City of Milwaukee - File #: 051610

• File #: 051610
• Version: 2
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Dead
• File created: 3/23/2006
• In control: STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE
• Final action: 5/31/2006
• Title: Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the Milwaukee Connector public transit project.
• Sponsors: ALD. HINES JR., ALD. D'AMATO, ALD. MURPHY, James N. Witkowiak, ALD. ZIELINSKI, ALD. DAVIS
• Indexes: TRANSPORTATION

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
5/31/2006	2	COMMON COUNCIL	VETO OVERRIDDEN	Fail	5:10
5/10/2006	0	MAYOR	VETOED
5/9/2006	2	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED; Minutes note: Ald. Bauman asked consent to change his vote from "no" to "aye". Ald. Hines ruled that request out of order because the vote on the file had previously been announced. Ald. Bohl appealed that ruling of the chair. City Clerk Leonhardt indicated that appeal was out-of-order as pertaining to a matter of fact rather than a matter of parliamentary procedure.	Pass	9:6
5/9/2006	2	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO	Fail	6:9
4/28/2006	2	CITY CLERK	DRAFT SUBMITTED
4/27/2006	1	STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: The following members of the consultant team appeared to give a presentation and to answer any questions: Tim Sheehy, President of Metro. Milwaukee Association Commerce (MMAC) Mark Kaminski, Consultant Engineer, HNTV Frank Gimbel, Chair Wisconsin Center Dist. Board Gary Grunau, Association Infrastructures Committee Steve Marcus, CEO, Marcus Corp. Tom Luljak, Vice Chancellor of UWM Tom Kujawa, Advocate MMAC Peter Beitzel, Chairman, Milwaukee Connector Study Steering Committee Mr. Sheehy and Mark Kaminski gave a powerpoint presentation on "Milwaukee Downtown Transit Connector Study." Speakers: Ald. Wade, 7th Aldermanic District Shelley Jurwicz, Exec. Director Professionals of Milwaukee and YPM - In support Stephanie Walters, Chair of YPM - In support Bernie Jensen, ATV Local 998 Legislative Director - In support Tony Forman, Executive Director of Curltural Alliance of Greater Milw. - In support Ruben Hopkins, President WBCC - In support Paul Westrick, Vice President Columbia/St. Mary's - In support Peter McMullen, President of Cambridge Woods Neighborhoods Assn. - In support Doug Neilson, VISIT Milwaukee - In support Jim Plaisted, Exec. Director of BID #20 and BID #13 - In support Teig Whaley-Smith, Exec. Director if King Dr. BID - In support Bob Greene, Exec. Director Merrill Park Neighborhood Assn. - Opposed Barry Stuart, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Michael Lewis, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Ms. Rose, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Loistine Brown, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Mary Prophet, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Joanne Bentley, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Timothy Roberts, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Stacy Staples, Milwaukee resident - opposed John Stephen, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Julie Bates, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Jerry Wren, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Leland Kenowet, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Else Ankel, Milwaukee resident - In support David Rochon, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Reverend Gaynor Hunter, Representive of Convent HIll Senior Community residents & President of 13 highrise resident bldgs - Opposed Bob Weilland, Jr., Milwaukee resident - Opposed Eileen Collins, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Tim Brown, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Rob Hoffmann, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Bruce Spann, Milwaukee resident - In support Einar Tagen, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Keith Terry, Milwaukee property owner - In support Alderman Wade, 7th Aldermanic Dist. Mr. Theodore Lipscomp, Milwaukee resident - opposed Peter I. Slaby, Milwaukee resident and property owner - Opposed Marty Wall, Milwaukee resident - Opposed Non-Speakers - Opposed: Benda Alexander, Milwaukee resident