Milwaukee Common Council Meeting Summary: March 24, 2026

The Milwaukee Common Council met on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 9:41 AM in the Common Council Chamber, City Hall. The meeting was called to order with all 15 aldermen present. The agenda included reports from standing committees, multiple resolutions, ordinances, and appointments. Key topics included the creation of a new compliance department, a resolution prohibiting use of city property for civil immigration enforcement, a contentious appointment to the Community Wellness and Safety Director position, and a delayed ordinance on law enforcement identification.

Presentations

• Ald. Coggs moved to resolve into Committee of the Whole to recognize 2026 Women's History Month honorees. The following individuals were honored: Arlisia McHenry (escorted by Ald. Pratt), Jamila Benson (Ald. Coggs), Amanda Avalos (Ald. Zamarripa), Annette Jackson (Ald. Taylor), Natalia Renteria (Ald. Moore), and Cameryn Roberts and Sarah Jonas (Ald. Dimitrijevic). The Council then rose from Committee of the Whole.

Consent Calendar

• Commendatory/Condolatory Resolutions (File 251947): Placed on file unanimously (15-0).
• Licenses Committee Recommendations (File 251862): Approved 15-0. Ald. Stamper added a Good Neighbor Agreement for Aftan Sultan's licenses at 2624 W Lisbon Ave (Lisbon BP).
• Public Works Committee Recommendations (File 251664): Approved 15-0, with Ald. Burgelis voting no on item 7 (water service agreement with Village of Menomonee Falls).
• Finance & Personnel Committee Recommendations (File 251790): Most items passed 15-0, except:
  • Item 18 (city wage requirements for service contracts): Passed 14-1 (Ald. Burgelis no).
  • Item 21 (Police Supervisors' Organization agreement): Passed 11-2-2 (Ald. Brower and Ald. Dimitrijevic no; Ald. Coggs and Ald. Taylor abstained).
  • Item 25 (Appointment of Danielle Rodriguez as DOA Director): Confirmed 13-1-1 (Ald. Perez no; Ald. Pratt abstained).
• Judiciary & Legislation Committee Recommendations: All items adopted 15-0, including claims payments and a resolution supporting state legislation making illegal tire dumping a misdemeanor (File 251945, co-sponsored by Ald. Chambers).
• Public Safety & Health Committee Recommendations: Most items adopted 15-0, except:
  • Item 50 (law enforcement identification ordinance) was not acted upon due to the City Attorney requesting more time for legal review. A motion to go into Committee of the Whole was laid over but ultimately not taken up.
  • Item 61 (Appointment of Karin Tyler as Community Wellness and Safety Director) was referred back to the Public Safety & Health Committee by a vote of 11-4. Ald. Moore moved referral, citing concerns about leadership, state funding, and responsiveness. Ald. Chambers, Taylor, Brower, and Pratt opposed the referral.
  • Item 62 (Appointment of Ald. Taylor to Board of Health) confirmed 14-0-1 (Ald. Taylor abstained).
• Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Recommendations:
  • Item 67 (documentation of historic buildings before demolition): Passed 11-1-3 (Ald. Stamper no; Ald. Chambers, Coggs, Moore abstained) after a substitute amendment by Ald. Bauman was accepted.
  • Item 68 (property deconstruction ordinance extension): Passed 15-0 after debate about the program's history and RPP requirements.
  • Item 75 (dissolving TID No. 51, Granville Station): Adopted 15-0 despite Ald. Taylor's attempt to hold (statutory deadline noted).
• Community & Economic Development Committee Recommendations: All items passed 15-0, including designation of August 1-8 as Bronzeville Week and resolution establishing 5th District Movie Night Fund.
• Steering & Rules Committee Recommendations:
  • Item 85 (creating department of compliance and engagement): Passed 15-0.
  • Item 86 (resolution prohibiting use of city property for civil immigration enforcement): Adopted 15-0 after amendments by Ald. Zamarripa to apply to future leases and exempt federal property. Ald. Taylor and Coggs added as co-sponsors.
• Matters for Immediate Adoption (Items 87-89): All three resolutions adopted 15-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Item 50 (Law Enforcement Identification Ordinance): Ald. Dimitrijevic expressed frustration that the City Attorney's office requested more time for legal review at the last minute, despite previously speaking in favor at committee. The ordinance was not before the Council, and a motion to hear from the City Attorney in Committee of the Whole was not possible. The file will return to the Public Safety Committee.
• Item 61 (Karin Tyler Appointment): A lengthy debate ensued. Ald. Moore moved to refer back to committee, citing concerns about Tyler's knowledge (e.g., not knowing leading cause of death among children), lack of funding from the state, and poor responsiveness. Ald. Chambers and Taylor supported the appointment, arguing she deserves a chance and that the state funding issue was not her fault. Ald. Burgelis and Zamarripa supported referral due to new information about state funding. The referral passed 11-4.
• Item 67 (Historic Building Documentation): Ald. Bauman explained the substitute amendment requiring 3D scans of historic buildings before demolition. Ald. Stamper opposed, calling it a hindrance. Ald. Brower supported, citing cultural value. The amendment was accepted, and the ordinance passed.
• Item 68 (Deconstruction Ordinance): Ald. Bauman detailed the history of the deconstruction program, noting that a contractor is ready but refuses to comply with RPP requirements. Ald. Stamper supported the extension, arguing that local companies could apply. Ald. Coggs noted that the program only completed five deconstructions in a year and caused complaints. The extension passed.
• Item 86 (Immigration Enforcement Prohibition): Ald. Zamarripa introduced amendments to strengthen the resolution. Ald. Brower urged passage, stating the city should push the envelope on protecting immigrants. The resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Votes with tallies:
  • Karin Tyler appointment referred back to committee (11-4).
  • Police Supervisors' agreement ratified (11-2-2).
  • Danielle Rodriguez confirmed as DOA Director (13-1-1).
  • Historic building documentation ordinance passed (11-1-3).
  • All other committee reports and resolutions adopted 15-0, except where noted.
• Directives: Commissioner of Public Works authorized to execute agreements for bike lane project, street lighting, and river skimmer operation. Department of Employee Relations authorized to extend MetLife contract. Health Department to enter into agreement with MPS for emergency sheltering.
• Referrals: Karin Tyler appointment sent back to Public Safety & Health Committee. Law enforcement identification ordinance paused for City Attorney review.
• Next steps: The Council will consider the law enforcement ID ordinance at a future meeting after legal review. The Tyler appointment will be re-examined in committee.

Announcements

• Ald. Chambers announced early voting locations and dates for the upcoming Supreme Court and county supervisor races.
• Ald. Pratt announced April office hours.
• Ald. Coggs announced the 16th annual Girls' Day on March 26.
• Ald. Burgelis announced community meetings on March 26 and Saturday.
• Ald. Moore announced a youth resource fair on April 2.
• Ald. Brower announced protests against the president on March 28.
• Ald. Taylor announced a community meeting on March 26.
• Ald. Jackson announced the second annual apprenticeship day on April 16.
• Ald. Stamper and Jackson announced a town hall on Sherman Boulevard bike lanes on April 9.

The meeting adjourned at 12:09 PM.