Number
041601
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to update the City's Prevailing Wage Schedule upon notification from the State of Wisconsin or from the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council of changes in prevailing wage rates and benefits.
Analysis
The City of Milwaukee is subject to State of Wisconsin rules and regulations regarding the application of prevailing wage rates to City public improvements' contracts. Each year the Department of Public Works requests, and the State Department of Workforce Development has historically granted, permission to administer the State's prevailing wage requirements locally rather than having to obtain a wage rate determination from the State for each of our public improvements contracts. Local administration of the State prevailing wage rate program obligates the City to adjust its prevailing wage rate and benefit schedule whenever the State or the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council notifies us of approved changes. Traditionally, DPW has submitted a resolution to the Common Council whenever modifications to the prevailing wage and benefit schedule are required. Because the City really has no option but to adopt the wage and benefit changes once notification of them is received and because processing a resolution through the Common Council delays the effective implementation of the required wage and benefit changes, it would be desirable to authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to make the necessary changes without the necessity of case-by-case Common Council approval. This resolution provides the Commissioner with that authority.
Body
Whereas, State of Wisconsin statutes obligate the City of Milwaukee to require City contractors to pay prevailing wages and benefits on all public improvements' projects; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works receives authority from the State each year to administer its own prevailing wage enforcement program; and
Whereas, Periodically during the course of any year the Department is notified by the State or the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council of changes to prevailing wage and benefit schedules; and
Whereas, Such changes must be incorporated into the City's prevailing wage and benefits schedule; and
Whereas, Historically a resolution incorporating the changes has been presented to the Common Council; and
Whereas, Under its agreement with the State which allows the City to administer its own prevailing wage program, the City must adopt the most current prevailing wage and benefit schedule; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Commissioner of Public Works is hereby authorized and directed to modify the City's prevailing wage and benefit schedule upon notification from the State of Wisconsin or the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council that changes in wage and benefit levels have occurred; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the authorization granted herein is for calendar year 2005 only and that the Commissioner shall seek annual renewal of such authorization from the Common Council.
Requestor
The Department of Public Works
Drafter
JJM:THM:ph
3/0/05
DOC: Prevailing Wage Reduction