Number
090590
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DONOVAN
Title
Resolution directing the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration to seek introduction and passage of state legislation amending the neighborhood improvement districts law with respect to mail notification of the city plan commission public hearings on the proposed creation or termination of a neighborhood improvement district.
Analysis
Currently, Wisconsin Statutes require that a copy of the notice of a plan commission public hearing on a proposal to create or terminate a neighborhood improvement district be sent by certified mail to all owners of property within the proposed or existing district. This resolution directs the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration to seek introduction and passage of state legislation replacing the requirement for certified-mail notification with a requirement for notification by regular mail.
Body
Whereas, Section 66.1110(3)(c), Wis. Stats., requires that a copy of the notice of a plan commission public hearing on a proposed neighborhood improvement district and initial operating plan, along with a copy of the plan and a boundary map of the proposed district, be sent by certified mail to all owners of property within the proposed neighborhood improvement district; and
Whereas, Certified mail service costs approximately six times as much as regular, first-class postage; and
Whereas, The additional expense associated with sending notices by certified mail, rather than regular mail, whether borne by the municipality creating the neighborhood improvement district or passed through to property owners in the district, makes creation of a neighborhood improvement district a costly undertaking and may hamper efforts to establish such a district, particularly when the proposed district encompasses hundreds or even thousands of properties; and
Whereas, The funds used to send notices by certified mail could be better used to support the actual neighborhood improvement activities set forth in the district’s operating plan; and
Whereas, Section 66.1110(6)(b), Wis. Stats., establishes a similar certified-mail requirement for notices of a plan commission public hearing on the proposed termination of a neighborhood improvement district; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration is directed to seek introduction and passage of state legislation replacing the requirement for certified-mail notification of a plan commission public hearing on a proposal to create or terminate a neighborhood improvement district with a requirement for regular-mail notification.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB09356-1
JDO
08/27/2009