Number
201409
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS AND PEREZ
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to the naming of public streets, buildings, and other facilities.
Section
113-4 cr
Analysis
This ordinance allows the regular procedure for naming or renaming public streets, buildings, and other facilities to be suspended whenever four-fifths of the common council members elect vote to name or rename a particular public street, building, or other facility.
Body
Whereas, Section 113-3 of the Code of Ordinances requires that the City follow a complex multi-step process when seeking to change the name of a public street, building, or other facility; and
Whereas, The process includes the need for the City to conduct a postcard survey of residents, businesses, and owners of property along the street, with at least 50 percent of respondents required to support the name change in order for the proposal to move forward; and
Whereas, Writing and sending postcards is an outdated mode of communication given the City’s ability to accept electronic comments when requesting public input; and
Whereas, Under the current name-changing process, non-residents of the city who own businesses on the affected street have the power to block name changes that may otherwise be supported by the Common Council and city residents; and
Whereas, The City needs an alternative procedure for changing or assigning the names of public streets, buildings, and other facilities such that Common Council members, who represent the will of the people, may change or assign a name, provided that at least four-fifths of the members elect of the Common Council approve of such action; now, therefore
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 113-4 of the code is created to read:
113-4. Alternative Naming and Renaming Procedure. The provisions of s. 113-3 shall be suspended whenever at least four-fifths of the members elect of the common council vote to approve the naming or renaming of any public street, building, or facility.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
____________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date: ______________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE
____________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date: ______________________
Requestor
Drafter
Alex Highley
LRB176571-1
2/16/2021