Milwaukee City Council Study Session: New Staff & Community Grants - Dec 10, 2025

On December 10, 2025, the Milwaukee City Council held a study session in the new council chamber, marked by an introduction of newly hired staff specializing in emergency management and urban forestry, followed by a detailed strategic review of the Metro Nature & Neighborhoods Community Choice grant program. Discussions focused on aligning project proposals with city goals, addressing the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, and navigating the complexities of the current housing and development landscape.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting proceeded with staff introductions and community grant discussions; no formal consent calendar actions were recorded in the transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Councilor Robert Massey: Expressed interest in the Water Consortium and asked the new staff about their approach to water management. He highlighted his background as a naval officer and his role as the goal lead for Parks and Green Space, noting the importance of water vitality in city policy.
• Councilor Adam Glassrotty: Addressed concerns regarding "accessible nature skate" projects at Water Tower Park, citing community feedback about potential safety conflicts between skaters and playground users. He expressed a desire for a compromise through the design phase.
• Councilor Will (President): voiced full support for the new staff hires, specifically citing CERT's long-standing need for dedicated emergency management staff and the critical role of urban forestry in the city's identity.
• General Discussion: Council members noted that while some projects on the community choice list had high popularity scores (e.g., increased tree canopy), the team's position was that these should be deprioritized in this specific grant round to allow for other nature-based access projects due to funding availability in other channels.

Discussion Items

• New Staff Introductions:
  • Lata Paffetti (Emergency Management): Presented her background in disaster reconstruction and tiny home villages from the Red Cross. She expressed strong support for the intersection of equity, inclusion, and emergency management in Milwaukee.
  • Alfred Sali (Urban Forestry): Discussed his consulting experience in Southern California. He expressed significant concern regarding the Emerald Ash Borer, arguing against a blanket removal policy and advocating for a meted approach involving assessment and treatment to preserve the canopy, which he believes could lead to significant loss if mishandled.
  • Councilor Adam Glassrotty & Councilor Robert Massey: Both expressed full support for the new hires, noting their immediate value during the current atmospheric river event and in ongoing tree code deliberations.
• Emerald Ash Borer Strategy:
  • Alfred Sali: Stated his position that cities which removed all ash trees historically lost major canopy portions and failed to utilize treatment options. He argued that a "metered approach" involving assessment is necessary, though he acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
  • Councilor Adam Glassrotty: Expressed concern that current development codes might be too lenient on tree removal, arguing that the current balance leans too heavily toward removal because trees are viewed as "inconvenient." He supported tightening development rules to favor preservation over replacement, noting the long-term resource waste of young trees.
  • Councilor Robert Massey: Questioned the realistic nature of the 40% tree canopy goal given the beetle infestation and development pressures, suggesting a re-evaluation of the timeline or strategy.
  • Staff Position: Stated that while the 40% goal is a commitment, the strategy must involve immediate replanting and policy shifts to account for the slow-moving threat of the beetle.
• Metro Community Choice Grants:
  • Adam Glassrotty: Provided a comprehensive analysis of the 19 Milwaukee projects on the shortlist of 50. He expressed the position that the list must be strategically pared down to 10 projects to ensure fiscal responsibility and feasibility, as the program only funds 15 countywide and requires an $85,000 city match per project.
  • Recommendations for Removal: Glassrotty advocated for removing Projects #2 (Activate Milwaukee Waterfront), #23 & #27 (Kellogg Creek), #42 (Mintport Creek), and #43 (Ardenwald Community Garden) from Community Choice. He argued these are better suited for the larger Capital Improvement Program (CIP) or specific partner matches.
  • Position on "Water Access for Swimmers" (Project #1): Glassrotty expressed that this project should remain on the Community Choice list as a "Phase 3.5" because the main Milwaukee Bay Park Phase 3 project is intentionally designed to stay above ordinary high water. He cautioned that while a swim dock is a community desire, the $250,000 grant cap may not support a full-scale dock, necessitating further fundraising or CIP funding for a full dock.
  • Councilor Robert Massey: Expressed concern regarding the removal of the Kellogg Creek stormwater project, noting its long history in the watershed action plan and partnership with Rao Middle School, though he acknowledged the project scope exceeds the single grant limit.
  • Councilor Adam Glassrotty (on Skate Parks): Reiterated skepticism about the "Accessible Nature Skate" concept at Water Tower Park without a finalized scope, suggesting the design phase workshops are the appropriate venue to resolve potential safety conflicts.

Key Outcomes

• Strategic Reduction of Grant Candidates: The Council accepted the staff recommendation to move forward with 10 projects for the second round of Community Choice development, down from the initial 19 Milwaukee-specific finalists. This decision aims to ensure the projects are feasible within the $250,000 grant cap and the $850,000 potential city match requirement.
• Projected Timeline: If selected in the upcoming Metro round (February 2026), the selected projects will have two years to finalize an Inter-Local Agreement (IGA) and three years for implementation, potentially concluding by 2031.
• Policy Direction on Trees: The Council acknowledged the need to revisit the 40% canopy goal timeline and development codes in light of the Emerald Ash Borer, with staff promising to present further assessment data and policy options in upcoming cycles.
• Future Meetings: The second round of public design workshops and voting is scheduled for February 2026, during which Metro will present refined site plans and budgets for the 10 selected projects.