Kenosha Landlord Association Membership Meeting Minutes

Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision - Koble

Matt Cibrario — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:55:16 GMT

We have received great news regarding the Koble Investments v. Marquardt decision (2026 WI 19), released by the Wisconsin Supreme Court this morning, June 5, 2026.

I have attached a "cliff notes" analysis from our colleague Rick Van Der Leest, President of AANW and FVAA, along with a full copy of the decision for your review. We could not have prevailed without your collective help; this was one of the most significant legal challenges our industry has ever faced. Please continue to support your local landlord associations.

Key Takeaways from the Supreme Court's Ruling:

- Wisconsin Consumer Act (WCA): The Court ruled unanimously (6-1 on the merits) that the WCA does not apply to residential leases where rent is payable monthly. The Court found no "agreement to defer payment" exists, effectively ending the theory that landlords are "debt collectors" subject to WCA penalties.
- Damages and Causation: The Court held that even if a lease were found void, a tenant suffers no recoverable pecuniary loss because housing was received in exchange for rent. This reversal eliminates the "windfall theory" that would have allowed tenants to recover all past rent.
- Attorney Fees: Because there was no WCA violation and no proven damages, the Court ruled that the tenant's attorney is not entitled to fees or costs.
- Impact on Copycat Cases: This decision effectively neutralizes more than 80 pending copycat class-action lawsuits by removing their primary legal and economic basis.

While this is a strong reversal, the Court did not formally resolve whether a lease missing the domestic abuse notice is void under § 704.44(10). Consequently, our push for the AB 202 legislative fix remains essential to provide permanent clarity for the industry.

Thank you for your continued support and advocacy.

March Membership Meeting Recap

Matt Cibrario — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The March Membership Meeting had a lot going on and we were happy to host a Personal Financial Representative.

Tina from Carpets Plus Outlets stopped by with some gift bags for members who attended.

Kelly spoke briefly seeking employment opportunities within property management.

There was no government affairs report since nothing had really changed since the March meeting and the Governor has not signed AB202 as of yet.

Our main speaker was John Lusignan of Modern Woodman of America. He is a licensed financial representative and has been an advisor with Modern Woodman for the 13 out of the total 16 years he has been advising.

John covered a wide range of topics including; SEP IRA, Traditional IRA and Roth IRA options as well as annuitization of monies. He discussed the limits on these investment opportunities and how landlords can invest for their future regardless of age or amount of money in their savings.

John also discussed different life insurance options available and the different options Whole Life, Universal Life & Term Life and the importance of having life insurance because average burial costs are in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

There were a lot of great questions from the attendees, especially from Vince and Jorge from Grand Appliance.

You missed a great meeting and Please feel Free to reach out to John Lusignan with any personal financial, life insurance or Retiree Health Insurance questions you may have.

Call or Text John at 262-308-8209
Email john at john.lusignan@mwarep.org

February Membership Meeting Recap

Matt Cibrario — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The KLA February Membership Meeting was a great success! Erik Miller from Steven Paddock's State Farm Office came to speak and present information landlord owners needed to know about insurance and the differences between your traditional home owners policies, Landlord polices, and renters policy.

He provided key pieces of information and important items to think about when changing insurance companies or buying an additional rental property.

April Membership Meeting Recap

Matt Cibrario — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:50:52 GMT

April's Membership Meeting was a great meeting where we had a representative from the City of Kenosha Tax Assessors office talk about the new tax assessments for the city and how that may impact home owners.

Additionally we had a representative from the Kenosha Water Utility come in and educate members on the programs available through the city with dealing with lead pipe replacement and the different grants that are available to home owners for this process.

KLA Holiday Party and Installation Dinner

Matt Cibrario — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 22:48:58 GMT

The dinner was once again a successful event for the KLA. We had a lot of door prizes to share and had a great attendance!

The new board members were installed and everyone seemed to have a really good time.

Thank You to everyone who attended and brought raffle prizes....

No Membership Meetings from June to August 2023

Matt Cibrario — Wed, 31 May 2023 21:28:08 GMT

There will be no membership meetings for the months of June, July and August.
The next membership meeting will occur on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 6:30 PM at the Fireside Restaurant, 2801 30th Ave.

Membership Meeting Recap - RENTER'S INSURANCE 101

Matt Cibrario — Fri, 19 May 2023 21:25:45 GMT

Mitch Doty, consultant with Glazd Inc. a Wisconsin-based company that offers free services, software and resources that are available specializing in managing renters insurance.
Mitch has consulted with building owners and contractors for about 7 years. He partnered with Glazd last year as a property consultant, focusing exclusively on the mechanics and benefits of renter's insurance requirements and compliance programs for residential property management companies and owner/managers.
Mitch discussed:

How the implementation of renter's insurance requirement to ensure that you and your residents are protected;
How to document and track compliance and
How to negotiate lower premium costs resulting in an increase in NOI & property value

Membership Meeting Recap - Wills, Revocable Trust and More

Matt Cibrario — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 21:20:35 GMT

Nathan M Leonardelli (Insurance Agent & Financial Advisor) is a second-generation insurance agent and Financial Advisor of 24yrs and spoke briefly on the importance of Liability Coverage and why your tenants need to have renters insurance.
Attorney Richard E. Bollenbeck is a third-generation lawyer with 39 years of experience. Richard provided a detailed and very informational explanations on the benefits of Wills, Revocable Trust and other related documents as well as advise how you can avoid probate, avoid attorney fees and avoid taxes and keep your assets private.
There was a lot of engagement from those who attended and several questions were asked about trusts and how it would benefit them.

Membership Meeting Recap - Lead Free & Healthy Homes Programs

Matt Cibrario — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 21:18:16 GMT

Lindsay Sarauer from the Kenosha/Racine Lead Free Communities Partnership for Lead Abatement and Healthy Homes Programs gave a presentation providing detailed information regarding the federally funded grant program designed to reduce lead hazards in the home making them healthier and safer for both owner & non-owner occupied dwellings.
Current grant pays 85% of contractor bid as opposed to 75% in previous years.

Membership Meeting Recap - DST 1031 Exchanges

Matt Cibrario — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:15:45 GMT

Scott Madura from Titan Securities, located in Chicago, will give a presentation on "DST 1031 Exchanges", an intriguing armchair investment for 1031 exchanges
Scott has been able to add a significant amount of value to various groups and individuals when it comes to educating them on the do’s and don'ts of 1031 exchanges
He provided insight on how a DST 1031's can allow owners to exchange management intensive properties into passive ownership of large, institutional properties.
There were several questions from the those who attended

KLA Holiday Event

Matt Cibrario — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

The KLA Holiday event was well attended by members. The new Board Of Directors were installed for 2023 shortly after dinner. A big thank you to all the members who donated raffle prizes and those who participated in the 50/50 drawing.