OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting - June 9, 2026

City Plan Commission — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
SessionCity Plan Commission
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:45:02
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Regular meeting on Tuesday, June 9th at 9 05 AM.

0:03

I'm Alder Person Joe Castas Samaripa, Chairperson of the Committee.

0:08

I am joined in the following order.

0:10

Um to my left.

0:13

Um we have Alderman Peter Bergelis is here in the room with us as well as Alderman Alex Brouwer.

0:18

We'll be on the far left.

0:20

Yes, on the far left, Alderman Brouwer.

0:22

We will be joined very shortly by Vice Chair, Alderwoman Andrea Pratt, as well as Alderman DeAndre Jackson.

0:29

Of course, we're joined by our staff assistant Yadira Melendez.

0:33

Good morning.

0:34

As well as Fabiola Lopez, our licensed division assistant manager.

0:38

Good morning.

0:39

And from the city attorney's office, Assistant City Attorney Travis Gresham.

0:43

And from Milwaukee Police Department, we have both Sergeant Cornejo and Lieutenant Velasquez.

0:48

Good morning.

0:49

Um the first item on the agenda is file number 260204, motion relating to the recommendations of the licenses committee relating to licenses.

1:00

And the first application is Chekala.

1:05

Wait, let me just say this again.

1:06

Ram Moan Rao Chakala.

1:09

Okay.

1:09

Please come up.

1:11

Agent for three I L C Class B tavern License Application for Copa's Fobelli Delhi at 1940 North Firewall.

1:20

Please have a seat.

1:21

Thank you.

1:22

Good morning.

1:24

All right.

1:25

And if you'll raise your right hand, we'll get you sworn in.

1:28

You do, Fabi.

1:30

Thank you.

1:30

Do you tell me if we're on the defense of penalty subject of the state of Wisconsin that the testimony about to give is it true to hold truth and have you with the truth?

1:38

Yes, I do.

1:39

Thank you.

1:40

Yes, thank you, everyone.

1:42

All right, very good.

1:43

And uh, sir, are you on receipt of notice of today's meeting with the possibility your application may be denied?

1:50

Yes.

1:51

Thank you.

1:51

And if you'll state your name and address for the record.

1:54

My name is Ram Mohanral Cecilia, the business address 1940, North Farvelow, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202.

2:01

Great.

2:02

Will you will you pronounce your name again for me once more?

2:05

Uh Ram.

2:06

Ram Mohondrao.

2:07

But you can call me around, yeah, that's easier.

2:09

Okay, thank you.

2:10

Pretty big name.

2:10

Yeah.

2:10

Very good.

2:11

Thank you.

2:12

Um, okay, Ms.

2:13

Lopez.

2:14

Are there any holds?

2:15

No holds.

2:16

Okay.

2:16

Um, Sergeant Cornejo, is there a police report?

2:20

Uh 927 25, Mr.

2:21

Singh, thirty percent 33% shareholder was cited at 1900 South 31st Street for the sale of a cigarette to minor on 424 26.

2:29

They were convicted and fined 205.

2:33

Okay, and that and that's not Mr.

2:35

Ram, correct?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████████████28%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Cannabis Regulation████████████████████20%
Miscellaneous████████8%
Economic Development██████6%
Procurement and Contracts████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Licenses Committee met on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 9:05 AM in Room 301-B of City Hall, chaired by Ald. Jocasta Zamarripa. The committee considered numerous license applications, renewals, transfers, and a revocation, along with a communication regarding parklet and sidewalk dining permit processes. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda Only Items (7 items): Approved unanimously, including renewals for The Seafood Shack Restaurant, Strange Town, Benson's Catering, East Town Association, Zilli Hospitality Group, Hangoverz, and Parkway Communities.
  • Warning Letter Items (8 items): Approved unanimously, including renewals for Express Liquor & Tobacco, Beny-Boys Grill, Cousins Submarines, Hyatt Place MKE, Econo Lodge, Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport, and Holiday Inn Express Milwaukee Airport.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Scoreboard Sports Bar (2127 W Wells St): Opponents included Savannah Brooks (Near West Side Partners), Kelsey Otero (Marquette University), and Edith Hudson (Marquette Police Chief). They cited concerns about over-concentration of liquor licenses, safety, and proximity to Marquette's patrol zone. Building owner Luis Flores (Chicago) spoke in support, noting careful vetting of the tenant. The item was held for further discussion.
  • Macrina's Sport Bar (1663 S 11th St): Alex Kostner (Schusters Lofts) presented a petition from 30 residents opposing the license due to past shootings, noise, and safety issues. Ruben Velez (resident) echoed concerns. Nancy Bush (BID 4) stated the board took no position. The committee approved the license as amended.
  • Punta Cana Revocation (2000 S 13th St): Nalani Gaona (neighbor) testified about shootings, loud music, and a murder outside the bar. The committee accepted the surrendered licenses.
  • La Hacienda (2410 W Forest Home Ave): Neighbor complaints about delivery trucks blocking the street were addressed by the applicant's plan to relocate employee parking and apply for a loading zone. Approved with a warning letter.

Discussion Items

  • Parklet/Sidewalk Dining Process (File 260223): Ald. Perez and License Division Manager Jim Cooney presented a new permit process that combines parklets, sidewalk dining, and Active Streets for Business into a single license division permit with neighbor notification and aldermanic review. DPW's James Washington confirmed continued accessibility oversight. The communication was placed on file unanimously for further development.
  • Punta Cana Revocation (File 260229): The agent surrendered the licenses. The committee accepted the surrender after hearing neighbor testimony, avoiding a formal revocation.

