(1) FEE SIMPLE TITLE TO CITY. If the city acquires any property by gift, purchase or condemnation under this subchapter, the city holds fee simple title to the property except that the city may acquire only an easement for streets, alleys, bridges, viaducts or water or sewer mains or branches and may acquire temporary construction easements. (2) PROCEDURE. (a) The city acquires title to any property if any of the following occur: 1. The city pays the property owner the damages assessed under s. 32.57. 2. The city reserves sufficient funds to pay the property owner the damages assessed under s. 32.57 and the board provides the property owner with 10 days’ notice of the availability of the funds prior to acquisition by publication in any newspaper of general circulation in the city. 3. The city deposits the damages assessed under s. 32.57 with the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the property is located for payment by order of the court under par. (c). (b) Any person entitled to payment for an assessment of damages exceeding $200 shall furnish to the city an abstract of title extended down to date to prove ownership, before the city may pay the assessment of damages. If the assessment of damages does not exceed $200, the claimant may furnish a certificate of title to prove ownership instead of an abstract of title. (c) The city may deposit the assessed damages with the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the property is located. Deposit with the circuit court clerk relieves the city of any responsibility for the payment of damages and vests title to the property with the city. The circuit court has jurisdiction over the application of any party interested in the assessed damages, after notifying all interested parties and receiving proof of the applicant’s interest, to distribute the payment of damages. (d) 1. The city may deposit the assessed damages with the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the property is located if either of the following persons fails to accept a payment of damages: a. A trustee vested with title to property condemned under this subchapter but who is not authorized to convey the property. b. A guardian of a person with an interest in property condemned under this subchapter. 2. The city shall notify the trustee or guardian of the deposit under subd. 1. Deposit with the circuit court clerk relieves the city of any responsibility for the payment of damages and vests title to the property with the city. The circuit court has jurisdiction over the application of any trustee or guardian to determine the rights of the parties and distribute the payment of damages. (e) Payment of damages assessed under s. 32.57 voids all encumbrances to title, including any contract, lease or covenant attached to the property. Payment of assessed damages satisfies the interests in the property of all parties to the encumbrances. (3) PAYMENT OF TAXES. The city may collect any unpaid property taxes, including property taxes assessed for the current year prior to transfer of title to the city, by reducing the assessed damages payable to the property owner proportionately. The court with jurisdiction under sub. (2) (c) or (d) may reduce the assessed damages proportionately prior to ordering the distribution of the assessed damages. (4) WRIT OF ASSISTANCE. If the city is unable to obtain possession of the property under sub. (2), a circuit court may grant a writ of assistance with 24 hours’ notice to assist the transfer of title. If the city receives a writ of assistance pending an appeal, the appellant may receive the money paid into court upon the order of the court without prejudice to the appeal.
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