Providing city loans for energy efficiency improvements

I introduced an ordinance to make Milwaukee one of the first cities in the country to set up a revolving loan fund program for energy efficiency improvements.

Promoting solar power is critical not only for our environment, but for our economy and for job creation as well. Solar emits no greenhouse gases, as fossil fuels do. Additionally, solar would allow us to purchase less fossil fuel from overseas, and create jobs in the installation and manufacturing market.

Historically, the barrier to people installing solar panels has been the high upfront cost. This rotating loan fund requires a minimal amount of money up front, and the homeowner can pay the city back over a 15-year time period. The idea is that most of the money will come from money saved as a result of not having to purchase power from a carrier.

Milwaukee has received a federal grant to fund the initial lending program, and is actively soliciting funds from foundations and other outside sources in order to expand service to more homes. In these tight fiscal times, it’s crucial that we continue to assemble great programs like this with minimal tax impact.

This ordinance was considered before the Community and Economic Development Committee Feb. 22. I have broad support for this legislation, and anticipate it being approved by the full council when it next meets March 2. Anybody who is interested in participating in this loan fund should contact me at (414) 286-3769 or tzielinski@wi.rr.com.

Tony Zielinski is the city of Milwaukee’s alderman for the 14th District, which includes Bay View. He can be reached at tzieli@milwaukee.gov or (414) 286-3769.

City should have picked American made uniforms

In order to solve our economic woes I have been promoting “leveling the playing field for the American worker.” That is, our economic woes are caused primarily from an uneven playing field for the American worker. In other words, because we have a value system that prides itself on family-supporting jobs, worker’s compensation, social security, providing for the safety of the workers, and protecting the environment, etc., we are being penalized by companies that want to exploit workers for economic gain by going overseas. Overseas, these companies can exploit workers without paying family-supporting wages, etc.

Until we level the playing field for the American workers we will continue to see the mass exodus of manufacturing overseas. With that exodus rides our cumulative wealth of this country.

In an effort to help level the playing field I have passed sweat-free and buy-American legislation on the city level. My goal is to have this movement spread to other communities and the state and ultimately other states because together we have the cumulative purchasing power (if used right) to level the playing field.

Meanwhile, we have experienced a new challenge: a major Milwaukee Police Department uniform contract was recently awarded to a company overseas when an American union manufacturer came in at a lower bid. The procurement director awarded the contract to a foreign manufacturer even though it was at a higher cost to the taxpayers. I am looking at introducing legislation to prevent this problem from occurring again.

Tony Zielinski is the city of Milwaukee’s alderman for the 14th District, which includes Bay View. He can be reached at tzieli@milwaukee.gov or (414) 286-3769.

Expanding Sweet Water Organics

I am working with James Godsil, Steve Lindner, and partners on significantly expanding Sweet Water Organics fish farm in Bay View. They are continuing the tradition of this part of the city being a leader in progressive and creative initiatives. From a marketing perspective it is good for Bay View development to promote these types of initiatives.

These pioneers raise organic fish at 2151 S. Robinson Ave. and they are on target to raise 50,000 organic fish in our urban environment. By raising fish locally they are helping the environment by reducing the need to transport fish over great distances with trucks. Similarly, they are helping the local economy with jobs. Lastly, they are helping health-conscious people by providing more options for organic fish.  »Read more

Buy American

If we are going to revitalize the economy we need to level the playing field for the American worker. That is, we believe in family-supporting jobs, worker’s compensation, social security, providing for the safety of the workers, and protecting the environment. Over the past decades manufacturing plants have been closing down and taking these jobs overseas so they can avoid the costs associated with a socially responsible society. Trade is good if it is on a level playing field.

One way to help level the playing field is to participate in the growing sweat-free movement. That is, governmental entities are passing ordinances and bills that require certain purchases take place with companies that can demonstrate that their workers are paid above poverty-level wages. The more such legislation that passes, the more we are leveling the playing field.  »Read more

CPC approves KK BID

A Business Improvement District (BID) is an economic development tool used to help maximize business growth along a major business strip. BIDs are areas where property owners in designated geographic areas voluntarily collect annual assessments that are spent on projects that enhance the local business environment. These may include improvements to the streetscape, marketing efforts, business recruitment activity, and security programs.

The proposed BID for Bay View is along Kinnickinnic Avenue from Becher Street to Morgan Avenue. The initial plan targets the money for security guards and graffiti removal. While KK is one of the safest business strips in the city, we want to make it even safer yet, and special security for KK will go a long way toward achieving that goal. The BID can also take advantage of the graffiti removal grant matching program whereby the city will match any money designated for graffiti removal. This will ensure that all the businesses will have graffiti removed more quickly, thereby helping the overall image of the business strip and making it a more attractive place to shop. This in turn will help us attract even more businesses.  »Read more

Oppose the MPS takeover

Governor Doyle and Mayor Barrett proposed that the School Board of Directors be disbanded in favor of a body appointed by the mayor. I am fighting 100 percent against this antidemocratic measure. To that end, Common Council legislation is being drafted to formalize this opposition.

