid time or with County Resources.  Additionally, the IRS strictly prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from being involved in any political campaign activity.  When did Mr. Taylor have the time to campaign for Mayor Nelson?

Based on the over 3000 public records obtained from the City of Franklin over the last three years identify that the majority of the correspondence to and from the City of Franklin had to do with ROC Ventures Operations and Government Relations and very minimal having to do with ROC Foundation, Inc.  The influence or interaction with the municipality in this excessive manner relating to process, requests, filing of application, inquiries and meetings on behalf of ROC Ventures constitutes excessive lobbying activity.

Franklin Requirements the ROC DID NOT Address for Tacos and Tequila 2023

Franklin Community News

Franklin Requirements the ROC DID NOT Address for Tacos and Tequila 2023

These are the areas that raise immediate concerns for approval of future Extraordinary Special Events at the ROC.   This is not a comprehensive list.  These and other issues should addressed by the city before any future event is promoted or considered.

Below is the ROC’s response to the Extraordinary Event Application for the 2023 Tacos and Tequila, obtained via an Open Records Request from the City of Franklin, and following is what the Franklin Municipal Code Requires.  The Municipal Code sited below is Section 121-9 Extraordinary entertainment and amusement (special) events.

Provide plans to limit the maximum number of people permitted to assemble.

“Maximum capacity of Franklin field is 4,000 persons in a baseball environment.

Given the opportunity to sell tickets on field opens capacity 8,000. Utilizing the

platform "Ticket Smarter" available tickets will be limited to the capacity. We

estimate 4,000 - 6,000 attendees.”

Code was not followed - “Maximum attendance. A special event license shall specify the maximum peak number of people to attend the special event. The licensee shall not sell tickets to nor allow the attendance of more people at the special event at any time than as specified in the license. Any tickets sold or advertisement made prior to the grant of a license under this section and the satisfaction of all conditions of such license shall include therein, in like medium, a statement that "the occurrence of the (special event) remains subject to the approval of the City of Franklin."

Provide plans and description for parking vehicles, including size and location of lots,

highway ingress/egress, parking lots, and shuttle services.

“a, To monitor and control parking and traffic, we will hire parking attendants that

will be equipped with flashlights, safety vests, and two-way radios to guide

attendees into appointed lots. In addition to our current special event parking

plans, overflow lots will be utilized as needed.

b. This wall be a paid parking event. Paid parking will limit vehicle count and traffic

c. A ride share (Uber, Lyft, etc) pickup/ dropoff point will be designated”

Code was not followed - “Parking. Off-street parking areas are required for each special event so as to provide parking space for the maximum anticipated attendance specified in the license, at the rate of at least one parking space for every three persons. Such parking areas shall be specified within the application and shall be located upon the special event premises; upon separate premises within 1,000 feet of the special event premises or upon premises located more than 1,000 feet away from the special event premises, provided that the licensee provides a vehicular shuttle service to and from such away parking area which operates in fifteen-minute round-trip intervals at all times during the event and continuing for 30 minutes following the close of the event on any day. All temporary parking facilities for special events shall be maintained free of dust or mud and all dirt or mud tracked onto the public right-of-way shall be cleared and removed within two hours following the close of the event on any day. The Police Department shall only post temporary parking-related regulations on public streets for special events if determined necessary by the Police Chief for public traffic safety or as may be directed by the Common Council within the license approval process.”

Provide plans for security, including number of guards, deployment, names, addresses, credentials, and hours of availability.

“A hired security team will be onsite for each operating date. The security team

will report directly to the event manager. Number of guard, deployment, names,

and credentials will be provided upon request.”

Code was not followed - “Security. Private security guards licensed by the State of Wisconsin shall be provided for a special event at the rate of at least one security guard for every 750 people anticipated to attend the special event as set forth in the license. No such security guard shall be armed unless the applicant sets forth on the application the intention that security guards shall be armed and, prior to the approval of the application, the applicant obtains the written approval of the Chief of Police determining that all such armed security guards meet all of the criteria and requirements set forth under § 941.237(3)(cm) and 167.31(4)(a)4, Wis. Stats., and that the state licenses required under such statutes are permanent and not temporary licenses. Any such armed security guards shall be in full compliance with and not violate any other governmental law, statute, regulation, rule, order or ordinance at all times during, or while acting in relation to, the special event. This requirement for the provision of private security guards may be modified upon recommendation from the Chief of Police to do so and approval thereof by the Common Council, upon consideration of the nature of the event and a showing of historical facts that the same special event has a history of a low level of activity occurrence pertaining to the public need for security and police intervention.”

