OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Milwaukee Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting – March 20, 2026

Common Council — Friday, March 20, 2026
BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateFriday, March 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:24:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

On March 20th.

0:02

We will now begin the finance and personnel committee.

0:05

I'm Alder Woman Marina Dmitrievich, the chairwoman.

0:09

I'm joined by Vice Chairperson Alderman Peter Bergellis.

0:13

Virtually, we have Alderman Scott Spiker, Alder Woman Melee Lake Hoggs, and we're also joined by Alderwoman Charlotte Moore.

0:21

That provides us a quorum we need to move forward today.

0:25

Today's kind of a unique scheduling day.

0:27

We had zoning at 9 and this committee a little bit later on a Friday when also there's no Milwaukee public schools, so it's all kinds of fun stuff at once.

0:36

And I say that to remind us all that we're going to try to get through what is a pretty lengthy agenda as best as we can and as fast as we can, but still doing the people's business.

0:47

We'll start with item number one.

0:49

And we do have some excuse me, some time slots that we'll really try very hard to abide by.

0:55

So what I'm saying is please work with me, people here.

0:59

Item number one 25002 substitute resolution to ratify and confirm the final agreement between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Police Supervisors organization.

1:11

It looks like we do need to go into closed session.

1:14

We do not not unless questions would lead us there.

1:18

Otherwise, we do not.

1:19

Okay, and I understand Department of Employee Relations.

1:23

We have Ms.

1:25

Fleck here.

1:26

Maybe your name one more time.

1:29

I know I spoke to you on the phone too.

1:30

Oh, yeah.

1:31

Bob Sanders here from Department of Employee Relations as well.

1:34

Right.

1:34

You got that for your notes.

1:35

Um assistant city attorney's office.

1:38

Assistant of City Attorney.

1:39

I was thinking that, but I said the other thing.

1:41

Um thank you.

1:42

So yes.

1:44

So we have the city attorney's office and department of employee relations and labor.

1:48

Ms.

1:49

Fleck, I think you were able to brief everyone on the committee.

1:52

Is that I was able to catch up with everyone but Alder Women Cogs.

1:56

Okay.

1:56

Okay.

1:57

Well, I guess the question is if I mean if we need to go into closed session, we have it.

2:03

Um I'd want to see what the body thinks.

2:07

Um it is okay.

2:09

So remind me, if we're at this point where we're gonna ratify and confirm, what do you feel comfortable sharing in public now?

2:15

Um so I will basically go over the summary of wage infringed benefits.

2:19

Um, and then if you all have any questions, we'll address those questions and then if it needs to go into closed session based on those questions, that's yeah, questions or strategy.

2:31

Okay.

2:31

Okay, let's do that then.

2:32

I'm sorry, I just needed a little refresher myself because I felt that I had the briefing.

2:36

So why don't you go ahead, Ms.

2:37

Fleck, and give us the update here?

2:38

Sure.

2:39

Um, so this would be a three-year term, and that would cover January 1st of 2025 through December 31st of 2027.

2:46

Um for base salary, there would be um pay period one of 2025, a two percent increase, pay period 14 of 2025, a 2% increase.

2:57

That will include retro pay.

2:59

I want to make that clear.

3:01

In pay period one of 2026, there would be a 3.25% increase.

3:06

And then there would also be the implementation of a 1% residency incentive that would be a prospective implementation.

3:14

There would be no retro on the 1%.

3:17

Okay.

3:18

And then in pay period one of 2027, there is a three percent increase.

3:22

Um, there is a change to Article 7, which is a contract enforcement procedure.

3:27

It adds a um time frame that a meeting with the chief needs to be scheduled within for overtime.

