Milwaukee City Council Meeting Summary - January 21, 2026

The City of Milwaukee City Council convened on January 21, 2026, with Council President Anderson presiding in the absence of Mayor Bailey. The meeting began with community updates, including the announcement of the winner of "Milie the Goose's Pet Power Challenge" and the presentation of the Milwaukee Student of the Month. The Council then proceeded with public comments regarding public safety committees and snow removal, followed by unanimous approval of the Consent Agenda. The primary legislative focus was the adoption of significant Tree Code amendments, which were passed for first and second reading, with the final adoption scheduled for the next meeting. Housekeeping code amendments were also unanimously adopted to clarify various zoning and land division regulations. The meeting concluded with a discussion on a potential county-wide fundraiser to support the Wichita Center and a neighborhood update regarding the future of the Milwaukee Floral site.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from previous sessions dated December 2nd, 9th, 14th, and 16th, 2025, as well as the Council Committee assignments update and a resolution to authorize cellular device purchases.
• Action: The motion to approve the consent agenda passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Community Commons Follow-up

• Chris Scott: Expressed frustration regarding a new 3% convenience fee on credit and debit card transactions for utility bills. Staff responded by explaining the fee was implemented to cover actual transaction processing costs ($342,000 annually) that were previously subsidized by other utility payers and to ensure sustainability, directing those with financial hardships to utility billing staff.
• Lisa McGulley: Submitted general comments and email inquiries regarding neighborhood hubs and development projects in the Linwood area, noting ongoing staff communication to address her questions.

Public Safety and Snow Removal

• Ms. More (Public Commenter): Expressed concern regarding snow and ice safety compared to neighboring cities. She argued that unlike Kansas City, Milwaukee lacks emergency snow routes that mandate traction devices or impose fines for vehicles with no traction that cause gridlock. She advocated for similar mandatory traction laws to prevent unsafe driving and street blockages.

Discussion Items

Tree Code Amendments and Fee Revisions (Proposed)

• Staff Proposal: The Climate and Natural Resources Department proposed increasing canopy mitigation fees (from 30% to 40% canopy reduction thresholds) and establishing new fees for significant tree removal (defined as 30 inches diameter and larger). Fees would range from $150 to $200 per inch based on size, and unpermitted removal of rare/threatened trees would incur a $350 fee.
• Position of Councilor Bassie: Expressed strong support for protecting large canopy trees, noting a specific 100-foot, 36-inch tree on Stanley Street that could be removed for a significantly lower fee under current proposals. She argued that the proposed fees might be too low to deter market-rate developers but too high to absorb costs without passing them to home buyers, suggesting the city consider making certain tree sizes unremovable or implementing a heritage tree program.
• Position of Councilor Marty: Supported the implementation of the code to prevent developers from clearing-cutting lots during the deliberation period. Acknowledged the legal complexities regarding property rights but emphasized the need for financial deterrents to protect tree canopy.
• Position of Councilor Massie: Expressed hesitation regarding the fee increases, fearing they would be passed on to home buyers. However, supported the vote to pass the code to stop immediate clear-cutting and suggested revisiting affordable housing fee carve-outs in future sessions.
• Position of Councilor Bothabati: Emphasized the balance between development needs and environmental protection. Questioned the legal limitations of outright bans on tree removal but supported the fee structure as a necessary tool for preservation.
• Staff Responses: Clarified that the fees act as incentives for developers to reconfigure projects (e.g., moving ADUs) to retain trees. Noted that affordable housing projects retain significantly reduced fees compared to market-rate projects. Highlighted legal ambiguities regarding declaring trees as public resources that cannot be removed without further analysis.

Housekeeping Code Amendments

• Planning Department Proposal: A suite of amendments to Title 17 (Land Division) and Title 19 (Zoning) to ensure consistency with state law, clarify definitions (e.g., triplex/quadruplex, front lot lines), and update administrative processes (e.g., signing authority, middle housing land divisions). Specific changes included reducing street side yard setbacks to 5 feet for townhouses to accommodate existing plat lines and clarifying ADU standards.
• Council Reaction: Councilor Bassie commended the staff for the thorough work, comparing the process to "cleaning under the couch," while Councilor Bothabati praised the attention to detail and lack of AI use. The amendments were described as necessary for code effectiveness and clarity.

Community Initiative: Wichita Center Fundraiser

• Councilor Bassie Proposal: Proposed a county-wide fundraiser to purchase commercial refrigeration units ($15,000) for the Wichita Center, which loses food to spoilage due to inadequate storage. Bassie offered to contribute a significant portion of her unused council budget, and Councilor Marty pledged $1,000.
• Council Discussion: Councillor Massie questioned the eligibility of council budgets for this expenditure, citing restrictions on funds intended for education and training. Councilor Bassie argued the funds should support emerging community needs, while the Acting City Manager agreed to review legal constraints on the budget expenditure.

Milwaukee Floral Site Neighborhood Concerns

• Councilor Stappenborg Position: Expressed concern from the Lake Road neighborhood regarding the loss of commercial space to housing at the Milwaukee Floral site. She argued that the area is losing a walkable community hub and urged the city to engage with developers to explore options for preserving mixed-use nature, rather than simply allowing full conversion to housing.

Key Outcomes

• Tree Code Amendments: Passed for first and second reading by title only. The ordinance is not yet fully effective; final adoption and fee implementation are scheduled for the February 3, 2026, meeting due to the non-unanimous vote. (Vote tally: Passed, but not unanimously).
• Fee Resolution: The motion to approve the fee resolution revision was tabled pending the final adoption of the Tree Code amendments at the next meeting.
• Housekeeping Code: Adopted unanimously. Amended Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Division) and Title 19 (Zoning) to clarify regulations and align with state law, effective immediately upon filing (File #: ZA-2025 004).
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned pending further review of the Wichita Center fundraising budget eligibility.

Note on Discrepancy: The transcript contains references to "Portland" regarding snow removal comparisons and heritage tree programs, while the meeting is explicitly called the "Milwaukee City Council" and references "Milwaukee.gov." This suggests the transcript may contain transcription errors regarding the city name in comparative contexts.