Public Safety and Health Committee Meeting - June 11, 2026
Public Safety and Health Committee Meeting - June 11, 2026
The Public Safety and Health Committee met on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Room 301-B of City Hall, Milwaukee. The meeting, chaired by Ald. Scott P. Spiker, covered routine approvals, two major police policy motions, and several informational reports. Key discussions centered on proposed changes to police pursuit and duty-to-intervene standard operating procedures. The meeting adjourned at 12:24 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Parking controls (260159): Ordinance recommended for passage (5-0) to modify winter parking restrictions on the 1600 block of West Clark Street.
- Traffic controls (260160): Ordinance recommended for passage (5-0) to install stop signs at Saveland and Third, and Warnimont and Third.
- Immunization Action Plan grant (260118): Substitute resolution recommending adoption (5-0) of $101,000 from the Wisconsin DHS for immunization program support.
- Communicable Disease Prevention grant (260148): Resolution recommended for adoption (5-0) of approximately $27,000 for disease control and surveillance.
- Cities Readiness Initiative grant (260197): Substitute resolution recommended for adoption (5-0) for preparedness work.
- Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant (260198): Substitute resolution recommended for adoption and referral to Finance & Personnel (5-0).
- MFD contribution from Habush, Habush & Rottier (260201): Resolution recommended for adoption (5-0) of a $3,500 contribution for car seat safety.
- Survive Alive House agreement (260202): Resolution authorizing continued MPS partnership recommended for adoption (5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Support for duty-to-intervene motion (item 10):
- Christine Newman-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera, expressed strong support, citing excessive force by federal agents and the need for local accountability.
- Emilio De Torre, Executive Director of Milwaukee Turners Inc., supported the motion, arguing it empowers officers to follow existing state law (Wis. Stat. 175.44) and protects the community from poorly trained federal agents.
- Pastor Walter Lanier, Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church, supported the motion, stating it closes a definitional gap and clarifies that the duty to intervene applies regardless of the badge worn.
- Opposition to duty-to-intervene motion:
- Alexander Ayala, President of the Milwaukee Police Association, opposed, arguing officers cannot know other agencies' policies, intervention is vague, and it could lead to officers being arrested for obstruction.
Discussion Items
- Vehicle pursuit policy (260225): The committee heard extensive testimony from FPC Commissioners Bree Spencer and Krissie Fung, MPD Chief of Staff Heather Hough, and Assistant Chief Craig Sarnow. Commissioners argued the current policy is too permissive (citing 10 deaths in 2025 from pursuit-related incidents) and does not meet national best practices. They proposed narrowing pursuits to only those initiated for reckless driving observed before a stop. MPD opposed, arguing the change would embolden fleeing and reduce accountability. Ald. Moore (sponsor) and Ald. Brower supported the FPC recommendation. After votes, a motion to hold failed (2-3), a motion to approve failed (1-4), and a motion to place on file passed (4-1). The file will be placed on file but may be revived at the full council.
- Duty-to-intervene policy (251799): The committee considered Substitute Motion C, which modifies SOP 460 to require MPD officers to intervene and report unreasonable force by any law enforcement officer, including federal agents. The FPC had unanimously recommended the change. The city attorney's office stated the version is legal and enforceable. MPD noted they are still in meet-and-confer with unions. Public testimony was heard. Ald. Burgelis moved to accept Substitute C (no objections), then moved to approve as amended. The motion passed 4-0 (Chambers excused). The file will go to the full council for a two-thirds vote.
- Noise variance permits (260240): President Perez presented a communication about proposed changes to noise variance rules, including decibel limits, neighborhood notification, curfews, and application deadlines. DNS Commissioner Arroyo-Vega provided data on permits. The item was placed on file to allow further refinement.
- Fire training classes and vacancies (260182): MFD Assistant Chief Parish and FPC Director Todd presented on staffing trends. Firefighter applications are strong (over 1,000 in 2025), but there are significant vacancies in Heavy Equipment Operator (28 vacancies, ~20% of allotment) due to delayed promotional exams. The department plans a fall 2026 class and a HEO exam next summer. Staffing is increasing toward Act 12 goals. The communication was placed on file.
- Penalties for underage sales (260219): Ald. Burgelis introduced an ordinance to increase penalties for selling alcohol, tobacco, and cannabinoids to minors to state maximums. He requested a hold for further research, which was granted (5-0). Ald. Moore added as co-sponsor.
- Other items: Communications regarding FirstNet (251903) and police pursuit policies (250976) were placed on file without objection.
Key Outcomes
- Vehicle pursuit SOP (260225): Recommended to be placed on file (4-1). Motion to approve failed. Sponsor may revive at full council.
- Duty-to-intervene SOP (251799): Recommended for approval as amended (Substitute C) (4-0). Proceeds to full council requiring two-thirds vote.
- Penalties for underage sales (260219): Held to call of the chair (5-0).
- Noise variance communication (260240): Placed on file (5-0).
- Fire training communication (260182): Placed on file (5-0).
- FirstNet communication (251903): Placed on file (5-0).
- Police pursuit policies communication (250976): Placed on file (5-0).
- All consent items: Recommended for passage/adoption unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the Thursday, June 11th meeting of the Public Safety and Health Committee. It is 908, so we'll get going. If people could please keep it down, we'll get our business going. We I am Alderman Scott Spiker, Chair of the Committee joined to my right by Alderman Burgelis. Please folks, hello. Thank you. Joined to his right by Alder Taylor. We'll be joined momentarily by Alder Moore. Alder Chambers is on the big board. We have a bunch of smaller items. They won't take a super long time, and then we'll get to the SOP items, which I believe most people are here for, and we'll go on from there. Thank you very much. Item one, file number two six zero one five nine. This is an ordinance relating to parking controls. Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the committee, Scott Reinbacher with DPW. Today we only have one proposed change to the city's parking regulations, and that is to alter the winter parking restrictions on the 1600 block of West Clark Street. So we recommend uh removing the exception to allow parking on both sides of the street during the winter months between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. This change was coordinated with the local Alder. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions? Not Alder Bergelis would move to recommend passage and hearing no objections, so ordered item number two, file number two six zero one six zero, an ordinance relating to traffic controls. Uh yes, despite there being many intersections in this file, uh today's um proposed ordinance change would only install new stop signs at two intersections, and that would be to install northbound and southbound stop signs at the intersections of Saveland and third, as well as Warnamont and third. Uh this change was coordinated with the local Alder. Happy to answer any questions. Um quick question, this one's in my district. Um there was a change of not regarding it as um, I don't know, basically SMIR material anymore. What was the reason for that change in, was there a change in traffic volume or change in bus routes or what? Uh correct, Alderman. Uh upon reviewing a constituent concern, um we reviewed our intersections as we normally as we normally do. Uh we did discover South Third Street, as you alerted alluded to, uh, was classified as a collector uh through highway within the city. Um at one point in time it may have seen more traffic than it currently does. Um, we did not do a traffic count, but we know based on experience that volumes are very low in this uh street, so we don't feel the through highway classification is needed anymore. Um, thank you. Um any questions? Additional? If not, Alder Taylor would move to recommend passage and hearing no objection so ordered. Thank you very much. Thank you. Um moving on to some health department files, which again are going to be relatively short. Item three, file number two six zero one one eight, substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of the twenty-six through twenty-seven immunization action plan grant from the state of Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Good morning, Mr. Chair and Committee members. I'm Lindsay Page, infectious disease program director with the health department. This item authorizes approximately 101,000 in funding from the state of Wisconsin. These funds support our immunization program and will cover a portion of staff salaries and supplies related to immunization activities. Okay. Questions? Committee members.
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