3:37

It will reduce the court overtime minimum of 2.5 hours at time and a half to two hours at time and a half for funeral leave.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters████████████████████████████████32%
Procurement and Contracts██████████████████18%
Fiscal Sustainability████████████████16%
Parking Enforcement██████████████14%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Police Procedures██2%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Milwaukee Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting – March 20, 2026

The Finance and Personnel Committee met on March 20, 2026, at 1:30 PM in City Hall to consider a 20-item agenda covering labor contracts, police extra-duty agreements, towing revenue, cybersecurity, audits, and the appointment of a new Department of Administration Director. The meeting adjourned at 5:04 PM. Chair Marina Dimitrijevic presided, with members Peter Burgelis, Scott Spiker, Milele A. Coggs, and Sharlen P. Moore attending. Several votes were taken, and one item was held for further information.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 2: A substitute ordinance aligning benefits for sworn Fire Department management employees with the 2023-2026 labor agreement with Local 215 was recommended for passage unanimously (5-0).
  • Item 3: A communication amending salary ordinance footnotes for Fire Department command positions was placed on file unanimously (5-0).
  • Item 5: A resolution authorizing a one-year extension of the MetLife contract for voluntary benefits was recommended for adoption (4-0, Coggs excused).
  • Item 9: A resolution accepting and funding the 2026 STD Infertility Prevention Grant from the State of Wisconsin was recommended for adoption (3-0, Dimitrijevic and Coggs excused).
  • Item 11: An ordinance establishing a $15.00 minimum hourly wage for employees under city service contracts was recommended for passage (2-1, with Burgelis voting no; Dimitrijevic and Coggs excused).
  • Item 12: A communication approving changes to single/sole source contracts was approved (3-0, Spiker and Coggs excused).
  • Item 13: A communication regarding waivers for single/sole source contracts was placed on file (3-0, Spiker and Coggs excused).
  • Item 14: A communication on classification studies was placed on file (3-0, Spiker and Coggs excused).
  • Item 16: A substitute ordinance amending 2026 rates of pay was recommended for passage (3-0, Spiker and Coggs excused).
  • Item 17: A substitute ordinance amending 2026 offices and positions was recommended for passage (3-0, Spiker and Coggs excused).

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Item 1: MPSO Contract Ratification – Nicole Fleck (DER) presented the three-year memorandum of understanding (2025-2027) with the Milwaukee Police Supervisors’ Organization (MPSO). Key provisions: base salary increases (2% in 2025, 3.25% in 2026, 3% in 2027), a 1% residency incentive, changes to overtime and funeral leave, increased equipment allowance, and a $712,000 retroactive lump-sum settlement for the 2023 wage reopener. The average salary of MPSO members is $114,000. Only 81 of 269 members (30%) live in Milwaukee. Chair Dimitrijevic opposed, citing the cost of the retro payment and the low residency rate. Ald. Spiker expressed concern about the effectiveness of the residency incentive. The resolution was recommended for adoption 4-1 (Dimitrijevic no).
  • Item 4: Summerfest Extra-Duty Police Services – Heather Hough (Police Department) presented the annual agreement with Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., valued at over $176,834. Discussion focused on unreimbursed pension obligations for officers in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Ald. Burgelis announced he will introduce a file to address long-term pension costs. The resolution was recommended for adoption 4-0 (Coggs excused).
  • Item 6: Towing of Habitual Parking Violators – DPW officials Jerrel Kruschke and Peter Knox presented data since the HPV ordinance took effect January 1, 2026. As of March 17, 1,313 vehicles had been towed; 667 owners paid citations totaling $285,382 at the lot; 502 elected court dates. Additionally, 285 payment plans were set up. The city also collected $116,463 through tax intercept. Discussion expanded to towing of unregistered vehicles, with Chair Dimitrijevic noting anecdotal hardship. The communication was placed on file 4-0 (Coggs excused).
  • Item 7: Cybersecurity Training Program – David Henke (ITMD) presented a summary. The program includes monthly training and quarterly phishing simulations. Citywide completion for February was about 70%. Ald. Spiker requested more granular departmental data. The file was held to the call of the chair (3-0, Dimitrijevic and Coggs excused).
  • Item 8: Quarterly Expenditure Report Resolution – Sponsored by Ald. Chambers Jr., the resolution directs the Comptroller to provide quarterly reports. Since the sponsor was absent, the file was held to the call of the chair (3-0, Dimitrijevic and Coggs excused).
  • Item 10: Vacancy Requests – The committee approved several positions, including Fire Department EMS and MORI positions. Ald. Spiker moved to hold the two MORI positions (Milwaukee Overdose Response Initiative) for further discussion, but the motion failed 1-2 (Spiker aye, Moore and Burgelis no). The overall communication was approved 3-0 (Dimitrijevic and Coggs excused).
  • Item 18: Audit of DNS Financial Administration – Adriana Molina (Comptroller’s Office) presented findings: low-risk control deficiencies in petty cash and travel expenses. The communication was placed on file 4-0 (Coggs excused).
  • Item 19: Audit Finding Follow-Up Report – Molina and colleagues presented the 2025 year-end follow-up. Of 62 findings issued since 2019, 15 remained open (4 high risk, 6 medium, 5 low). Discussion included risk acceptance and department follow-up. The file was placed on file 4-0 (Coggs excused).
  • Item 20: Appointment of Danielle Rodriguez as DOA Director – Rodriguez, currently DPW Director of Operations, introduced herself and answered questions about communication, collaboration, and vision. She was recommended for confirmation unanimously (3-0, Spiker and Coggs excused).

