Milwaukee Judiciary & Legislation Committee Meeting Summary – September 14, 2026

The Judiciary & Legislation Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council met on Monday, September 14, 2026. The agenda listed a 9:00 AM start; the meeting convened at 9:09 AM and adjourned at 11:52 AM in Room 301-B at City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street. Present were Chair Ald. DiAndre Jackson, Vice-Chair Ald. Lamont Westmoreland, and Alds. Robert J. Bauman, Andrea M. Pratt, and Jose G. Perez. The committee considered property damage claims and appeals, an early voting site lease, an Election Commission report, state legislative updates, litigation settlements, a tax cancellation resolution, and a claim payment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Several claimants appeared on their property damage appeals. April Minor accepted a $1,500 settlement; Susan Quinn accepted $800 after stating her actual damages were about $1,600; Sherry Kelly accepted $308 after asking for the full $614 tire repair cost; Martha Malik challenged the denial of her $15,000 claim and called the situation unfair; Joshua Falls said he completed titling steps but the vehicle had already been auctioned.
• Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutierrez testified that the August 11, 2026 primary download error did not affect election accuracy and described procedural changes to prevent recurrence.
• Intergovernmental Relations Director Jordan Primoco and Legislative Affairs Division representative Calvin Lee presented the 2025-26 state legislative update and answered committee questions.

Property Damage Claims and Appeals

• Item 1 – Larhonda Faye Locke: Held to the call of the chair by a 3-0 vote, with Alds. Westmoreland and Perez excused.
• Item 2 – Anthony Braglia: Held to the call of the chair by a 3-0 vote, with Alds. Westmoreland and Perez excused.
• Item 3 – April Minor: Amended and recommended for adoption on a 5-0 vote; settlement amount $1,500. Ms. Minor said her insurance did not cover the damage and she was fully out of pocket about $3,000.
• Item 4 – Sheron Johnson: Held to the call of the chair on a 5-0 vote; this was noted as a first non-appearance.
• Item 5 – Susan Quinn: Amended and recommended for adoption on a 5-0 vote; settlement amount $800. City staff said the city had no prior notice of the loose manhole cover, and the city attorney had recommended denial.
• Item 6 – Sherry Kelly: Amended and recommended for adoption on a 5-0 vote; settlement amount $308. Ms. Kelly said her tire repair cost $614 and that she spent four hours at the dealership; she accepted the lower offer.
• Item 7 – Martha Malik: Recommended for disallowance and indefinite postponement on a 5-0 vote. Ms. Malik sought $15,000 for a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320 she said was totaled during a police pursuit of a stolen vehicle. City Attorney staff and the MPD risk manager said the claim exceeded the vehicle's likely market value and was submitted after the 120-day deadline. Ald. Bauman moved denial after citing those issues.
• Item 8 – Joshua Falls: Recommended for disallowance and indefinite postponement on a 5-0 vote. The towing manager said the vehicle was towed as unregistered with no plates, notices were sent to the titled owner, and the vehicle was auctioned for $582. Mr. Falls said he later completed the required steps but was told the vehicle had been sold.

American Serb Hall Early Voting Lease

• Item 9 – The committee recommended adoption on a 5-0 vote of a lease between American Serb Hall, as landlord, and the City of Milwaukee, as tenant, for 5101 West Oklahoma Avenue for use as an early voting site for the November 2026 general election in the 11th Aldermanic District. Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutierrez said the site has ample parking and space; the city rents about one-third of the building.

Election Commission Communication

• Item 10 – The committee held the communication to the call of the chair on a 5-0 vote. Ms. Gutierrez explained that one of three download teams mistakenly downloaded the audit log rather than the election results during the August 11, 2026 partisan primary, and that the error had no impact on election results. She said the Wisconsin Elections Commission was provided a response, and that the audit log and EL-104 inspector statements are publicly available. Planned safeguards include adding visual images to instructions, using a point-and-call verification process, conducting pre-briefings with download teams, and providing security-appropriate instructions. Ald. Bauman expressed concern that repeated references to human error undermine public confidence and asked whether staff were disciplined; Ms. Gutierrez declined to discuss personnel matters. She also said Wisconsin is one of only two states that cannot begin opening absentee ballots until election day, and that pre-processing would help Milwaukee count its large number of absentee ballots more efficiently.

State Legislative Updates

• Item 11 – The committee held the communication to the call of the chair on a 5-0 vote. Staff reported on the 2025-26 legislative session, including city-supported measures related to truth in planning, housing tax credits, historic rehabilitation tax credits, battery stewardship, environmental improvement fund bonding, reckless driving vehicle empowerment, EMS reimbursement, postpartum Medicaid extension, breast cancer screening coverage, the state film office, the Opportunity and Attraction Program, DACA occupational credentials, and the Transform Milwaukee Jobs Program. Staff also discussed opposed election administration bills, including restrictions on absentee ballot drop boxes, election observer changes, a Help America Vote Act compliance bill that was vetoed by the governor, and an automatic absentee ballot bill. A clean Monday absentee ballot pre-processing bill did not pass despite bipartisan support. Ald. Bauman raised concerns about heavier trucks on city streets; staff said a letter from DPW and the administration would be needed.

Nicotine Pouch Marketing Resolution

• Item 12 – The committee recommended adoption on a 5-0 vote of the resolution amending the City of Milwaukee's State Legislative Package to express opposition to the marketing of nicotine pouches to youth. Calvin Lee credited the City of Milwaukee Youth Council for raising the issue and said nicotine pouches are a rapidly expanding oral nicotine product category with colorful packaging and flavors that appeal to youth.

Litigation Settlements, Tax Cancellation, and Claim Payment

• Item 13 – Recommended adoption on a 5-0 vote of a settlement in Kristen S. Noack and Barbara R. Smith v. City of Milwaukee, based on reasons discussed in closed session.
• Item 14 – Recommended adoption on a 5-0 vote of a settlement in MBI Properties, LLC v. City of Milwaukee, based on reasons discussed in closed session.
• Item 15 – Recommended adoption on a 5-0 vote of a resolution cancelling real estate taxes levied against certain parcels on the 2025 tax roll, plus interest applicable to date of repayment, if appropriate.
• Item 16 – Recommended adoption on a 5-0 vote of a resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Janet Wilhelms. The raw transcript refers to the claimant as Janet Williams, while the agenda and minutes list Janet Wilhelms.

Key Outcomes

• Held to the call of the chair: Items 1, 2, 4, 10, and 11.
• Recommended for adoption: Items 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
• Recommended for disallowance and indefinite postponement: Items 7 and 8.
• Most votes were 5-0. The Item 1 and Item 2 holds were 3-0 with two members excused. The meeting adjourned at 11:52 AM.