Administrative Review Board of Appeals Meeting – March 19, 2026

On March 19, 2026, the Milwaukee Administrative Review Board of Appeals (ARBA) convened at 9:04 AM in City Hall Room 301-B, with Chair Vincent Bobot presiding. The board considered 37 appeals concerning nuisance fees for tall grass, overhanging branches, snow removal, garbage/litter, reinspection, vacant building registration, chicken keeping permits, and board-up fees. Four members were present (Bobot, Yandell, Hammer, Bruzan) and one excused (Ald. DiAndre Jackson). The meeting adjourned at 12:24 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Appeals denied due to non-appearance despite timely notice (unanimous 4‑0 votes):
  • #26005 – Charlie Clark, Prairie Park LLC (tall grass/weeds, 8413 N 99th St.)
  • #26023 – Iqbal Kaur Ghotra and Jagdish Kumar Patel (tall grass/weeds, 6154 S 13th St.)
  • #26008 – Joseph A. Rice, Shaggy Dog I, LLC (snow removal, 1547 N Astor St.)
  • #26013 – Brille Jorgensen (snow removal, 9625 W Metcalf Pl.)
  • #26015 – Jared Triplett, Triplett Flag, LLC (snow removal, 9507 W Fond du Lac Ave.) – denied after discussion; appellant claimed no notice, board found no posting required on vacant lot but appellant had not signed up for e‑Notify
  • #26020 – Eric Shirley, Shirley Revocable Trust (snow removal, 319 E Bolivar Ave.) – denied; appellant acknowledged receiving posting
  • #26030 – Jonisha Hendon, ACDL Properties, LLC (snow removal, 8230 W Marion St.)
  • #25183 – Steve Brick (garbage/litter, 2938 N 24th St.)
  • #26024 – Jose Torres, Ideal Property Solutions LLC (garbage/litter, 403 N 61st St.)
  • #26026 – Fabio Ribeiro (garbage/litter, 2013 N 41st St.)
  • #25143 – Zygmunt Serafin (reinspection fees, 2120 S 18th St.)
  • #26027 – Helen Bebitzke (reinspection fees, 2444 N 27th St.) – denied after full hearing; appellant cited health issues and intent to sell, but board found significant debris and lack of progress
  • #25186 – Cayden Standlee (vacant building registration, 5474 N 56th St.)
  • #26019 – LaToya C. Johnson (board‑up fees, 4854 N 65th St.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made by individuals not party to an appeal. All testimony came from appellants, their representatives, and city department witnesses.

