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Record of Proceedings

Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting Summary – March 10, 2026

Common Council — Tuesday, March 10, 2026

BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin

SessionCommon Council

DateTuesday, March 10, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 5:57:07

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Again, I'm Alderperson Jo Castus Samaripa, chairperson of the committee, and I'm joined in the following order.

0:06

Um to my left by Alderman Peter Bergelis and Alderman Alex Brauer.

0:11

Um to my right, I see uh Alderman Um DeAndre Jackson is is just taking his seat.

0:17

Good morning, Alderman Jackson.

0:19

Vice Chair Alderwoman Andrea Pratt will be joining us very shortly.

0:23

Um of course also joined by our staff assistant Yadina Melendez.

0:28

Um and we have from MPD um Sergeant Wadalupe Vasquez uh uh Velasquez, I'm sorry, Sergeant, and um Assistant City Attorney Travis Gresham and from Licensed Division, we're joined by our licensed division manager this morning, Mr.

0:42

Jim Cooney.

0:43

Good morning.

0:44

Okay, good morning.

0:46

So the only item on the agenda today is file number 251862862, a motion relating to the recommendations of the licenses committee relating to licenses, and the first application on our 9 a.m.

0:58

agenda is Eric Alvarado, Class D operator's license application.

1:03

Good morning, Eric.

1:04

Good morning.

1:05

Um all right, if we can get everybody sworn in that needs to be sworn in as well as well as you, Mr.

1:10

Alvarado, if you'll raise your right hand.

1:12

The assignment from the dependence of penalty burger of the state of Wisconsin that the testimony about to give is it true, the whole truth and if you look at the truth?

1:19

Yes.

1:21

Yes, thank you.

1:22

Thank you.

1:23

All right.

1:24

And uh Mr.

1:25

Alvarado, are you in receipt of notice of today's meeting with the possibility your application may be denied?

1:31

Yes.

1:32

Thank you.

1:32

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

1:35

Eric Alvarado, adjust 3656A, South 60th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 5320.

1:43

Thank you.

1:44

Um, all right, Sergeant Velasquez, is there a police report?

1:47

On 8617, the applicant was charged in Milwaukee County with disorderly conduct, domestic abuse.

1:53

Uh he was found guilty, 12 months probation on 823-17.

1:57

The applicant was charged in Foundilla County with two counts of possession with intent THC possession of narcotic drugs.

2:03

Polonies carry concealed weapon resisting or obstructing an officer in bail jumping misdemeanors.

2:09

Uh he was found guilty.

2:11

Uh the Session of Marijuana was amended to a misdemeanor charge.

2:16

One year probation for that.

2:18

On 71623, the applicant was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

2:22

Second, on 831 23, he was convicted and his driver's license was revoked for way one year plus ten days.

2:30

Thank you.

2:31

Would you like to speak to the police report?

2:35

Um pretty much everything is well learned hard learning the hard way when I grew up growing up, didn't choose the right path.

2:47

Um that I have two kids, my oldest is nine, and I have uh six-month-year-old daughter daughter, which is big change for me.

3:01

That's when I really literally opened my eyes and hey, I have to do something differently so they can grow up different in this society that we live in.

3:14

Wasn't I wish I had the right somewhere where someone who lead me the right path and maybe would have been way different.

3:27

Well, thank you, and congratulations on the baby girl.

3:30

Thank you.

3:31

Questions from committee members on the police report?

3:34

I'm sure.

3:34

Alderman Bergelis.

3:36

Um so you're convicted of um OWI.

3:39

You want a bartender's license.

3:42

Um, do you see a conflict or uh uh any risk of you um being in that kind of environment?

3:49

No, I I actually I worked there as a bouncer.

3:52

I have to be 100% sober.

3:55

I've been doing it for four years.

3:58

Actually, the last two years I had a WI OWI again, and I was going through some breakups, but drinking is literally not a cup of tea for me.

4:15

Um you don't drink anymore.

4:19

No, I'm actually no, I'm actually trying to like um going through assessments as well.

4:26

Right right now, I'm going through assessments for impact, so I can give my uh the license back.

