Number
150930
Version
Substitute 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MURPHY, ald. bauman, ald. bohl, ALD. KOVAC, ald. Pérez, AND ZIELINSKI
Title
Substitute resolution supporting the federal Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2015.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City’s support of Senate Bill 1935, the Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2015, sponsored by Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, which would make a total of $250 million in U.S. Department of Commerce-controlled grant funding available over 5 years to communities located on rivers, lakes and oceans. Grant funding would be available to develop and implement a broad spectrum of plans for economic development, public access and infrastructure improvement projects on community waterfronts.
Grant funding requires a 25% local match.
Body
Whereas, U.S. Senate Bill 1935, the Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2015 (the Act), sponsored by Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, was read twice on August 4, 2015, and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; and
Whereas, This Act proposes to make a total of $250 million ($50 million each year from 2016 to 2020) in U.S. Department of Commerce-controlled grant funding available to communities located on rivers, lakes and oceans to develop and implement a broad spectrum of plans for economic development, public access and infrastructure improvement projects on community waterfronts; and
Whereas, Individual grants awarded under the Act will range from $50,000 to $1,000,000, and will require a 25% match from one or more of the following:
1. The community.
2. The state.
3. A non-profit.
4. A foundation.
5. A private entity.
6. A public utility.
7. A regional organization,
; and
Whereas, Up to $200,000 in grant funding may be used to develop a waterfront revitalization and resiliency plan; and
Whereas, Implementation grants may be used for:
1. Site preparation.
2. Environmental review.
3. Engineering and design.
4. Acquiring easements or land.
5. Updates to zoning codes.
6. Construction.
7. Infrastructure upgrades to improve resiliency.
8. Economic and community development, marketing and outreach.
9. Other activities at the discretion of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
; and
Whereas, Communities designated under the Act as resilient waterfront communities shall gain preferential status in the award of select grant and loan programs of the U.S. Department of Commerce; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee could benefit from U.S. Department of Commerce grant funding and preferential grant-award status proposed by the Act, which could help the City finance development and implementation of plans to revitalize property, provide public access and improve infrastructure on portions of the City’s lakefront and along the riverfronts of the 3 rivers that traverse the City; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee supports the federal Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2015; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward copies of this resolution to members of the City of Milwaukee’s delegation to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB #161253 - 2
Aaron Cadle
October 23, 2015