OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – July 6, 2026

Common Council — Monday, July 6, 2026
BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateMonday, July 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:41:02

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

As a department every year where we get to these type of, you know, we we tell our folks to take more breaks, extended lunches.

0:05

Um fortunately we have air conditioning a lot of our vehicles.

0:08

I mean, that is the priority for to make sure that no one does overheat.

0:11

I mean we're walking out there.

0:12

Extra water we provide.

0:14

Um we actually have electrolytes that we're doing.

0:16

Our safety crews and supervisors and managers are constantly monitoring folks could, you know, when they're out there, especially all day long.

0:22

I mean, that's this is where the production's gonna go down these couple of days.

0:25

They're still out there doing their job.

0:26

Um, but it is we might have a daily and hourly basis because it is dangerous right now.

0:32

Reminding them not to drink soda.

0:34

That is that is a big one, yes.

0:36

This is why we continually promote water and electrolytes and this is why we provide some of those packets to get put into water bottles because it is very important to stay hydrated.

0:44

Okay, I'm sure.

0:46

Yeah, uh a resident.

0:48

I I was gonna say I'm doing that this morning.

0:50

Just posted about their recycling parts and how I had to We had an incident yesterday.

0:54

Yes, correct.

0:56

That overheated.

0:57

Uh ended up going to the hospital overheated based on um the conditions yesterday.

1:02

Um is in good condition right now.

1:04

I don't have an update like as of this morning, but um was doing much better and had a lot of IVs and fluids.

1:10

Cramped up and kind of was sitting there.

1:12

So and luckily the public did come out and assist and help.

1:14

It was which was good, yes.

1:16

Do we do anything on hot day for employees that we know are out there?

1:21

Yeah, I mean, like we said, we provide we dealt we tell them to make more breaks.

1:24

We do start shifts earlier.

1:26

Um so like our sanitation workers are gonna start an hour earlier to get off earlier.

1:30

Um if it gets too extreme, some crews will shut off and and we'll have them work six hour days.

1:34

It depends on how it each crew is a little different in exp exactly what they're doing.

1:38

But that's the conversation, and each group does a things a little bit different.

1:41

But we had a conversation just on Monday of like what's coming up for the heat, what is everyone doing, and so we talk to each and single group of how do we make sure employees are safe out there.

1:49

If they have to come into one of the buildings that we have, just cool down, that is fine as well.

1:54

Okay, thank you.

1:55

Otherman um Brouer.

1:57

Yeah, thank you so much.

1:58

Um and actually uh Alderman Bauman, thank you so much for putting this uh file on here today.

2:04

I really I really do appreciate it.

2:06

I appreciate you guys being willing to give you know more of these updates because it's something our constituents are you know really concerned about.

2:12

And I just want to also echo just the appreciation that I have for all the city work.

2:15

I mean, right now we're sitting in air conditioning and the city workers are out there uh sweating away, filling potholes, picking up garbage.

2:22

I just I really appreciate all the all the work that they're doing.

2:25

I just want to um, you know, a concluding thought I had regarding this that I wanted to share is that we have such a huge task in front of us to win more funding from the state legislature when the new legislature convenes um in January of 2027.

2:39

Uh we have an opportunity, I mean, pretty much I'm knock on wood, but you know, you could run as a you could uh a sardine sandwich, you know, you could run a sardine sandwich as a Democrat and they're probably gonna win this fall.

2:49

Um and so we are uh, you know, we're poised to have a friendlier legislature in Madison, and I I am I'm committed anyway to you know, meeting with members of the legislature, fighting for more by explaining here in the Milwaukee, there's a lot of unique circumstances that this isn't just some, you know, like like you know, the right wing trope of some uh you know grossly mismanaged behemoth urban center that they're trying to portray every single city as across this country.

3:13

This is this is a city where we have a lot of dedicated workforce.

3:16

We need more resource to make the quality of life better um for everybody here in the city of Milwaukee.

3:22

Um and that's how that's how we're gonna do it.

3:23

So I'm I'm fully committed to that, uh to that fight in winning more funding in the budget that introduced by whoever wins the governor's mansion um in the fall, and it'll be fought in next spring's budget fight at the state capitol.

3:34

Thank you.

3:38

Are there any other questions from committee?

