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File #: 230338    Version:
Type: Resolution Status: In Committee
File created: 6/20/2023 In control: STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE
On agenda: Final action:
Effective date:    
Title: Substitute resolution relating to possible legal action to overturn certain provisions of 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 and allocating American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African-American Affairs.
Sponsors: ALD. PEREZ, ALD. RAINEY, ALD. BAUMAN, ALD. STAMPER, ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC
Indexes: OFFICE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION, STATE LEGISLATION
Attachments: 1. One E-Comment in Support
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultTallyAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
7/11/20231 COMMON COUNCIL REFERRED TOPass15:0 Action details Meeting details Not available
6/26/20231 STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION

Minutes note: Andrea Fowler - Budget Office Add Ald. Rainey, Bauman, Stamper, Dimitrijevic as co-sponsors. Jim Owczarski - City Clerk Ald. Coggs abstaining from using ARPA files, but supports the other portion. She asks to divide this into two resolutions. Request withdrawn.
Pass6:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
6/20/20230 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TO   Action details Meeting details Not available

Number

230338

 

Version

SUBSTITUTE 2

 

Reference

 

Sponsor

ALD. PEREZ, RAINEY, BAUMAN, STAMPER and DIMITRIJEVIC

 

Title

Substitute resolution relating to possible legal action to overturn certain provisions of 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 and allocating American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African-American Affairs.

 

Analysis

This resolution authorizes the Department of Administration to allocate up to $781,220 from the second tranche of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African American Affairs. 

Body

Whereas, 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 includes a provision which prohibits using tax-levy funding for any local government positions whose principal duties consist of promoting individuals or groups on the basis of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation; and,

 

Whereas, The City supports these activities, particularly through the Office Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African American Affairs; and

 

Whereas, The City shall therefore strive to have this provision overturned; and

 

Whereas, The City’s total 2023 Budget salary allocation for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African American Affairs is $781,220; and

 

Whereas, A portion of the yearly salary allocation for these offices has already been expended in 2023; and

 

Whereas, An alternative source of funding for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African American Affairs is the second tranche of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award, rather than tax-levy funds in the City Budget; now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City is considering legal action to overturn various provisions included in 2023 Wisconsin Act 12; and, be it

Further Resolved, That funding to support legal action shall come from the tax-levy funding in the 2023 Budget for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African American Affairs; and, be it

 

Further Resolved, That up to $781,220 from the unallocated portion of the City’s second tranche ARPA award is allocated to the Department of Administration for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African American Affairs; and, be it

 

Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration is authorized to spend the ARPA funding on salaries as indicated above for the remainder of 2023; and, be it

 

Further Resolved, That the Office of the City Attorney shall review possible courses of action against 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 and, based on this review, recommend uses for the funds allocated for this purpose to the Common Council; and, be it

 

Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is authorized to establish the necessary accounts and accounting procedures to carry out the intent of this resolution; and, be it

 

Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration is directed to search for an alternative, sustainable source of funding for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African American Affairs.

 

Requestor

 

Drafter

Kathleen Brengosz

6/23/23

LRB 178205-3