Milwaukee Judiciary & Legislation Committee Meeting - May 4, 2026
Milwaukee Judiciary & Legislation Committee Meeting - May 4, 2026
The Judiciary and Legislation Committee met on May 4, 2026, to consider several claims, receive legislative updates, discuss the 2026 property assessments, and act on resolutions. Key actions included denial of a claim for vehicle damage from a manhole cover, adoption of a legislative update, approval of a resolution supporting speed limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers, and receiving the assessor's annual presentation.
Consent Calendar
- No formal consent calendar was used; each item was considered individually.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Peyton Reznor (claimant, Oak Creek, WI) testified regarding her claim for vehicle damage. She stated that a manhole cover blew off during torrential rains on August 10, 2025, totaling her Jeep. She had owned the vehicle for only a month and a half. The city denied the claim, citing no prior notice of the defect and that the event was a nature-induced mishap.
Discussion Items
- Claims (Items 1–6): The committee addressed six claims. Most were held or denied without objection. Notable was Item 6 (Peyton Reznor claim). The city attorney recommended denial, stating that the city had no notice of the missing manhole cover and was not negligent. DPW Sewer Services Manager Jason Sanders explained that 14.5 inches of rainfall caused sewer back pressure to blow the lid off, possibly propelling it 4 feet into the air. The lid had been patched over with asphalt in the bike lane. Alderman Bauman moved denial; Alderman Price objected, but the motion carried. The committee clerk noted that the full Common Council would consider the recommendation on May 12, 2026.
- Legislative Updates (Item 7): Jordan Primaco and Katie Yeager (Intergovernmental Relations Division) presented a summary of state legislation from the 2025–2026 session. Key bills passed include: Truth in Planning (Act 237) – expands affordable housing funds; WEDA program fixes (Act 238) – broadens loan uses; historic preservation tax credit (Act 239); battery stewardship programs (Acts 170, 171); $732 million bonding authority for water infrastructure (Act 15); postpartum Medicaid extension to one year; breast cancer screening coverage (Act 103); state film office (Act 15); and the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program update (Act 176). The governor vetoed Assembly Bill 165, which would have restricted local government programs. The presentation also covered the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais (6–3) weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Legislative Affairs noted that Wisconsin’s state and local maps are likely safe through 2030, but challenges to congressional maps could arise. The committee also noted that Democrats introduced 500 bills this session, of which only five received a committee hearing. Alderman Westmoreland thanked the team for work on DACA licensure (Act 240), which affects about 5,100 dreamers in Wisconsin. The update was received and filed.
- Amendment to State Legislative Package (Item 8): Alderman Stamper introduced a substitute resolution to add support for legislation requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for vehicles owned by individuals repeatedly convicted of reckless driving. He noted that Maryland and other states have passed similar laws. The device would prevent speeding. Alderman Stamper emphasized that this targets high-risk drivers and provides an alternative to license suspension. Intergovernmental Relations noted that a similar bill was introduced by Rep. Goodwin and Sen. Larson but did not advance. The committee discussed cost burdens and design flexibility. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
- 2026 Assessments Presentation (Item 9): Deputy Commissioner Ryan Ranker and Real Estate Modeler Colin Williams presented the annual revaluation. Key points: The city is divided into 140 residential neighborhoods; assessments are based on arms-length sales, with over 5,000 usable sales this year. The citywide total assessment increased 6% (residential +6.43%, commercial +5.31%). The 4th Aldermanic District had the lowest residential change (-1.4%), and the 7th District had the highest (+13.1%). Neighborhood 2960 (near 35th and Center) saw a 26% increase. The assessor’s office uses an income approach for commercial properties, and while they aim for 100% of market value, they acknowledged challenges with large landlords like Barata. Alderman Bauman referenced a Marquette Law School report that found Barata’s properties were assessed at 34% of market value based on private mortgage documents; the assessor agreed to review the data. The committee discussed the appeals process: open book runs April 20–May 18, 2026; formal objections deadline May 18, 2026; Board of Review begins May 29, 2026. About 30% of formal appeals result in an adjustment. The presentation was received and filed.
