Number
141658
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MURPHY, STAMPER, BAUMAN, BOHL, DUDZIK, KOVAC, PEREZ, DONOVAN, PUENTE, WADE AND WITKOWSKI
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the creation, implementation, funding and authority of the MKE Plays initiative.
Analysis
This resolution creates the MKE Plays initiative, a program for revitalizing city playgrounds. The resolution also authorizes the acceptance and expenditure of contributions received by the City of Milwaukee to support the MKE Plays initiative.
This resolution further establishes the authority for the establishment of ad hoc boards to govern the renovation and reconstruction of city playgrounds. Each ad hoc board shall consist of the following 5 members:
1. 4 members appointed by the President of the Common Council.
2. The Commissioner of the Department of Public Works or the Commissioner's designee.
Body
Whereas, Research shows that play space is essential for children's physical, social, emotional and educational development; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works maintains 95 playgrounds, play areas, passive areas and playfields within the city limits; and
Whereas, The City's neighborhood playgrounds have historically been a great asset to the city and a source of pride for the community; and
Whereas, Much of the City's playground equipment is deteriorating and in need of replacement; and
Whereas, Demographic analysis, provided in the MKE Plays report, a copy of which is attached to this file, reveals that many of the City's most deteriorated playgrounds are located in some of the City's most impoverished neighborhoods; and
Whereas, The Playground Improvement Challenge Fund was created in 2013 to provide matching funds for privately-raised dollars for use in playground improvement projects; and
Whereas, The Playground Improvement Challenge Fund account received $100,000 and $60,000 of funding in 2013 and 2014, respectively; and
Whereas, Budget constraints in recent years have significantly reduced funding for playground maintenance, improvement and replacement; and
Whereas, The Playground Improvement Challenge Fund alone is unable to meet the City's playground reconstruction needs; and
Whereas, The Common Council desires to support and encourage the health and well-being of children and families in Milwaukee through the reconstruction of City playgrounds; and
Whereas, Models for successful playground renovation, such as the nonprofit organization KaBoom!, are inspiring examples of how creative, community-driven approaches can transform neighborhoods; and
Whereas, The MKE Plays initiative will bring much-needed improvement - both structural and intrinsic - to many of the city's poorest neighborhoods, and will create safe and attractive places for families to play; and
Whereas, The MKE Plays initiative provides an opportunity for collaboration among neighborhood residents, agencies of City government, private for-profit and non-profit entities, educational institutions and other citywide and neighborhood organizations in restoring and improving City playgrounds; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the MKE Plays initiative shall be established to coordinate and fund the rehabilitation of City playgrounds, consistent with the MKE Plays report attached to this file; and, be it
Further Resolved, That for each playground rehabilitated under the MKE Plays initiative, an ad hoc board shall be established consisting of the following 5 members:
1. 4 members appointed by the President of the Common Council.
2. The Commissioner of the Department of Public Works or the Commissioner's designee.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That board 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 each ad hoc board shall be the governing body of its respective playground revitalization project and shall ensure that work on the playground is conducted in accordance with the MKE Plays report, as it may be amended; and, be it
Further Resolved, That each ad hoc board shall be dissolved 90 days after the build-day for each park; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the proper City officials, departments, boards, authorities, commissions and agencies are directed to provide assistance to the ad hoc boards as needed; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Public Works is authorized to accept up to $1,000,000 in contributions to support the MKE Plays initiative, as provided in the MKE Plays report, and to expend such funds for these purposes, in accordance with established City policies and procedures; and, be it
Further Resolved, That upon receipt and deposit of these funds, the City Comptroller is directed to establish a new Special Account within the Department of Public Works' budget for the expenditure of the contributions relating to the MKE Plays initiative; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is directed to transfer appropriations and estimated revenue from the Special Purpose Account for Contributions, 0001-2110-0001-D001-006300, and the Estimated Revenue Account for Contributions, 0001-9990-0001-009850, to the Department of Public Works Special Account, 0001-5450-0001-006300-DXXX and the Department of Public Works Estimated Revenue Account, 0001-5450-0001-009850, up to the amount of $1,000,000; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is directed to transfer appropriations in the amount of $175,000 from the Recreational Facilities Citywide Capital account, 0315-5010-R999-PR11115000A to the Playground Improvement Challenge Fund capital account, 0315-5010-R999-PR58180800; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works is authorized, as necessary, to expend funds from the Playground Improvement Challenge Fund capital account, 0315-5010-R999-PR58180800, in accordance with the terms of any private contributions received for use in playground improvement projects; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works shall periodically report to the Common Council on the progress and financial status of MKE Plays projects.
Drafter
LRB157024-2
Andrew R. VanNatta
02/24/2015