[Amended 6-22-1999 by Ord. No. 99-1561; 6-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-2220]

Provide plans for sound control and amplification, including numbers, locations and

power of amplifiers & speakers.

“a. Onsite monitoring of noise levels will be monitored during event times to ensure

that levels don't exceed those allowed under ordinance.”

Code was not followed - “Noise. No licensee shall permit any sound created by the special event activity to carry unreasonably beyond the boundaries of the special event premises.”

ROC CONTINUES TO IGNORE FRANKLIN REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL OF EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS - TACOS and TEQUILA 2022 BEING PROMOTED AND TICKETS SALES OPENED

 Franklin Community News

ROC CONTINUES TO IGNORE FRANKLIN REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL OF EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS AND IS PROMOTING AND SELLING TICKETS FOR 2 EVENTS WITHOUT APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF FRANKLIN.  WHY IS THE CITY AFRAID TO APPLY THE MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES TO THE ROC?

Dear Mr. Mayor and Member of the Franklin Common Council.

When is enough enough?  Who runs this city?  You the members of the Common Council and the Mayor or the ROC, Mike Zimmerman, and County Supervisor Steve Taylor.  When are you going to do what the residents voted you in to do and apply the city ordinances uniformly to all businesses and not just to pick and choose to apply the Municipal Codes when you chose?  The talk shows, blogs, and mainstream media all are saying what many Franklin residents have known for a long time, that there is an INCESTUOUS relationship with the ROC, Zimmerman, and County Supervisor Taylor with the City of Franklin.

There are two events that are being promoted that HAVE NOT been approved by the Licensing Committee or the Common Council and are being promoted and tickets being sold for both events  The latest was announced today and tickets are already being sold at https://tacosandtequilamke.com .  There have been no public discussions posted about the impact of this event on the community including Greendale and how numerous logistical issues and concerns of the ROC will be addressed.  There has not been an Extraordinary Event Application approved for either of these events by the City of Franklin.

and the previous announced over two months ago with tickets being sold online since June is EnchantChristmas.com

I would like a response TODAY from the City of Franklin why the ROC does not need to comply with City Ordinances and Ordinances ARE NOT enforced by the City.  What will the City do to Enforce its own ordinances?  This has NOTHING to do with an MOU or a Planned Development District.  I EXPECT a response from the Franklin Mayor and the City Attorney.

Following are the Municipal Ordinances the City of Franklin CHOOSES NOT TO ENFORCE to the ROC, Mike Zimmerman and County Supervisor Steve Taylor

Franklin Municipal Code

121-9  extraordinary entertainment and amusement (special) events

C. 

License required. Any person, whether or not holding an entertainment and amusement license, under this section intending to hold, produce or sponsor a special event shall obtain a special event license prior to such event pursuant to the terms and provisions of this § 121-9.

E. 

Regulations.

(1) 

Duration and hours of operation. The duration of any special event shall not exceed four consecutive days and any permit issued under this section shall specify the days upon which the event shall occur. No special event shall be open to the public except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any Sunday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on any Friday and Saturday occurring within the duration of the special event. Such permit shall also specify the hours during which pre-event setup and postevent takedown operations may occur and no such operations may be conducted other than as so specified

(2) 

Maximum attendance. A special event license shall specify the maximum peak number of people to attend the special event. The licensee shall not sell tickets to nor allow the attendance of more people at the special event at any time than as specified in the license. Any tickets sold or advertisement made prior to the grant of a license under this section and the satisfaction of all conditions of such license shall include therein, in like medium, a statement that "the occurrence of the (special event) remains subject to the approval of the City of Franklin."

(3) 

Parking. Off-street parking areas are required for each special event so as to provide parking space for the maximum anticipated attendance specified in the license, at the rate of at least one parking space for every three persons. Such parking areas shall be specified within the application and shall be located upon the special event premises; upon separate premises within 1,000 feet of the special event premises or upon premises located more than 1,000 feet away from the special event premises, provided that the licensee provides a vehicular shuttle service to and from such away parking area which operates in fifteen-minute round-trip intervals at all times during the event and continuing for 30 minutes following the close of the event on any day. All temporary parking facilities for special events shall be maintained free of dust or mud and all dirt or mud tracked onto the public right-of-way shall be cleared and removed within two hours following the close of the event on any day. The Police Department shall only post temporary parking-related regulations on public streets for special events if determined necessary by the Police Chief for public traffic safety or as may be directed by the Common Council within the license approval process.

