Number
111293
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DAVIS
Title
Resolution authorizing environmental testing, remediation and demolition on brownfield properties from the Development Fund and the Brownfield Program.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of City Development to proceed with a proactive program of testing and remediation of brownfield sites with redevelopment potential, utilizing $700,000 of which $200,000 was appropriated to the 2008 Development Fund for a private loan that did not materialize, and which $500,000 was appropriated to the 2012 Brownfield Program, including $250,000 for city-wide brownfields and $250,000 for special assessments on properties located in the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee ("City") has recognized that brownfield properties, whose use and redevelopment are complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination, are an important factor affecting tax delinquency, blight and other development issues facing the City; and
Whereas, The Menomonee Valley Industrial Center ("MVIC") includes brownfield properties owned privately and by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee ("RACM") requiring special tax assessments in the approximate amount of $250,000 per year; and
Whereas, State laws, particularly regarding municipal liability exemptions and cost recovery, allow the City to be more aggressive in dealing with brownfields with limited risk; and
Whereas, The City desires to take a proactive approach toward reclaiming brownfields and specifically provided funds to the Department of City Development's ("DCD") Development Fund for brownfield activities as a replacement for the previously existing Environmental Testing Subfund; and
Whereas, Environmental testing is important to demonstrate either that properties are clean or to define the extent of contamination so that property transactions and redevelopment may occur; and
Whereas, The additional funding will provide DCD with the tools and the flexibility needed to address brownfield sites, including assessment, remediation, demolition and other costs, across the spectrum of brownfield properties, including those on the "Do Not Acquire" List; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City Comptroller is directed to transfer $200,000 from the Development Fund Project Account No. 9900-UR03308000A to the Environmental Fund Account No. 1910-UR03393102; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is directed to transfer $500,000 from the Brownfield Program Project Account No. 9900-UR05112000A to the Brownfield Program Project Account No. 1910-UR05112000A; and, be it
Further Resolved, That these funds are designated for environmental testing, remediation, demolition and other costs (including tax foreclosure and special assessments) on city-wide, downtown and neighborhood brownfield properties; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of DCD is directed to enter into contracts and agreements necessary to carryout said brownfield testing, remediation and demolition in accordance with City policies and procedures and making use of the existing Phase II/Phase III City contracts as appropriate; and, be it
Further Resolved, That RACM is authorized to apply for, monitor and accept PECFA eligible remediation reimbursements; and, be it
Further Resolved, That PECFA reimbursements and net sales proceeds from properties tested and cleaned up through the Environmental Fund are provided to RACM to fund additional testing and remediation of city-wide brownfield properties.
Drafter
DCD:KD:kd
01/18/12/A