Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution awards up to $10,000 each in cooperative development funds to three organizations to help with costs related to strong worker cooperatives in the City of Madison. These contracts will be funded through the Cooperative Enterprise Development program in the Economic Development Division’s capital budget. The program has the $405,000 of available budget authority.
Title
Approving up to $10,000 each in cooperative in development funds for Madison Freewheel Bicycle Company, Soaring Independence Home Healthcare Cooperative and Roots4Change Cooperative.
Body
WHEREAS, the Common Council approved (Enactment #RES-19-00099 2/5/2019) a Scope of Services for 63% of the total funding for the technical assistance part of the Cooperative Enterprise Development Program that includes funds to be used for cooperatives in development with the condition these funds be approved by Council for distribution; and
WHEREAS, Freewheel Bicycle Company located on South Park Street, is working with the Madison Cooperative Development Coalition to convert their current business to a worker cooperative to help create stable, living wage, employment opportunities in the retail bicycle industry, an industry that has often been limited to lower wage and/or unstable employment with few or no benefits.
WHEREAS, Roots4Change Cooperative, provide the immigrant community socially just wellness services including; doula services, breastfeeding educational services and support, health education, trauma-informed training in immigrant communities, consulting on cultural competency and maternal and child health in the Latinx community and many more health and well ness services. This is a community-based effort with Centro Hispano and the Promotores. The Promotoras are the co-op owners.
WHEREAS, Soaring Independent Cooperative (SIC) is owned cooperatively by a group of African-American women who have extensive experience in the home health care industry in all aspects of the business including administration, home care and management. They are organizing to provide quality home care to help fill the rapidly growing need of consistent and quality home care services for the senior and differently abled population in Dane County. SIC is working very closely with business and cooperative experts as the get started in providing services to Dane County residents.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Economic Development Division staff is authorized to approve up to $10,000 of cooperative in development funds to each: Freewheel Bike Company, Roots4Change and Soaring Independent Cooperative to help with costs related to creating strong worker cooperatives in the City of Madison.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute said contracts and are authorized to execute, deliver, accept and record any and all documents and take such other actions as shall be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purpose of this resolution in a form approved by the City Attorney.