4:31

When I want to add my license, I was a truck driver, so that will that destroyed everything I had coming.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Business Licensing███████████████████████████████████████████43%

Public Safety████████████████████20%

Procedural█████████████13%

Parking Enforcement███████████11%

Community Engagement████████8%

Police Procedures███3%

Public Works██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting Summary – March 10, 2026

The Licenses Committee, chaired by Ald. Jocasta Zamarripa, met on March 10, 2026, from 9:05 a.m. to 3:02 p.m. to consider File 251862, a omnibus motion on numerous license applications, renewals, and transfers. The committee acted on 30+ items, with votes typically 5-0. Key topics included operator licenses, alcohol sales, extended hours, and neighborhood concerns.

Consent Calendar

Approved “agenda only” items (e.g., Lau’s Super Service, Taqueria El Toro) with a 5-0 vote.
Approved “warning letter” items (e.g., Kelsey Hood’s operator license, Aldi #76) with a 5-0 vote.
Routine approvals and holds for non-appearing applicants were handled without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

PK’s Pantry (10707 W Hampton Ave): No neighbors testified; applicant committed to cleaning three times per day.
BP Pantry 41 #86 (8661 W Brown Deer Rd): Ald. Taylor expressed concern over three tobacco-sale violations and broken promises; the item was held to the call of the chair (4-1).
Greenfield Pantry (1110 W Greenfield Ave): Sylvia Ortiz Velez testified in support, praising the operator’s cleanliness and security. Approved 5-0.
Chicken Palace/Carambola (1937 W Forest Home Ave): Police report read describing shootings and stabbings; license transfer approved with police report held open, per Ald. Perez.
La Parilla Restaurant Bar (1728 W Mitchell St): Travis Hope (Safe & Sound, Muskego Way) objected due to 300-foot rule and unlicensed events; applicant denied (5-0).
Taqueria Ayuujki (2075-79 S 13th St): Ald. Dimitrijevic cited parking and noise complaints; applicant said he moves every 2 hours; approved with a warning letter (5-0).
Loading Zone (3143 S Illinois Ave): Multiple neighbors testified against the 24/7 loading zone, alleging weaponization; amended to 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and approved (5-0).
Dollar Tree #4823 (3555 S Howell Ave): Colin Gazinski noted improvement but ongoing trash issues; approved with a warning letter requiring a landscaping plan timeline (5-0).
Iven's Food Mart (2838 W Atkinson Ave): Vince Toney opposed, linking alcohol to violence; Ald. Pratt reported neighborhood opposition; denied (5-0).
Best Towing (3231 W Vera Ave): No neighbors; Ald. Spiker noted a citation for improper storage; held with 60-day provisional license pending payment (5-0).
Mojo MKE (134 E Juneau Ave): No public testimony; Ald. Bauman’s office requested a warning letter due to past violence; attorney detailed new security measures; approved with warning letter (5-0).
Lisbon BP (2624 W Lisbon Ave): Megan Thomas (Rooted & Rising), Gail Crockett, and Haynie Smith opposed extended hours, citing unfulfilled neighborhood agreement; renewal approved with 15-day suspension, extended hours denied (both 5-0).

Discussion Items

Eric Alvarado (operator license): Applicant described a troubled past but stated he no longer drinks; approved 5-0.
Maneek S. Grewal (operator renewal): Despite a pending drug charge, DOC cleared him; approved 3-2 after debate over probation risk.
Platon Pena Delgado (Mojito's Night Club): Ald. Zamarripa opposed due to oversaturation and safety issues (prostitution, drug use); applicant argued he would add security; denied 5-0.
Aimee Castillo Ould Ethmane (Iven's Food Mart liquor license): Opponent cited correlation between alcohol and violence; Ald. Pratt found neighborhood opposition; denied 5-0.
Aftab Sultan (Lisbon BP): Police report listed 14 incidents; Ald. Stamper and neighbors testified to noncompliance; renewal suspended 15 days, extended hours denied.
Atty. Halbrooks for Jalisco's Cocina y Bar: New restaurant; neighbors excited; approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

