Number
250773
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Resolution relating to the creation of the Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha Passenger Rail Commission.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s support for the creation of the Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha Passenger Rail Commission. The resolution directs the appropriate City departments to begin negotiations to create the Commission and authorizes those departments to execute any agreements needed for the creation of the Commission and to enroll the City of Milwaukee as a member.
Body
Whereas, Regional connectivity is critical for promoting economic growth, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, promoting tourism, and creating a vibrant business community; and
Whereas, The expansion of passenger rail in the Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha (MARK) corridor would provide an additional connection from Milwaukee to Chicago, and create a world-class economic and cultural region that would spur economic development, increase wealth, enhance wellbeing, and attract new residents and businesses to Southeastern Wisconsin; and
Whereas, A key element of Vision 2050, a long-term land use and transportation plan for Southeastern Wisconsin, is development of commuter rail in the MARK corridor; and
Whereas, The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) created the Wisconsin Rail Plan 2050, which recommends statewide intercity passenger rail service; and
Whereas, WisDOT is pursuing development of 4 intercity projects through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program; and
Whereas, With support from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, the City of Racine received $5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to complete a study considering different approaches to passenger rail service design, sponsorship, and local funding in the Union Pacific corridor between Kenosha and Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The cities of Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee, along with other lakeshore communities, have worked to develop and expand passenger rail service; and
Whereas, Continued planning and development of passenger rail service in the MARK corridor is critical to the transportation needs of Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin; and
Whereas, A commission, established as a multijurisdictional body independent of any one municipality, and charged to pursue and promote the development, expansion, and continuation of robust passenger rail service through these multiple municipalities, is a crucial step towards realizing these goals; and
Whereas, The commission’s responsibilities should entail:
Overseeing collaboration between the private and public sectors.
Coordinating with jurisdictions in Wisconsin and Illinois to establish guidelines for policies like site selection and station development.
Applying for and administering federal and state grant programs, as well as other and funding sources.
Interfacing with the host railroads, operators, the Wisconsin and Illinois Departments of Transportation, and the federal government.
; and
Whereas, The commission should be separate from, but supported by, stakeholder municipalities to promote independent and coordinated decision-making in the best interest of the MARK corridor as a whole; and
Whereas, Pursuant to s. 66.0301, Wis. Stats., “municipalities,” including political subdivisions such as cities, may enter into agreements for the purpose of intergovernmental cooperation, including the development and creation of commissions by contract; and
Whereas, Section 66.0301, Wis. Stats., allows municipalities to cooperate, contract and bind for services; and
Whereas, These same municipalities may jointly exercise the powers and duties required or authorized by law for the administration of the joint project; and
Whereas, Pursuant to s. 66.0301 Wis. Stats., if two or more municipalities enter into an contract and creating a commission to jointly or regionally administer a function or project, the commission shall be considered to be a single entity that represents, and may act on behalf of, the joint interests of the signatories to the contract entered into; and
Whereas, The commission may also take part in:
Identifying the public benefits of connecting passenger rail within the MARK corridor to Chicago and state and national passenger rail networks.
Pursuing opportunities for transit-oriented development and other community-related benefits to ensure the fullest economic benefits from service implementation.
Determining the long-term role of the commission and coordinate public involvement, including any legislative or other action that might be needed.
Assisting in the determination of appropriate project roles for various stakeholders, including the commission, state departments of transportation, counties and municipalities, private partners, real estate developers, and advocacy or educational organizations.
Identifying and recommending actions relating to zoning, the environment, safety, and other regulatory-related requirements.
Participating in current and future planning and project implementation processes.
; and
Whereas, Creation of a commission by contract requires individual municipalities to commit to developing and negotiating an intergovernmental agreement to govern the commission’s management, operations, and administration, and specify the functions or services to be provided by the commission; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee wishes to participate in the creation and development of just such a commission and to express its willingness and intent to negotiate and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with other municipalities along the MARK Rail corridor to do so; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City supports the creation of a Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha (MARK) Passenger Rail Commission, in partnership with the cities of Racine and Kenosha; and, be it
Further Resolved, The MARK Passenger Rail Commission shall oversee the implementation, continuation, and expansion of passenger rail service in the Milwaukee Area-Racine-Kenosha rail corridor; and, be it
Further Resolved, The Common Council directs the appropriate City departments to pursue negotiations for the creation, operation, and administration of the MARK Passenger Rail Commission; and, be it
Further Resolved, That upon competition of negotiations, the appropriate City departments are authorized to execute any agreements necessary for the creation of the MARK Passenger Rail Commission and to enroll the City of Milwaukee as a member; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk is directed to send a copies of this resolution to the appropriate officials.
Requestor
Department of Public Works
Drafter
LRB 180941-2
8/28/2025
Christopher H. Hillard
Infrastructure Services Division
KEVIN MUHS:K. Vos
August 14, 2025