(7) 

Noise. No licensee shall permit any sound created by the special event activity to carry unreasonably beyond the boundaries of the special event premises.

(8) 

Security. 

Private security guards licensed by the State of Wisconsin shall be provided for a special event at the rate of at least one security guard for every 750 people anticipated to attend the special event as set forth in the license. No such security guard shall be armed unless the applicant sets forth on the application the intention that security guards shall be armed and, prior to the approval of the application, the applicant obtains the written approval of the Chief of Police determining that all such armed security guards meet all of the criteria and requirements set forth under § 941.237(3)(cm) and 167.31(4)(a)4, Wis. Stats., and that the state licenses required under such statutes are permanent and not temporary licenses. Any such armed security guards shall be in full compliance with and not violate any other governmental law, statute, regulation, rule, order or ordinance at all times during, or while acting in relation to, the special event. This requirement for the provision of private security guards may be modified upon recommendation from the Chief of Police to do so and approval thereof by the Common Council, upon consideration of the nature of the event and a showing of historical facts that the same special event has a history of a low level of activity occurrence pertaining to the public need for security and police intervention.

[Amended 6-22-1999 by Ord. No. 99-1561; 6-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-2220]

(10) 

Compliance with other code provisions. No special event shall occur unless all other necessary municipal permits, licenses and approvals applicable to the special event activities have been granted and any license granted under this section shall be conditioned upon the licensee obtaining all such other licenses, permits and approvals.

(4) 

No application shall be accepted as filed until the City Clerk determines that the information in the application is complete and sufficient for filing purposes as required under this Subsection F. Upon filing, the Clerk shall distribute copies of the application to the Police, Fire, Health, Planning, Building Inspection and Engineering Departments and Common Council members

J. 

Approval or denial of application. 

Upon receipt of a completed application, the City Clerk shall submit the application for review to the Common Council, which shall approve, conditionally approve or deny the license within 20 working days of its filing. The Common Council shall have the authority to modify the time and place or specified activities of a special event to facilitate crowd control in the interests of relieving congestion and promoting public safety. The Common Council shall issue the license if it complies with all terms and provisions of this section. Grounds for denial of the application shall include:

(1) 

Any false or misleading statements set forth upon the application.

(2) 

The special event is of such a size or nature so as to require the diversion of so great a number of municipal police or fire services so as to deny reasonable police or fire services to the City as a whole.

(3) 

The time, size and nature of the special event would unduly disrupt the safe and orderly use of any street or public place, or material portion thereof, which is ordinarily subject to congestion or traffic at the proposed time or substantially interrupts the safe and orderly movement of traffic.

(4) 

The vehicles, temporary structures, sanitary facilities, tents, equipment or other materials used in the special event do not comply with or meet all applicable health, fire or safety requirements.

(5) 

The special event will interfere or conflict with another special event for which an application had been previously filed or with a construction or public works project.

(6) 

The conduct of the special event will be contrary to law, including noise regulations.

(7) 

Either the applicant or a proposed special event were previously licensed for a prior special event under this section and violated any term of this section while operating under such license.

L. 

Enforcement. 

Any person who violates any provision of this section or who violates any condition upon which a special event license is granted shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000. Each day of violation shall be considered a separate offense. In addition, the City may enforce this section by way of injunctive relief and all other remedies available at law and in equity.

Franklin Social Media Censoring Franklin Collusion with ROC Owner Zimmerman and County Supervisor Taylor

Franklin Community News

Some Franklin Social Media Groups are censoring the fact that there is Collusion and a Conflict of Interest Between Mike Zimmerman, County Supervisor Steve Taylor, Franklin Mayor John Nelson, Kelly Hersh, Franklin City Administrator, and Some Members of the Franklin Common Council.

Franklin social media groups "The Franklin Community Forum", "Franklin Community Debate and Discussion", and "Franklin Community Page" are censoring posts and blocking individuals in this community that voice any criticism against the ROC, Mike Zimmerman, County Supervisor Steve Taylor, Franklin Mayor John Nelson, Kelly Hersh, Franklin City Administrator, and some members of the Common Council.