- Municipal Court Non-Traffic Deposit Schedule (Item 11): A representative from the court presented the annual schedule. Two changes: state law increased clerk fees from $38 to $48, and totals were adjusted for the discontinuation of the penny. Alderman Bauman clarified that this schedule does not apply to housing code violations, which are handled via summons and complaint. The schedule was approved.
- Settlement Resolution (Item 13): Deputy City Attorney Naomi Sanders presented a resolution correcting a clerical error in a prior file (reference to 2025 instead of 2026). The resolution appropriates up to $150 million for the 2026 damages and claims fund and authorizes settlement of Barry Beverly v. City of Milwaukee. The resolution was adopted.
Key Outcomes
- Claim of Peyton Reznor denied (motion by Alderman Bauman, one objection from Alderman Price).
- Legislative update received and filed; staff thanked outgoing Katie Yeager.
- Resolution supporting speed limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers adopted (unanimous).
- 2026 assessment presentation received and filed; the assessor agreed to follow up on Barata assessment concerns.
- Municipal court non-traffic deposit schedule approved (unanimous).
- Settlement resolution for Barry Beverly v. City approved (unanimous).
- Item 12 held at the request of Alderman Bauman.
- The committee also noted that the full Common Council meets on May 12, 2026, to consider the claim denial recommendation.
Meeting Transcript
We're informing people at the same time of why these buildings um deserve the designation that they receive. We are a group that does look, in fact, at other things than simply the uh the historic nature of places. We look at the economics of things, we look at a number of things. Those of us who have lived here a long time don't always appreciate the many architectural styles that are prevalent here. Milwaukee is a treasure of historic homes with several dozen architectural styles. Some are designated landmarks, others simply outstanding examples of popular styles from another time and place. So the city has been very much support in support of historic preservation because it encourages the revitalization of old neighborhoods, and uh it's good for property values, and because um they view it as a way to market the city to businesses and individuals who want to move in based on the fact that we're unique old city with wonderful old buildings and neighborhoods. In virtually every neighborhood, you'll find the duplex, the most popular housing type in the 1890s. The middle class Milwaukee bungalow showed up around 1905, and there's that distinctive Polish flat, apparently a response to narrow urban lots and population densities and working class neighborhoods around the turn of the century. The city wants you to know about all of them. One of the other things we've done is is uh we realize that um visitors to the city as well as city residents don't have or haven't had any way of really finding out about the city's historic buildings or knowing what they're looking at when they're draw walking around. So the city did a series of nine walking driving tours of historic neighborhoods in the city, and we're going to be expanding that number by doing a few more this year. Of course, the other thing we've done is we've published a book called As Good Is New, which is uh a guide to how to rehab your old Milwaukee house. It's an illustrated guide that sort of leads you through the various steps involved with rehabbing the exterior of an old house. Historic preservation commissioners hope the old rural craftsmanship that remains will not be lost in the name of modernization at boys and girls' clubs. It's not just about trying new things. It's not just about exploring the future, it's about helping them build it. It's about making the connection, it's about proving every kid and team who enters our doors has what it takes. Great futures start here. Call our toll-free number, one A77 64747, or visit Furhousing Wisconsin.com. So there's this guy I heard about Michael. He's just a kid. He thought he was pretty cool, though. He liked to act tough, steal cars, stuff like that. And Michael just tended to get in trouble a lot. One time he picked his friends up for a free ride in Australia. He wants to impress the growth in the back seat, and they kept telling them, come on, faster, faster. So he floored it. And smashed into another driver to an 80. And then he ran. He ran away without checking to see if other people were okay. They weren't. They were dead. They are dead. They were dead. Bernie and Tina were just a block away from their house when Michael killed them. That's somebody's mom and dad. And he just ran away. But he didn't get far. There's no such thing as a free ride. After he was arrested, Michael had to face the families of the people he had killed. Now he's serving thirty years for vehicular homicide. This ain't no video game. Monday, May Fourth, twenty twenty-five. I am probably sure Alderman Lamont Westmoreland joined to my right. By Alderman, Robert Bauman. Or line. Alder Woman, Andrea Crett. And to my far left. Alderman President Joseph Perez.
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