3:41

All right, with that, uh Ottoman um Bombs the hole to the problem of the chair.

3:47

Uh no objection, so order with that.

3:49

We are done with the business today.

3:52

So we are adjourned.

4:23

More of the same thing.

9:42

Um Mr.

9:43

Ronald, can you take the role?

9:50

Patricia.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████75%
Procedural█████8%
Public Safety███5%
Personnel Matters██4%
Engineering and Utility██3%
Engineering And Infrastructure█2%
Public Engagement█1%
Community Engagement█1%
Procurement and Contracts█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – July 6, 2026

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) met on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM in City Hall, Room 301-B, with Chair Jordan Morales presiding. All seven members were present (Ald. Bauman arrived at 3:04 PM). The meeting addressed 10 agenda items, a consent calendar of 17 staff-approved Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs), a bylaw amendment, and updates. The meeting adjourned at 4:42 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 11 through 27, representing staff-approved COAs for various properties, were approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote. These included roof replacements, masonry repairs, fence replacements, window replacements, and other routine work across multiple historic districts.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Joe Bova, Secretary of the Garden Homes Neighborhood Association, spoke in support of Martha Love (Item 4), stating the association backed her request to retain a single replacement window on the rear of her property.

Discussion Items

  • 2848 N. Sherman Blvd. – Garage Demolition & Construction (Items 1 & 2): The commission approved demolition of a fire-damaged garage and construction of a new three-car garage. Conditions required LP SmartSide siding with a smooth finish, painted synthetic trim, and no vinyl windows. The vote was 6-0 (Item 1) and 7-0 (Item 2).
  • Lincoln Avenue School – Statutory Demolition Review (Item 3): The school at 1817 W. Lincoln Avenue suffered a catastrophic fire causing total roof collapse. DNS Commissioner Jezamil Arroyo-Vega reported the building posed a safety hazard due to collapse risk and hazardous materials. MPS Interim COO Michael Turza and Principal Damaris Ayala stated safety and regulatory compliance were priorities, and they would attempt to salvage architectural brickwork if safe. The city attorney clarified the statutory review was precautionary. The commission unanimously approved the demolition.
  • 4377 N. 25th St. – Window Replacement (Item 4): Martha Love sought retroactive approval for a single rear window replaced over 20 years ago by a weatherization program. Staff recommended approval due to the age of the replacement. The commission voted 6-1 to approve, with Member Sally Peltz opposed.
  • 2377 N. Sherman Blvd. – Retroactive Approval of Vinyl Windows (Item 5): LaQuita Hoskin installed eight vinyl windows without a COA in April 2024. She explained her contractor, Universal Windows, did not pull permits. The commission denied retroactive approval but granted a six-month mothball status to stay fines while she pursues legal action against the contractor. The vote to hold in committee was 7-0.
  • 3067 N. Lake Drive – Porch Reconstruction & Landscaping (Item 6): Gilbert Southwell proposed a front porch expansion (30 sq. ft.), natural stone walkways, a wood pergola, and a stone-clad electric fireplace. Staff recommended approval with standard masonry conditions. The commission approved unanimously.
  • 2386 N. Terrace Ave. – Garage Demolition & Sunken Garage Construction (Items 7 & 8): Aaron Dekosky received approval to demolish an existing garage and construct a sunken two-car garage with a green roof. The garage will be 14 ft. deep and connect to the house via the basement. Staff required additional trim detailing on the street-facing facade. Both items passed 7-0.
  • 210 W. Brown St. – Accessory Building (Item 9): Kyle Stephens received approval for a 20-ft. by 19-ft. accessory building to be used as a golf simulator and recreation space. The building will feature wood clapboard siding and dimensional shingles to match the residence. The commission approved unanimously.
  • 2665 N. Lake Drive – Door Infill (Item 10): The applicants could not attend, and the item was held in committee by a 7-0 vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Garage Demolition & Construction: Approved for 2848 N. Sherman Blvd. (Items 1 & 2) and 2386 N. Terrace Ave. (Items 7 & 8).
  • Lincoln Avenue School: Statutory demolition approved unanimously; MPS will attempt to salvage brickwork pending contamination testing.
  • Window Replacement: Approved for Martha Love (Item 4) with one dissenting vote.
  • Vinyl Windows at 2377 N. Sherman Blvd.: Denied retroactive approval; six-month mothball status granted to freeze fines while the owner pursues contractor resolution.
  • Porch & Landscaping: Approved for 3067 N. Lake Drive (Item 6).
  • Accessory Building: Approved for 210 W. Brown St. (Item 9).
  • Bylaw Amendment (Item 29): The commission unanimously adopted a bylaw amendment restoring a policy that HPC will not review rear-yard landscaping on mid-block lots where it is not visible from the right-of-way.
  • Updates: The Wisconsin Local History and Historic Preservation Conference will be held October 14–16, 2026, in Milwaukee, with tours of the Central Library and social events at the Pabst Mansion and Thrive On building. The commission discussed exploring an ordinance to hold contractors liable for failing to obtain COAs on historic properties.