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals (selected):
    • Koppa's Fulbeli Deli (1940 N Farwell Ave) – Class B Tavern license approved 4-0.
    • OG Pub & Grille (2498 N Bartlett Ave) – Class B Tavern and Food Dealer approved 4-0.
    • Citgo on Teutonia (3551 N Teutonia Ave) – Renewal with warning letter approved 5-0.
    • K&P Towing (7928 W Clinton Ave) – Renewal approved 5-0 after applicant agreed to pay outstanding $1,213.72 balance.
    • Freshwater Food & Wine Festival (200 N Harbor Dr) – Class B Tavern license approved 5-0 for Sept 19-20, 2026.
    • Luxe Pour Studio (765 N Jackson St) – Class C Wine and Public Entertainment approved 5-0.
    • The Spread (1137 N Martin L King Jr Dr) – Transfer approved 5-0.
    • McDonald's (5890 S 27th St) – Renewal with warning letter approved 4-0.
    • Illyria Massage (2607 W Morgan Ave) – Approved as amended (10am-7pm daily) 5-0.
    • Soonja's Seoul Pocha (839 W National Ave) – Approved as amended (Mon-Thu 4-10pm, Fri-Sat 4-11:30pm) 5-0.
    • Texas J's (813 S 1st St) – Renewal approved 5-0.
    • Station 1846 (215 W Bruce St) – Renewal approved 5-0.
    • Macrina's Sport Bar (1663 S 11th St) – Approved 4-1 (Ald. Burgelis abstained) as amended (6pm-midnight daily).
    • Live Lounge (725 S 1st St) – Waiver of time limit approved 5-0.
    • Elephant TKB (3730 W National Ave) – Class B Tavern approved 5-0.
    • Trustz Tattoo (3953 S 76th St) – Renewal with warning letter approved 5-0.
  • Denials/Non-Renewals:
    • Brown & Gibbs Sports Bar (182 E Lincoln Ave) – Non-renewed 5-0 due to second non-appearance.
  • Held Items:
    • Hookus SSE (9006 W Silver Spring Dr) – Held for further discussion on tobacco/hookah licensing.
    • Camaleon Bar (2900 S 13th St) – Held for aldermanic conversation.
    • Aldi #19 (225 E Capitol Dr) – Held upon second non-appearance.
    • Taco Bell #30420 (8030 W Brown Deer Rd) – Held upon first non-appearance.
    • Norwood Inn & Suites (5442 N Lovers Lane Rd) – Held pending Health Department re-inspection.
    • Suite 76 (7602 W Lisbon Ave) – Held for aldermanic conversation.
    • Select Tire Sales (4000 W Lisbon Ave) – Held for community meeting.
    • Cambria Hotel Downtown (503 N Plankinton Ave) – Held upon first non-appearance.
    • Scoreboard Sports Bar (2127 W Wells St) – Held for further stakeholder discussions.
    • Cream City Auto (5848 S 27th St) – Held upon first non-appearance.
    • J&E Grocery Store 2/La Hacienda (2410 W Forest Home Ave) – Initially held, then reconsidered and approved with warning letter.
  • Suspensions:
    • Denny's #8092 (3801 S 27th St) – Food dealer license renewed; Extended Hours license suspended for 30 days due to public safety threats (shots fired, stabbings) and security cooperation issues. Vote 5-0.

Meeting Transcript

Regular meeting on Tuesday, June 9th at 9 05 AM. I'm Alder Person Joe Castas Samaripa, Chairperson of the Committee. I am joined in the following order. Um to my left. Um we have Alderman Peter Bergelis is here in the room with us as well as Alderman Alex Brouwer. We'll be on the far left. Yes, on the far left, Alderman Brouwer. We will be joined very shortly by Vice Chair, Alderwoman Andrea Pratt, as well as Alderman DeAndre Jackson. Of course, we're joined by our staff assistant Yadira Melendez. Good morning. As well as Fabiola Lopez, our licensed division assistant manager. Good morning. And from the city attorney's office, Assistant City Attorney Travis Gresham. And from Milwaukee Police Department, we have both Sergeant Cornejo and Lieutenant Velasquez. Good morning. Um the first item on the agenda is file number 260204, motion relating to the recommendations of the licenses committee relating to licenses. And the first application is Chekala. Wait, let me just say this again. Ram Moan Rao Chakala. Okay. Please come up. Agent for three I L C Class B tavern License Application for Copa's Fobelli Delhi at 1940 North Firewall. Please have a seat. Thank you. Good morning. All right. And if you'll raise your right hand, we'll get you sworn in. You do, Fabi. Thank you. Do you tell me if we're on the defense of penalty subject of the state of Wisconsin that the testimony about to give is it true to hold truth and have you with the truth? Yes, I do. Thank you. Yes, thank you, everyone. All right, very good. And uh, sir, are you on receipt of notice of today's meeting with the possibility your application may be denied? Yes. Thank you. And if you'll state your name and address for the record. My name is Ram Mohanral Cecilia, the business address 1940, North Farvelow, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202. Great. Will you will you pronounce your name again for me once more? Uh Ram. Ram Mohondrao. But you can call me around, yeah, that's easier. Okay, thank you. Pretty big name. Yeah. Very good. Thank you. Um, okay, Ms.

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