Milwaukee Public Works Committee Meeting – September 10, 2026
Milwaukee Public Works Committee Meeting – September 10, 2026
The Public Works Committee met on September 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM in City Hall Room 301-B, chaired by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs. The committee considered 24 agenda items including resolutions for public improvements, ordinances to tighten notification and fines for right-of-way closures, a communication on accommodating neurodivergent individuals, and a resolution to expedite concrete panel replacement on local roads and alleys. Several items were held or passed, and extensive debate occurred on pothole response, contractor accountability, and infrastructure funding.
Consent Calendar
- Files 260662–260665: Four resolutions approving levying of assessments, determining necessity for assessable and nonassessable public improvements, and approving construction at various locations. All passed unanimously after brief presentations.
- File 260643: Authorizing WisDOT to use city property for West Silver Spring Drive / N. 64th Street intersection improvements. Adopted.
- File 260651: Authorizing execution of a revised state/municipal agreement for N. Green Bay Road project (STH 57). Adopted.
- File 260660: Accepting MMSD Green Solutions grant for bioswales on W. Lapham Boulevard. Adopted.
- File 260555: Cost-sharing MOU for South Powerline Trail design with Greenfield and West Allis. Adopted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Cherry (Five Points Neighborhood Association): Provided testimony and video evidence of extreme speeding (over 100 mph) on Port Washington Avenue, citing a Mother’s Day incident with over 50 cars racing. He collected a petition for traffic calming, with 2 in favor and 7 opposed from 68 impacted properties. He expressed full support for the traffic calming effort and thanked the committee for their partnership.
- Ald. Zamarripa (sponsor, Item 8): Described multiple violations by We Energies in June and July 2026 on National and Lincoln Avenues, where major construction began without notifying constituents, the alder, or DPW. She called the current fine ($25–$250) a “pittance” and argued the increase to $1,000–$5,000 per day is necessary to ensure accountability.
- Ald. Burgelis (sponsor, Items 16 & 17): Highlighted unauthorized closures by utilities (e.g., ATC on S. 43rd Street) and the need for stronger penalties. On Item 17, he emphasized that pothole response this year has been record-breaking (over 15,000 filled by end of August) but that backlogs remain (8,000 unaddressed). He advocated for using budget surpluses for permanent concrete panel replacement in alleys, calling the 2026 construction season a chance to make a real impact before winter.
- Ald. Bauman: Criticized DPW for slow pothole response, lack of communication, and failure to remove barricades after work is complete. He noted the city is “falling apart” and suggested the council lacks authority under the strong-mayor form to direct operations, but that ordinances could be used to force action.
Discussion Items
- Item 6 – Neurodivergent Accommodation: Communication from DPW on modifying the built environment. Ald. Perez (sponsor) emphasized the need for inclusive signage (e.g., “autistic child” signs) and training. DPW’s Kevin Mews said they currently offer such signs for children under 18 and are exploring expansion for adults, but voiced concerns about proliferation and driver expectations. The discussion included potential for federal grants, cross-department collaboration (Office of Compliance and Engagement), and coordination with community organizations. The item was held to the call of the chair for further study.
- Items 8 & 16 – Right-of-Way Closure Ordinances: Combined discussion. The substitute ordinances increase fines for failure to notify (Item 8) from $25–$250 to $1,000–$5,000 daily, and for unauthorized closures (Item 16) from $100 to $1,000 per lane per hour. DPW’s James Washington noted that fines have rarely been enforced, and the new language defines “major roadway closures” to focus on arterials. Ald. Zamarripa and Ald. Burgelis accepted a small tweak from DPW and added several co-sponsors. Both ordinances passed unanimously.
- Item 11 – Dust Control Provisions: Ald. Burgelis raised concerns about prolonged project durations (e.g., three months in Wedgewood Park) and leftover barricades. DPW’s Patrick Pauly acknowledged delays due to contractor sub performance and agreed to improve punch‑list inspections and communication. The item was placed on file after discussion.
- Item 14 – Third Self-Help Drop-Off Center: Ald. Chambers Jr. requested an update. DPW’s Tom Wangren noted that feasibility studies exist but no site has been selected; cost and property availability remain challenges. Ald. Chambers agreed to work with DPW on a recommendation for a city-owned parcel. A motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.
