Number
150666
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
140081
Sponsor
ALD. WITKOWSKI AND BOHL
Title
Substitute resolution relating to implementation of the recommendations of the Local Business Action Team.
Analysis
This resolution approves the recommendations of the Local Business Action Team and directs the proper City officials to take all actions necessary to implement those recommendations.
...Body
Whereas, On Jun 24, 2014, the Common Council adopted File Number 140081, a resolution creating a Local Business Action Team to evaluate and make recommendations to the Common Council concerning issues that impact the interaction between local business and City government; and
Whereas, The Local Business Action Team was specifically charged with investigating:
1. Milwaukee’s regulatory environment for business, including zoning, permits, inspections, business licenses and fees.
2. Delivery of services to business, including strategies to make City services and assistance more accessible to businesses through digital tools, improved ways of organizing service delivery, and best practices from other cities.
3. Systems that ensure the voice of the business customer is heard by all City departments and agencies.
; and
Whereas, The Local Business Action Team, which included elected officials, staff from various City departments and representatives of the business community met on numerous occasions to discuss these issues and to gather public comments and suggestions relating to doing business with the City; and
Whereas, The Local Business Action Team prepared and submitted to the Common Council its final report titled “Local Business Action Team: Activities, Findings and Recommendations,” a copy of which is attached to this Common Council file; and
Whereas, The Local Business Action Team made several recommendations in four broad categories:
1. Streamlining of Board of Zoning Appeals procedures/caseload.
2. Improvements to service delivery by various City departments.
3. Licensing procedure and regulation improvements.
4. General improvements in the City’s interaction with the business community (e.g., online survey tool, zoning code revisions, creation of a customer-assistance team).
; and
Whereas, Implementation of these recommendations will vastly improve Milwaukee’s attractiveness and competitiveness as a city in which to locate or expand business or undertake a development project; and
Whereas, The timely and successful implementation of the Local Business Action Team’s recommendations requires the full support and cooperation of all City departments involved, including the City Clerk’s Office (License Division and Legislative Reference Bureau), Department of City Development, Department of Neighborhood Services, Department of Public Works, Health Department, City Attorney’s Office, Board of Zoning Appeals, Department of Administration (Information Technology Management Division and Intergovernmental Relations Division), Health Department and City Comptroller; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the recommendations in the “Local Business Action Team: Activities, Findings and Recommendations” report dated August, 2015, are approved; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the proper City officials are directed to take all actions necessary to implement the recommendations of the Local Business Action Team.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB160526-1
Jeff Osterman
09/08/2015