Number
210487
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. LEWIS
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the creation of a Universal Basic Income program, and appropriating funds for this purpose.
Analysis
This resolution creates a Universal Basic Income (UBI) program in the Office of the Common Council - City Clerk and allocates $400,000 of American Rescue Plan funding to be used for staffing, start-up costs, and initial program costs associated with the creation of the Universal Basic Income program.
Body
Whereas, The American Rescue Plan Act grant is scheduled to operate from March 3, 2021 to December 31, 2024 and is anticipated to provide approximately $394,226,649 to the City of Milwaukee through the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (LFRF); and
Whereas, The City has received the initial LFRF grant award of $197,113,324.50, of which the full amount is provided by the grantor, with $0 provided by the City; and
Whereas, The LFRF provides substantial flexibility for the City of Milwaukee to provide a foundation for a strong and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Whereas, Common Council Resolution File Number 191463, adopted on January 21, 2020, directed the Department of Administration to develop a plan for implementing a pilot UBI program based on the Stockton, CA, model; and
Whereas, The Department of Administration presented its plan for implementing a pilot Universal Basic Income program to the Community and Economic Development Committee on September 9, 2020; and
Whereas, The United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County will serve as the fiduciary agent for the Universal Basic Income program; and
Whereas, Universal basic income could significantly improve the lives of Milwaukee residents who live at or below the poverty line; and
Whereas, Funding for a Universal Basic Income pilot program will improve the City’s response to a public health emergency; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds shall be allocated to the Office of the Common Council - City Clerk to be used for staffing, start-up funding, and initial program costs to create the Universal Basic Income program; and be it
Further Resolved, That the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County (United Way) shall serve as the fiduciary agent for the UBI program; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Office of the Common Council - City Clerk is directed to work with the Department of Administration - Purchasing Division to prepare and issue a request for proposals for a UBI Program Coordinator; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the UBI Program Coordinator shall work with the United Way to finalize the UBI program; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the UBI program shall be based on the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) initiative and tailored to the needs of the City of Milwaukee; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the United Way shall provide progress reports to the Common Council on a semi-annual basis; and, be it
Further Resolved, That $400,000 of the City’s LFRF grant funds are appropriated to the Office of the Common Council - City Clerk, which is authorized to:
1. Expend from the amount appropriated sums for the Universal Basic Income Program and incur costs consistent with the award date.
2. Expend from the grant budget funds for specific items of equipment.
3 Expend from the grant budget funds for training and out-of-town travel by departmental staff.
4. Enter into leases and subcontracts as needed to fulfill the purposes of the grant.
Requester
Drafter
LRB176685-2
Kathleen M. Brengosz
7/1/2021