It was a busy day for the Milwaukee Common Council. On Tuesday, items related to litter, parking tickets, hemp, and the second annual Hip-Hop Week MKE were discussed and adopted. In an effort to give you the down-and-dirty info on these items, here’s a down-and-dirty round-up:
LITTER
The Common Council approved a substitute ordinance that changes all penalties for littering on public or private premises to a flat $500. The change eliminates the current $25 to $500 penalty range. The new ordinance, a component to a “full-throttle” anti-littering campaign set to launch this spring, takes effect April 1, 2019.
PARKING TICKETS
The Common Council approved an ordinance that increases the time for paying parking tickets without a penalty from 10 to 14 days. If payment is not received after 14 days (starting at 6 p.m. on the day the ticket is issued), the fine increases by $5.
The ordinance brings Milwaukee more in line with other cities, where parking ticket “grace periods” range from 14 days (Cincinnati) to 30 days (St. Louis).
HEMP
The Common Council approved a resolution that directs the Department of City Development “to study the feasibility of creating a facility for the production of industrial hemp at the Century City development.” The resolution requests that findings be reported to the Common Council within 90 days.
“I think this could be a tremendous opportunity for [Century City],” said Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs at a previous meeting.
The resolution reads:
Whereas, Industrial hemp is an eco-friendly, versatile crop used worldwide for industrial and consumer products; and
Whereas, According to estimates, the total retail value of hemp products in the U.S. in 2017 was $820 million; and
Whereas, As of November 1, 2018 the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection began issuing licenses for applicants to grow and/or process industrial hemp; and
Whereas, The Century City development site may have sufficient arable soil on the grounds or infrastructure in place to produce industrial hemp hydroponically or through an alternative form of agriculture; and
Whereas, The Century City development site may also meet the location requirements for the production of industrial hemp as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of City Development shall study the feasibility of creating a facility for the production of industrial hemp at the Century City development; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development shall report the findings of this study to the Common Council after 90 days.
HIP-HOP WEEK MKE
The Common Council approved a resolution that recognizes August 19-25, 2019 as the second annual Hip-Hop Week MKE. The resolution reads:
Whereas, Hip-hop originated as a cultural movement in the early 1970s as a response to the social and economic disparities in black and Latino communities throughout the United States; and
Whereas, Hip-hop was created to promote peace, love and unity to overcome negativity plaguing inner-city streets; and
Whereas, Milwaukee hip-hop dates back to the early 1980s on the city’s North Side; and
Whereas, Hip-hop has grown to shape much of American culture and is widely accepted as an essential art form for critiquing, influencing and reflecting on American society; and
Whereas, Milwaukee has produced notable hip-hop artists and producers who have contributed to the genre on a national level; and
Whereas, Hip-Hop Week MKE aims to highlight Hip-Hop’s legacy as an agent of artistic progression, community building and social change; and
Whereas, Hip-Hop Week MKE will focus on financial literacy, civic engagement, voter registration and healthy living; and
Whereas, Hip-Hop Week MKE seeks to promote partnership with schools, local and national community groups to use Hip-Hop as a tool to teach youth and adults about financial literacy, political awareness and health issues affecting the city population; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council designates August 19-25, 2019 as Hip-Hop Week MKE in the City of Milwaukee; and, be it
Further Resolved, That City departments are directed to assist as necessary to make the annual Hip-Hop MKE program a successful event.