Discussion Items

• Appeal #26018 – Mildred Ortiz (overhanging branches, 3016 W St. Paul Ave.): Appellant’s daughter and Larrie Haskins appeared, stating the tree was not on Ms. Ortiz’s property. Chair Bobot noted that non‑attorney representation is not permitted; the board held the item for the call of the chair to allow city forestry (Ben Brannan) to discuss a possible resolution.
• Appeal #26014 – James Raymond (snow removal, 2904 S Mabbett Ave.): Appellant argued no notice was posted. City witness Ben Brannan could not show a posting in the photos. Board granted the appeal (motion by Yandell, seconded by Bruzan) because the city failed to prove posting.
• Appeal #26016 – Carmela Felan (snow removal, 5254 N 49th St.): City offered a compromise to reduce the fee by $50 (from $205.15 to $155.15) because the posting fee was not visible in photos. Appellant accepted; board granted with modification.
• Appeal #26017 – Sandra Scott (snow removal, 3763 N 36th St.): Appellant cited medical issues and inability to shovel. City agreed to waive the admin fee; board granted with modification, requiring payment of $125 plus tax (posting and contractor fees).
• Appeal #26025 – Misti L. Trzebiatowski (snow removal, 4719 S 20th St.): Appellant claimed no notice and first‑time offense. Board granted with modification, waiving the admin fee; appellant responsible for $120 plus tax.
• Appeal #26028 – John S. Zaffiro (snow removal, 802 E Kewaunee St.): Appellant described a severe ice storm and good‑faith efforts. Board granted with modification, waiving the posting and admin fees; appellant responsible for $145 plus tax.
• Appeal #26029 – Ying Moua (snow removal, 7805 N 76th St.): Appellant’s daughter (Jou Xiong) appeared as tenant. After discussion of “substantial interest,” the board allowed her to testify. Board granted with modification, waiving the posting fee; appellant responsible for $304.95 plus tax. Note: The minutes state the motion “FAILED” but then “PREVAILED” (4‑0). The transcript confirms the motion passed; the minutes contain a typographical error.
• Appeal #26011 – David Glaubke and Kip Mentzer (snow removal, 2331 E Newberry Bl.): Appellant disputed the contractor’s photos, claiming he had cleared the sidewalk before the contractor arrived. Board held the item for the call of the chair to allow review of contractor photos.
• Appeal #25158 – Jordan Sowinski (garbage/litter, 4252 N 89th St.): Board held for the call of the chair due to a related court matter.
• Appeal #25164 – Freida Webb (reinspection fees, 3373‑77 N Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.): At appellant’s request, held for the call of the chair until April or later.
• Appeal #25177 – Dale Dolence (vacant building registration fees, 920 N 29th St.): No action recorded in minutes; presumably held or not reached.
• Appeal #25184 – Michael Wisth, Sr. (garbage/litter, 4646 N 29th St.): Appellant argued the contractor cleaned neighboring property and charged him. Board granted the appeal unanimously.
• Appeal #25185 – Mohd Nassar (garbage/litter, 4383 N 27th St.): Appellant could not activate video; board held for the call of the chair.
• Appeal #25188 – Ronald Mueller (garbage/litter, 3015 W Chambers St.): At appellant’s request, held for the call of the chair.
• Appeal #25190 – Edward Gant (garbage/litter, 312 E Townsend St.): Appellant testified he was actively cleaning with dumpsters; board granted the appeal.
• Appeal #25191 – Michael Rice (garbage/litter, 2739 N 9th St.): Appellant appeared via audio only; board held for the call of the chair due to technical issues.
• Appeal #26007 – Sheila V. Pugh (garbage/litter, 6820 W Silver Spring Dr.): No action recorded; presumably held.
• Appeal #25149 – Kenneth Brown (reinspection fees, 7809 W Hadley St.): Appellant’s attorney requested time; board held for the call of the chair with a goal of cleanup by August 1, 2026.
• Appeal #25150 – Jonathan Smith (reinspection fees, 615 S 89th St.): Appellant stated work was nearly complete, waiting on architect. Board held for 30 days (until April 18, 2026) to allow completion.
• Appeal #25187 – Ronald Mueller (reinspection fees, 2947 N 30th St.): At appellant’s request, held for the call of the chair.
• Appeal #25182 – Deborah Jefferson (vacant building registration, 5628 N 74th St.): City reported the building was found occupied; fee waived as a courtesy. Case removed from board.
• Appeal #25192 – Catherine Beck (denial of chicken keeping permit, 2912 N Prospect Ave.): At appellant’s request, held for the call of the chair.

Key Outcomes

• Appeals granted outright: James Raymond, Michael Wisth, Edward Gant, and Deborah Jefferson (waived).
• Appeals granted with modifications (reduced fees): Carmela Felan ($155.15), Sandra Scott ($125+tax), Misti Trzebiatowski ($120+tax), John Zaffiro ($145+tax), Ying Moua ($304.95+tax).
• Appeals denied: Charlie Clark, Iqbal Kaur Ghotra, Joseph Rice, Brille Jorgensen, Jared Triplett, Eric Shirley, Jonisha Hendon, Steve Brick, Jose Torres, Fabio Ribeiro, Zygmunt Serafin, Helen Bebitzke, Cayden Standlee, LaToya Johnson.
• Held for call of the chair: Mildred Ortiz, David Glaubke/Kip Mentzer, Jordan Sowinski, Freida Webb, Mohd Nassar, Ronald Mueller (two items), Michael Rice, Kenneth Brown, Jonathan Smith, Catherine Beck.
• Next meeting scheduled: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM.

All votes were unanimous (4‑0) with Ald. Jackson excused, except where noted. The board emphasized the need for better notification methods and encouraged property owners to sign up for e‑Notify.