2015-1194 RESOLUTION NO. 2015 -1194
A Resolution opposing the Governor of Wisconsin's funding reductions for the Knowles -
Nelson Stewardship Program and the Transportation Alternatives Program.
WHEREAS, the Knowles - Nelson Stewardship Program has been providing money to
state and local governments, land trusts and other non - profits to purchase and protect
land since 1989 and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant funds non -
motorized transportation infrastructure including trails; and
WHEREAS, the City of Janesville has utilized the Knowles - Nelson Stewardship funding
in acquiring numerous park and open space areas and TAP grants for nearly all of
Janesville's approximately 30 miles of bike trail system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Janesville is on the southernmost section of the Ice Age Trail, a
one thousand one hundred (1,100) mile hiking trail traversing Wisconsin that is
designated by the National Park Service as a National Scenic Trail, one of eleven (11)
such trails in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City of Janesville has a total of eight (8) miles of the Ice Age Trail
running through the City; and
WHEREAS, a study conducted in 2012 by the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
concluded over 1,252,000 visitors used the Ice Age Trail that year, which is "1,481 full -
time equivalent jobs that tend toward the tourism industry" and "estimated labor income
of $35,413,364 contributes $113,961,357 in direct sales from Ice Age Trail visitors to
statewide and local economies. "; and
WHEREAS, Janesville's trail system is one of the most used recreational facilities in the
City, with an estimated two hundred sixty thousand (260,000) trips per year; and
WHEREAS, Janesville's trail system is a tourist attraction with eleven (11%) percent of
users coming from outside the City and the system provides a safe off -road
transportation option to connect residents to employment, education, and shopping; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's 2015 -2017 budget proposes to delay bonding for the
Knowles - Nelson Stewardship Program for thirteen (13) years and to cut two million
dollars ($2,000,000) from the Transportation Alternatives Program;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of
Janesville that members of the State Legislature and specifically those members of the
Joint Finance Committee are requested to continue the Knowles - Nelson Stewardship
Program bonding and restore the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant
funding; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk forward this Resolution to Wisconsin
Governor Scott Walker; Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, Cathy Stepp;
Senator Janis Ringhand; Senator Steve Nass; Representative Mark Speitzer;
Representative Andy Jorgensen; Representative Deb Kolste; and Representative Amy
Loudenbeck.
ADOPTED: April 27, 2015 Motion by: Tidwell
Second by: Liebert
APPROVED: i Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
� / Deup X
i Deupree X
Mark A. F-eitag, City Manager Farrell X
Gruber X
ATT T: Liebert X
Marklein X
Tidwell X
avid T. Godek
Deputy Clerk Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
Proposed by: Cullen Slapak, Parks Director
Prepared by: Cullen Slapak, Parks Director