Number
161611
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
080644, 120180, 130905, 161221
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the membership and duties of the Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes.
Analysis
This proposed substitute resolution renames the Special Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes to the Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes. The Committee shall consist of 3 members appointed by the Mayor, 3 members appointed by the Common Council President, one of whom shall be appointed as chair, and the City Treasurer and the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee or their designees.
This resolution also establishes the following duties and responsibilities of the Committee:
1. Meet regularly and as needed at the call of the chair to identify City needs, share information, coordinate administrative activities with policy development, and prepare regular communications, including recommendations for future activity and policy action.
2. Receive communications from the public and from City officers and departments, hear testimony, and consult with experts both within and outside City government.
3. Evaluate and make recommendations for effectively addressing code-compliance deficiencies that can arise with properties owned by various forms of legal entities, including limited liability companies, and for improving the City’s policies and practices for collecting code-compliance fines, property taxes, and other charges owed on properties owned by such legal entities.
Body
Whereas, The Special Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Vacant and Foreclosed Homes (Joint Committee) was established by Common Council Resolution File Number 080644 to address the impact of the housing crisis as it moved from the sub-prime market to the prime market contributing to a global economic recession; and
Whereas, The Joint Committee was initially directed to coordinate efforts to implement programs funded under Title III of the Federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, entitled “Emergency Assistance for the Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes”; and
Whereas, The Joint Committee has continued to coordinate information and provide recommendations, direction, and advice related to programs implementing federally-supported Neighborhood Stabilization Programs and other programs that succeeded initiatives begun under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act initiatives; and
Whereas, Regular meetings of the Joint Committee have provided a platform for regular and timely communications from the Department of City Development, the Department of Neighborhood Services, the Community Block Grant Administration, the Police Department, the City Attorney’s Office, the Assessor’s Office, the Treasurer’s Office, and the Legislative Reference Bureau; and
Whereas, The purpose of the Joint Committee has evolved since its inception in 2008; and
Whereas, The City’s use of emergency federal funding relating to the foreclosure crisis is no longer an essential topic of discussion for the Joint Committee; and
Whereas, Changing economic realities affect the housing market in the city of Milwaukee, making foreclosures on residential properties and the number of vacant residential properties a continuing problem; and
Whereas, The continuing and evolving impact of the economic recession on the stability of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods and housing market requires further coordination and collaboration among City departments and offices, as well as cooperation and collaboration with various agencies of county, state, and federal governments and community-based organizations, associations, and businesses; and
Whereas, Vacant and abandoned residential properties contribute to a decline in assessed values of nearby properties and a reduction in tax revenues, create increased risks of fire, offer opportunities for crime (including drug-trafficking and vandalism), often constitute attractive public nuisances, and, when neglected, threaten the health, safety, and welfare of neighborhoods; and
Whereas, A significant number of real estate parcels in the City of Milwaukee are owned by legal entities, including limited liability companies, where it is difficult to establish the identity of the person or persons who own such entities, causing increased challenges for the enforcement of the city building and zoning codes and for the collection of property taxes, fines, and other charges; and
Whereas, A significant number of these legal entities fail to pay code violation and re-inspection fines and fail to pay property taxes and other charges owed, thereby allowing properties to go into foreclosure; and
Whereas, It is the policy of the City of Milwaukee to maximize resources available to address the problems of vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed properties, and to use available resources in the most effective and efficient manner; and
Whereas, The Common Council finds that it is necessary and appropriate to continue the functions and activities of the Joint Committee and to revise the membership and duties of the Joint Committee to ensure the stability and vitality of Milwaukee’s housing and neighborhoods; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that Common Council File Number 080644, a resolution establishing a Special Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes to plan for administration of emergency assistance available under Title III of the federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, enacted September 12, 2008, is rescinded; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Common Council File Number 120180, a resolution relating to the membership of the Special Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes, enacted May 22, 2012, is rescinded; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Common Council File Number 130905, a resolution relating to the membership and duties of the Special Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes, enacted June 24, 2014, is rescinded; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Special Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes is renamed the Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Common Council File Number 161221, a resolution relating to the duties of the Special Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes, enacted January 18, 2017, which expands the Committee’s tasks to include evaluating and making recommendations for effectively addressing issues related to properties owned by legal entities, including limited liability companies, is amended to delete all instances of “Special” from the title of the Committee; and, be it
Further Resolved, That in addition to examining issues related to legal entities, including limited liability companies, the Joint Committee shall also investigate and provide recommendations related to the problems associated with abandoned and foreclosed homes generally; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes shall be established to consist of 8 members: the City Treasurer or his or her designee, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee or his or her designee, 3 members to the appointed by the Mayor, and 3 members to be appointed by the President of the Common Council, one of whom shall be designated Chair by the President; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee shall meet regularly and as needed at the call of the Chair, with staffing provided by the City Clerk, for the purposes of identifying City needs, sharing information, coordinating administrative activities with policy development, and preparing regular communications to the Mayor and the Common Council, including recommendations for future activity and policy action related to legal entities, including limited liability companies, and abandoned and foreclosed homes; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, in the conduct of its business, the Joint Committee may receive communications from the public and from City officers and departments, and may entertain testimony and consult with experts both within and outside City government.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB167737-3
Tea Norfolk
03/21/2017