Number
190348
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. RAINEY
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of City Development to study the feasibility of establishing an urban food forest on City-owned property in the 7th Aldermanic District.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of City Development to study the feasibility of establishing an urban food forest on City-owned property in the 7th Aldermanic District. This study shall include:
1. An investigation and analysis of the recently-approved Atlanta urban food forest.
2. Identification of potential sites for a Milwaukee urban food forest in the 7th Aldermanic District.
3. Estimated cost of developing and operating an urban food forest, including ongoing staffing and maintenance costs.
4. Potential sources of funds for development of an urban food forest, particularly grant funding opportunities and contributions from the philanthropic community.
5. Corporate and non-profit partners, including community-based organizations, that have the interest and resources needed to support the planning, design, implementation, programming and operation of the urban food forest .
The Department of City Development shall submit the findings and recommendations of this study to the Common Council within 120 days of the date of adoption of this resolution.
Body
Whereas, The availability of parks, green space and recreational opportunities is fundamental to the quality of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods; and
Whereas, Significant portions of Milwaukee’s 7th Aldermanic District lack adequate parks, green space and recreational opportunities; and
Whereas, Residents of the 7th Aldermanic District and abutting aldermanic districts also suffer from lack of access to opportunities to purchase or otherwise obtain fresh food; and
Whereas, An urban food forest is a public park with edible trees, shrubs, vines and groundcover which may also contain public gathering spaces, walking trails, community gardens and restored forest or stream-side areas; and
Whereas, An urban food forest increases the availability of fresh-food options to residents of the surrounding community; and
Whereas, On May 20, 2019, the Atlanta City Council adopted Ordinance 19-O-1251, to acquire 7.1 acres of property for development of a park and urban food forest; and
Whereas, The Atlanta urban food forest initiative, as set forth in the ordinance, includes the following components:
1. Funding will be provided by a federal grant secured by the city, as well as by non-profits organizations that have secured their own grants for this purpose.
2. A trust fund will be established by the city to support the urban food forest.
3. A local non-profit environmental organization will provide dedicated staff and funding for the urban food forest for a period of two years.
4. The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation will be responsible for oversight of the urban food forest and the trust fund.
; and
Whereas, The Atlanta urban food forest initiative may be a model worthy of emulation by the City of Milwaukee in the 7th Aldermanic District; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of City Development is directed to study the feasibility of establishing an urban food forest on City-owned property in the 7th Aldermanic District; and, be it
Further Resolved, That this study shall include:
1. An investigation and analysis of the recently-approved Atlanta urban food forest, including the applicability of various characteristics of the Atlanta initiative (e.g., funding sources, staffing, maintenance, as well as the use of community partnerships and a trust fund to support the urban food forest) to development and operation of an urban food forest in Milwaukee.
2. Identification of potential sites for a Milwaukee urban food forest in the 7th Aldermanic District.
3. Estimated cost of developing and operating an urban food forest, including ongoing staffing and maintenance costs.
4. Potential sources of funds for development of an urban food forest, particularly grant funding opportunities and contributions from the philanthropic community.
5. Corporate and non-profit partners, including community-based organizations, that have the interest and resources needed to support the planning, design, implementation, programming and operation of the urban food forest.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development shall submit the findings and recommendations of this study to the Common Council within 120 days of the date of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB174386-2
Jeff Osterman
06/05/2019