Milwaukee City Council Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Milwaukee City Council held its 2,453rd meeting on July 22, 2026, covering a broad range of topics including a presentation on Metro's Future 50 Vision, results from the 2026 community survey, a climate action update, formation of the Climate Action Committee, a budget check-in with a spending freeze announcement, and a decision on funding for Willamette Falls Locks.

Announcements & Reports

• Council announced the unveiling of a new Pride flag on Saturday, July 24 at 10 a.m. near the library.
• The Little Float event organized by the Downtown Alliance will take place on August 1; tickets required for the floating portion.
• Elections officer Scott Stoffer reported that 2026 is an election year with three council positions on the November ballot. Filing opens July 27 with new deadlines: incumbents must file by August 18, new candidates by August 25. SEL 101 forms are now required to be posted online.
• A haiku was read to accompany the Pride celebration.

Special Reports – Metro Future 50 Vision Committee

• Metro Councilor Christine Lewis, Vision Committee member Gabby Blog, and principal regional planner Jessica Zadeb presented on the Future 50 Vision, a 50-year regional plan required by Metro's charter (goal year 2077). The process includes a 23-member Future Vision Commission and a Youth Committee (ages 15–24).
• Spring engagement reached about 2,200 residents via survey; key themes: residents value natural beauty, community identity, and want a safe, affordable, welcoming region. Resolving homelessness and housing instability is seen as essential.
• Upcoming events: Future Fest youth summit (free, in-person), Vision Summit in October, and workshops with elected officials.
• Council members asked about the 1995 vision, youth engagement methods, and how the vision will be kept alive. Staff noted the 1995 growth concept map has guided investments.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously without any items removed. It included minutes from June 9, 16, and 16 (work session and regular session) and a resolution authorizing an increase in the contract for King Road improvement project design and project management services with Kittelson & Associates Inc.

Community Comments

• No members of the public signed up to speak; no online participants raised hands. There was follow-up from the July 7 meeting regarding a resident's comments, and the city manager provided a written response to council.

Discussion Items

Community Survey Results

• Assistant City Manager Joseph Relio and Dr. Tanisha Tate Woodson presented results from the 2026 statistically valid survey (500 respondents; 16% aged 18–29, 58% male, 9% answered in Spanish).
• Overall, 85% of residents approved of city services, but significant equity gaps exist: Black residents, those aged 18–29, households earning less than $60,000, and those living in the city less than 4 years reported lower satisfaction and lower confidence in city core values.
• Infrastructure (roads, pedestrian/bike safety) and public safety (crime, emergency response) were top concerns for 17% of respondents; housing and affordability were top for 13%, but for Black respondents it was 27%.
• Communication preferences: local TV news and city website were top sources; the Milwaukee Pilot newsletter dropped sharply as a source while digital channels grew. A multi-channel approach is needed.
• 77% were aware of utility billing assistance, mostly among those who need it. 59% said they would be willing to pay more property taxes for parks; 41% would not (lowest willingness among financially strained and dissatisfied groups).
• Library services are highly valued; 3 in 4 residents want weekend daytime hours. Black and younger residents reported dissatisfaction with parks 2–3 times higher than white residents.
• Five recommendations: close the feedback loop, simplify communications, meet residents where they are, make housing an equity priority, invest in safety.
• Council discussed the lack of input from youth under 18. Councilor Stavan Jordan proposed developing a near-term youth engagement addendum to the survey. Council expressed support and directed staff to bring back a proposal for a youth engagement supplement, potentially using qualitative methods. Staff will also plan to include youth in the next biannual survey.

Climate Update and Climate Action Committee

• Climate and Natural Resources Manager Katie Guevara reported on transportation electrification: eight new Level 2 EV charging ports are being installed at Milwaukee Marketplace (opening in September), and the city will receive a bronze designation from the Charging Smart program.
• Building decarbonization: the city is supporting outreach for Oregon’s Building Performance Standards (65 tier-one buildings in Milwaukee). The first compliance deadlines are 2028 (200,000 sq ft) through 2030 (35,000 sq ft). Staff noted low engagement from businesses.
• The Community Energy Project’s free in-home energy efficiency program has 20 slots for Milwaukee but no takers yet (two projects completed in unincorporated Clackamas County). Staff are working to build trust.
• Climate resilience: the city activated cooling centers with wildfire smoke protocols; CERT team has 60+ members. A “Mapping Resilience” project will survey trusted places and people for emergency preparedness.
• Urban forestry: updating the urban forest management plan, tree canopy map, and working toward 40% tree canopy goal. A new urban forester starts August 4.
• Council directed staff to prioritize supporting the Climate Action Committee (CAC) and building decarbonization policy. Councilor Massey emphasized emergency preparedness (wildfire). Councilor Koshrabadi urged following the timeline in the climate action plan. Councilor Savanjour highlighted the need for resilient hubs for vulnerable residents.
• The Climate Action Committee (CAC) chair Greer Ryan and vice chair Brad presented their first six months of work: developing building decarbonization policy options (task force formed), community resilience learning, liaison to tree board, exploring additional funding streams, and conducting community outreach (Earth Day, listening sessions). They plan to bring policy recommendations in fall 2026.

Budget Check-in and Willamette Falls Locks Funding

• City Manager Emma Sager provided the semi-annual budget check-in. She announced she had emailed all city management asking for a freeze on non-essential spending due to a challenging financial forecast. Council members were advised to be strategic with their personal budget lines.
• Council revisited the request for $10,000 annually to support the Willamette Falls Locks project. Council President Anderson initially suggested holding off as a sign of austerity. Councilor Coastrabadi and others noted economic development benefits. A motion was made to allocate $5,000 from the lobbying fund now and revisit the remainder in four months.
• Vote: 3-2 in favor (Counselors Savanjour, Koshrabadi, and Mayor Bailey voting aye; Counselors Anderson and Massey voting no). The motion passed, and staff will adjust the budget accordingly.

Council Reports and Adjournment

• Councilor Stavan Jordan reported on upcoming events: MilRocky music festival (August 7-8), a de-stash sale for women-owned businesses (August 15), Y2K car show (September 5), and Milwaukee Pride celebration with drag karaoke (July 24).
• Council President Anderson noted a PARB meeting where the city’s relationship with NCPRD regarding Milwaukee Bay Park was discussed; members expressed frustration. Also, a reporter from the Oregonian attended the Metro meeting and may cover the stalemate.
• Council agreed to sign a letter from a coalition against bigger trucks, urging outreach to Oregon’s senators and representative.
• The meeting was adjourned after a motion.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Staff directed to develop a proposal for engaging youth under 18 in community input, to be presented at a future meeting.
• Climate Action Committee to continue its work and bring building decarbonization policy recommendations to council in fall 2026.
• Non-essential spending freeze implemented for city departments.
• $5,000 from lobbying fund allocated to Willamette Falls Locks authority, with a commitment to revisit additional funding in four months.
• Council signed on to a letter opposing bigger trucks.