Thursday, June 14, 2012

Milwaukee Analysis: Waukesha Whiffs On Data, Info To Support Water Sale

[updated 5:45 p.m.]  An independent review by Milwaukee City Hall fiscal and research staffers has found a Waukesha submission about a possible water sale to be insufficient and without adequate details.
Here is the history and information about the findings - - again demonstrating fundamental problems with the application:

Diverted Great Lakes water sales by the City of Milwaukee to a community like Waukesha - - separate from regional mandates in a 2008 multi-state Great Lakes management Compact - - must also meet requirements for water buyers spelled out in Milwaukee Common Council four-year-old resolution #080457 (full text, here), regarding existing comprehensive planning, and transportation, housing and jobs plans in the buyer's city to help Milwaukee address those needs for its residents

In support of its quest for a diversion of Lake Michigan water, and with resolution #080457 in mind, the City of Waukesha sent a letter in April directing the City of Milwaukee to a planning website where Waukesha said Milwaukee could find enough planning information to get discussions underway about a possible deal to sell divert water to Waukesha.

Additional materials have been submitted (see list below).

On June 12 of this year, an analysis by the City of Milwaukee's research arm - - the Legislative Reference Bureau - - said in writing to Milwaukee City Clerk James Owczarski - - the Common Council's senior staffer - - that Waukesha's submissions didn't meet what resolution #080457 spelled out.

From the letter:

On the need for Waukesha to show a comprehensive plan:

There is insufficient data to gauge Waukesha's progress in implementing the Comprehensive Plan. It should be noted that it has been a relatively short period of time since the adoption of the plan, and it may take may years for implementation.
On demonstrating a comprehensive housing plan in place that meets affordable housing goals, along with specific age, race and income data:
The data provided in the Waukesha report is neither detailed nor comprehensive enough...as required under the resolution.
On demonstrating "a public transportation plan" with "expansion and improvement of public transportation links between Milwaukee residents and job opportunities in Waukesha." 
The information provided by Waukesha is neither detailed nor comprehensive enough to draw meaningful conclusions. Based on this information, it is difficult, if not impossible, to evaluate its transportation plan, especially its success in providing public transportation links between Milwaukee residents and job opportunities in the City of Milwaukee.
[Thursday evening update:  More documentation is now available in a Common Council Public Works Committee file, which is scheduled to meet June 20th as part of a process that could lead to negotiations. For a diversion application to receive approval from all eight Great Lakes states, a water sale deal must be in place.

Here are links to the documents:

Report from the Legislative Reference Bureau 
DCD Waukesha water analysis final (3) 
Feasibility Report for Water Service to City of Waukesha 
Waukesha Letter from Steve Crandell 6-11-12 
Plans Report from Waukesha 
LRB Analysis Waukesha Report 
Water Service Area Map 
Mayor Barrett Letter 4-20-12 
Waukesha Comprehensive Plan 
Waukesha County Bus Route
Waukesha Area Transit System Development Plan: 2003-2007 
Waukesha County Transit System Development Plan: 2002-2006 
Land Use Statistics 
Delafield Demographics 2010 
Genesee Demographics 2010 
Waukesha Demographics 2010 
Town of Genesee Correspondence 
Town of Waukesha Correspondence, Section 8 Tenant Stats 
Section 8 Tenant Stats- All, Section 8 Tenant Stats- City of Waukesha

10 comments:

Water Lily said...

DNR to Milwaukee City Hall: Welcome to OUR world!

Water World said...

Water Lily - where did you see any reference to the DNR?

Watering my lawn all night said...

"An improved source of high quality water at a reasonable price might facilitate the city of Waukesha’s planned growth in the same way that other high quality and efficient infrastructure such as highways and power plants might facilitate growth. That is not to say that Waukesha will not grow without an improved water source, or that Waukesha’s use of Lake Michigan water would give it a definitive comparative economic advantage, but the quality and costs of water are among a variety of factors affecting the economic attractiveness and positioning of the community."

Would give it a definite comparative advantage?? TO WHAT? They don't hesitate to call a spade a spade do they? Won't grow without improved water source??? That is an understatement if I ever saw one. Look -a huge majority of voters vote against the best interests of Milwaukee. They are as red as red can be. They've ignored and shunned us for years. If we need to use this wild card to obtain better cooperation with respect to regional mass transportation and jobs - so be it. If their companies want more water- move to Milwaukee. We have a unlimited supply of wonderful radon free water. Welcome to water wars. You don't like our high speed rail or our light rail - go drink some radon. Surprised Charlie and Marky haven't started standing up for Waukesha on this issue. Silence so far.

THOMMY said...

STICK IT TO WAUKESHA!

My grass is greener said...

How's that grass growing Waukesha? A little brown? Your buddy Walker created this divide and conquer - now live with it.

bxknits said...

They sure don't like that comprehensive housing plan, do they?

Water Lily said...

@Water World:

I was noting the many similarities between the City of Milwaukee's stated concerns (1 - 4 quoted from the letter):

1) An independent review . . . has found a Waukesha submission . . . . to be insufficient and without adequate details.
2) . . . insufficient data to gauge Waukesha's progress in implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
3) [re] a comprehensive housing plan . . . The data provided in the Waukesha report is neither detailed nor comprehensive enough...
4) The information provided by Waukesha is neither detailed nor comprehensive enough to draw meaningful conclusions. Based on this information, it is difficult, if not impossible, to evaluate its transportation plan . . . .

and similar navigational difficulties the DNR is likely experiencing as well. The DNR is too professional, and too circumspect to say so, but it's not too big a leap to suspect their frustration with Waukesha.

Think about it--this application has been floating around in one form or another for nearly 4 years now. The first version was returned by DNR to Waukesha as too incomplete to even begin reviewing. The next version took over a year for Waukesha to submit back to DNR while insisting they were making only a few minor tweaks. Then the DNR had more questions and requests for info. After a year of having the application in hand, the DNR still isn't done, and why? Because Waukesha, despite having a real good idea of what information would be needed, played the game of turning over as little as possible, then dribbling it out, bit by bit, making the DNR ask for each little thing.** After almost a year since turning in its 'final' application, Waukesha is STILL answering questions and turning over information. BTW, when Waukesha does give up information, do they revise the application? No, they provide just the missing info or answer just the question. It's anybody's guess as to where it goes, or how it's supposed to fit into what section. By the time they are finished answering questions, the application will be such a mess that God Himself won't be able to sort it out.

Sound familiar? It should, to the City of Milwaukee, who, in response to their thoughtful and thorough questions got this: "Here's a bunch of websites. Look up the answers to your questions, and do your own analysis, too."

** If you're a Wisconsin taxpayer, you might ask yourself how we can allow one community to suck up and waste the professional resources (time = money, always) of DNR in a quest for something that may not happen. And if you're a city or county of Waukesha taxpayer, double or triple your personal stake in the Waukesha Follies.

WATER WORLD said...

@water Lilly - So I get the feeling you're disgusted with Waukesha and the DNR?

Anonymous said...

Missing from communities within the SEWRPC defined water service area for the Waukesha Utility arethe public transportation plans and housing reports from the Town of Waukesha and the City of Pewaukee

Anonymous said...

@water lilly
Let's not forget that the Town of Waukesha hired Bruce Baker, formally of the DNR as a consultant. His knowledge of the issue will create a through vetting of the application's compliance with the Great Lakes Compact.