Number
191432
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Title
Resolution directing the Water Works Superintendent to collaborate with the Department of Administration-Budget and Management Division to provide recommendations on establishing a program to facilitate lead water service line replacements by owner-occupants who do not qualify for the City’s current cost-share program.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Water Works Superintendent to collaborate with the Department of Administration-Budget and Management Division to provide recommendations on establishing a program to facilitate lead service line replacements by owner-occupants who voluntarily seek to replace their lead water service lines, and present the plan to the Common Council by May 31, 2020.
Currently, property owners who voluntarily replace their lead water service lines rather than waiting until the City initiates replacement, either as part of an emergency leak repair or in conjunction with a scheduled main replacement, are not eligible for the City’s replacement subsidy, which caps the property owner’s share of replacement costs at $1,600.
Body
Whereas, The Common Council approved the inclusion of a footnote in the 2020 Adopted City Budget, directing the Water Works Superintendent to collaborate with the Department of Administration- Budget and Management Division to provide recommendations on establishing a program to facilitate lead service line replacements by owner-occupants who do not qualify for the City’s current cost-share program; and
Whereas, Property owners who voluntarily replace their lead water service lines rather than waiting until the City initiates replacement, either as part of an emergency leak repair or in conjunction with a scheduled main replacement, are not eligible for the City’s replacement subsidy, which caps the property owner’s share of replacement costs at $1,600, or any other subsidy or incentive; and
Whereas, Providing an incentive or otherwise facilitating the voluntary replacement of lead water service lines by property owner-occupants may reward these property owners for their health and civic conscientiousness, speed the overall rate of replacement in the City and improve community health; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of Milwaukee, that the Water Works Superintendent is directed to collaborate with the Department of Administration-Budget and Management Division to provide recommendations on establishing a program to facilitate lead service line replacements by owner-occupants who do not qualify for the City’s current cost-share program; and, be it
Further Resolved, This plan shall be presented to the Common Council by May 31, 2020.
Drafter
LRB175671-1
Aaron Cadle
December 9, 2019