Milwaukee City Council Regular Session and Redevelopment Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

The regular session of the Milwaukee City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on September 3, 2025, in City Hall and via Zoom. The meeting included announcements, a proclamation, approval of the consent agenda, a discussion on the future of the Milwaukee Station food cart pod, a public hearing and final vote on affordable housing code incentives, a supplemental budget hearing, council reports, and a subsequent meeting of the Milwaukee Redevelopment Commission (MRC).

Announcements & Proclamation

• Mayor Lisa Beatty read a proclamation declaring September 17–23, 2025, as Constitution Week, noting the 238th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. Council members added comments about the importance of reading foundational documents and the Constitution app.
• Upcoming community events were highlighted: the Milwaukee Environmental Stewards Group’s fourth annual sustainability fair (Sept. 6), a Metro parks and nature workshop (Sept. 7 and Sept. 13), and Saint Stephen’s Serbian Orthodox Church festival (Sept. 13–14).

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, which included minutes from the July 28, 2025 Middle Housing Town Hall, August 5, 2025 work session, and August 5, 2025 regular session, was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on items not on the agenda or on the budget adjustments.

Discussion Items

• Milwaukee Station Food Cart Pod (presented by Assistant City Manager Joseph Rulio): Staff provided a history of the property, acquired from TriMet in 2016, and the Johnson Group’s management of the food cart pod since 2017. The pod currently has 12 carts (near capacity). The Johnson Group wants to sell the business; their lease expires November 30, 2026. Staff outlined two pathways: (1) explore continuation of the current use by working with the Johnson Group to assign the lease to a new entity, possibly with city compensation for the sale (estimated $5,000–$20,000), or via a new RFP; (2) explore alternative uses, including redevelopment per the South Downtown plan. Council members expressed strong support for continuity, citing the value of existing small business owners (BIPOC, women, veterans). Council consensus was to pursue option 1, with staff directed to first discuss compensation with the Johnson Group and quantify city investments in the property. No formal vote was taken.
• Affordable Housing Code Incentives (continued public hearing): This was the second reading and final vote on Ordinance ZA 202503, amending the zoning code to provide incentives for affordable housing. The first reading on August 19, 2025, passed 3–2, requiring a second vote. The ordinance passed again by a 3–2 vote (Council President Anderson, Councilor Staven, Councilor Councilbadi in favor; Councilor Massey and Mayor Beatty opposed). The ordinance was adopted as Ordinance 2256.
• Quarterly Budget Adjustments (Supplemental Budget for Building Division): Assistant Finance Director Matt Deans presented a supplemental budget to move $430,000 from contingency to the building department line item, funding two new positions (an inspector/plans examiner and a development coordinator) due to high development workload. The adjustment required a public hearing per state law because it exceeded 15% of the building fund budget. No public comments were received. The resolution authorizing the supplemental budget passed unanimously.
• Council Reports – Dispute over Communication: Councilor Massey (Mayor) criticized a newsletter sent by Council President Anderson regarding the affordable housing vote. Massey stated the email misleadingly implied that the two dissenting councilors did not acknowledge the affordability crisis, arguing that a delay would have allowed improvements. Massey also disputed the claim that middle housing sells for $300,000 less than single-family homes, citing Redfin data showing a $161,000 difference. Council President Anderson responded, defending his newsletter as a way to engage the public and noting that the council had a productive and respectful disagreement. Other council members urged private conversations and better communication. The exchange concluded with both expressing willingness to work together.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Milwaukee Station Food Cart Pod: Council directed staff to explore continuation of the current use, beginning with negotiations with the Johnson Group on lease assignment and compensation. Staff will also quantify city investments in the property.
• Affordable Housing Code Incentives: Ordinance 2256 passed 3–2 (Anderson, Staven, Councilbadi in favor; Massey, Beatty opposed).
• Budget Adjustments: Supplemental budget resolution approved unanimously, authorizing $430,000 for two new building division positions.
• MRC Meeting: The Milwaukee Redevelopment Commission approved the minutes of June 3, 2025. Executive Director Joseph Rulio reported that $1 million has been reallocated from construction to the URA grant program, which will reopen for applications. The program will be combined with a citywide program using CET funds. No formal votes were taken on the reallocation.

Additional Statistics from Council Reports

• Councilor Massey (Mayor) shared data from a C4 retreat presentation by Mary Rumbaugh: In Clackamas County, unsheltered homelessness increased from 2023 to 2025, but chronic homelessness declined. 20.5% of the houseless population is over age 65. On average, 74% of a monthly Social Security check goes to rent. 38% of the homeless count is outside the Metro urban growth boundary, though only 24% of the county population lives there.
• Councilor Massey also noted that NCPRD senior services budget cuts (eliminating Fridays at the Milwaukee Community Center, the transportation program, and the Recmobile) will proceed in January 2026.
• Councilor Coats (Council President) acknowledged the summer events organized by neighborhood groups, noting that NCPRD permit fees increased and the city provided an additional $400 stipend to defray costs.