IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
220553
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the site selection of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ new Type 1 Juvenile Correctional Facility.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s support for the site selection for a new Type I Juvenile Correctional Facility. The Wisconsin Department of Administration is required to obtain this support pursuant to 2021 Wisconsin Act 252.
Body
Whereas, On August 9, 2022, the Governor of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the Department of Corrections announced the proposed construction of a new Type I Juvenile Correctional Facility located at 7930 W. Clinton Avenue in the 9th Aldermanic District of the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, A Type 1 Juvenile Correctional Facility is a secure facility that treats youth adjudicated under the Serious Juvenile Offender disposition, youth waived to adult court and convicted as adults, and certain youth with juvenile county commitments; and
Whereas, The standard of care for youth in custody should follow evidence-based practices, such as the use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and research-based practices for behavior management for youth in secure confinement settings, which prohibit the use of indiscriminate restraints, the use of oleoresin capsicum spray (pepper spray), and punitive confinement; and
Whereas, The Department of Corrections reports that over half of the commitments at the Lincoln Hill/Copper Lakes schools come from Milwaukee County; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee is a first-class city and has greater capacity to offer culturally-responsive services to support and enhance critical programming for youth in custody; and
Whereas, 2021 Wisconsin Act 252 requires that the Wisconsin Department of Administration obtain the support of the governing body of the municipality in which the site of a proposed Type 1 Juvenile Correctional Facility is located prior to approving plans and reporting to the Joint Committee on Finance; and
Whereas, This resolution is only the first in a long series of steps to obtain the required approvals for the construction of a new Type I Juvenile Correctional Facility; and
Whereas, This resolution is being considered for the sole purpose of satisfying the requirement set forth in 2021 Wisconsin Act 252 and does not circumvent or negate any authority of the City of Milwaukee to proceed with the necessary rezoning process and procedures as required by s. 13.4(13)(a) Wis Stats. and s. 295-307-3 of the Code of Ordinances; and
Whereas, The acquisition of the selected site requires a change in the zoning ordinance that will be submitted through the established City Plan Commission process; and
Whereas, The rezoning process includes a recommendation from the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, and requires a full vote of the Common Council and the Mayor’s signature; and
Whereas, The Common Council looks forward to receiving public input and conducting further research on the proposed site that will help inform the City Plan Commission’s recommendations; and
Whereas, The proposed site and the project will be the subject of a State of Wisconsin-led environmental impact study that will include extensive public comment and a public hearing; and
Whereas, The proposed site, the purchase of the land, and the project will be required to go before the State Building Commission for approval; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that in order to satisfy the local governing body requirement in 2021 Wisconsin Act 252, the City of Milwaukee supports the selection of the site proposed by the Department of Administration and the Department of Corrections at 7930 W Clinton Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233 for a new Type 1 Juvenile Correctional Facility; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the site and the project will be subject to the City’s rezoning process; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk is directed to send certified copies of this resolution to the Governor, Secretary of the Department of Corrections, the Wisconsin Department of Administration, and the Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance.
Requestor
Drafter
Kathleen Brengosz
8/4/2022
LRB 177548-1