Approved (5-0): Eric Alvarado, Sierra Evans, Ruben Herrera (Jalisco’s), Ashraf Mohammed (Gigs Petro Pantry, amended to 2 cleanups/day), Robert Edwards (loading zone amended 8am-6pm), Dollar Tree (warning letter), Taco Bell #37200, Isaac Ragsdale (with hold on items 27-29), Mojo MKE (warning letter), many routine renewals.
Denied (5-0): Platon Pena Delgado (Mojito's Night Club), Maricela Antunez Jimenez (La Parilla), Aimee Castillo Ould Ethmane (Iven’s Food Mart liquor), Aftab Sultan (extended hours).
Split Vote (3-2): Maneek S. Grewal operator renewal approved (Zamarripa, Pratt, Brower aye; Burgelis, Jackson no).
Held to Call of Chair: Carley Behrendt, LaZeric Hill, William Hoag (Inferno Marketing), Brian Wargula (Mojo MKE, later reconsidered and approved), Scott Page (Buffalo Wild Wings), Roberto Silva Lopez, Curtis Jordan, Gursahib Singh, and others.
15-Day Suspension: Aftab Sultan’s filling station/food dealer licenses suspended for noncompliance and threat to public welfare.
Next Steps: Some items go to Common Council on March 24; written exceptions due March 18.

Meeting Transcript

Again, I'm Alderperson Jo Castus Samaripa, chairperson of the committee, and I'm joined in the following order. Um to my left by Alderman Peter Bergelis and Alderman Alex Brauer. Um to my right, I see uh Alderman Um DeAndre Jackson is is just taking his seat. Good morning, Alderman Jackson. Vice Chair Alderwoman Andrea Pratt will be joining us very shortly. Um of course also joined by our staff assistant Yadina Melendez. Um and we have from MPD um Sergeant Wadalupe Vasquez uh uh Velasquez, I'm sorry, Sergeant, and um Assistant City Attorney Travis Gresham and from Licensed Division, we're joined by our licensed division manager this morning, Mr. Jim Cooney. Good morning. Okay, good morning. So the only item on the agenda today is file number 251862862, a motion relating to the recommendations of the licenses committee relating to licenses, and the first application on our 9 a.m. agenda is Eric Alvarado, Class D operator's license application. Good morning, Eric. Good morning. Um all right, if we can get everybody sworn in that needs to be sworn in as well as well as you, Mr. Alvarado, if you'll raise your right hand. The assignment from the dependence of penalty burger of the state of Wisconsin that the testimony about to give is it true, the whole truth and if you look at the truth? Yes. Yes, thank you. Thank you. All right. And uh Mr. Alvarado, are you in receipt of notice of today's meeting with the possibility your application may be denied? Yes. Thank you. Um and if you'll state your name and address for the record. Eric Alvarado, adjust 3656A, South 60th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 5320. Thank you. Um, all right, Sergeant Velasquez, is there a police report? On 8617, the applicant was charged in Milwaukee County with disorderly conduct, domestic abuse. Uh he was found guilty, 12 months probation on 823-17. The applicant was charged in Foundilla County with two counts of possession with intent THC possession of narcotic drugs. Polonies carry concealed weapon resisting or obstructing an officer in bail jumping misdemeanors. Uh he was found guilty. Uh the Session of Marijuana was amended to a misdemeanor charge. One year probation for that. On 71623, the applicant was arrested for operating while intoxicated. Second, on 831 23, he was convicted and his driver's license was revoked for way one year plus ten days. Thank you. Would you like to speak to the police report? Um pretty much everything is well learned hard learning the hard way when I grew up growing up, didn't choose the right path. Um that I have two kids, my oldest is nine, and I have uh six-month-year-old daughter daughter, which is big change for me. That's when I really literally opened my eyes and hey, I have to do something differently so they can grow up different in this society that we live in. Wasn't I wish I had the right somewhere where someone who lead me the right path and maybe would have been way different. Well, thank you, and congratulations on the baby girl. Thank you. Questions from committee members on the police report? I'm sure. Alderman Bergelis. Um so you're convicted of um OWI.

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