NUMB:
980871
VERS:
SUBSTITUTE 3
XXBY:
ALD. MURPHY, D'AMATO, GORDON, RICHARDS AND BUTLER
TITL:
Substitute resolution relating to a procedure and policy criteria for sale of water to neighboring communities.
ANLS:
- Analysis -
This resolution establishes a procedure and policy criteria for the sale of water outside the City of Milwaukee. The Legislative Reference Bureau shall perform a study of each proposed sale, and shall furnish the Common Council with a report prior to Common Council action. Each study shall include a feasibility analysis and other specified components. At least 5 days prior to consideration of a proposed sale by a Common Council committee, the Water Works shall submit a written evaluation of the water service request including such information as the Water Works considers relevant.
The Common Council's consideration of any proposed water sale shall include but not be limited to evaluation of the following criteria:
1. Whether the proposed sale is the result of a water shortage or water contamination public health crisis in the community or area to be served.
2. Whether the community or area to be served is fully developed or primarily undeveloped.
3. Whether the community or area to be served is primarily residential or business.
4. Whether further expansion of the community or area to be served is contingent upon the availability of City of Milwaukee water.
5. Whether the sale may have a potential negative economic impact on the City due to lost opportunities for attracting new businesses and jobs to Milwaukee.
BODY:
Whereas, In 1985, the Great Lakes Charter was developed and signed by the governors of the 8 Great Lakes states and the premiers of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada; and
Whereas, The Charter seeks to conserve the levels and flows of the Great Lakes and protect and conserve the environmental balance of the Great Lakes basic ecosystem; and
Whereas, In 1986, the U.S. Congress enacted the Federal Water Resources Development Act, which prohibits water diversions from the Great Lakes basin in the United States unless the diversion is approved by the governor of each Great Lakes state; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee provides water service to neighboring communities upon Common Council approval of water service agreements; and
Whereas, The recent installation of major water quality improvements by the City of Milwaukee has resulted in widespread recognition of the superior quality of Milwaukee's water, which may prompt requests for the Water Works to expand its service to more areas; and
Whereas, Some neighboring communities seek to purchase water from Milwaukee because the groundwater on which they currently rely is undesirable for human consumption and may constitute a risk to public health; and
Whereas, The Water Works currently has significant excess capacity and could readily supply water to new customers; and
Whereas, By providing water to other communities, the City, directly or indirectly, facilitates residential, industrial and commercial sprawl in the greater Milwaukee area; and
Whereas, This suburban sprawl represents lost opportunities for additional housing, jobs and tax base in the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, It is in the best interest of the City of Milwaukee for the Common Council to establish a procedure and policy criteria relating to water sales so that such decisions can be based on timely, accurate and complete information; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that prior to Common Council action on any proposed sale of water to any community or area outside the City, the Legislative Reference Bureau shall prepare a study of each proposed sale, including but not limited to the following information:
1. A feasibility analysis of the proposed sale of water, which shall include, but not be limited to increased revenue, cost of production, effect on the City's water rates and impact on capacity utilization.
2. An economic profile of the community that seeks to purchase the water, including its tax rate, assessed valuation per capita, median household income and median home value.
3. An analysis of whether the water will service existing properties or can be used directly or indirectly to facilitate new residential, industrial or commercial development.
4. An analysis of potential negative economic impact on the City due to lost opportunities for attracting new businesses and jobs to Milwaukee.
5. An analysis of the environmental impact of the proposed sale.
6. Other data and analysis that the Legislative Reference Bureau finds to be pertinent to the Common Council in its consideration of the proposed sale.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council directs all City departments and agencies to cooperate with the Legislative Reference Bureau in providing all necessary information for studies of proposed water sales pursuant to this resolution; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, not less than 5 working days before a proposed water sale is considered by a Common Council Committee, the Water Works shall submit to the Common Council a written evaluation of the water service request including such information as the Water Works deems relevant to the Council's consideration; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council's consideration of any proposed water sale shall include but not be limited to evaluation of the following criteria:
1. Whether the proposed sale is the result of a water shortage or water contamination public health crisis in the community or area to be served.
2. Whether the community or area to be served is fully developed or primarily undeveloped.
3. Whether the community or area to be served is primarily residential or business.
4. Whether further expansion of the community or area to be served is contingent upon the availability of City of Milwaukee water.
5. Whether the sale may have a potential negative economic impact on the City due to lost opportunities for attracting new businesses and jobs to Milwaukee.
ZDPT:
DFTR:
98370-5
CW
4/19/99