Meeting Transcript

As a department every year where we get to these type of, you know, we we tell our folks to take more breaks, extended lunches. Um fortunately we have air conditioning a lot of our vehicles. I mean, that is the priority for to make sure that no one does overheat. I mean we're walking out there. Extra water we provide. Um we actually have electrolytes that we're doing. Our safety crews and supervisors and managers are constantly monitoring folks could, you know, when they're out there, especially all day long. I mean, that's this is where the production's gonna go down these couple of days. They're still out there doing their job. Um, but it is we might have a daily and hourly basis because it is dangerous right now. Reminding them not to drink soda. That is that is a big one, yes. This is why we continually promote water and electrolytes and this is why we provide some of those packets to get put into water bottles because it is very important to stay hydrated. Okay, I'm sure. Yeah, uh a resident. I I was gonna say I'm doing that this morning. Just posted about their recycling parts and how I had to We had an incident yesterday. Yes, correct. That overheated. Uh ended up going to the hospital overheated based on um the conditions yesterday. Um is in good condition right now. I don't have an update like as of this morning, but um was doing much better and had a lot of IVs and fluids. Cramped up and kind of was sitting there. So and luckily the public did come out and assist and help. It was which was good, yes. Do we do anything on hot day for employees that we know are out there? Yeah, I mean, like we said, we provide we dealt we tell them to make more breaks. We do start shifts earlier. Um so like our sanitation workers are gonna start an hour earlier to get off earlier. Um if it gets too extreme, some crews will shut off and and we'll have them work six hour days. It depends on how it each crew is a little different in exp exactly what they're doing. But that's the conversation, and each group does a things a little bit different. But we had a conversation just on Monday of like what's coming up for the heat, what is everyone doing, and so we talk to each and single group of how do we make sure employees are safe out there. If they have to come into one of the buildings that we have, just cool down, that is fine as well. Okay, thank you. Otherman um Brouer. Yeah, thank you so much. Um and actually uh Alderman Bauman, thank you so much for putting this uh file on here today. I really I really do appreciate it. I appreciate you guys being willing to give you know more of these updates because it's something our constituents are you know really concerned about. And I just want to also echo just the appreciation that I have for all the city work. I mean, right now we're sitting in air conditioning and the city workers are out there uh sweating away, filling potholes, picking up garbage. I just I really appreciate all the all the work that they're doing. I just want to um, you know, a concluding thought I had regarding this that I wanted to share is that we have such a huge task in front of us to win more funding from the state legislature when the new legislature convenes um in January of 2027. Uh we have an opportunity, I mean, pretty much I'm knock on wood, but you know, you could run as a you could uh a sardine sandwich, you know, you could run a sardine sandwich as a Democrat and they're probably gonna win this fall. Um and so we are uh, you know, we're poised to have a friendlier legislature in Madison, and I I am I'm committed anyway to you know, meeting with members of the legislature, fighting for more by explaining here in the Milwaukee, there's a lot of unique circumstances that this isn't just some, you know, like like you know, the right wing trope of some uh you know grossly mismanaged behemoth urban center that they're trying to portray every single city as across this country. This is this is a city where we have a lot of dedicated workforce. We need more resource to make the quality of life better um for everybody here in the city of Milwaukee. Um and that's how that's how we're gonna do it. So I'm I'm fully committed to that, uh to that fight in winning more funding in the budget that introduced by whoever wins the governor's mansion um in the fall, and it'll be fought in next spring's budget fight at the state capitol.

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