AB 725

Establishment of the Build Milwaukee Initiative Zones

This bill delineates four areas or zones in the city of Milwaukee (build

Milwaukee initiative zones) that are to be the subjects of targeted economic and

community development as set forth in the bill from July 1, 2012, until June 30, 2016,

at which time the bill's requirements except for reporting requirements, generally

cease. The build Milwaukee initiative zones are comprised of geographic areas

previously designated by ordinance by the common council of the city of Milwaukee.

Build Milwaukee initiative councils

The bill directs the common council of a 1st class city to establish a "build

Milwaukee initiative council" for each build Milwaukee initiative zone. That

common council is required to determine the number of members for each build

Milwaukee initiative council. The members of a build Milwaukee initiative council

serve three-year terms and are to be nominated by the mayor of the 1st class city and

appointed with the advice and consent of the city's common council. The bill requires

the build Milwaukee initiative councils to be strictly nonpartisan.

Under the bill, the common council determines the rules and procedures that

govern each build Milwaukee initiative council established by the common council.

Those rules and procedures must include all of the following:

1. The members of a build Milwaukee initiative council must be persons who

reside in, or are affiliated with a business entity, including any nonprofit corporation,

that is headquartered in, that council's build Milwaukee initiative zone.

2. The majority of a build Milwaukee initiative council's members must be

persons who reside in that council's build Milwaukee initiative zone.

3. Each build Milwaukee initiative council must include at least one clergy

member and at least two minority group members.

4. A vacancy on a build Milwaukee initiative council is to be filled in the same

manner as the original appointment to the council for the remainder of that

member's unexpired term, if any.

5. All build Milwaukee initiative council members must take and file the

official oath.

Goals and implementation

Under the bill, each build Milwaukee initiative council must do all of the

following with respect to that council's build Milwaukee initiative zone:

1. Establish clear and measurable goals for the implementation of economic

development and housing programs in the build Milwaukee initiative zone.

2. Coordinate with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

(WEDC), the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA),

the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA), a 1st class

city, and a county with a population of 750,000 or more to achieve the requirements

of the bill discussed below.