Board Chairman Lipscomb and Parks Committee Chair Haas Announce 9/13/2016 Public Hearing on Pokemon Go and 2017 Parks Budget Request

MILWAUKEE – The County Board’s Committee on Parks, Energy, and Environment will meet at 9 AM tomorrow, Tuesday, September, 13, 2016, in Room 201B of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The County Board has asked that the Chris Abele Administration present informational reports on their proposals to regulate Pokemon Go sites in Milwaukee County Parks and to create new fees for parking along the lakefront at this meeting.

County Board Chairman Lipscomb, Sr. noted, “Previously I asked ‘who would want to impose a tax on Independence Day celebrations and family picnics at the lakefront?’ Today he remarked, “Since then, I also have heard strong opinions from the public about the Abele Administration’s crack down on Pokemon Go and proposed lakefront parking fees. Now the Administration can explain their strategy of limiting public park use.”

At this meeting, Supervisors will welcome testimony from the public about Pokemon GO in County Parks in addition to the report from the Parks Director. Supervisor Jason Haas, Parks, Energy, and Environment Committee Chairman, said “Milwaukee’s parks were created to boost the lives of all residents. We must strive to ensure the parks are accessible to all, and free to use by all. I look forward to hearing from the public on these matters at Tuesday’s hearing.”

The Committee invites residents to testify on the 2017 Budget Request submitted by the Parks Department and the Administration’s recommendation to charge for parking along Lincoln Memorial Drive, and at lots at McKinley Marina, Veterans Park, North Point, Bradford Beach and Lake Park. The County Executive is statutorily required to submit his budget for next year by October 1, 2016, when the public will know whether this new fee is included in his recommendations.

Parks Committee Agenda: Tuesday, September 13, 2016
https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=498934&GUID=F16DE7DC-928D-4108-994B-2D03D6CA6B27&Options=&Search

Parks Director Report on Pokemon Go in County Parks
https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2827447&GUID=18242F46-20CA-4A10-8E35-65709AB8D281

Parks Director Report on 2017 Budget Request, including parking meters on the lakefront
https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2827454&GUID=4275799B-9453-4513-B4BD-7F446A8657CE

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.