Summary

Common Council meeting summary

MilwaukeeJul 11, 20235 min read

At a glance

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The Common Council approved a range of actions across public works, transportation, housing, workforce, and public health: multiple street and infrastructure resolutions and WisDOT agreements were adopted; the council approved employee wage and position ordinances; a city sales and use tax ordinance passed; the council authorized applying for a federal grant to seek streetcar extensions; a Tax Incremental District and several property sales/approvals for housing redevelopment were adopted; and multiple public health grants were accepted.

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COMMON COUNCIL

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LaborTransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyHealthcareCommerceHousing

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What this means

Council members voted on projects that could affect neighborhood streets, lighting and transit planning, approved measures that support new housing redevelopment, and changed city employee pay and job listings. The city accepted several health-related grants that fund local public-health programs. Parking and traffic rules were updated and the council authorized pursuing federal funding to extend the streetcar, which could lead to expanded transit in parts of the city. Routine items such as land surveys, appointments and a motel license renewal with a warning letter were also decided.

Key decisions

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Adopted public works resolutions including vacating North Cass Street and multiple assessable and nonassessable improvement appropriations
Authorized the Commissioner of Public Works to execute WisDOT-related design and agreement documents (including a Master Contract Work Order for street lighting design)
Directed the Department of Public Works to develop plans for use of the City's 'urban wood'
Authorized Project Agreements for Transportation Alternatives Program projects with estimated total cost $458,296 (City share $91,659)
Passed ordinances amending 2023 employee wages, rates of pay, and City Service offices/positions
Passed a city sales and use tax ordinance
Directed application to the Federal Transit Administration for a Small Starts grant to extend the Milwaukee Streetcar and entered project development for further extensions
Approved a Project Plan, Development Agreement and creation of Tax Incremental District No. 116 for Riverwest Apartments and related food accelerator redevelopment
Accepted multiple public health grants and programs (including Wisconsin Well Woman Program, Public Health Preparedness CDC grant, Bioterrorism Focus CRI grant, ReCAST grant, WIC Breast Feeding Peer Counseling grant, and others)
Passed parking and traffic control ordinances and adopted speed enforcement and drug recognition training grant acceptances for public safety
Renewed the Hotel/Motel license for the Super 8 Motel Milwaukee Airport at 5253 S Howell Ave. with a warning letter
Authorized extensions and approvals for several certified survey maps, property sales, and a Purchase and Sale Agreement extension for a residential housing development at MLK drive lots
Directed the City Attorney to review legal provisions of 2023 Act 12 and adopted resolutions expressing opposition to certain provisions of 2023 Act 12

