Number
100884
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HAMILTON, COGGS, WADE, KOVAC, ZIELINSKI, MURPHY, BAUMAN AND HINES
Title
Resolution approving the "Charter of the Milwaukee Promise" and directing the proper City staff to cooperate in its implementation.
Analysis
This resolution approves the "Charter of the Milwaukee Promise" and the associated "Year One Plan and Calendar". It also directs the proper City staff to cooperate in the implementation of the Milwaukee Promise and its "Year One Plan and Calendar".
Body
Whereas, Milwaukee has the 4th highest poverty rate among major U.S. cities; and
Whereas, Milwaukee is also known to have a number of disparities and inequalities among various socio-economic groups and geographic areas relating to the incidence of infant mortality, lead-based paint contamination, sexually transmitted diseases, failure to complete high school, crime, unemployment/underemployment and other problems; and
Whereas, While the City of Milwaukee already devotes a significant portion of its annual budget to addressing poverty, inequality and disparity, there is a lack of information about whether these resources are being used appropriately, effectively and in a manner that provides the greatest benefit to the greatest number of Milwaukee residents; and
Whereas, It is appropriate for the Mayor and Common Council to evaluate the effectiveness of City policies, programs and expenditures intended to address the problems of poverty, disparity and inequality; and
Whereas, By amendment to the 2011 Proposed Budget, the Common Council adopted the "Milwaukee Promise," a commitment by the City to be responsible and accountable in all expenditures related to the reduction of poverty, disparity and inequality in Milwaukee; and
Whereas, While the Milwaukee Promise amendment does not add, eliminate or change funding levels in the 2011 Budget, it identifies, by budget line, all expenditures (including salaries, operating expenses, special funds, capital projects and special purpose accounts) that are partly or wholly related to the reduction of poverty, disparity and inequality in Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The "Charter of the Milwaukee Promise" and "Year One Plan and Calendar," which are attached to and made a part of this file, set forth the rationale for establishing the Milwaukee Promise as well as the logistics of how this initiative will be carried out; and
Whereas, As indicated in the Charter, the Milwaukee Promise calls on City employees -- both managers and front-line staff -- to actively participate in planning and executing this initiative; and
Whereas, The information gathered by City staff in the execution of the Milwaukee Promise will assist the Mayor and Common Council in making better-informed decisions as they work together to address poverty, disparity and inequality in the development of the 2012 City Budget; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the attached "Charter of the Milwaukee Promise" and "Year One Plan and Calendar" are approved; and, be it
Further Resolved, That staff of the proper City departments (including, but not limited to, those identified in the Milwaukee Promise amendment to the 2011 Budget) are directed to cooperate in the implementation of the Milwaukee Promise and its "Year One Plan and Calendar".
Requestor
Drafter
LRB122890-1
JDO
10/27/2010