Judiciary & Legislation Committee Meeting – July 6, 2026

Judiciary & Legislation Committee Meeting – July 6, 2026

The Judiciary & Legislation Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council met on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 9:10 AM in Room 301-B of City Hall. Chair Alderman DiAndre Jackson presided, with Aldermen Lamont Westmoreland, Robert J. Bauman, Andrea M. Pratt, and Jose G. Perez present. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 AM. The committee considered 14 agenda items, including claims for damages, appeals, a code revision ordinance, and litigation settlements. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (251633) – Claim of Cooper Horn: Recommended for placing on file as no longer necessary. (Motion by Ald. Bauman, prevailed 5-0)
• Item 11 (260109) – Substitute ordinance revising code provisions: Recommended for passage to correct errors, clarify language, eliminate obsolete provisions, and update references. (Motion by Ald. Westmoreland, prevailed 5-0)
• Item 12 (260316) – First amendment to outside counsel agreement in Antoine D. Young v. City of Milwaukee: Recommended for adoption based on reasons stated in closed session. (Motion by Ald. Bauman, prevailed 5-0)
• Item 13 (260338) – Settlement of claims in Metropolitan Associates, et al. v. City of Milwaukee: Recommended for adoption based on reasons stated in closed session. (Motion by Ald. Bauman, prevailed 5-0)
• Item 14 (260339) – Settlement of claims in Layton Grove Apartments LLC v. City of Milwaukee: Recommended for adoption based on reasons stated in closed session. (Motion by Ald. Westmoreland, prevailed 5-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (251628) – Claim of Sovaja Knox: Mr. Knox appeared in person, requesting $1 million for alleged wrongful arrest and police misconduct on September 14, 2025. He stated his case is pending in circuit court with a final pretrial on August 27, 2026. Committee recommended denial (motion by Ald. Bauman). Mr. Knox asked about appeal process; staff explained that denial by full Common Council (meeting July 14) would allow him to sue in circuit court.
• Item 5 (251624) – Claim of Attorney Phillip Georges on behalf of Lashawn Johnson: Attorney Jonathan Major appeared for claimant, disputing the city’s position but agreeing to seek resolution in court. Claim seeks $250,000 for personal injuries sustained on August 19, 2025, during a police pursuit. Committee recommended denial (motion by Ald. Bauman).
• Item 10 (260203) – Appeal of Juli Kaufmann for property damage: Ms. Kaufmann testified that a city snow plow damaged her landscaping at 360 N. Gordon’s Circle on March 16, 2026. She requested $1,300. Despite city attorney and fleet department testimony that GPS records showed no city vehicle in the area, the committee found her testimony credible and granted the claim (substitute resolution adopted, motion by Ald. Bauman).

Discussion Items

• Item 2 (251915) – Appeal of Mayolo Arias for property damage: Held to the call of the chair (second time) due to claimant’s emergency out-of-country travel. (Motion by Ald. Westmoreland)
• Item 4 (251630) – Claim of Lawrence Howard: Recommended for disallowance and indefinite postponement after discussion noting a pending felony case and that civil rights claims do not require notice of claim. (Motion by Ald. Bauman)
• Item 6 (251835) – Appeal of Ivan Kruslin for bodily injuries: Recommended for disallowance and indefinite postponement based on jurisdictional objection (notice not filed within 120 days; claimant was six months late). (Motion by Ald. Bauman)
• Item 7 (251932) – Claim by Keyauna Brumfield: Held to the call of the chair for non-appearance (first time). (Motion by Ald. Westmoreland)
• Item 8 (251852) – Claim of Logan Heinrich and Thomas Ravert: Initially scheduled, then held to call of the chair when claimants requested a later meeting; later reconsidered and again held. (Motion by Ald. Westmoreland)
• Item 9 (251851) – Claim by Charlie Mikel: Held to the call of the chair for non-appearance (first time). (Motion by Ald. Perez)
• Item 11 (260109) – Code revision ordinance: Presented by Christopher Hillard of the Legislative Reference Bureau. Changes included gender-neutral language (e.g., “his or her” for commissioner), correcting a code reference for license classification, and clarifying loitering by sex offenders. No substantive policy changes. Committee recommended passage.

Key Outcomes

• Claim Denials (Items 3, 4, 5, 6): The committee recommended denial/disallowance for claims by Sovaja Knox, Lawrence Howard, Lashawn Johnson, and Ivan Kruslin. These will be forwarded to the full Common Council on July 14, 2026, for final action.
• Claim Granted (Item 10): Juli Kaufmann’s appeal for $1,300 in property damage was approved despite contrary city evidence. The city attorney’s office will arrange payment.
• Items Held (Items 2, 7, 8, 9): Four appeals/claims were held to the call of the chair for various reasons (claimant unavailability, non-appearance, or scheduling).
• Closed Session: The committee convened into closed session at approximately 10:15 AM under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(g) to confer with the City Attorney regarding litigation. They returned to open session to act on items 12-14.
• All votes were unanimous (5-0) with all five members present.

Note: Times for agenda items are estimations; the meeting webcast is available at www.milwaukee.gov/channel25.