Political Tide Rising Over Waukesha Plan To Divert Great Lakes Water
As I said in a posting this morning, Waukesha's application for a Lake Michigan diversion is and will be immersed in politics for years.
By complete coincidence, this letter sent today by Milwaukee officials to their Waukesha counterparts underscores that point.
\August 4, 2011
Mayor Jeff Scrima 201 Delafield Street Waukesha, WI 53188-3633
Daniel S. Duchniak General Manager Waukesha Water Utility 115 Delafield Street Waukesha, WI
Common Council President Paul Ybarra 2610 Keri Court Waukesha, WI 5318853188-3615
Dear Sirs:
We are in receipt of the June 29, 2011 letter requesting the commencement of negotiations regarding a possible water service agreement between the City of Waukesha and City of Milwaukee. Before we proceed any further, several matters require clarification.
First, as you know, under Resolution 080457, the City of Milwaukee is required to undertake a time-consuming and expensive process of evaluating various categories of data and preparing various reports for Common Council consideration before formal negotiations can commence. In addition, the resolution provides:
Before an agreement for water service may be executed the community which has applied for water service must enter into an intergovernmental agreement that contains a “non-compete” clause and an economic compensation provision that is substantially similar to the “Cleveland Agreement” ...; provided, however, the precise amount of economic compensation shall depend on the particular circumstances of the community which has applied for water service.
In light of this requirement, we believe that a threshold issue be must addressed; namely, is the City of Waukesha agreeable in principle to entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Milwaukee that would contain a non-compete clause and an economic compensation provision?
We raise this issue since we are mindful of public comments made by elected officials and citizens in the City of Waukesha that suggest that a non-compete clause or an economic compensation provision would not be acceptable to the City of Waukesha.
Second, we have concerns regarding who speaks for the City of Waukesha. Again we are mindful of public comments by elected officials and citizens in the City of Waukesha that create some doubt regarding the ultimate authority of your “negotiating team” to reach a water service agreement and an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Milwaukee.
Our concern is exacerbated by the fact that there has been no response to our April 9, 2010, and May 13, 2011, letters to Mayor Scrima regarding water negotiations. We also note that one member of the “negotiating team” mentioned in your letter is no longer employed by the City of Waukesha.
Therefore, before the City of Milwaukee begins the research, evaluation, and negotiating process we need to have clarification regarding the two issues raised above.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Tom Barrett Mayor
Willie L. Hines, Jr., President City of Milwaukee Common Council
Michael J. Murphy, Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee City of Milwaukee Common Council
Robert J. Bauman, Chair of the Public Works Committee City of Milwaukee Common Council
1 comment:
And now, all of a sudden, Waukesha has set a date to begin negotiations with Oak Creek and Racine.
Excuse me? Didn't Waukesha say that a Lake Michigan diversion was the most cost effective, or least costly, source of safe drinking water? At 250 million for Oak Creek, and 350 million for Racine (just for capital costs) what's now cheaper, local sources such as the Fox River alluvium and shallow wells, (the water doesn't need to buy purchased) for 220 million, or the diversion? If Waukesha needs to pipe the return flow as close to the source as possible add 50 million to Milwaukee and who knows how much for Oak Creek and double the who knows for Racine.
Imagine the cost to local businesses and residents for the city of 70,000 just for the capital costs. Add the maintenance, retail cost of purchasing the water, the costs of resolution 080457 from Milwaukee and you spell the death of economic development, increased poverty, decreased property value,increased social services, increased crime, and increased taxes. Every state needs a Gary Indiana.
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