Resolution would strip Milwaukee County Board’s control of O’Donnell Park (UPDATE)

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele could have the final say on the sale of O’Donnell Park.

In a proposed amendment to the state budget, Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee inserted a provision that would strip Milwaukee County supervisors of control over the park and shift it to Abele.

The provision says that the county executive would have the power to sell or lease the park without any approval by the County Board. Even so, Abele would not have carte blanche to approve any deal he favors. A sale of the property to a particular buyer would first have to be found to be in the “best interests” of the county. What’s more, approval would have to come not only from Abele, but also county comptroller Scott Manske, and an individual who is a resident of the county and is experienced in real estate law but is not an elected official. This third individual must also have been appointed by the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council–a body that consists of Mayor Tom Barrett, Abele, and the executive officer of every city and village within the county.

The motion comes about six months after the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted 9-8 against selling the park to Northwestern Mutual for $14 million. Abele had favored that sale.

Under the motion up for approval Thursday, Abele would have the sole authority to issue a request for proposals, negotiate and execute contracts, and conduct administrative reviews and licensing related to the sale or development of the property.

If the County Board’s actions should conflict with the county executive’s, Abele would be given priority. Any ordinance or resolution passed by the County Board that conflicts or interferes with the state statute would be prohibited.

The provision comes as the Milwaukee Art Museum continues to evaluate a possible acquisition of the park. In April, the Board of Supervisors voted 12-5 in favor of a resolution offering to sell or lease O’Donnell Park to the museum.

In March, the board considered a separate proposal that would have readied the park for private redevelopment and a possible sale without any initial discussions with the art museum. That resolution was rejected in April.

According to an April 17 memo issued by Paul Bargren, a lawyer for Milwaukee County, the museum leases space and land free of charge from the county, as well as receives annual contributions that are guaranteed to come in at $1.1 million through 2023 and will be subject to negotiation afterward. The lease runs through 2022 and gives the museum the option to sign up for three 25-year extensions. The county is responsible for building projects and maintaining the shoreline, whereas the museum is responsible for routine maintenance and utilities.

The board also voted 12-4 on Feb. 5 to have a full audit look for ways to revitalize O’Donnell Park.That audit has not been completed.

• Late Thursday, lawmakers took back part of a motion that would give the Milwaukee County executive the final say on the sale of O’Donnell Park.

After about a two-hour break Thursday evening, a budget panel reconvened its meeting with Republicans introducing an amendment to a provision in a motion introduced earlier that would have given Abele the ability to sell or lease O’Donnell park without approval from the County Board.

The amendment also deletes language in the original motion that would have given Abele priority over any County Board action and prohibited the board from taking actions that conflict with the county executive’s statutory authority.

The Daily Reporter staff writer Erika Strebel also contributed to this report.