Milwaukee Licenses Committee Meeting Summary – September 29, 2026

The Licenses Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 9:08 AM to 3:56 PM in Room 301-B of City Hall. The meeting was chaired by Ald. Jocasta Zamarripa, with Vice-Chair Andrea Pratt and members Peter Burgelis, Alex Brower, and DiAndre Jackson present. The sole agenda item was File 260737, a motion relating to the recommendations of the Licenses Committee relating to licenses. The committee considered numerous applications for operator’s licenses, tavern and food dealer licenses, rooming house licenses, and other permits, hearing testimony from applicants, neighbors, aldermen, and city staff. Several items resulted in approvals, holds, denials, or renewals with suspensions.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Only Items (approved en bloc): Loading zone, disabled loading zone, and other license renewals and applications for items not requiring a hearing (e.g., Colectivo Coffee Roasters, Sweet Diner, Family Dollar #25963, etc.) were approved without objection (5-0).
• Warning Letter Items (approved en bloc): A list of 11 applications (including Class D operator licenses and renewals for various food and tavern licenses) were approved with a warning letter (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Monica Mull (503 N 67th St, Wauwatosa): Opposed renewal of JM Remodeling & Construction’s home improvement contractor license. She stated she paid over $40,000 for remodeling that was not completed and incurred $11,000 in water damage repairs. She noted mediation attempts with the Better Business Bureau and DATCP were unsuccessful and she signed a waiver absolving the contractor. The committee considered the location of the work (outside Milwaukee) but ultimately renewed with a warning letter.
• Lynn Grady (Leon Terrace, adjacent to Eve Dining): Opposed renewal of Eve Dining’s licenses, citing loud music after midnight, patron noise, trash, and parking blocking sidewalks. She stated she had called police about noise. The applicant agreed to reduce volume after 1 a.m. and stop blocking the driveway.
• Brad Serdan (2235 S Kinnickinnic Ave): Expressed concerns about noise and patron behavior outside Revel, asking the doormen to encourage respect for the residential neighborhood. The renewal was approved.
• Michael B. Hagler (3722 N 14th St): Opposed renewal of Stark Food’s licenses, complaining about trash, drug activity, and overgrown bushes on the property. The applicant agreed to three daily cleanups and update the plan of operations.
• Carly Hegarty and Courtney Langosch (Milwaukee Health Department): Provided a history of citations and inspections for El Pastorcito Mixe food truck, including operating without water, pest infestation, and selling from vehicle after hours. Total of 13 citations.
• Additional brief testimony from several neighbors regarding various applications (e.g., for BLACK SPADE HAULING, TAQUERIA DIANA, etc.) either in support or opposition.

