Number
111198
Version
Substitute 1
Reference
Sponsor
Ald. WITKoWSKI
Title
Substitute resolution authorizing the Department of Public Works to accept a donation of solar-powered street signs and installation services to evaluate solar-powered signs as an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional street signage.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Department of Public Works to accept 11 Solar LED illuminated street name signs and 6 Solar LED Blinker Crosswalk signs for 3 crosswalks from Traffic & Parking Control Co., Inc., through Great Lakes Transportation Enterprise Institute, a non-profit organization. Traffic & Parking Control will make its donation to the Great Lakes Transportation Enterprise Institute which will in turn pass the gift along to the City.
Donated signs will be installed at various intersections along the City's Green Corridor - South 6th Street between Howard and College Avenues - in a pilot program to evaluate the value of lighted, solar-powered street signs as an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional street signage.
The street name signs will be installed by Department of Public Works staff as a part of the department's routine replacement program for City street name signs. The crosswalk signs will be installed by the donor in consultation with City staff.
While the 11 solar-powered street name signs are somewhat smaller and will require smaller text size for longer street names than conventional street name signs now used by the City, the Department of Public Works regards this donation as an opportunity to evaluate lighted street names, which are more expensive than conventional signs, without incurring additional costs. In addition, the Department of Public Works believes the fact these street name signs are lighted will compensate in part for any needed text size reduction, and maintains their installation will not compromise safety or inconvenience the public in any way.
The donor stipulates the donated signs and related installation services have an approximate value of $30,000 - $16,500 for the 3 installed crosswalks and $5,500 for the 11 street name signs, plus $8,000 for incidental installation costs.
Body
Whereas, Section 304-24 of the Code of Ordinances regulates the receipt, appropriation and expenditure of contributions received by the City; and
Whereas, The Traffic & Parking Control Co., Inc. wishes to donate to the City 11 Solar LED illuminated street name signs, 6 Solar LED Blinker Crosswalk signs and services to install 3 crosswalks through the non-profit Great Lakes Transportation Enterprise Institute; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works shall install donated street name signs as part of the department's routine replacement program and crosswalk signs will be installed by the donor in consultation with City staff; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works agrees to accept these donated street name signs even though they are somewhat smaller than conventional street name signs because the fact they are lighted is expected to compensate in part for any necessary text size reduction without compromising safety or inconveniencing the public; and
Whereas, The donor stipulates the donated signs and related installation services have an approximate value of $30,000 - $16,500 for the 3 installed crosswalks and $5,500 for the 11 street name signs, plus $8,000 for incidental installation costs; and
Whereas, The donation of these signs and installation services affords the Department of Public Works the opportunity to evaluate how lighted street signs may enhance public safety and convenience at minimal cost; and
Whereas, South 6th Street between West Howard Avenue and West College Avenue was designated "The Green Corridor" in 2011 and serves as Milwaukee's living laboratory to demonstrate and showcase innovations in environmentally sustainable urban living; and
Whereas, Solar-powered street signs represent an environmentally sustainable innovation consistent with the spirit and vision of The Green Corridor; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Public Works is authorized to accept 11 Solar LED illuminated street name signs and 6 Solar LED Blinker Crosswalk signs, and installation services to install from the Great Lakes Transportation Enterprise Institute; and, be it
Further Resolved, These donated street signs and crosswalks shall be installed at various intersections along South 6th Street between West Howard Avenue and West College Avenue designated as the "The Green Corridor" so the Department of Public Works can evaluate how solar-powered, lighted street signs may enhance public safety and convenience, and contribute to the environmental sustainability of the City's infrastructure; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council expresses its appreciation to the Traffic & Parking Control Co. for its donation to the Great Lakes Transportation Enterprise Institute which gives the City the opportunity to evaluate how solar-powered, lighted street signs may enhance public safety without increasing the City's carbon footprint.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 136033 - 2
Aaron Cadle
03/05/2012