Milwaukee Public Works Committee Meeting – September 30, 2026

The Public Works Committee, chaired by Alderwoman Meleley A. Cox, met on September 30, 2026, to consider a range of infrastructure, public works, and licensing matters. The meeting included approvals of several assessment and funding resolutions, extended discussions on construction coordination, streetlight theft, and flooding prevention, and action on several licenses.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–4 (File #260756, #260757, #260758, #260759): Resolutions relating to approving assessments and funding for accessible and non-accessible public improvement projects were all approved without objection. Item 1 (accessible paving construction) passed; Item 2 (engineering for future accessible projects, $80,000 engineering costs, total $1,025,000) adopted; Item 3 (non-accessible construction funding, $7,469,319.36 construction costs, total $12,608,478.70) approved with a substitute that increased the amount; Item 4 (non-accessible engineering, $204,000, total $3,185,000) adopted.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 (File #260798) – Bus Stop Relocation: Alderman Isabel Lemu (MCTS) presented a motion to move a bus stop at Burnham and West 40th eastward by 115 feet to improve ADA compliance and safety. Alderwoman Taylor expressed concern about a nearby food truck zone; the move was confirmed not to disturb it. The motion was approved without objection.

• Item 6 (File #260773) – Communication on Infrastructure Project Selection and Impact: This item, sponsored by Alderwoman Zamarripa, brought together DPW, WisDOT, and MMSD for a discussion on construction coordination. Alderwoman Zamarripa read an email from a constituent, Guadalupe, expressing frustration with simultaneous major closures (27th Street Viaduct, 16th Street Viaduct, National Avenue). Alderman Bauman criticized WisDOT for not delaying the 27th Street closure until the 16th Street Viaduct was reopened, stating, “To save businesses and to save the citizens of Milwaukee this tremendous inconvenience … 50 million on a 1.8 billion dollar project is a little money.” Jeff Bowen (WisDOT) noted funding deadlines and coordination challenges, while DPW Commissioner Gerald L. emphasized the positive investments but acknowledged the hardship. Alderman Bauman accused WisDOT of “steamrolling” through the community. Alderman Perez questioned business support programs (WisDOT’s “In This Together” program). The file was placed on file without further action.

• Item 7 (File #260807) – Severe Weather Flooding Protocol: Sponsored by Alderwoman Pratt and Chairwoman Cox, this resolution directs DPW to establish a protocol for pre-storm clearing of known flooding hotspots. Alderwoman Pratt cited a recent rain event at 20th and Capitol that caused severe flooding despite not being a massive storm. City Engineer Kevin Mues confirmed DPW is modifying procedures, including better documentation and pre-storm basin clearing. The resolution was adopted.

• Item 8 (File #260736) – Gateway Sign Locations Transfer: The committee accepted control of six gateway sign locations from MMSD and authorized an agreement with the Forest County Potawatomi community to maintain three of them. Jim Bowl (Innovation Office) and James Washington (DPW) noted the signs are not revenue-generating due to state advertising restrictions. Alderman Bauman asked about maintenance costs; MMSD representative Pete Farrow reported spending $20,000–$25,000 on repairs. The resolution was adopted.

• Item 9 (File #260742) – Permanent Underground Easement with We Energies: The committee approved a permanent easement at 3921 West Lincoln Avenue for We Energies to serve an MMSD project. Alderman Brower noted the easement value was listed as $0, questioning the lack of compensation. Alderman Bauman highlighted the opportunity cost of a permanent easement. The resolution was adopted.

• Item 10 (File #260752) – Subordination of Rights for I-94 Project: Authorizing city officials to execute a subordination agreement for Milwaukee Waterworks easements related to the I-94 East-West Freeway project. Approved without objection.

• Item 11 (File #260734) – Theft of Street Lights and Electrical Wires Ordinance: Sponsored by Alderman Stamper, the ordinance was held to the call of the chair.

• Item 12 (File #26068) – Streetlight Outages and Wire Theft: DPW reported 180 theft incidents over the past year, 75 in August 2026 alone, with a concentration in the Arlington Heights and Borchert Field neighborhoods. Commissioner Crush noted the challenge of deterrence and mentioned coordination with MPD, with three to four arrests made. Alderman Bauman questioned prosecution outcomes. The item was held to the call of the chair, with follow‑up legislation expected.

• Item 13 (File #260810) – Litter Responsibility in Tree Borders: Sponsored by Alderman Westmoreland, this ordinance assigns responsibility for litter in the tree border to the property owner, enforced by DPW. Alderman Bauman noted confusion between DPW and DNS jurisdictions. DPW expressed concerns about hardships but supported the concept. The substitute ordinance was passed.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items (1–4) were approved unanimously.
• Item 5 (bus stop relocation) was approved.
• Item 6 (infrastructure communication) was placed on file.
• Item 7 (flooding protocol) was adopted.
• Item 8 (gateway sign agreement) was adopted.
• Item 9 (easement) was adopted.
• Item 10 (subordination) was adopted.
• Item 11 (theft ordinance) was held.
• Item 12 (streetlight theft update) was held.
• Item 13 (litter responsibility) was passed.

Licensing Actions

• Ferguson Transportation Service LLC (Scott Ferguson Sr.): The committee voted to hold the shuttle vehicle license to the call of the chair pending resolution of an outstanding warrant and default judgment in Milwaukee Municipal Court.
• Lance Lucas (public passenger vehicle driver): Applicant not present; held to call of the chair.
• Jason Mayer (public passenger vehicle driver): Despite a criminal record (armed robbery, released July 2025) and recent traffic violations, the committee approved the license on a motion by Alderman Bauman, with one abstention. The license will be issued after council approval.