Discussion Items

• Class D Operator’s Licenses (various): John Ransdell (approved 5-0); Allyson Rauls (held to call of chair due to court appearance, 5-0); Yasmeen Robertson (denied for second nonappearance, 5-0); Paulo Bosque (denied for second nonappearance, 5-0); Michelle Gause and Charles Suetrong (held for first nonappearance, 5-0 each); Binee Khokar (approved with police report held open due to pending court, 5-0).
• Home Improvement Contractor Renewal – JM Remodeling: After extensive testimony from objector Monica Mull and attorney for the applicant, the committee voted to renew with a warning letter (5-0). Ald. Burgelis noted the incident occurred outside Milwaukee jurisdiction.
• Comfort Suites Milwaukee West (Hotel/Motel renewal): Approved (5-0) per recommendation of Ald. Westmoreland.
• Suite 76 (New tavern/PEP): Approved (5-0) with Ald. Westmoreland’s support.
• Spark by Hilton (Food dealer renewal): Approved after amending plan of operations to include 25 cameras (6 outdoor). Ald. Spiker had no objections.
• Ramallah Grill (Extended hours to 3am): Approved (5-0) per Ald. Spiker, noted no alcohol and cultural need.
• Home 2 Suites – Milwaukee Airport (Hotel renewal): Held due to change of agent (5-0).
• Flying Chicken (New tavern/PEP): Approved (5-0) with table service only, per Ald. Spiker.
• Eagle Foods (Food dealer renewal): Approved with warning letter and amendment to require ID scan for age-restricted sales (5-0). Ald. Stamper recommended verification of ID scanner before Common Council.
• Omar Food (Renewal): Approved with warning letter (5-0) after concerns about meat products and license posting.
• Brother Plus Grocery (Renewal): Approved (5-0) after applicant explained password issue for surveillance cameras.
• Black Spade Hauling (New waste tire license): Approved (5-0) after applicant described plan to dispose tires same day. Ald. Chambers supported second chance.
• Eve Dining (Renewal): Approved as amended, with condition to lower music volume to a reasonable level by 1 a.m. (5-0). Neighbor testimony was heard.
• Tenzing Events (New tavern/PEP): Approved (4-0, Ald. Zamarripa excused). Applicant committed to noise and alcohol cut-off at 11pm.
• DeVoe Rentals (Rooming house renewal): Denied for third nonappearance (4-0).
• Boone & Crockett / The Cooperage (Transfer): Held due to first nonappearance (4-0).
• Sisi Food and Beverages (Renewal): Approved with warning letter and amendment for age verification (4-0).
• El Pelon Bar (Renewal): Approved with warning letter (5-0) per Ald. Perez, who referenced a fight video.
• Taqueria El Toro (Food peddler renewal): Approved (4-0). Citations were on different unit.
• Revival on Second (New tavern/PEP): A motion to deny failed (4-1); then held to call of chair (4-1) due to DOR objection and questions about connections to previous owner.
• Taqueria Diana (Renewal): Approved (5-0) after grease dumping issue resolved with Ald. Dimitrijevic.
• BP on Clement (Renewal with food processing): Approved with warning letter and amendment for ID verification (5-0).
• Revel (Renewal with floor plan change): Approved (4-0, Ald. Burgelis excused) after neighbor testimony.
• Monterrey Market (New class B tavern/PEP): Approved (5-0) to allow alcohol consumption at taqueria.
• 2 Mesa (Renewal): Held per Ald. Moore’s request (5-0), applicant not present.
• JG Performance & Auto Sales (Secondhand motor vehicle dealer): Held per Ald. Taylor’s request (5-0) due to property condition concerns.
• Prime Social Restaurant & Bar (Renewal): Approved with 10-day suspension (5-0) based on police incidents including underage patrons and fights. Ald. Taylor recommended 15 days.
• Doccy’s Pool & Darts (Renewal): Held per counsel’s request (4-0).
• Jo’s Cafe (New tavern): Held per Ald. Pratt’s request (4-0).
• Delicias (Transfer/extension): After interpreter obtained, approved (4-0) per Ald. Zamarripa.
• Elephant TKB (New PEP): Held on first nonappearance (4-0).
• Chavos Rucos 40.20 (Renewal): Held on first nonappearance (4-0) but provisional issued.
• El Pastorcito Mixe (New food peddler application): Held (5-0) after discussion; later reconsidered but held again after applicant could not agree to location change.
• El Pastorcito Mixe (Renewal): Approved with 20-day suspension (4-0-1, Ald. Zamarripa abstained) for failure to adhere to previous suspension and extensive health department violations.
• Lincoln Beer & Liquor (Renewal): Approved (5-0) after correcting erroneous objections.
• Whole Foods Market (New tavern/food dealer): Approved (5-0) for change from corporation to LLC.
• Nomad World Pub (Renewal): Approved (5-0); clarified policy on minors during World Cup.
• La Taverna Bar MKE (New class B tavern): Approved (5-0) for tavern but PEP held; applicant can apply for temporary PEPs.
• Family Dollar #26251 (Renewal): Approved as amended (5-0) with plan to retrain staff on reporting and engagement.
• Royal Bar (New tavern/PEP): Held pending DNS verification of 300-foot rule from school/daycare (5-0).
• Keefe Food Mart (Renewal with change of agent): Approved as amended (5-0) with ID scan requirement.
• Stark Food (Renewal): Approved with warning letter and plan amended for three daily cleanups (5-0). Neighbor testified.
• Uncle Buck’s (New tavern/PEP): Held per Ald. Bauman’s request (5-0) for further discussion.
• Sunshine House Group (Rooming houses at 933-947 N 24th St): All four applications held (5-0) per Ald. Bauman due to lack of prior notice and concerns about operation without license.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Most applications were approved as amended, many with warning letters or plan of operation changes. Votes were generally 5-0 or 4-0 when a member was excused.
• Suspensions: Two renewals were approved with suspensions:
  • Prime Social Restaurant & Bar: 10-day suspension (5-0) for threat to health, safety, or welfare based on police incidents.
  • El Pastorcito Mixe (Renewal): 20-day suspension (4-0-1, Zamarripa abstained) for failure to comply with plan of operation and not adhering to a prior suspension.
• Denials: Yasmeen Robertson (Class D operator), Paulo Bosque (renewal), and DeVoe Rentals (rooming house renewal) were denied due to nonappearance.
• Holds: Numerous items were held to the call of the chair for various reasons: nonappearance, need for further information, pending DOR clarification, aldermanic concerns. Held items include: Allyson Rauls, Michelle Gause, Charles Suetrong, Home 2 Suites, Boone & Crockett, Revival on Second, 2 Mesa, JG Performance, Doccy’s, Jo’s Cafe, Elephant TKB, Chavos Rucos, El Pastorcito Mixe (new app), Royal Bar, Uncle Buck’s, and four Sunshine House Group rooming houses.
• Common Council Dates: Several matters will go before the full Common Council on October 13, 2026, including the Prime Social and El Pastorcito suspensions, as well as approvals that require written exceptions by October 7.

The meeting adjourned at 3:56 PM.