Any time an elected body is disbanded in favor of an appointed body, the public loses their power and right of the vote. People have fought and lost their lives fighting for their democratic rights. And we are the very fortunate recipients of that patriotic sacrifice.

The argument has been made that the school board is too fractious to get anything done. If that is the argument to disenfranchise voters, then it is a logical extension of that argument to disband Congress. After all, Congress is a partisan body that incessantly bickers, while the school board is not a partisan body.  »Read more

Bay View Business Association update

Recently the Bay View Business Association met for the fifth month in a row. Jason Wedesky, owner of Actaea Works is the president; Ed Senger, director of store operations for Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative, is the vice-president; Mike Krolick, branch manager of M&I Bank, is the treasurer; and Tim Dertz, a local developer, is the secretary.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 6pm in the Front Room Photography Studio, 2637 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Given that the momentum is growing we are now in the process of setting up our webpage for the association. At the next meeting the owner of Front Room has agreed to take headshots of business members for our webpage.

Our meetings provide a forum for business owners to express their needs and concerns. We then tie agenda items to those needs and concerns. For example, a business owner recently was able to take advantage of thousands of dollars of wage tax credits that he would not have been aware of otherwise.

Anyone interested in getting more information can contact Jason Wedesky at wedesky@gmail.com.

Sweat-Free Initiative update

Recently I was successful in getting legislation approved that allowed Milwaukee to join the sweat-free consortium. This move helps ensure that companies who bid on city contracts do not use sweatshop labor. That is, a number of companies have been found to use sweatshop labor in violation of the contract with the city and by joining a consortium it is easier to identify the companies that are falsifying their affidavits.

Why is this important? Many of the jobs that are leaving for overseas are doing so because they can exploit workers for economic gain. Milwaukee is a leader in trying to level the playing field for American manufacturers by requiring certain wage levels for companies that get their contracts. If enough governmental entities were to pass similar legislation we could keep more jobs in America.

Tony Zielinski is the city of Milwaukee’s alderman for the 14th District, which includes Bay View. He can be reached at tzieli@milwaukee.gov or (414) 286-3769.

Common Council upholds ZND’s Hide House recommendation today in 10:4 vote

By Katherine Keller

In a 10:4 vote, one abstention, the Common Council voted no today on a substitute amendment introduced by Ald. Tony Zielinski to apply interim historic designation to the the entire Hide House complex at 2625 S. Greeley St.

The vote clears the way for developers General Capital Group and Joseph Property Development to demolish the 1940s era buildings on the north end  of the complex for construction of a 60-unit low-income apartment unit.

The controversial development was opposed by Zielinski who attempted to stop the demolition and new construction by applying for interim historic designation citing area neighbors’ desire to preserve the old tannery.

The Historic Preservation Commission voted July 17 to place interim designation on the entire complex of buildings at 2625 S. Greeley St.

The Hide House developers appealed the designation July 23 requesting removal of the designation from the north end buildings before a hearing of Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development.

ZND voted to remove the designation only from the unoccupied, blighted buildings that occupy that from the intersection of Greeley St. and Deer Place.

In rejecting the amendment today, the Common Council upheld ZND’s partial designation resolution.

ZND vote favors Hide House developer’s appeal

by Katherine Keller

General Capital Group successfully appealed the interim historic designation of the entire Hide House building at 2625 S. Greeley today by a 3:2 vote by members of the Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods, and Development Committee (ZND). Voting in favor of the developer’s appeal were Ald. Michael Murphy, Ald. Willie Wade, and Ald. James Witkowiak. Voting no were Ald. Tony Zielinski and Ald. Robert Bauman. The resolution was sponsored by ZND chair, Ald. Witkowiak.

After listening to arguments by the owners, owners’ attorney, area residents and Hide House tenants, Ald. Murphy motioned to remove the buildings at the north end from the designation. The motion’s pasage opens the door for the developer to move forward with plans to demolish those buildings and construct a 60-unit affordable income apartment building—Hide House Lofts, in its place.

The Hide House, 2625 S. Greeley St. and 2612 S. Greeley St., is located in Ald. Zielinski’s district along the western border of Bay View, a block east of Chase Avenue and five blocks south of Lincoln Avenue.

On June 15 the city’s Historic Preservation Commission granted interim historic designation to  a group of connected buildings constructed at the 2625 S. Greeley address between 1898 and the mid 1940s blocking the developer’s plans to demolish the buildings on the north end of the complex and replace them with new construction.