- Item 17 – Concrete Panel Replacement Resolution: Ald. Burgelis proposed using $300,000 in existing capital funds plus up to $800,000 in new borrowing to expedite concrete panel replacement on local roads and alleys before the 2026 construction season ends. Extensive debate followed: Ald. Bauman questioned the feasibility of contracting before winter; Ald. Brower objected to outsourcing city work. Budget office warned of debt service impacts. An amendment was passed to use only the $300,000 in existing funds (no new borrowing). The resolution, as amended, passed 5–1 (Ald. Brower dissenting).
- Item 22 – No Mow May Ordinance: Ald. Brower presented a substitute that eliminates the registry and instead requires a property sign. DPW’s Aaron Stokel confirmed it does not hinder enforcement of the mowing ordinance in other months. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: All consent items (1–4, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18). Items 8, 16, 21, 22, and 17 (as amended).
- Held: Items 5 (sewer blockage), 6 (neurodivergent accommodation), 13 (sewer easement), 23 (street light outages), and 24 (first license application).
- Placed on file: Items 11 (dust control), 19 (lead service line report), 20 (lead coordination with health department).
- Adopted with direction: Item 14 (third drop-off center) – DPW to work with Ald. Chambers on a site recommendation.
- File 260510 (Item 5) held to call of chair at sponsor’s request.
- Licenses: Taxicab renewal for Jagjit Sandu approved (motion by Ald. Brower) despite a written objection from a colleague; the objector did not appear to testify.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Public works committee meetings to order. I am Alderwoman Chairwoman uh Mila A. Cox. We um are joined to my left by Alderwoman Larisa Taylor. Uh to her right, we are joined by Alderman Alex Brower. We are joined by staff assistant Carmen Roman. Um to my um we are also joined on the board by Vice Chair Alderman Lamont West Morland. Um we will soon be joined by Alderman uh Bauman. Uh we also are joined by DPW Um infrastructure. Um we have a guest of Audible Man and Van Marie Puss with us here today. Um item number one, file number two resolution relating to approving the levying of assessments and construction of accessible public improvement projects at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes. Good morning, Holly Rutten back with DPW. I will be advising on the special assessment process and project details. For those projects approved this morning, a bill will be sent to each property owner sometime after completion of the work. Within 45 days upon receipt of the bill, the full amount may be paid without interest. If the bill is not paid within the 45-day grace period, a charge of 8.5% simple interest per year will be added. If the assessment is at least 125 dollars, the assessment can be paid over a period of 10 years on the tax roll at the 8.5% interest. For those projects approved with late billing, a bill will not be sent before January 1st, 2029. As part of this public hearing, an official notice was sent to all impacted property owners, and we will go in the order that is listed on the official notice. Once I have read your project location, you're welcome to come up and provide testimony. Hearing no objections, so order. I shouldn't tell you, but 63. So I've seen a lot of things there, and we hear I'm here in support of uh Johnny and his adventure that we both uh working together on this project and this event. So I'm in here in full support along with Five Points Neighborhood Association. All right. Mr. Cherry, did you want to say a little more before we view some of the videos that you uh have submitted for us? Uh yes, uh what initiated this request was back on May 11th last year in the early mornings of hours of Mother's Day. Uh over 50 cars took over Port Washington Avenue. They entered from the Keith Avenue. Uh north side of the south side of the street, and they raced over 100 miles per hour all the way to Capitol Drive on Port Washington Avenue going north. Uh called 911 three times, talked to the UTCs. Uh not one police officer responded out of three phone calls to 911. So I contacted uh Alterman Cox. She gave me instructions on how to get signatures for the traffic calming. Uh that took place last year, which uh brings us to today. Uh just over the past 30 days. Uh I was able to get video recordings of all of the reckless driving that's taken place on Port Washington Avenue. Some of the cars that you see will be doing over a hundred miles per hour. Uh they're driving in the bicycle lanes. They're passing cars on the right shoulder. Um see, they stay there on Port Washington Avenue for a couple hours, racing north and south from Keith Avenue all the way down to Abert. And they come in pairs, two cars at a time, racing at the same time. Uh some of them come by themselves. Uh some of them they come regularly on different days. Uh so if you're ready to see some of the videos. All right, channel 25. If you could play a few of the videos for us, it's my understanding they're really briefly. That was a guy in a Jeep races Jeep back and forth three times on Port Washington Avenue.
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