Number
071076
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MURPHY
Title
Substitute resolution directing the proper city officials to begin discussions and negotiations relating to supplying water for use by certain residents of the City of New Berlin.
Analysis
This resolution directs the proper city officials to begin discussions with the City of New Berlin relative to supplying water for use by those residents of the City of New Berlin in the west side of the city who are currently served by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. Water from this area is returned to Lake Michigan. In accordance with the City of Milwaukee’s procedure and policy criteria for sale of water under Common Council File No. 980871 and 020459, this resolution also directs the Milwaukee Water Works and the City’s Legislative Reference Bureau to prepare the requisite studies related to the proposed expanded sale of water to the City of New Berlin.
It also states that any discussions with the City of New Berlin related to extending the approved service area should include an assessment of issues relating to affordable housing, the potential negative impact on the City of Milwaukee due to lost opportunities for attracting new businesses and jobs to Milwaukee, and an assessment of potential economic and environmental impacts.
Body
Whereas, The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has ordered the City of New Berlin to reduce the radium content of the water supplying portions of the city that lie beyond the subcontinental divide to protect the health of residents; and
Whereas, One solution to this serious public health concern is to provide treated Lake Michigan water to this area thereby eliminating the need to use contaminated groundwater; and
Whereas, The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has authorized the City of New Berlin to begin discussions with potential water suppliers to determine the feasibility of securing Lake Michigan water for use by those residents of the City of New Berlin in the west side of the city who are currently served by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; and
Whereas, The City of New Berlin currently receives water from Milwaukee for the eastern third of the city under the terms of an “Agreement Between the City of Milwaukee and the City of New Berlin for the Purchase of Water at Wholesale”, pursuant to Common Council Resolution File No. 021750, adopted June 17, 2003; and
Whereas, Extending the approved service area for that agreement and providing Milwaukee water to that part of the City of New Berlin currently served by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District may be feasible and related discussions should be based on timely, accurate and complete information that assesses future impacts; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that in accordance with Common Council Resolution File No. 980871, adopted April 20, 1999, and amended by File No. 020459, adopted March 25, 2003, establishing procedure and policy criteria for sale of water to neighboring communities, that the proper city officials are authorized and directed to begin discussions and negotiations with the City of New Berlin relative to supplying water for use by those residents in the west side of the city who are served by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Water Works and the Legislative Reference Bureau, as specified in the aforementioned policy resolutions, are directed to prepare the requisite studies related to the proposed expanded sale of water to the City of New Berlin; and, be it
Further Resolved, That any proposed agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the City of New Berlin be submitted to the Common Council for approval prior to its required review by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; and, be it
Further Resolved, That any discussions or negotiations with the City of New Berlin related to extending the approved service area should include an assessment of issues relating to affordable housing, the potential negative impact on the City of Milwaukee due to lost opportunities for attracting new businesses and jobs to Milwaukee, and an assessment of potential economic and environmental impacts.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB07574-1
LCS
11/27/07