Barbara Grace, Milwaukee resident Arthur Coleman, Milwaukee resident Joe Morgan, Milwaukee resident Eddie Watkins, Milwaukee resident Melvin Anmerean, Milwaukee resident David Blackwell, Milwaukee resident Anne Lewis, Milwaukee resident Chris Lewis, Milwaukee resident Artie Givens, Milwaukee resident Joseph Korom, Milwaukee resident - Edgewater Terrace Condo Assoc. Lowell Washawsky, Milwaukee resident - Edgewater Terrace Condo Assoc. Joan Gallaway, Milwaukee resident Marion Moore, Milwaukee resident Don Bohatka, Milwaukee resident Susan Wurtz, Milwaukee resident Sharon Zuel, Vice President Diamond Tower Condo. Assoc. Robert Wurtz, Diamond Towner Condo. Assoc. Vera Jones, Milwaukee resident Dorothy Chalners, Milwaukee resident Valerie D. Palfrey, Milwaukee resident Rose Marie Costello, Milwaukee resident Jesse Patrick, Milwaukee resident Rosemary Verbanac, Milwaukee resident Helen M. Burke, Milwaukee resident J. E. Til Larty, Milwaukee resident Maureen A. Burke, Milwaukee resident Michele Neidick Max Titney, Milwaukee resident Jeff Piekarski, Milwaukee resident Jerry Dagen, Oak Creek resident John Becker, Milwaukee resident Susan Wedemeyer, Milwaukee resident Norman Jensen, Wauwatosa resident Robert Madison, Milwaukee resident Virginia and Joseph Brennan, Milwaukee residents Dennis Walton, Owner G&D Development Gregory Datin, Milwaukee resident Grace Jung, Milwaukee resident Julie Loosbrock, Milwaukee resident Karen Jensen, Milwaukee resident Constance Downey, Milwaukee resident Kanya Elert, Milwaukee resident Robert & Lee Alvarez, Milwauke resident Louis Rugani, Kenosha resident Non-speakers - In Support: Roger Kay, Brook Meier, Milwaukee resident Brook Meier, Milwaukee resident Brook Meier, Milwaukee resident Rev. and Dr. Mark Mejonaugh, Calvary Presbyterian Church Julie Granger, MMAC Cecilia Robertson, Milwaukee resident Ryan Horton, Milwaukee resident Jeff Sherman, Milwaukee resident Willie D. Elis, Milwaukee Business Rep. Al Adams, Milwaukee Resident Tom O'Brien, Milwaukee resident Devon Turner, Exec. Director, The Business Council Kris Martinsek Non - speakers - undecided: Katherine M. Smith, Milwaukee resident Marty Hawley, Traffic Engineer, Lena Edyeston, Milwaukee resident Barb Olson, Milwaukee resident E. Harris, Milwaukee resident President of The Sophisticated Man Boutique, Downtown Milwaukee Hessie Roberts, Milwaukee resident Phil VIncent, Milwaukee resident TOTAL # WHO SIGNED IN: 101 36 Speakers - 23 opposed, 13 in support 65 non-speakers - 46 opposed, 12 in support and 7 undecided Ald. D'Amato read into the record all the names of the organizations that are in support, that the City Clerk's Office had received e-mails and/or letters from. Ald. Bauman read into the record all the names of the ordanizations that are opposed, that the City Clerk's Office had received e-mails and/or letters from.	Fail	2:5
4/27/2006	1	STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE	AMENDED; Minutes note: Ald. D'Amato moved to amend the last paragraph of th analysis to read: 6. Including, in any future expansion of the Milwaukee Connector system, with respect to the South Side, a route that extends south on North Water Street, South 1st Street and South Kinnickinnic Avenue, at least as far as East Becher Street, and ultimately extends to General Mitchell International Airport. and to amend the final "Further Resolved" clause to read as follows: "Further Resolved, That any future expansion of the mIlwaukee Connector system with respect to the South Side shall include a route that extends south on North Water Street, South 1st Street and South Kinnickinnic Avenue, at least as far as East Becher Street, and ultimately extends to General Mitchell International Airport. The motion prevailed.	Pass	7:0
4/27/2006	2	STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION	Pass	5:1
4/20/2006	0	STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
4/20/2006	0	STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
4/18/2006	1	CITY CLERK	DRAFT SUBMITTED

Number

051610

Version

SUBSTITUTE 2

Reference

030566

Sponsor

ALD. HINES, D'AMATO, MURPHY, WITKOWIAK, ZIELINSKI AND DAVIS

Title

Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the Milwaukee Connector public transit project.

