Title
Resolution calling on the Governor and Legislature of the State of Wisconsin to amend the proposed State 2015-17 Budget with a provision that increases local control by giving locally elected officials a voice in approving bikeways and pedestrian pathways.
Body
Whereas, under current law, with several exceptions, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is required to ensure that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded with state or federal funds, and
Whereas, at a time when economic development and job creation is most needed, our local communities need more local control to protect their current and future development assets, and
Whereas, WisDOT's rigid enforcement of this policy requiring bikeways and pedestrian ways to be established often times leads to bicycle lanes being constructed in inappropriate and impractical locations, and
Whereas, in some instances, scarce resources are spent on bicycle lanes that are sparsely utilized or in other instances, critical tax base is being destroyed as WisDOT confiscates private property to accommodate construction of these bike lanes without any input or approval from local officials, and
Whereas, Representative Joe Sanfelippo plans to propose an amendment to the State 2015-17 Budget that would increase local control by giving locally elected officials a voice in approving bikeways and pedestrian pathways, and
Whereas, the proposed amendment from Representative Joe Sanfelippo gives municipalities the opportunity to have their input taken into consideration when millions of their property tax dollars could be taken away due to a WisDOT project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED By the Common Council of the City of West Allis that the proposed State 2015-17 Budget should be amended to require the municipality in which a bikeway or pedestrian way may be constructed to first authorize the application of this requirement or standard requiring the establishment of bikeways and pedestrian ways, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proposed State 2015-17 Budget should be amended to prohibit WisDOT from enforcing any rule imposing a requirement or standard related to the establishment of bikeways and pedestrian ways that is different from specific federal requirements related to the establishment of bikeways and pedestrian ways in new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded in whole or in part from federal funds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of West Allis that the efforts of Representative Joe Sanfelippo on the City's behalf to increase local control by giving locally elected officials a voice in approving bikeways and pedestrian pathways are greatly appreciated.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Public Works/City Engineer forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Office of Representative Joe Sanfelippo and other elected and appointed officials and take whatever further action is required to encourage the adoption of the amendment described herein.