Steering & Rules Committee Approves New Department and Immigration Enforcement Resolution on March 9, 2026
Steering & Rules Committee Meeting – March 9, 2026
The Steering & Rules Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council met on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 1:37 PM in Room 301-B of City Hall. The committee considered two agenda items: a substitute ordinance creating a new Department of Compliance and Engagement (replacing the former Office of Equity and Inclusion) and a resolution prohibiting the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement activities. Both items advanced with votes; the first passed 7–1 and the second passed 7–0, with one member excused.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christine Neumann-Ortiz (Voces de la Frontera) spoke in strong support of the resolution (File 251634), arguing that prohibiting city property for immigration enforcement protects constitutional rights and community trust. She cited recent incidents, including the arrest of a U.S. citizen at O'Hare Airport and racial profiling episodes, to underscore urgency.
- Ann Ritchey (Indivisible, First Unitarian, Comité de la Frontera) expressed pride in the council's leadership and urged passage of the resolution to create legal protections for all Milwaukee residents.
- Michael Pointer-Mace (First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee) emphasized that places of worship, schools, and courthouses must remain accessible without fear of immigration enforcement. He thanked the sponsors for their leadership.
Discussion Items
- File 250798 – Substitute ordinance creating a Department of Compliance and Engagement. Sponsor Ald. Spiker presented the ordinance, noting it was motivated by budget changes to elevate the former Office of Equity and Inclusion into a standalone department. Mary Reed (director of the soon-to-be department) and assistant city attorneys Andrea Fowler and Kathryn Block were present. Ald. Spiker explained that the name change to “Compliance and Engagement” better reflects the office's dual roles of community engagement and regulatory compliance. Ald. Stamper asked about the rationale and was told the work would not change, only the structure—giving the council confirmation power over the department head to prevent unilateral mayoral appointments. Ald. Burgelis inquired about the drafting process and stakeholder involvement; Ald. Spiker confirmed that Ald. Coggs (who originally sponsored the office’s creation) was consulted early, and the draft was circulated to committee members. Some discussion touched on recent controversies involving the former Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Community Wellness and Safety, with Ald. Spiker arguing that departmental status ensures council oversight. The substitute was adopted unanimously, then the committee voted to recommend passage.
- File 251634 – Resolution prohibiting the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement activities. Sponsor Ald. Zamarripa introduced the resolution as part of the “Safe MKE” legislative package. She stated that recent aggressive ICE actions in other cities (e.g., Minneapolis, Chicago) prompted the need to protect Milwaukee residents and ensure that city facilities—parking lots, garages, parks, and non-public areas of buildings—are not used as staging grounds for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. Ald. Dimitrijevic, a co-sponsor, noted that “this was something they (the community) were asking for” and that the council is committed to doing everything legally possible to protect residents. Ald. Brower expressed strong support. Ald. Coggs raised a question about a leased city facility (the MPD horse training site) that had been used by ICE; Assistant City Attorney Tom Miller clarified that the resolution applies only to city-owned or controlled property, not leased properties. This prompted a brief discussion about potential future amendments to cover leased sites. The committee then voted to adopt the resolution.
Key Outcomes
- File 250798 (Substitute ordinance creating Department of Compliance and Engagement): The substitute was adopted, and the ordinance was recommended for passage by a vote of 7–1 (Ayes: Perez, Dimitrijevic, Bauman, Stamper, Coggs, Spiker, Jackson; No: Zamarripa).
- File 251634 (Resolution prohibiting use of city property for civil immigration enforcement): The resolution was recommended for adoption by a vote of 7–0, with Ald. Dimitrijevic excused (Ayes: Perez, Bauman, Stamper, Zamarripa, Coggs, Spiker, Jackson).
- The meeting adjourned at 2:06 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Afternoon, everyone. I'd like to call to order the steering rules committee. I am Alderman Joseph that is chair. I am joined virtually by Alderwoman Malele Coggs. Joining us shortly will be Alder Woman Marina Dmitrievich. I'm joined by Alderman Robert Bauman, Alderman Russell Stamper the second, Alderperson Jocasa Samaripa, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderman DeAndre Jackson. We're also joined at the table by Alderman Bergellis and Alderman Brower. Did I miss anyone? And just want to thank our uh staff assistant that Yadita Melinda is it is approximately 137 on Monday, March 9th, 2026. We'll begin with item one, file two five zero seven nine eight. The substitute ordinance creating a department of equity and inclusion, and that is Scott Spiker, the uh sponsor. Would you like to proceed? Alder Ms. Spiker. Uh thank you, Mr. President. Uh just briefly, this is um motivated by the changes taking place at budget. Um taking the former uh Office of Equity and Inclusion, bringing it out and forming its own department. Um did some cleanup with respect to name changes and some of the code to add some clarity as to the work of the office, and appreciate the help of Ms. Reid and the City Attorney's Office on getting that done and on the LRB for drafting. So with that, kick it off to the real experts. Thank you. Okay. The floor is yours. Would you like to identify yourself for the record, please? Absolutely. Mary Reed, I am the director of the soon to shortly be uh Department of Compliance and Engagement. Andrea Fowler, Assistant City Attorney. Assistant City Attorney Catherine Block. Okay. Any testimony you want to provide to the file at all? Or we're just gonna go right into questions. You're the chair, uh you're the sponsor. Well, Ms. Spiker, anything particular you want to point out? Nope. Had all my questions answered productive meetings in advance. Thank you. Okay. Alder Ms. Stamper. Well then uh Spike, are you gonna discuss them today? Or I don't want to repeat anything. No, go ahead. Feel free to ask any questions. Okay, well, uh, when was when will the new title take place? Well, uh, we're hoping that this committee here uh enacts or creates the Department of Compliance and Engagement, and then uh file will be soon scheduled for uh confirmation. Okay. And the biggest rationale behind the change. The biggest rationale behind a change is assessing the work that we do.
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