At the hearing, Sig Strautmanis, one of the Hide House owners, described the north end buildings as structurally obsolescent. He said that owners’ appeal was based on the blighted state of those buildings that he argued are dramtically compromised by long-term neglect including concrete supports in the basement that were damaged by standing water, maple floors on the second floor ruined by rain, and wall bricks that are corroding. Hide House 2007, LLC, an entity that includes several partners of General Capital Group and Robert Joseph, purchased the Hide House complex in fall 2006.

The original buildings on the south end of the complex, built in the 1890s, are renovated and occupied by artists, musicians, small businesses, and a church.

About 20 of Zielinksi’s constituents who live in the neighborhood of the Hide House attended the ZND meeting. Of those, about a dozen argued in favor of preserving the designation of the entire complex and keeping it intact. Many attested to the working class heritage and sentiment that the complex represents and of the integral role played by the businesses, that once occupied the buildings, in the lives of those who have lived in the neighborhood through the decades.

Also testifying were a number of Zielinski’s constituents who opposed the designation of the entire complex, along with several Hide House tenants, who said they the thought neighborhood would be better served if the dilapidated buildings at the north end were demolished and replaced by housing that would attract new working class residents to the neighborhood and the small businesses that they hope will follow.

Many who spoke, in favor or opposed, said the developer should have held a public meeting to introduce themselves and their plans and given neighbors an opportunity to ask questions.

The Common Council will vote on the matter Tuesday after hearing the recommendation of ZND. The Common Council could vote in favor of HPC’s original recommendation to designate the entire group of buildings at 2526 S. Greeley St.

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In a separate action today, ZND voted to move the two Historic Preservation Commission employees from the Department of City Development into the City’s Clerk’s office. The substitute ordinance was sponsored by Ald. Nick Kovac, Ald. Bauman, and Ald. Zielinski.

Historic Preservation Commission chair Matt Jarosz argued that there would be a greater perception of the neutrality of HPC staff’s recommendations if it seemed clear that those decisions were not contingent on the approval or disapproval of the department that employs them.

Ald. Murphy and Ald. Witkowiak questioned whether that public perception of neutrality would be any more favorable if the HPC staff were beholden to the approval of the Common Council members who appoint the City Clerk.

HPC chair Jarosz’s recommendation, along with DCD Deputy Commissioner Martha Brown’s lack of opposition, informed the 4:1 decision. Also voting in favor were Ald. Wade and Ald. Zielinski. Ald. Witkowiak voted no.

The change will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Tony Zielinski eyes state attorney general job

Milwaukee—Alderman Tony Zielinski confirmed today that he is exploring running for Wisconsin State Attorney General in 2010. Zielinski said that he has been approached by a “number of people” who have asked him to consider running.

One of the key reasons he is eyeing the AG job, he said, is that public safety is an important issue for his constituents. “I feel that the attorney general has enormous capacity to help reduce crime in our communities,” he said. “Reducing crime would be my prime focus.”

Zielinski said getting gang members and drug dealers off the street would be his prime focus. He said sentencing needs to be tougher. “If that happens,” he said, “these criminals will get the message and then we’ll see a reduction in the crime rate.”

The office is currently held by J.B. Van Hollen who was elected in 2006.

City joins sweat-free consortium

Recently, I successfully passed legislation that had Milwaukee join the Sweat-Free Consortium, which is charged with the task of investigating companies that get city contracts for purchases. Often, companies will sign an affidavit stating that they are paying above poverty-level wages before getting a city purchasing contract (as required by law). However, it has been the case that companies have falsified these affidavits in order to get the contract, circumventing the intent of the ordinance. Previous to joining the consortium it was very difficult to investigate the validity of these affidavits, but by joining the consortium, the different governmental entities are pooling their financial resources to cost-effectively investigate these companies.

Milwaukee has been one of the national leaders in the growing sweat-free movement and also one of the first entities to formally join the consortium. The reason I am so involved with this movement is that this is one way to help stem the loss of jobs overseas, which negatively impacts our community. That is, when companies close shops here and exploit workers for economic gain overseas, our economy is being decimated. Rather than restricting or punishing companies that exploit workers for economic gain, they are being rewarded with bigger profits.  »Read more

Bay View Business Association second meeting

The first meeting of the Bay View Business Association was a success. We elected Ed Senger from the Outpost as the vice president. Mike Krolick from the M&I Bank was elected the treasurer and Tim Dertz, a local developer, was elected secretary.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 at 6pm at the Bay View Post, 2860 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Captain Donald Gaglione, the new commander of the Second Police District, has agreed to attend and discuss public safety from a business perspective. City traffic engineers will also attend to discuss possible ways to address parking issues. If time permits we will also have representatives from other city departments to discuss issues of concern to businesses. It is anticipated that representatives from the Department of City Development will regularly attend to discuss a myriad of programs to help businesses in the area.  »Read more

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