Number
171053
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BOHL
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Environmental Collaboration Office to develop a comprehensive green infrastructure plan for Milwaukee’s Combined Sewer Area.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Environmental Collaboration Office to develop a comprehensive green infrastructure plan for Milwaukee’s Combined Sewer Area, including recommendations for changes to existing policies and ordinances addressing public and private infrastructure and lands. The plan shall identify potential funding sources, public and private, to support green infrastructure projects, and shall be presented to the Common Council within 180 days.
Body
Whereas, The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is responsible for collecting and treating wastewater from local sewerage systems, including Milwaukee; and
Whereas, Approximately 1/3 of Milwaukee is a Combined Sewer Area (CSA), in which sanitary flows from homes and businesses and stormwater from streets are combined into a single pipe for collection, transporting and treatment; and
Whereas, During wet-weather events, large volumes of stormwater enter local sewerage systems, increasing the volume of wastewater that MMSD must convey and treat; and
Whereas, During wet-weather events, stormwater can overwhelm the local sewerage system in the CSA, causing combined sanitary and stormwater flows to backup through floor drains and flood basements of homes and businesses in the CSA; and
Whereas, The ongoing expense of managing stormwater flows and flooding in the CSA is considerable; and
Whereas, Green infrastructure, such as constructed wetlands, rain gardens, green and blue roofs, bioswales, and porous pavement, reduces the volume of stormwater in the sewerage system; and
Whereas, The Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO), MMSD, the Department of Public Works and the Department of City Development want to promote the installation of green infrastructure as described in the City of Milwaukee’s Refresh Milwaukee sustainability plan; and
Whereas, MMSD is developing a 2050 Facilities Plan to identify and analyze future District needs and the facilities, programs, operational improvements and policies recommended to optimize MMSD’s performance, including an assessment of the capacity and operation of green infrastructure; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO) is directed to develop a comprehensive green infrastructure plan for Milwaukee’s Combined Sewer Area; and, be it
Further Resolved, That this plan shall also provide recommendations for changes to existing policies and ordinances, and shall address both public and private infrastructure and lands; and, be it
Further Resolved, That ECO shall seek out potential funding sources, public and private, to support green infrastructure projects, and these potential funding sources shall be identified and described in the plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That all City departments are directed to assist ECO as needed in developing a comprehensive green infrastructure plan for Milwaukee’s Combined Sewer Area; and, be it
Further Resolved, That ECO shall present the plan to the Common Council within 180 days of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB170183-2
Dana Zelazny
November 7, 2017