Number
081662
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BOHL AND HAMILTON
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration to petition the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to reduce city match requirements for arterial and collector street projects.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration to petition the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to direct a portion of its undistributed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act discretionary dollars to fund the 20% local share of projects within Milwaukee’s Major Streets and Bridges programs.
Body
Whereas, Under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA”), the State of Wisconsin has been allocated $529.1 million for state and local highway projects, of which $158.7 million is suballocated to Urbanized Areas and $15.9 is set aside for transportation enhancements, leaving $354.5 million to be spent at the discretion of the State; and
Whereas, In Stage 1 of the solicitation and distribution process, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has already earmarked approximately $300 million of these discretionary dollars, with heavy emphasis on interstate and highway construction projects, and no monies directed at work on City of Milwaukee streets; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Transportation Management Area, which will receive $38.7 million of the Urbanized Area suballocation to fund 100% of eligible costs of approved projects, includes not only the City of Milwaukee, but many surrounding communities; and
Whereas, A significant portion of Milwaukee’s street network, including a percentage of Milwaukee’s Major Streets Program - typically 80% funded via the State Transportation Program with a 20% city match - and all of Milwaukee’s Residential Streets Program - funded solely with city dollars - are ineligible for the Urbanized Area allocation monies due to the program’s stringent federal guidelines; and
Whereas, These ineligible streets and thoroughfares are the lifeblood of the city, providing individuals the initial and vital connection to employment, education, health care, culture and recreation, rendering repair and upkeep of so-called “ineligible” streets essential to the economic well-being of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, There remains roughly $54.5 million in state discretionary dollars to be allocated in Stage 2 of the solicitation process; and
Whereas, Allocating a portion of the remaining ARRA state discretionary dollars to the City of Milwaukee, by covering the requisite 20% city match on Major Streets and Bridge projects, explicitly recognizes the invaluable role that the city plays in the economic well-being of Wisconsin; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council directs the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration to petition the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to direct a portion of its undistributed ARRA discretionary dollars to fund the 20% local share of projects within Milwaukee’s Major Streets and Bridges programs.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB09140-3
MST
04/06/09