Number
251875
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
201658
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Substitute resolution relating to approval of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for the purpose of establishing the terms and conditions for the River Skimmer Operation from 2026 to 2035.
Analysis
This resolution approves the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for the purpose of establishing the terms and conditions for the River Skimmer Operation from 2026 to 2035. The purpose of this agreement is to promote the use and enjoyment of downtown Milwaukee’s waterways by continuing a program to remove debris from the Milwaukee River, Menomonee River, Kinnickinnic River, Menomonee Canal, Milwaukee Estuary, and the Inner Harbor.
Body
Whereas, Downtown Milwaukee contains the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers, the Menomonee Canal, the Milwaukee Estuary, and the Inner Harbor (Waterways); and
Whereas, The Waterways provide transportation, recreation, and scenic beauty to downtown residents, workers, and visitors; and
Whereas, The removal of debris will promote the use and enjoyment of said Waterways; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) owns a skimmer vessel for removing debris from the Waterways; and
Whereas, The City’s support for operating the skimmer vessel allows more extensive operation than would otherwise occur; and
Whereas, The City and the MMSD desire to enter into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement (ICA) to continue a program to remove debris from the Waterways; and
Whereas, Said Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, copy of which is attached to this file, outlines the responsibilities of both the City and of MMSD; and
Whereas, The ICA stipulates that MMSD shall provide the skimmer including its maintenance, fuel, and berthing, manage and coordinate skimmer operations and provide annual reports to the City before the end of each year; and
Whereas, The ICA also stipulates that the City shall pay MMSD $61,200 for its share of the operational costs for 2026 and for Every year thereafter, the amount shall increase by the greater of 2% or the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) Midwest - Size Class B/C for the previous January to January period; and
Whereas, The Agreement is effective upon adoption and terminates on December 31, 2035; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee that the annual funding amounts be appropriated from the Department of Public Work’s Sewer Maintenance Operating Expenditures Account (Account Number 0490-6831-R999-634000); and be it
Further Resolved, That said Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement (ICA) is approved in substantially the same form as is attached to this file; and be it
Further Resolved, that the proper officers of the Department of Public Works, in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office, are authorized to make non-substantive changes to the ICA as necessary to achieve the intent of this Resolution; and be it
Further Resolved, That the proper City officers, including the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, are hereby authorized to execute the Agreement.
Requester
Infrastructure Services Division
Drafter
Kurt Sprangers
March 10, 2026