Number
190342
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
171053, 180527
Sponsor
ALD. JOHNSON, KOVAC, BAUMAN, MURPHY, and BORKOWSKI
Title
Resolution adopting a Green Infrastructure Plan for the City of Milwaukee.
Analysis
This resolution adopts a Green Infrastructure Plan for the City of Milwaukee. Common Council file 171053 directed the Environmental Collaboration Office to develop a comprehensive green infrastructure plan for Milwaukee’s Combined Sewer Area. Council file 180527 expressed support for the City of Milwaukee’s Framework for Green Infrastructure Plan. This resolution adopts the finished Green Infrastructure Plan that was written from the framework approved by the Council.
Body
Whereas, During wet-weather events, large volumes of stormwater enter the local sewerage system, increasing the volume of wastewater that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) must convey and treat; and
Whereas, During wet-weather events, stormwater can overwhelm the local sewerage system, causing combined sanitary and stormwater flows to back up through floor drains and flood basements of homes and businesses; and
Whereas, climate change is predicted to increase the risk of large wet-weather events; and
Whereas, Green infrastructure, which refers to any combination of landscaping, facilities or equipment that captures rain, at or near the site where it falls, by infiltration into the soil, evapotranspiration by plants, or storage for beneficial re-use, reduces the volume of stormwater in the sewerage system, thereby reducing water treatment needs, improving water quality, reducing grey (artificial) stormwater infrastructure needs and reducing flooding; and
Whereas, Green infrastructure may include rain gardens, constructed wetlands, green and blue roofs, bioswales, landscaping with deeply rooted plants, rain barrels and cisterns, trees, soil amendments, permeable surfacing and the removal of water-infiltration impeding structures or pavements; and
Whereas, Beyond reducing stormwater runoff, utilization of green infrastructure confers a host of co-benefits, including:
1. Increasing available water supplies.
2. Increasing groundwater recharge.
3. Reducing salt use.
4. Reducing energy use.
5. Improving air quality.
6. Reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
7. Reducing urban heat island effects.
8. Improving local wildlife habitats.
; and
Whereas, Additional co-benefits of green infrastructure may include improving community livability, cohesion and aesthetics, increasing recreational opportunities, reducing noise pollution, and increasing public education and urban agricultural opportunities; and
Whereas, To further promote the use of green infrastructure in Milwaukee, the Common Council directed the Environmental Collaboration Office to develop a comprehensive green infrastructure plan for Milwaukee’s CSA (Common Council File Number 171053); and
Whereas, the Environmental Collaboration Office in consultation with the Department of Public Works, Department of City Development, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Development, Milwaukee Public Schools, developers, community partners, and academic institutions developed a Green Infrastructure Plan Framework that was supported by the Common Council (Common Council File Number 180527); and
Whereas, MMSD has adopted new regional thresholds that would encourage the implementation of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff; and
Whereas, MMSD supports the use of green infrastructure in Milwaukee through its Green Solutions grant program, which has provided funding to the City of Milwaukee to implement green infrastructure, including bioswales, green alleys and bio-retention areas; and
Whereas, the Environmental Collaboration Office developed the final Green Infrastructure Plan through a grant from MMSD; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Green Infrastructure Plan, in substantially the same form as attached to this file, is approved; and, be it
Further Resolved, That in accordance with the Plan and beginning in 2020, the Department of Public Works is authorized to use up to $200,000 per year of the city’s Green Solutions funding allocation from MMSD for a Commercial Property Green Infrastructure Grant Program; and be it
Further Resolved, that the Commissioner of Public Works is authorized to enter into contracts and agreements necessary to carry out a Commercial Property Green Infrastructure Grant Program.
Requestor
Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office
Drafter
Erick Shambarger
5/29/2019