Analysis

This resolution expresses the Common Council’s support for a Locally Preferred Alternative for the Milwaukee Connector project that consists of guided street tram technology on a 2-route, 13-mile system.  It further directs the City’s representative on the Milwaukee Connector Steering Committee to support this alternative and to vote in favor of moving the project forward to the preliminary engineering phase.  The resolution also directs all City departments to support the efforts of the Milwaukee Connector study.

With this resolution, the Common Council also expresses its opposition to any use of property tax dollars to fund construction of the Milwaukee Connector, as well as its support for:

1.  Using $91.5 million in federal transportation funds previously earmarked for the Milwaukee Connector project in a timely manner.

2.  Having the operator of the Milwaukee County Transit System operate the Milwaukee Connector, as well.

3.  Using innovative revenue sources, including but not limited to advertising fees, sponsorship of transit stations/stops and visitor benefit fees, to generate the funds needed for the local share of the Milwaukee Connector’s capital costs.

4.  Limiting the local share of the capital costs for the Milwaukee Connector to not more than 20 percent.

5.  As preliminary design and engineering of the Milwaukee Connector proceeds, giving first priority to route alternatives or extensions serving major transit corridors in Milwaukee’s 30th Street corridor and the South Side if additional funds become available or if the project as proposed can be delivered for less than the estimated total cost of $300 million.

6.  Including, in any future expansion of the Milwaukee Connector system, with respect to the South Side, a route that extends south on North Water Street, South 1^st Street and South Kinnickinnic Avenue, at least as far as East Becher Street, and ultimately extends to General Mitchell International Airport.

Body

Whereas, It has been 17 years since $241 million in federal transportation aid (Interstate Cost Estimate or “ICE” funding) was allocated to the Milwaukee area and 6 years since the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, in the spirit of intergovernmental cooperation, reached an agreement to use $91.5 million of those funds to implement the recommendations of the Milwaukee Connector public transit project study; and

Whereas, This $91.5 million has remained unused, collecting no interest, as costs for transit vehicles and construction have risen substantially; and

Whereas, At the same time, service has been reduced and fares raised on the Milwaukee County Transit System in an effort to avoid property tax increases; and

Whereas, These service reductions and fare increases have disproportionately affected low-income residents of the City of Milwaukee, where the 25% of all households and 33% of African-American households (2000 Census) who do not own motor vehicles must rely on public transportation to reach jobs, education and health care and otherwise meet their day-to-day needs; and

 Whereas, On July 31, 2003, the Milwaukee Common Council adopted File Number 030566, a resolution expressing the Council’s opposition to any diversion of funds from the Milwaukee Connector project, reiterating the Council’s support for the Milwaukee Connector study and the use of the $91.5 million in federal funds for this purpose, and directing the City’s representative on the Milwaukee Connector Steering Committee to immediately proceed with the next phase of the study; and

Whereas, The current phase of the Milwaukee Connector study, which involves preparing a draft Locally Preferred Alternative and Environmental Impact Statement, is now nearing completion; and

Whereas, In October, 2005, the Wisconsin Center District voted to direct its representative on the Milwaukee Connector Steering Committee to vote in favor of moving the project forward to the preliminary engineering phase and to support the guided street tram transit-technology alternative on a 2-route, 13-mile system; and

Whereas, In February, 2006, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously authorized its representative on the Steering Committee to vote in favor of moving the project forward to the preliminary engineering phase and to support the guided street tram alternative on a 2-route, 13-mile system; and

Whereas, The guided street tram, which represents the new generation of bus rapid transit technology, is the best choice to fit into the urban fabric of Milwaukee and has twice the life span of a diesel bus; and

Whereas, The guided street tram would be easily recognizable, offer an attractive alternative to the automobile, and provide the convenience and ease of curb-level, multiple-door loading, allowing the elderly, handicapped and people with strollers to easily board the vehicle and making loading and unloading faster and easier than with a bus; and

Whereas, The guided street tram provides a flexible, environmentally-friendly dual-propulsion system operating on a guidance track primarily with electric overhead power, using hybrid diesel power as a back-up power source for “off-line” operation; and

Whereas, The proposed 2-route Milwaukee Connector system could generate an estimated 25% increase in transit ridership along the routes on which it would operate; and

Whereas, The Milwaukee Connector would improve the overall transit-use experience for current transit riders by reducing travel and wait times and employing on-platform ticketing and electronic messaging; and