Election Night April 4, 2023 -  Pictured left to right County Supervisor Steve Taylor, Mayor John Nelson and ROC CEO Mike Zimmerman

Local media including - television news, talk radio, newspapers, and bloggers have been covering this story for over a month and it does not seem to let up.  Any community member who posts anything contrary to the narrative the social media sites want to pump out is either deleted or some of the group members are blocked.  

Everyone wants the Rock to succeed.  The Rock is good for Franklin and good for economic development and tourism in Southeastern WI.  However, what the Rock is NOT is a good corporate citizen who wants to work with its neighbors, our community, and its residents.  The sound and lighting issues that have plagued this venue since its inception have never been addressed and continue not to be addressed which affect the quality of life for many of our residents who live surrounding the Rock, not to mention our neighbors in Greendale east of the Rock.

This could have been accomplished and Mr. Zimmerman and his associates could have been Franklin heroes.  Instead he and Steve Taylor, (County Supervisor, Former Franklin Alderman, Executive Director of the ROC Foundation, and Steve Taylor Consulting LLC ) are saying dam be the residents and are playing chicken with the County Board and The City of Franklin.

This is a Franklin issue and CAN be SOLVED by the Franklin Common Council if they so choose.  We all know the history of how this project started and the multiple conflicts of interest and collusion that occurred to have this project approved.  The Rock is here and we cannot go backward.  The time is now for the Franklin Common Council and the Mayor to do what they know is right and within their jurisdiction to do what the residents have been asking since the very beginning of the development.

Many on the common council and the administration want to do what is right.  We are all aware of the conflict of interest that resides within the common council and the administration.  Mayor Nelsons 2023 Election Campaign committee consisted of Steve Taylor (County Supervisor, Former Franklin Alderman, Executive Director of the ROC Foundation and Steve Taylor Consulting LLC), Mike Zimmerman CEO Rock, recently appointed Director of Administration Kelly Hersh, and former Alderwomen Kristen Wilhelm.

Mike Zimmerman, the developer of the Rock sports and entertainment complex is quoted by WI Right Now as saying “I haven’t heard about these legal threats by County Supervisors but I’ll inform my legal counsel to look into,” Zimmerman responded. “On the surface, it would appear frivolous, emotional and out of the jurisdiction they have – and it would be very expensive for them and tax payers I imagine, especially if they lose.”

The proposed MOU makes Franklin Government an arm of ROC Ventures and removes all authority to regulate the company's activities. Franklin will now become a company town, beholden to ROC Ventures. Residents of Franklin did not vote for that! This effort appears about: Giving Zimmerman unchecked approval to do what he wants without recourse by the city and more importantly, to get him out of his contract of paying TIF bond shortfall payments! ROC Ventures, Mike Zimmerman, owes payments from last from last year and a projected loss again for this year and the city is currently paying the interest on the TIF which is underperforming from the forecasted estimates.

Mayor Nelson you have lost your integrity and respect of many individuals from that circus of an “emergency meeting” you had with representatives from the ROC that included members of your election campaign team according to news sources they were County Supervisor Steve Taylor who had over 3000 pages of open records to the city over the last three years mainly having all to do with ROC Operations and Government Relations not as County Supervisor or the Foundation in which he runs, Mike Zimmerman, and Kelly Hersh Director of Administration.

News sources indicate the emergency meeting was recorded and Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor called fellow county supervisors Logsdon, Wied, and Alexander not trustworthy and “terrorists”.

Mike Zimmerman called Supervisor Logsdon “crazy”. Taylor even called concerned neighbors “idiots” and “f*ckers” at one point during the meeting. According to news reports, Mayor Nelson and Ms. Hersh discussed how to get better public relations for the Rock and schemed to divide and conquer the neighbors by designating their leader, bypassing one female resident whom the mayor considers too emotional. Hersh spoke about presenting data to support the people who are calling the neighbors “Karens.” and said that the Rock’s developers could take steps that don’t impact their business while taking the “wind out of the sails” of neighbors at the same time.

It was also reported by news sources that Franklin’s officials did not push back at the incendiary language used against neighbors and county supervisors. Mayor Nelson it is now very apparent what many of us have known for a long time is true, you, your administration, and some of the common council members are bought and paid for by the ROC and Mike Zimmerman and beholden to Steve Taylor. Mayor Nelson you could not even defend your residents during this meeting. You sir have no integrity and are not representing the residents of our city. Franklin is now the laughing stock of the local communities.

