Number
121684
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Resolution authorizing the proper City Officials to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation regarding various elements of the Lakefront Gateway Project.
Analysis
Resolution authorizing the proper City Officials to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation regarding various elements of the Lakefront Gateway Project which will be incorporated into and coordinated with the rehabilitation of the Hoan Bridge and portions of IH 794.
Body
Whereas, The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be rehabilitating the Hoan Bridge between Car Ferry Drive and the Lake Interchange and rehabilitating and reconstructing portions of IH 794 between the Milwaukee River and the Lake Interchange between 2013 and 2015; and
Whereas, The final stage of the Hoan Bridge/IH 794 project will include the construction of the Lakefront Gateway Project; and
Whereas, The Lakefront Gateway Project will improve access to the Third Ward, Discovery World, the Art Museum and Summerfest; and
Whereas, The Lakefront Gateway Project will improve pedestrian access between the Downtown and the Lakefront area, and is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Lincoln Memorial Drive and Michigan Street and will open Clybourn Street to a median divided two-way facility between Harbor Drive and Van Buren Street; and
Whereas, The Lakefront Gateway Project will create one or more developable parcels in an area located south of Clybourn Street and east of Cass Street; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee will be affected by this project in many areas of its infrastructure; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works has been working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in examining the broad spectrum of facilities under its supervision in order to identify specific elements of City infrastructure that will be impacted by the Lakefront Gateway Project; and
Whereas, Those elements generally have been enumerated in a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation which have been proposed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation based on discussion among the Department of Public Works and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation staff; and
Whereas, The Memorandum of Understanding generally reflects an understanding between the Department of Public Works and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on the process to implement the greater majority of individual project elements; and
Whereas, The timeframe of proceeding with the many elements satisfactorily negotiated is becoming critical to overall Lakefront Gateway Project scheduling; and
Whereas, It is now in the interest of both the City and the Wisconsin Department ofg transportation to seek authority to allow the proper City officials to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding so that the Lakefront Gateway Project may proceed to the benefit of all parties; and
Whereas, The execution of the Memorandum of Understanding may lead to negotiations and development of a number of separate agreements specific to individual elements of City participation in the numerous Lakefront Gateway Project work contracts; and
Whereas, It is in the best interest of both the City and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to also seek authority at this time to allow the proper City officials to enter into the multiple individual project element agreements as they are developed and as they become necessary; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to negotiate and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, a draft of which is attached to this file by reference and included in this file as though set forth in full, and necessary subsequent agreements between the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation regarding various elements associated with the Lakefront Gateway Project to facilitate the City's overall participation in the project in a manner most beneficial to the City and its citizens; and, be it
Further Resolved, That non-substantive changes in the Memorandum of Understanding may be made by the Commissioner of Public Works and the City Engineer in order to clarify, better define responsibilities as necessary and include additional non-financial elements as necessary; and, be it
Further Resolved, That any of the potential future agreements which may be necessary as a result of execution of this Memorandum of Understanding that may require financial consideration will be brought forth for Common Council consideration and approval.
Requestor
Department of Public Works
Drafter
Infrastructure Services Division
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