Key Outcomes

  • Item 1: MPSO contract recommended for adoption (4-1).
  • Item 4: Summerfest extra-duty agreement recommended for adoption (4-0).
  • Item 6: Towing data communication placed on file (4-0).
  • Item 7: Cybersecurity training report held (3-0).
  • Item 8: Quarterly expenditure report resolution held (3-0).
  • Item 10: Vacancy requests approved (3-0), with the MORI hold motion failing.
  • Item 11: $15 minimum wage for service contracts passed (2-1).
  • Item 20: Danielle Rodriguez recommended for confirmation (3-0).
  • All other items were approved or placed on file as noted.

Meeting Transcript

On March 20th. We will now begin the finance and personnel committee. I'm Alder Woman Marina Dmitrievich, the chairwoman. I'm joined by Vice Chairperson Alderman Peter Bergellis. Virtually, we have Alderman Scott Spiker, Alder Woman Melee Lake Hoggs, and we're also joined by Alderwoman Charlotte Moore. That provides us a quorum we need to move forward today. Today's kind of a unique scheduling day. We had zoning at 9 and this committee a little bit later on a Friday when also there's no Milwaukee public schools, so it's all kinds of fun stuff at once. And I say that to remind us all that we're going to try to get through what is a pretty lengthy agenda as best as we can and as fast as we can, but still doing the people's business. We'll start with item number one. And we do have some excuse me, some time slots that we'll really try very hard to abide by. So what I'm saying is please work with me, people here. Item number one 25002 substitute resolution to ratify and confirm the final agreement between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Police Supervisors organization. It looks like we do need to go into closed session. We do not not unless questions would lead us there. Otherwise, we do not. Okay, and I understand Department of Employee Relations. We have Ms. Fleck here. Maybe your name one more time. I know I spoke to you on the phone too. Oh, yeah. Bob Sanders here from Department of Employee Relations as well. Right. You got that for your notes. Um assistant city attorney's office. Assistant of City Attorney. I was thinking that, but I said the other thing. Um thank you. So yes. So we have the city attorney's office and department of employee relations and labor. Ms. Fleck, I think you were able to brief everyone on the committee. Is that I was able to catch up with everyone but Alder Women Cogs. Okay. Okay. Well, I guess the question is if I mean if we need to go into closed session, we have it. Um I'd want to see what the body thinks. Um it is okay. So remind me, if we're at this point where we're gonna ratify and confirm, what do you feel comfortable sharing in public now? Um so I will basically go over the summary of wage infringed benefits. Um, and then if you all have any questions, we'll address those questions and then if it needs to go into closed session based on those questions, that's yeah, questions or strategy. Okay. Okay, let's do that then. I'm sorry, I just needed a little refresher myself because I felt that I had the briefing. So why don't you go ahead, Ms. Fleck, and give us the update here? Sure. Um, so this would be a three-year term, and that would cover January 1st of 2025 through December 31st of 2027. Um for base salary, there would be um pay period one of 2025, a two percent increase, pay period 14 of 2025, a 2% increase.

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