Whereas, The proposed routes connect Milwaukee’s major attractions, business centers, hotels, universities, hospitals, sports and entertainment venues, museums, dense residential neighborhoods and other “trip generators” and destinations with modern public transportation, and also support the City’s “park once” concept; and

Whereas, The proposed 2-route, 13-mile Milwaukee Connector represents a “starter” transit system to which route extensions and/or new routes could be added in the future to serve additional Milwaukee neighborhoods; and

Whereas, It is possible to capture 80 cents in federal funding for every dollar spent on capital construction of the Milwaukee Connector, in part by using the $91.5 million in federal money set aside for capital investment in public transit in Milwaukee that could be lost if not spent; and

Whereas, Operating cost estimates indicate that the Milwaukee Connector system, utilizing the guided street tram technology, will save taxpayers $900,000 annually (2004 dollars) through operational efficiencies; and

Whereas, Studies indicate that for every $1 spent on mass transit in Milwaukee, $4.70 in economic benefit could be generated; and

Whereas, Construction of the Milwaukee Connector would create at least $200 million in construction-contract work in Milwaukee, spurring economic development in several low-income city neighborhoods; and

Whereas, Fixed transit systems constructed in other cities have stimulated substantial economic development along their routes and around their stations and stops, to the extent that the publication “Emerging Trends in Real Estate” has indicated that sites near transit are the number one choice of developers and real estate investors; and

Whereas, A recent transit-oriented-development market study predicted the demand for transit-oriented housing will double by the year 2025; and

Whereas, The Milwaukee Connector project may be viewed as the first phase of a multi-phase program to improve mass transit in Milwaukee and to develop a truly multi-modal, world-class transit system for the city; and

Whereas, Adoption of the guided street tram technology for the Milwaukee Connector project does not preclude the use of other transit technologies, including but not limited to light rail and bus rapid transit, as part of this comprehensive, multi-modal system; and

Whereas, Given the limited financial resources available to Milwaukee for implementing the Milwaukee Connector, the guided street tram is an appropriate technology choice in that it offers many of the benefits of light rail (e.g., environmentally-friendly electric propulsion, longer vehicle life than buses, economic development stemming from fixed-transit infrastructure) at roughly half the capital cost; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council supports a Locally Preferred Alternative for the Milwaukee Connector project that includes guided street tram technology on a 2-route, 13-mile system; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Common Council reiterates its support for using the $91.5 million in federal ICE funding for the Milwaukee Connector project in a timely manner; and, be it

Further Resolved, That, to assure operational efficiencies and seamless connections for users of both transit systems, the Common Council supports governance of the Milwaukee Connector system by the operator of the Milwaukee Country Transit System; and, be it

Further Resolved, That all City departments are directed to support the efforts of the Milwaukee Connector study, including the upcoming preliminary engineering phase, and to incorporate the Connector into the City’s comprehensive plan; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the City’s representative on the Milwaukee Connector Steering Committee is directed to vote in favor of moving the project forward to the preliminary engineering phase and to support the guided street tram transit-technology alternative on a 2-route, 13-mile system; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Common Council opposes any use of property tax dollars to fund construction of the Milwaukee Connector; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Common Council supports using innovative revenue sources, including but not limited to advertising fees, sponsorship of transit stations/stops and visitor benefit fees, to generate the funds needed for the local share of the Milwaukee Connector’s capital costs; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the local match for the estimated $300 million in capital costs for the first phase of the Milwaukee Connector shall not exceed 20 percent; and, be it

Further Resolved, That, as preliminary design and engineering of the Milwaukee Connector proceeds, if additional funds become available or if the project as proposed can be delivered for less than the estimated total cost of $300 million, route alternatives or extensions serving major transit corridors in Milwaukee’s 30th Street corridor and the South Side be given first priority for consideration and implementation; and, be it

Further Resolved, That any future expansion of the Milwaukee Connector system with respect to the South Side shall include a route that extends south on North Water Street, South 1^st Street and South Kinnickinnic Avenue, at least as far as East Becher Street, and ultimately extends to General Mitchell International Airport.

Requestor

Drafter

LRB06140-5

JDO

04/28/2006