Number
121807
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
121675
Sponsor
ALD. WITKOWSKI AND BOHL
Title
Substitute resolution requesting Milwaukee County to cooperate with the City's Department of Public Works in developing amenities in Copernicus Park that would enhance the park and provide storm water management areas, and urging the Milwaukee County Board to adopt a policy to work cooperatively with the City to develop similar amenities in other County parks.
Analysis
The area near Milwaukee County's Copernicus Park in the 13th Aldermanic District is susceptible to storm water flooding and sewer backups during heavy rain storms, which results in costs to both City and Milwaukee County property taxpayers for cleanup, repairs, replacement of personal property items and perennial flower plantings. This resolution requests Milwaukee County to cooperate with the City's Department of Public Works in a creative design process that would develop City-funded park enhancements that would add recreational opportunities, such as a sledding hill or a grassy amphitheater, while at the same time providing a storm water management facility within Copernicus Park to help minimize the adjacent neighborhood impacts that result from heavy rain storms. The resolution also urges the Milwaukee County Board to adopt a policy to work cooperatively with the City in a similar creative design process that would enhance other County parks with additional recreational opportunities while at the same time providing storm water management to help mitigate adjacent neighborhood flooding problems.
Body
Whereas, Storm water flooding results in substantial costs to both City and Milwaukee County property taxpayers for cleanup, repairs, replacement of personal property items and perennial flower plantings; and
Whereas, The area near Milwaukee County's Copernicus Park in the 13th Aldermanic District is susceptible to storm water flooding and sewer backups during heavy rain storms; and
Whereas, There has been a proposal to have the City's Department of Public Works (DPW) acquire and raze two residential properties located across the street from Copernicus Park at 5664 and 5710 S. 20th Street, and maintain the sites as a storm water management area; and
Whereas, The razing of the two residential properties would reduce the City and Milwaukee County's tax bases; and
Whereas, At a recent hearing, the Common Council's Public Works Committee suggested that as a cost-effective alternative to acquiring and razing the two residential properties, the City's DPW work with Milwaukee County to creatively develop City-funded park enhancements that would add recreational opportunities, such as a sledding hill or a grassy amphitheater while at the same time providing a storm water management facility within Copernicus Park to help minimize the adjacent neighborhood impacts that result from heavy rain storms; and
Whereas, Milwaukee County's cooperation with the City is required to develop City-funded amenities in Copernicus Park that would also be used as a storm water management areas; and
Whereas, In the past, the City's DPW has contacted the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture regarding the development of amenities in Copernicus Park, and Milwaukee County has not agreed to cooperate with the City to develop the City-funded facilities in Copernicus Park; and
Whereas, A Milwaukee County policy to work cooperatively with the City to develop amenities that would both enhance recreational use and provide storm water management areas in other County parks would benefit the City and County property taxpayers and park visitors; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that proper Milwaukee County officials are requested to cooperate with the City's Department of Public Works in developing City-funded park enhancements that would add recreational opportunities, such as a sledding hill or a grassy amphitheater, while at the same time providing a storm water management facility within Copernicus Park to help minimize the adjacent neighborhood flooding during heavy rain events; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee County Board is urged to adopt a policy to work cooperatively with the City to develop amenities that would enhance recreational opportunities and minimize neighborhood flooding within other County parks; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Milwaukee County Board members, and Interim Milwaukee County Parks Director James Keegan.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB146110-3
Jim Carroll
4/19/13