Legislative Updates

America’s Black Holocaust Museum
This fall, the Common Council supported a move to purchase the building that housed America’s Black Holocaust Museum. The building is a key part of the Bronzeville historic district development, but because of failing revenues, the museum fell into crisis with its mortgage. To preserve the opportunity the property and museum provide, the Department of City Development’s Redevelopment Authority, through a resolution sponsored by Alderwoman Coggs, agreed to purchase the property and the full Council approved the measure in December.

For more information about the resolution (File #080834), click here.
 

Milwaukee Opportunities for Restoring Employment (MORE)
Ald. Coggs has been working with Alds. Hamilton, Wade and Kovac on new legislation that will enhance local development and encourage job growth within the City of Milwaukee. The MORE ordinance includes regulations for a bidding system that offers added value to bids that come from businesses and contractors within the City of Milwaukee as well as new percentage requirements for resident employment in city projects. Businesses will be creating jobs and apprenticeship opportunities that employ local residents and this broadens the benefits for both the area and the business involved.

"This legislation works to enhance moves the city has already made to help guarantee that local businesses and minority owned businesses get the opportunity to earn contracts within the city. More importantly, however, the legislation provides a framework for what Milwaukee considers solid wages, good work and valuable training so we can continue to develop our workforce and the opportunities available," Ald. Coggs said.

The legislation also considers whether the business bidding on the project is local and pays its employees using the prevailing wage rate—a rate that is different than minimum wage—helping guarantee family-supporting jobs.

The ordinance also details how apprenticeship opportunities and training situations are offered. "We have worked long and hard on this legislation and are eager to see it come to the Council floor this year," Ald. Coggs said.

For more information about the ordinance (File #080685), click here.