For you, the Common Council members... you've gone along to get along for the last six months. It's now time to take care of your constituents and do the right thing. Use your brains and get rid of this MOU, fake committees, and trojan horse agreements. Get the sound system and sound level fixed, get the berm fixed, and get control of your own licensing procedures. And get the bond payments collected.

Steve Taylor and Mike Zimmerman have had a track record of threatening many individuals publicly, personally and professionally who disagree in public or private with them.  County Supervisor Steve Tylor has threatened County Supervisors Logsdon, Alexander, and Vincent.  Additionally the March 30, 2018 issue of Urban Milwaukee identifies the following officials and county residents who shared stories of Taylors behavior.  The individuals that self identified as being threatened or harassed by Taylor relating to issues and concerns with the Rock are former Milwaukee County Supervisor Dan Sebring, former Greendale Village Trustee Sally Chadwick, Greendale Resident Joy Zingales, Greendale Resident John-Franco Zingales, Franklin Resident Doug Milinovich, and Franklin Resident Bryan Maersch.

The writer of this also been threatened by Taylor and Zimmerman on behalf of the Mayor of Franklin text messages to prove the threats:

Steve Taylor Facebook Messages on April 14 . -” Then it will be game on if you write anything regarding Mike, John or I on anything outside of the City of Franklin municipal government.”  “I will talk with Mike and John because you are nothing but trouble”  “I am done with you. We will handle you accordingly”. Steve Taylor is also posting on Franklin Facebook Discussion Groups harassing threats under the alias and fake profile of Jill Manning.

Mike Zimmerman has been posting harassing posts and threats on Franklin Facebook Discussion Groups toward this writer in addition to contacting Alderman, relatives, and friends to have this writer back off.

During the week of March 1, 2023 this writer filed ethics complaints against Steve Taylor to the Milwaukee County Ethics Commission and also against Mayor Nelson to the Milwaukee County Corporate Counsel. The ethics complaints focused on being threatened by a public official, Taylor/Nelson offering Franklin jobs as political pay for play, contacting my employer, collusion in providing public benefit to the Rock, misuse of a Not for Profit ROC Foundation, Make No Promise or Statement on Behalf of the City or Common Council in an Unofficial Setting and Conflict of Interest. One week to the day after filing the ethics complaints Nelson, Taylor, and Zimmerman followed through with their threats against me. I am dealing with their threats and they will be exposed for what they are doing to me as well as to the residents and citizens of Franklin.

Residents are concerned with the faith and belief we have in working with Mr. Zimmerman, Taylor, and the ROC after 10 years of unfulfilled promises and the continued complete unresponsiveness, lack of respect, concern, and willingness to be a business who values the residents of this city and wants to work with the residents to provide the Quality of Life residents demand and expect.

One last thought… action or lack of action by public officials have consequences. They are called reelection and recall. Spring election is next April. That also means some of you, Common Council Members and Mayor, will have been in office for one year since your election and are eligible for recall. Do the right thing for the city. If you won't, the voters will.

The ROC, Zimmerman, Nelson, Taylor, and City of Franklin in the Media

THISJUSTINFROMFRANKLINWI.COM

According to IRS filings, County Supervisor Steve Taylor earned almost $70,000 as Executive Director of the ROC Foundation and the Foundation only distributed $2,800 to support its mission for 2020.

Mark Belling

Mark Belling covers the City of Franklin "being in bed" with the ROC.  Belling says "Is the City of Franklin being run by a bunch of morons?"   About County Supervisor Steve Taylor and Mayor Nelson "Don't  treat your constituents like pond scum".  Click below to hear the segment from his show.

JSonline

Living under the Rock:  Franklin attempts to address noise concerns with new agreement.

Franklin Common Council 10/3/23

Citizen Comment - Your Franklin Government bought and paid for by ROC Ventures, Mike Zimmerman - with the Support of County Supervisor Steve Taylor.

CBS 58

Neighbors who spoke during the public comment portion of Tuesday night's meeting were overwhelmingly against this first proposal, saying it does not do much at all to address the issues.

Fox 6

"How high would the wall have to be to control the music and the boom, boom, boom of the bass? Building a wall behind six properties in a neighborhood of 40 homes doesn't make sense."

WISCONSINRIGHTNOW.COM

Franklin Mayor Wants to Reopen Rock’s Development Agreement, ‘Can’t Recall’ Insults at Meeting.  Neighbors & County Supervisors Bashed as Idiots, Terrorists in Secret Franklin Meeting on The Rock.