Number
151467
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
131035
Sponsor
ALD. STAMPER
Title
Substitute resolution authorizing the Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office to apply for, accept and expend a grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan to install green infrastructure on a privately-owned parking lot.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Environmental Collaboration Office, in partnership with the Department of Public Works, to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Fund for Lake Michigan to develop and implement a green infrastructure implementation project on privately-owned parking lots as part of the North Avenue Corridor Restoration. This project will be funded by a $25,000 grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan, the acceptance and expenditure of which is also authorized by this resolution. The City will provide a matching contribution of $25,000 from its green infrastructure capital accounts in the Department of Public Works. The City share of the construction cost would be repaid to the City by the private parking lot owner through a municipal special assessment or special charge.
Body
Whereas, On December 17, 2013, the Common Council adopted File Number 131035, a resolution approving “ReFresh Milwaukee: City of Milwaukee Sustainability Plan 2013-2023” as the City’s first sustainability plan and directing its implementation; and
Whereas, The water chapter of the ReFresh Milwaukee plan contains the goal of reducing stormwater runoff and clear water from entering the sewer system; and
Whereas, One of the strategies in the ReFresh Milwaukee water chapter is to “identify incentives and innovative financing approaches for full-scale implementation [of the green infrastructure plan];” and
Whereas, Implementing green infrastructure can help property owners reduce their sewer fees, reduce pollutants from entering the sewer system, save wastewater treatment costs, protect against basement backups, create local jobs and improve the environment; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee has an existing Green Streets Stormwater Management Plan that has design recommendations for city streets to reduce flooding risks, improve the quality of lakes and rivers, and help the City adapt to a changing climate; and
Whereas, The Fund for Lake Michigan is focused on making a profound impact on the health of Lake Michigan and its communities with the intent of “investing in projects that benefit local communities and the environment”; and
Whereas, The Fund for Lake Michigan offers grants which focus on projects that “achieve tangible near-term and long-term results such as protecting critical natural habitats and making water resources more swimmable, fishable and drinkable”; and
Whereas, The funds for Lake Michigan will award funds to the City for green infrastructure improvements along the perimeter of a privately-owned parking lot along North Avenue between Interstate-43 and 27th Street or, if a willing property owner cannot be found there, on Pierce Street between 31st Street and 39th Street ; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works will create an easement for the portion of the privately-owned parking lot that abuts the sidewalk where the parking lot landscaping and/or absorptive zone would be placed; and
Whereas, This project will be sustained after the pilot period because it will result in a program where the costs for the green infrastructure installation would be recouped through a special assessment or special charge on the property owner’s taxes, similar to the City’s existing commercial PACE financing program; and
Whereas, The plan for implementing green infrastructure along North Avenue fits into the Department of City Development’s existing Fond du Lac and North Comprehensive Plan; and
Whereas, Under the Open Space Policies and Strategies section of the Fond du Lac & North Comprehensive Plan, the Department of City Development recommends that the City support an interconnected network of plazas, streetscapes and public open spaces that makes the city a more productive and desirable place to live; and
Whereas, Implementation of the green infrastructure along North Avenue will create an identity for the neighborhood as a sustainable corridor; and
Whereas, Green infrastructure along North Avenue will increase the value of surrounding properties, improve the water quality of stormwater in the combined sewer area and help combat the urban heat island effect, and represents a significant and visible investment in the neighborhood on a street with high strategic importance for the City; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee anticipates receiving up to $25,000 from the Fund for Lake Michigan for the design, installation and maintenance of the green infrastructure along North Avenue; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee and its partners have pledged $25,000, for a total project value of $50,000; and
Whereas, The grant has a period of performance from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2016; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office is authorized to accept a $25,000 grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan and enter into a cooperative agreement with the Fund for Lake Michigan to develop and implement a green infrastructure implementation project on privately-owned parking lots as part of the North Avenue Corridor Restoration, unless the terms of the agreement change, as indicated in s. 304-81 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Environmental Collaboration Office, on behalf of the Department of Public Works, is authorized to accept and allocate a $25,000 grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan for this project, unless otherwise dictated by the Fund for Lake Michigan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is authorized to:
1. Commit funds within the Project/Grant Parent of the 2015 Special Revenue - Grant and Aid Projects Fund, the following amount for the project titled “Green Infrastructure Incentive Pilot”:
Project/Grant GR0001500000
Fund 0150
Org 9990
Program 0001
Budget Year 0000
Subclass R999
Account 000600
Project Grantor Share
Amount $25,000
2. Create the necessary Grant and Aid Project/Grant and Project/Grant levels and budget against these Project/Grant values the amount required under the cooperative agreement.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That these funds are budgeted for the Department of Public Works, which is authorized to:
1. Expend from the amount budgeted for specified purposes as indicated in the grant budget and incur costs consistent with the award date;
2. Establish the necessary city share project values; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Public Works is authorized to provide the matching funds for this project from its existing allocation of green infrastructure capital and/or grant accounts; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City is authorized to recoup at least some of those costs from the participating private property owner through a special assessment or special charge over a period of up to 6 years.
Requestor
Department of Administration- Environmental Collaboration Office
Drafter
Environmental Collaboration Office
Erick Shambarger
LRB162989-2
Teodros W. Medhin
2/10/2016