Milwaukee City Council Meeting Summary - November 5, 2025

The Milwaukee City Council convened on November 5, 2025, to address community announcements, the November 11 Veterans Day proclamation, and three substantive park and nature-related business items regarding the Milwaukee Bay Park negotiations, public-private green space partnerships, and water quality testing. A special session was scheduled for November 13 to review draft interlocal agreements, and the council directed staff to compile existing water quality data into a website without committing to new, costly testing programs.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Minutes from September 16, September 20, October 7 (Work Session and Regular Session), and a resolution authorizing a financing application with the Oregon Health Authority for a raw water pipeline and treatment site.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sagar (City Council Member): Provided follow-up on October 21 comments; confirmed engineering staff will contact Dave Ash regarding parking on Home Avenue and attend the Ardenwald Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association meeting on November 24 to discuss safety concerns on 37th and Harrison. Encouraged participation in the speed limit survey and noted a plan to produce more "Slow the Flock" signs.
• Councillor Massey: Apologized for having private conversations with County Commissioner Helm regarding Milwaukee Bay Park negotiations, acknowledging they may have caused mischaracterizations and a loss of trust within the council.
• Councillor Telser: Clarified that he had not initiated conversations with county commissioners to lobby for park agreements and emphasized that all side conversations should not derail the negotiated process.
• Councillor Pusa Matty: Expressed frustration regarding the lack of transparency about side conversations with the county, stating that such actions erode trust and provide opponents with ammunition to delay the park project.
• Councillor Stavens: Suggested using a less burdensome process like a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or Request for Interest instead of a full Request for Proposal (RFP) to encourage small business participation in green space partnerships.
• Michael Talcano (Resident/Small Business Owner): Expressed concern that the proposed process for reviewing green space partnerships would take years, delaying immediate community contributions like permanent raised beds. Argued that a testing program for the Willamette River is an equity issue necessary to combat the stigma preventing families from accessing the water.
• Jacob Sherman (Neighborhood Resident): Testified in support of water quality testing to combat misinformation and stigma regarding the river's safety, emphasizing the economic and recreational benefits of swimming.

Discussion Items

• Milwaukee Bay Park Negotiations:

  • City Manager reported receiving draft Interlocal Agreements (IGAs) from the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District (NCPRD) after a letter from the City Council on October 23. The City Council had requested terms including the city taking over project management and NCPRD contributing $3.1 million in SDCs and $2.5 million in Metro funds.
  • The council addressed a breakdown in communication where individual members held side conversations with county commissioners, leading to confusion about the city's negotiation stance. Councillors Massey admitted to regrettable off-record conversations that caused mischaracterizations, while Councillor Telser clarified he was compelled to speak after being cornered by commissioners.
  • Outcome: Councillors Massey and Telser, along with the Mayor, proposed a special session for Thursday, November 13, at 5 p.m. to review the draft IGAs before the regular council meeting.

• Public-Private Green Space Partnerships:

  • Parks and Recreation Management presented four partnership types: program-based, capital improvements, operations/maintenance, and revenue-generating. The Parks and Recreation Board recommended a transparent process starting with a comprehensive "Green Space Management Plan" due in late 2026.
  • Council members expressed skepticism about permanent commercial structures in public parks, citing concerns over equity (pay-to-play barriers) and ensuring public access.
  • Recommendations: Councillor Massey noted the Parks and Recreation Board should not approve individual permits but guide policy. Councillor Costa Body suggested a middle ground: using the existing temporary event permit process for short-term activations (3-4 months) while developing the long-term framework, with staff directed to seek council approval for specific long-term proposals via the Engage Milwaukee website.
  • Public Input: A resident opposed delaying permanent community contributions (like raised beds) until a management plan is finished, while a business owner argued that testing water quality is a necessary equity step to remove the stigma against swimming in the Willamette River.

• Willamette River Water Quality Testing:

  • Staff recommended against the city initiating its own water quality testing program due to high costs ($10,000-$15,000/season), lack of internal lab capacity, and regulatory liability risks regarding NPDES permits and public safety expectations.
  • It was noted that the City of Portland, West Linn, and DEQ already conduct routine testing, primarily for E. coli, though data is not always easily accessible to the public in a centralized location.
  • Discussion: Council members acknowledged the community's desire for data to dispel the stigma against swimming but agreed the city cannot legally guarantee the water is "safe." Councillor Massey questioned if additional pollutants beyond E. coli are a concern, while staff explained that chronic heavy metal exposure requires long-term contact and that E. coli is the primary indicator for recreational health.
  • Public Input: Advocates argued that periodic reporting or even one-time testing would help build trust and economic activity, while others cautioned that sporadic sampling might create false security.

Key Outcomes

• Special Session Scheduled: A special session is noticed for Thursday, November 13, at 5 p.m., to review draft Interlocal Agreements for the Milwaukee Bay Park.
• Green Space Strategy Directed: Staff is directed to continue using the temporary event permit process for short-term proposals (<14 days) while developing a Green Space Management Plan. Long-term or profit-generating proposals will require a new framework, potentially utilizing a case-by-case review with public feedback via Engage Milwaukee before council approval.
• Water Quality Data Centralization Directed: Staff is directed to create a webpage on the city website that aggregates existing water quality data from the City of Portland, West Linn, and the DEQ (including links to their reports). The page will provide context on the river's history and remediation efforts but will not include a one-time additional testing program or assert that the water is "safe to swim" without legal caveats, as the city lacks regulatory authority and liability protection for such claims. No additional testing for other substances was authorized at this time." ]