Number
030566
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. D'AMATO
Title
Substitute resolution expressing Common Council opposition to any diversion of federal transit dollars from the Milwaukee Corridor project.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the Common Council's opposition to any transfer of the federal funds ($91.5 million total) that have been earmarked for public transportation improvements in and near downtown Milwaukee (the "Milwaukee Connector" project). The resolution also expresses the Council's support for using these funds for the purpose for which they were originally intended. Finally, this resolution declares the Common Council's intent to have a decisive voice in how this $91.5 million is spent.
Body
Whereas, In April, 1999, the State of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County and City of Milwaukee agreed to use $241 million in federal transportation funding (Interstate Cost Estimate, or "ICE," dollars) for the following projects:
1. Rebuilding the Marquette Interchange.
2. Rebuilding the 6th Street Bridge.
3. Removing a portion of the Park East Freeway and replacing it with a boulevard.
4. Implementing the recommendations of the Wisconsin Center District's study of alternative methods of connecting the Midwest Airlines Center, Miller Park and various downtown and lakefront attractions with public transit.
; and
Whereas, The "Letter of Agreement on the Allocation of ICE Dollars and on Milwaukee Transportation Projects" signed by the chief executives of these 3 entities states as follows:
"The parties agree that the City and County will allocate the bulk of the remainder of their allocated portion of ICE funds [i.e., the remainder after funding the 6th Street Bridge and Park East Freeway projects] to the projects that result from the study of local transportation options as determined by the Wisconsin District's Transportation Study."
; and
Whereas, The official goal of the Milwaukee Connector study is "to review a variety of transit alternatives which will provide Milwaukee with a unique transit option, link Milwaukee attractions, and improve transit mobility for downtown tourists, visitors, shoppers, workers, residents and students"; and
Whereas, Specific goals of the Milwaukee Connector project include:
1. "Improving transit mobility."
2. "Enhancing the downtown environment."
3. "Increasing transit use to and within downtown Milwaukee."
; and
Whereas, On July 25, 2003, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that local officials are discussing whether the $91.5 million that has been earmarked for the Milwaukee Connector could be used to instead fund an extension of the Chicago-based Metra commuter rail system from Kenosha to Racine, Milwaukee and other southeastern Wisconsin communities; and
Whereas, Diversion of these funds to the Metra line extension would effectively kill the Milwaukee Connector project, thereby making it unlikely that the goals described above could be attained in the foreseeable future; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Connector project would be built, operated, maintained and managed largely by Milwaukee-area residents and would focus traffic patterns and economic activities on the city of Milwaukee and its downtown; and
Whereas, The Metra project would be built, operated, maintained and managed largely by persons who live outside the Milwaukee area, and is as likely to direct traffic patterns and economic activity away from Milwaukee as toward it; and
Whereas, In December, 1998, Campaign for a Sustainable Milwaukee filed a class action civil rights lawsuit against the State of Wisconsin alleging that the $241 million in ICE funding was being directed solely toward projects that benefit automobile owners, rather than persons dependent on public transit; and
Whereas, The December, 2000, settlement agreement between the State and the complainants stated that the State supported the allocation of $91.5 million of the $241 million to the Milwaukee Connector project and that:
"Upon completion of the Milwaukee Downtown Transit Connector Study the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shall cooperate in efforts to ensure that the recommendations of the Study are fairly considered for inclusion in the local Long-Range Transportation Plan under 23 USC 134(g)
"
; and
Whereas, The Common Council finds that the Milwaukee Connector concept would be beneficial to Milwaukee residents and businesses in that it would:
1. Improve access to employment opportunities, especially for low-income residents, many of whom do not own automobiles.
2. Reduce traffic congestion on city streets.
3. Improve local air quality.
4. Increase the attractiveness of Milwaukee to visitors and tourists.
5. Improve the accessibility of local attractions and downtown stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, thereby stimulating economic development of the community.
; and
Whereas, The Common Council is authorized and empowered, pursuant to s. 4-10 of the Milwaukee City Charter, to have management and control of the finances and all property of the City; and
Whereas, The allocation and expenditure of $91.5 million for the Milwaukee Connector project is a financial matter of vital importance to the City of Milwaukee and its residents and property owners, and one over which the Common Council should have ultimate decision-making authority; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council expresses its opposition to any diversion of funds from the Milwaukee Connector project to the proposed extension of the Metra line from Kenosha to Milwaukee; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council reiterates its support for the Milwaukee Connector study and the previously designated use of $91.5 million in federal ICE funding that could be redirected outside the city of Milwaukee if it is not used for the Milwaukee Connector project in a timely manner; and
Further Resolved, That it is the intent of the Common Council, pursuant to its authority under the City Charter, to have a direct, decision-making role in all aspects of the expenditure of the $91.5 million in federal funds that have been allocated for the Milwaukee Connector project; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council recognizes and appreciates the contribution of $400,000 in private sector funds that have been raised as part of the "local match" for the Milwaukee Connector study; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City's representatives on the Milwaukee Connector Steering Committee are directed to immediately proceed with the next phase of the study, Environmental Documentation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB03339-2
JDO
7/31/03