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Meeting information

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COMMON COUNCIL

Jul 11, 2023, 12:00 AMCommon Council Chambersscheduled

Agenda

COMMENDATORY AND CONDOLATORY RESOLUTIONS
Communication from the City Clerk relating to various commendatory/condolatory resolutions to be acknowledged and affirmed by the Common Council.
Agenda Item
THE LICENSES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING:
Motion relating to the recommendations of the Licenses Committee relating to licenses.
PAGE BREAK
THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Substitute resolution to vacate North Cass Street between East Mason Street north to East Wells Street, in the 4th Aldermanic District.
Resolution to inform the Common Council of the City’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report for the year 2022.
Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “Master Contract Work Order” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the design of temporary and permanent street lighting and underground conduit plan sheets, quantities, miscellaneous quantity sheets, construction details and special provisions due to the impacts on City of Milwaukee street lighting facilities as part of the WisDOT project that proposes the resurfacing of West Forest Home Avenue roadway and reconstruction of pedestrian curb ramps between USH 45 to 45th Street, and to set up funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $27,573.43 with 100% grantor share.
Resolution directing the Department of Public Works to develop plans for the use of the City’s “urban wood”.
Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute Project Agreements titled “State Municipal Agreement for a Transportation Alternatives Program Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and to set up design engineering at a total estimated cost of $458,296 with an estimated City of Milwaukee share of $91,659 and a grantor share of $366,637 for two projects.
Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “1st Revision State/Municipal Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, and construction of North Lake Drive (STH 32) from Newberry Blvd. to Edgewood Blvd.
Resolution determining it necessary to make various assessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City engineering cost estimated to be $15,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $100,000.
Resolution determining it necessary to make various nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City engineering cost estimated to be $75,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,000,000.
Substitute resolution approving construction of nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City construction cost estimated to be $1,780,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,916,000.
Resolution directing the Department of City Development to prepare a resolution to vacate a portion of the east-west alley in the block bound by West Burnham Street, West Rogers Street, South 23rd Street, and South 24th Street, in the 8th Aldermanic District.
PAGE BREAK
THE FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
PASSAGE OF THE FOLLOWING:
A substitute ordinance relating to employee wages, benefits, and regulations.
A substitute ordinance to further amend the 2023 rates of pay of offices and positions in the City Service.
A substitute ordinance to further amend the 2023 offices and positions in the City Service.
ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Administration and the Office of Violence Prevention to work with the Mayor's Office to expand the Alert Neighbor Program.
Resolution amending Common Council Resolution File Number 190445, as amended, changing the name of the City-County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity to the City-County Advisory Board on Climate and Economic Equity, and amending the body’s responsibilities.
Substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of the 2023-2024 Wisconsin Well Woman Program grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Substitute resolution acceptance and funding of the 2023-2024 Public Health Preparedness (CDC) Grant from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of the 2023-2024 Bioterrorism Grant - Focus CRI (Cities Readiness Initiative) from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of 2023-24 ReCAST grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of 2023 Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Breast Feeding Peer Counseling Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of the 2023-24 Congenital Disorders & Newborn Screening Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of the 2023-24 Lab Response Network for Biological Threats (LRN-B) grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
PLACING ON FILE THE FOLLOWING:
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to classification studies scheduled for Fire and Police Commission action.
Substitute resolution transferring up to $209,400 from the American Rescue Plan Act allocation to the Office of Violence Prevention to help fund the 2023 Employ Milwaukee Camp Rise Earn and Learn program.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to classification studies scheduled for City Service Commission action.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to labor negotiations.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations amending the Salary and Positions Ordinances relating to clerical or administrative corrections.
Communication from the Department of Administration-Budget and Management Division amending the 2023 Positions Ordinance in the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division.
Communication from the City Clerk’s Office amending the 2023 Positions Ordinance in relation to the City’s lobbyist positions.
PLACING ON FILE THE FOLLOWING AS NO LONGER NEEDED:
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to amending the Salary Ordinance relative to pay progression for Operations Driver Worker.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to amending the Salary Ordinance relative to appointment flexibility for Public Health Nurses, Public Health Nurse-Coordinator, positions that supervise Public Health Nurses.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations amending the 2016 Salary Ordinance relative to adding recruitment flexibility for Library Branch Managers.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to amending the Salary Ordinance relative to the minimum rate of pay for Deputy Chief, Fire.
Communication from various departments providing updates to the citywide Workforce Planning and Succession Planning initiative.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations amending the Salary Ordinance to add recruitment flexibility to positions in the City Attorney’s Office.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations and Froedtert Workforce Health on the City's comprehensive health and wellness program.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations and the Department of Administration reporting on the implementation of permanent remote work schedules for City employees.
Communication from the Department of Employee Relations amending the Salary Ordinance to provide an assignment rate for the title Budget and Fiscal Policy Operations Manager.
PAGE BREAK
THE JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Substitute resolution relating to the claim of Twana Burris.
Substitute resolution authorizing the return of real estate located at 1641 N Franklin Place Unit 5, in the 3rd Aldermanic District to its former owner Michael J Whitcomb.
Resolution relating to an amendment to the contract between the City of Milwaukee (the “City”) and the law firm of Nathan & Kamionski, LLP (hereinafter LAW FIRM).
Resolution cancelling real estate taxes levied against certain parcels bearing tax key numbers on the 2020, 2021, and 2022 tax rolls, plus interest applicable to date of repayment, if appropriate.
Resolution authorizing settlement of claims in the lawsuit entitled Steren Management Co., Inc. v. City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Case No. 2022CV3360.
Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Sherman Associates/Highland Park Apartments, C.I. File No. 1048-2023-692,
PLACING ON FILE THE FOLLOWING:
Resolution relating to the appeal of Jim Kawczynski for property damage.
DISALLOWANCE AND INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING:
Resolution relating to the appeal of Patricia Walia for property damage.
Resolution relating to the claim of Ernest Evans and Letricia Morris.
Resolution relating to the claim of Romonia Foster.
PAGE BREAK
THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
PASSAGE OF THE FOLLOWING:
A substitute ordinance relating to parking controls.
A substitute ordinance relating to traffic controls.
ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Resolution relating to acceptance and funding of a 2023 Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Safety Speed Enforcement grant.
Resolution relative to acceptance and funding of a 2023 Wisconsin State Patrol Division Summer Drug Recognition Expert Field Certification Training grant.
Substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of the 2023-2024 Communicable Disease Prevention Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health.
PLACING ON FILE THE FOLLOWING:
Communication from the Fire and Police Commission relating to the 9-1-1 Wait Times Report for Quarter One of 2023.
PAGE BREAK
THE ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
PASSAGE OF THE FOLLOWING:
A substitute ordinance relating to the change in zoning from a Detailed Planned Development known as ReadCo to a new Detailed Planned Development known as Riverwest Apartments to allow a mixed-use residential building at 1132, 1136-46 and 1164 East North Avenue, located on the north side of East North Avenue, west of North Commerce Street, in the 3rd Aldermanic District.
A substitute ordinance relating to the change in zoning from Industrial Light, IL1, to Parks, PK, for the property located at 11715 West County Line Road, on the south side of West County Line Road, east of North 124th Street, in the 9th Aldermanic District.
ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Substitute resolution authorizing the sale of the City-owned tax deed property at 5229 North 51st Boulevard, in the 1st Aldermanic District.
Resolution approving a final Certified Survey Map for land located east of West Hopkins Street and to the west of North 29th Street to consolidate parcels for redevelopment as a park and to dedicate land for public street purposes, in the 7th Aldermanic District
Resolution authorizing the sale of the City-owned property at 1136-46 East North Avenue, in the 3rd Aldermanic District.
Resolution approving a Project Plan and a Development Agreement, authorizing expenditures and creating Tax Incremental District No. 116 (Riverwest Apartments and Food Accelerator), in the 3rd Aldermanic District.
CONFIRMATION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Appointment of Terri Brookshire to the Granville Advisory Committee by Ald. Taylor.
PAGE BREAK
THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Substitute resolution authorizing acceptance of funding from the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services for the Mighty Small Moments program.
Substitute resolution appropriating up to $3,000 from the Community and Economic Development Committee Fund in support of the 2023 Milwaukee Sister Cities Day Meet and Greet Celebration Event.
CONFIRMATION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Reappointment of Tim Gokhman to the Business Improvement District #20 by the Mayor. (3rd Aldermanic District)
Appointment of Sam Cunningham to the Business Improvement District #8 by the Mayor.
Appointment of Nicole Williams to the Business Improvement District #10 by the Mayor.
Reappointment of Patrick McQuillan to the Business Improvement District #10 by the Mayor. (4th Aldermanic District)
Appointment of Dawn Davis to the Business Improvement District #31 by the Mayor.
Appointment of Sonia Velazquez to the Business Improvement District #38 by the Mayor. (11th Aldermanic District)
PLACING ON FILE THE FOLLOWING:
Resolution relating to the use and allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant 2023 reprogramming funds.
Resolution relating to the use and allocation of Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS 2023 reprogramming funds.
Communication from the Department of City Development relating to the 2022 Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative accomplishments.
PAGE BREAK
THE STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
PASSAGE OF THE FOLLOWING:
A substitute ordinance relating to a city sales and use tax.
ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
Substitute resolution relating to possible legal action to overturn certain provisions of 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 and allocating American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of African-American Affairs.
Substitute resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to apply to the Federal Transit Administration for a Capital Investment Grants Program Small Starts grant to extend the Milwaukee Streetcar to Fiserv Forum and to Brady/Farwell/Prospect, and to enter project development for extensions to Bronzeville and Walker's Point consistent with the plan included in the draft update to the Downtown Area Plan.
Substitute resolution expressing the City’s opposition to various provisions in 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 and directing City representatives to work for their repeal.
Substitute resolution directing the City Attorney’s Office to review the legality of provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 relating to the City of Milwaukee.
PLACING ON FILE THE FOLLOWING:
Communication from the Democratic Convention Host Committee relating to the 2020 Convention.
Communication from the Fire and Police Commission relating to certain recent investigations.
Communication from the Mayor’s Office and others relating to staffing and appointments to the Fire and Police Commission.
Communication from various city departments relating to the impacts of a 10%, 20% and 25% budgetary reduction on staffing, operations and services provision and possible fee increases.
Communication relating to the fiscal impact of various provisions of 2023 Wisconsin Act 12.
Communication relating to the equity impact of various provisions of 2023 Wisconsin Act 12.
PAGE BREAK
MATTERS FOR IMMEDIATE ADOPTION:
Resolution approving final certified survey maps.
Resolution authorizing an extension to an agreement with RACM, VOW, and VCP regarding 6767 North 60th Street, in the 9th Aldermanic District.
Resolution conditionally approving a final certified survey map.
Resolution conditionally approving a final certified survey map.
Resolution authorizing an extension for the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the proposed development at the City-owned vacant lots at 3341, 3345-3349 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and the Redevelopment Authority owned vacant lots at 3317-3329, 3333-3335 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and 456 West Concordia Avenue to MLKEDC/KG Development Group also dba FIVE POINTS MLKEDC LLC for a residential housing development, in the 6th Aldermanic District.
The meeting was called to order at 9:42 a.m.
Agenda Item
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 pm
The Pledge of Allegiance was said followed by silent meditation. The question was put: Are there any corrections to the Common Council Journal of Proceedings for the regular meeting of June 20, 2023? There being none, the minutes of the meetings were approved without objection. Ald. Coggs moved that the Common Council resolved itself into Committee of the Whole for making presentations. There was no objection. Ald. Coggs along with Ald. Pratt, Ald. Taylor, Ald. Chambers, Ald. Spiker, Als. Rainey and Ald. Westmoreland recognized the following: Miss Juneteenth - Adaobi Nnamuchi; Little Miss Juneteenth - Brionna Clemons and Mister Juneteenth Junior - Mason Donald. Ald. Westmoreland moved that the Common Council rise from Committee of the Whole. There was no objection.
A substitute ordinance relating to a city sales and use tax.

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