Number
140227
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. PÉREZ, DAVIS, STAMPER, HAMILTON AND WADE
Title
Substitute resolution relating to a sustainable Milwaukee Children's Zone.
Analysis
This resolution creates a Blueprint Commission responsible for developing a plan for a Milwaukee Children's Zone. This resolution also creates an Executive Committee of the Children's Zone Blueprint Commission consisting of the following 7 members:
1. One member appointed by the President of the Common Council to serve as Chair.
2. One member appointed by the President of the Youth Council upon confirmation by the Youth Council.
3. One member appointed by the Chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee.
4. One member appointed by the Mayor.
5. Three members to be appointed by the President of the Common Council upon consultation with the Chair to represent diverse sectors of the community.
The Chair shall also invite up to an additional 26 persons to participate in the Blueprint Commission. The Executive Committee will ensure that the work of the Blueprint Commission is conducted in accordance with the planning guidance document attached to this file.
The Blueprint Commission and its Executive Committee shall be dissolved on a date determined by the Executive Committee, consistent with the plan attached to this file.
Body
Whereas, Demographic analysis reveals an increasing concentration of children and teenagers living in households and families on the City of Milwaukee's Near South Side; and
Whereas, Examination of 2012 U.S. Census information for the census tracts in the geographic area (the Children's Zone) identified in the planning document attached to this file, finds that:
1. In a population of approximately 42,000, 38.8% (16,300) are children and teenagers under 20 years of age compared to 31.0% of the population of the city and 26.3% of the population of the state.
2. Infants and children under 5 years of age constitute 10.9% of the population of the Children's Zone compared to 8.1% of the population of the city and 6.2% of the population of the state.
3. Approximately 53% of children under 18 live in poverty, more than 3 times the percentage of children statewide (17.2%) living in poverty.
4. More than 47% of families have incomes of less than $25,000 annually compared to 36.2% of families citywide and 22.1% of families statewide.
5. The percentage of teenagers 18 and 19 years of age enrolled in school in the Children's Zone is 53% compared to 76.9% citywide and 77.1% statewide.
6. Fewer than 54% of adults age 25 and over have attained a high school diploma or higher compared to over 80% citywide and over 90% statewide.
7. More than 13% of children under 18 years old are uninsured, more than double the rate of the city (5.7%) or state (4.7%).
; and
Whereas, Models for innovation districts and focused neighborhood efforts such as the Harlem Children's Zone are inspiring and successful examples of comprehensive, place-based approaches to transforming neighborhoods struggling with issues like poverty, poor health, educational achievement and high crime rates; and
Whereas, The Common Council desires to support and encourage the creation of a model Children's Zone to initiate comprehensive, multi-dimensional efforts promoting the health and education of children and families on the Near South Side and providing a laboratory for implementing and evaluating replicable programs and strategies throughout the City; and
Whereas, The proposed Children's Zone encompasses key neighborhood institutions representing leadership and resources from faith-based institutions, nonprofit social service providers, healthcare facilities and others that may play an important role in promoting the health, education and well-being of children and families through comprehensive planning; and
Whereas, The creation and promotion of a Milwaukee Children's Zone provides an opportunity for effective and productive collaboration among agencies of city government, other county and state agencies, the business community, educational institutions and other citywide and neighborhood organizations to accomplish much more than is possible by individual efforts alone; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that a Blueprint Commission and an Executive Committee thereof shall be established to develop and propose a 5-year plan for the creation of a Milwaukee Children's Zone consistent with the Milwaukee Children's Zone Planning Guidance Document attached to this file; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Executive Committee of the Children's Zone Blueprint Commission shall consist of the following 7 members:
1. One member appointed by the President of the Common Council to serve as Chair.
2. One member appointed by the President of the Youth Council and confirmed by the Youth Council.
3. One member appointed by the Chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee.
4. One member appointed by the Mayor.
5. Three members to be appointed by the President of the Common Council upon consultation with the Chair to represent diverse sectors of the community.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Executive Committee members shall serve upon written notice to the City Clerk of acceptance of appointment in which they may identify alternates to serve at times the appointees are unavailable; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Chair of the Executive Committee shall appoint not more than 26 persons representing public agencies and the community to be participants in the Blueprint Commission consistent with the plan attached to this file as it may be amended by the Executive Committee; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Milwaukee Children's Zone Blueprint Commission and shall ensure that the work of the Blueprint Commission is conducted in accordance with the plan attached to this file as it may be amended; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Chair shall maintain records identifying Blueprint Commission participants and shall ensure the proper maintenance of records, reports and the filing of communications to the Common Council consistent with the plan attached to this file as it may be amended; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall provide administrative support and assistance to the Executive Committee as needed and requested by the Chair; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the proper City staff, officials, departments, boards, authorities, commissions and agencies are authorized and directed to provide assistance to the Blueprint Commission and its Executive Committee as needed; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Milwaukee Children's Zone Blueprint Commission and its Executive Committee shall be dissolved on a date determined by the Executive Committee consistent with the plan attached to this file as it may be amended.
Drafter
LRB151433-2
Andrew R. VanNatta
10/2/2014