Fiscal Note
The intent of this program is that it will be managed by existing staff within agencies involved in implementation efforts. Those agencies involved in implementation will be Traffic Engineering (Taxicab), Building Inspection (Landlord), and Finance (Living Wage). Specifics surrounding the implementation of this program are still being determined.
Title
Resolution Establishing the City of Madison Certification Program
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WHEREAS, Madison has enjoyed much success in setting standards for businesses providing services to residents of, and visitors to, the City; and
WHEREAS, one of these programs issues certifications to child care providers and informs parents and caregivers of the quality child care services available; and
WHEREAS, the City often established standards above the minimum required by law, such as when it adopted its own minimum wage in 2004, before the State of Wisconsin rescinded the City's authority to set minimum wages; and
WHEREAS, other recent actions by the State of Wisconsin have further restricted the City's ability to enforce standards that would promote the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Madison; and
WHEREAS, the City often works with private businesses that take pride in meeting more than the minimum and minimal standards set by the State of Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to establish a voluntary program allowing businesses in Madison to meet positive and constructive standards and to certify those who meet the standards;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City hereby establishes the Madison Certification Program, or "City Cert"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City will establish and maintain a Living Wage Certification Program, setting standards on what constitutes a living wage to be paid to workers, including how such a wage will be measured, and will certify those businesses in the City that meet such standard; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Living Wage Certification Program will be designed by the Economic Development Division of the City, in consultation with local businesses and the City's Economic Development Committee; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City will establish a Landlord Best Practices Certification Program, including the standards that demonstrate that a landlord provides quality housing to its tenants, and will certify those landlords that meet such standards; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City's Housing Operations and Building Inspection Divisions, in consultation with appropriate City committees and the landlord and tenant communities in Madison, will design the Landlord Certification Program; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City will establish a Taxicab Certification Program, establishing the best practices for taxicabs in the City, drawing from the standards in City ordinances and discussions with the taxi industry in the City, and certify those companies that meet such standards; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Traffic Engineering Division, in consultation with the TPC and other appropriate City committees and the taxi community in Madison, will design the Taxicab Certification Program; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that as City staff design and develop these certification programs, they will report to the Common Council on the programs, and acceptance of the reports will constitute Council approval of each program.