Milwaukee Common Council Meeting – July 31, 2026

On Friday, July 31, 2026, the Milwaukee Common Council convened at 9:30 AM in the Common Council Chamber, City Hall. All 15 aldermen were present. The meeting included recognition of outgoing Milwaukee Youth Council members, adoption of numerous committee recommendations, a failed appointment to the Fire and Police Commission, and a failed motion to revisit police pursuit and video release policies. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM.

Presentations & Recognitions

• The Milwaukee Youth Council was recognized as members’ terms concluded. Alderwoman Moore escorted outgoing members Mateo De la Cruz (13th District), Thaddeus Hillard (7th District), Khalise Williams (2nd District), Jacqueline Juarez Lucas (9th District), and a non‑present member (Saidana). Each was lauded for advocacy on food insecurity, mental health, youth homelessness, and other issues. Their future plans (college, internships) were highlighted.

Consent Calendar

• Commendatory and Condolatory Resolutions (File 260488) – Placed on file unanimously.
• Licenses Committee recommendations (Files 260237, 260462, 260373, 260374) – All passed or placed on file unanimously (15-0).
• Public Works Committee recommendations (Files 252235, 260227, 250157, 260170, 260303, 260314, 260403, 260418, 260425, 260438, 260439, 260440, 260441, 260443, 260482, and communications 260415, 260484, 260491) – All adopted unanimously (15-0). An amendment to File 260403 (electric vehicle charging station sites) adding two Monterey Market locations was accepted without objection.
• Finance & Personnel Committee recommendations (Files 260459, 260460, 260494, 260259, 260262, 260263, 260398, 260419, 260421, 260422, 260458, 260490 [substituted with Proposed Substitute B], and communications 260241, 260336, 260455, 260456, 260457, 260508, 260518, 260521, 260523) – All adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Judiciary & Legislation Committee recommendations (Files 252168, 260238, 260375, 260383, 260394, 260428, 260449 and disallowance/postponement of claims 251170, 251851, 251852, 251932, 252150, 252151, 252153, 260226) – All adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Public Safety & Health Committee recommendations (Files 241547, 260219, 260400, 260401, 260351, 260423, and communications 260324, 260381) – All adopted unanimously (15-0) except the appointment below.
• Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee recommendations (Files 252189, 260183, 260432, 260433, 260434, 260435, 260436, 260442, 260444, 260445, 260446, 260451, 260485) – All adopted. File 260434 (TID 132 Midtown Commons) passed 14-1, with Ald. Jackson voting no; later on request, his vote was changed to abstention by unanimous consent.
• Community & Economic Development Committee recommendations (Files 260287, 260352, 260395, 260417, 260420, 260498) – All adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Matters for Immediate Adoption (Files 260526, 260547) – Adopted unanimously (15-0).

Discussion Items

• Short‑term rentals ordinance (File 241547) – Alderwoman Coggs, lead sponsor, explained the ordinance as a first step to increase transparency: making the STR registry public and notifying neighbors within 250 feet. A provision requiring a local responsible agent was removed due to legal concerns, but the sponsors intend to re‑introduce it with a stronger legal record. Several aldermen expressed frustration that risk‑aversion weakened the bill, pledging further action.
• Penalties for sales to minors (File 260219) – Ald. Spiker noted the ordinance raises forfeitures to the maximum state‑allowed amount for selling alcohol, tobacco, and cannabinoid products to minors, building on last year’s restriction on hemp‑derived THC sales.
• Air quality employee protections (File 260508) – Ald. Brower praised commitments from department heads to develop stronger plans and explore PPE acquisition after Canadian wildfire smoke events, standing with municipal unions Local 47, 33, and 426.
• We Energies rate cases and data centers (File 260484) – Ald. Brower criticized We Energies for prioritizing shareholder profits over reliable service and farmland protection, urging support for a municipal utility. He noted Milwaukee filed as an intervener in rate and data center cases.
• Native plants ordinance (File 260227) – Ald. Brower explained the ordinance creates a registry with DPW Forestry to allow native plant landscaping in lieu of lawns, addressing a situation where a resident’s native planting was mistakenly cut down.
• Traffic calming on Brady Street (File 260443) – Ald. Brower thanked the Brady Street BID for shouldering the entire cost via a cost‑sharing MOU, part of a multi‑pronged safety approach.
• TID 136 Amani Homeownership Initiative (File 260435) – Ald. Jackson highlighted the district’s concentration of vacant lots and the TID’s role in building new housing and bringing infrastructure improvements.
• Appointment of Jordan Morales (File 260450) – Several aldermen (Dimitrijevic, Brower, and others) voiced opposition citing need for greater independence and accountability of the Fire and Police Commission, particularly on surveillance (Flock), emergency communications, and oversight amid a growing police budget. The appointment failed 6-6-3 (6 ayes, 6 noes, 3 abstentions: Pratt, Taylor, Moore, Burgelis, Spiker, Stamper ayes; Brower, Bauman, Westmoreland, Jackson, Perez, Dimitrijevic noes; Chambers, Coggs, Zamarripa abstain). A request by Ald. Zamarripa to change her abstention to a no was denied due to an objection.
• Motion to modify MPD SOPs (File 260225) – Ald. Moore moved to take from the file a motion modifying vehicle pursuit and video release policies (SOPs 660 and 575). After debate on precedent, the motion failed 6-9 (ayes: Pratt, Brower, Westmoreland, Coggs, Moore, Dimitrijevic; noes: Chambers, Bauman, Jackson, Zamarripa, Taylor, Burgelis, Perez, Spiker, Stamper).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided testimony during the meeting.

Key Outcomes

• All committee recommendations adopted except the failed appointment and the failed motion to take from file.
• Jordan Morales appointment to Fire and Police Commission – Rejected (6-6-3). Confirmation fails.
• Motion to reconsider MPD SOP changes – Failed (6-9). File remains on file.
• TID 132 (Midtown Commons) created – Passed 14-1 (Ald. Jackson’s later abstention accepted).
• Electric vehicle charging sites expanded – Amendment adding two Monterey Market locations passed via consent.
• ERP system replacement borrowing – Authorized up to $4,800,000 after substitution with Proposed Substitute B (unanimous).
• Short‑term rental transparency ordinance – Passed with notice provisions; sponsors committed to future local‑agent requirement.
• Penalties for sales to minors – Raised to maximum state forfeitures.
• Upcoming events announced – Bronzeville Week (Aug 1-8), Granville Blues Festival recap, early voting dates, community events, and sensory inclusion city training for employees.