Fiscal Note
On March 23, 2020, the Mayor issued an Emergency Proclamation based on the increasing transmission of the COVID-19 virus within the City of Madison. To help mitigate the financial impacts of this emergency on the businesses and residents of Madison, the proposed resolution temporarily allows the Director of Transportation, and their designee, to implement the powers and duties assigned to the Transportation Commission in MGO 33.56(5).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact of this action.
Title
SUBSTITUTE - Temporarily suspend the enforcement of Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5) to allow the Director of Transportation, Transit Manager, Traffic Engineer, and Parking Manager to take actions related to transportation issues identified in Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5)(a)-(b).
Body
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, pursuant to Madison General Ordinance Section 3.19, the Mayor issued an Emergency Proclamation, based on the increasing transmission of COVID-19 within the City of Madison; and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, the Governor of Wisconsin issued Emergency Order #12 ordering individuals to remain home except for Essential Travel; and
WHEREAS, M.G.O. § 33.56(5) requires the Transportation Commission to approve certain actions of the Department of Transportation before the Department takes those actions, including changes to Metro Transit fares, routes, and passenger rules and regulations; Parking regulations; and certain pedestrian and motor vehicle issues; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the Pandemic and Mayor’s Emergency Proclamation, it is uncertain when or how often the Transportation Commission will be able to meet during the Pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation will need to take quick action throughout the Pandemic on some of the items listed in M.G.O. § 33.56(5) before it is able to present those actions to the Transportation Commission at a meeting; and
WHEREAS, this Substitute Resolution incorporates feedback from the Transportation Commission’s review of the original Resolution at its April 15, 2020 virtual meeting.as part of the Governor’s Order all Nonessential Businesses are required to close; and
WHEREAS, the closure of numerous businesses throughout the City has the potential to have significant negative financial impact on residents.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that effective immediately and until June 2, 2020 unless further extended by the Common Council, the City will temporarily suspend the enforcement of Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5)(a)-(b) to allow the Director of Transportation, Transit Manager, Traffic Engineer, and Parking Manager to take actions related to transportation issues identified in Madison General Ordinance Section 33.56(5)(a)-(cb) related to the powers and duties of the Transportation Commission, provided that until the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County and the Governor of Wisconsin determine to end emergency actions they have taken to combat the coronavirus pandemic, provided that any actions taken are related to the pandemic response and cannot wait for action until the next Transportation Commission meeting. When the Department of Transportation takes such action, the Director of Transportation Commission shall notify the Chair of the Transportation Commission and, when if the Transportation Commission next meets,. during the coronavirus pandemic the Director of Transportation shall present each action taken pursuant to the authority above for ratification or rescission by the Transportation Commission.