Common Council - Regular Meeting

Of the comment council will come to order. Will the city clerk please call the roll? Alderman Pratt. Present.

Chambers. Here. Brower. Here. Baumann. Here. Westmoreland. Here. Cox. Present. Jackson. Here. Samaripa.

Here.

Taylor? Here. Moore? Present. Bergelis?

Here.

Spiker? Here. Dmitryevich? Aye. Stamper? Aye. Mister president? Present. 15 members are present.

Please rise for the pledge of allegiance to be followed by a moment of silent meditation. Are there any corrections to the common counsel journal proceedings for the meeting of 04/21/2026?

There are no corrections to the journal.

There being no corrections, the minutes of this meeting stand approved. For the city clerk, please inform the common council of any commendations or condolences to be acknowledged at this time.

Item one, communication from the city clerk relating to various commendatory and condolatory resolutions to be acknowledged and affirmed by the common council. One, resolution recognizing the following as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month honorees, Michael Manon, among Van Shakerer, Nuducha Yang, Heather Huff, Christina Fung, Molly King. Two, resolution congratulating Teresa Christiansen on receiving the 2026 Herb Kohl Principal Leadership Award. Three, resolution congratulating Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of its seventieth anniversary. Four, resolution recognizing the grand opening of the Somali Resource Adult Day Center.

Five, resolution recognizing the grand opening of Brim Cafe and Catering. Six, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Leonard Liddell. Seven, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Cruz Nilda Adiape. Eight, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Cortez Bert. Nine, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Shalonda Hammond.

10, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Clarence Boone Carter. 11, resolution congratulating Linda Beckham on her retirement from the office of the city attorney. 12, resolution congratulating Cynthia Alexander Williams on her retirement from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Storage District. 13, resolution congratulating Lindor Schmidt on his retirement from the Milwaukee Health Department. 14, resolution congratulating Gary Armstrong on his retirement from the Department of Neighborhood Services.

15, resolution congratulating Nicole Waldner on her retirement from the Milwaukee Police Department. 16, resolution congratulating Antricia Morgan on her retirement from the Milwaukee Public Library. 17, resolution congratulating Anne Scaglione on her retirement from the Department of Administration. 18, resolutions congratulating the following on their retirements from the Milwaukee Fire Department. Christian Asmussen, Jeffrey Column, Brent St. John. 19, resolutions congratulating

the following

of their retirements from the Department of Public Works. Gentle Billis, Robert Williams, Lawrence Olosek. 20, resolutions congratulating the following of their retirements from the Milwaukee Public Schools. Calvin Jackson, Constance Tutis, Steve Sanders, Bridget Duncan, Paul Guy.

Are there any objections to the foregoing commendations or condolences? If anyone wishes to be added as a close as a sponsor to any of the commendations or condolences, please fill out the form on your

desk and submit it to

the city clerk before the close of the workday. We will now take up reports of standing committees. Alderperson, Joe Casa Samaripa, will now present the report of the License Committee.

The Licenses Committee recommends placing on file two in ordinance relating to the sale of intoxicating liquor by the glass for consumption away from the license premise. The Licenses Committee recommends approval of item three, common council file

number 252234.

Motion relating to the recommendations of the licenses committee relating to licenses. Included in the file are the following recommendations. Renewal with a twenty day suspension of the Class B Tavern public entertainment premise and food dealer licenses of Giovanni Moule based upon the preponderance of the evidence in the police report, aldermanic applicant, and neighborhood testimony that demonstrates that the operation results in a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public and the failure to comply with approved plan of operation for the premise located at 5003 And 98 Through 40 North 76th Street doing business as Lush Social Lounge in the 2nd Aldermanic District. Written objections have been filed. Non renewal of the Class D operator's license of Sierra Jarrett based upon a second nonappearance, no written objections have been filed.

Have the members of the cabinet council read the report and recommendations of the license committee as well as object or or any objections filed in this matter. Roll call, please.

Alderman Pratt. Aye. Chambers. Aye. Brower. Aye. Bowman. Aye. Westmoreland. Aye. Cox. Aye. Jackson. Aye. Zamoriba.

Aye. Taylor. Aye. Moore.

Aye. Bergalis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dimitriovich. Aye. Stamper. Aye. Mister president. Aye. 15 ayes.

15 ayes. Is, Giovanni Moll or his counsel present? Let the record reflect. Let let the record reflect not here. Okay. Are there any motions with respect to this matter? Hearing no further discussion, I would ask for a vote of the common council members to adopt the recommendations of the license committee as contained in file number 252234. Will the clerk please call the roll. Alderman Pratt. Aye.

Chambers. Aye. Brower. Aye. Baumann. Aye. Westmoreland.

Aye.

Cox.

Aye.

Jackson. Zamoripa.

Aye. Taylor. Aye. Moore.

Aye. Bergalis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dmitryevich. Aye. Stamper.

Aye. Mister president. Aye. 50 nines. 50 nines. Committed report is adopted. Aldo Woman Malaylee A. Collins will now present the report of the Public Works Committee.

Public Works Committee recommends passage of four, a substitute ordinance relating to sidewalk area dining permit fees. The Public Works Committee recommends adoption of five, substitute resolution directing the Department of Public Works to examine the feasibility of creating a dedicated scattered site walk replacement crew. Six, resolution approving a sixth amendment to lease agreement with Celico partnerships doing business with Verizon Wireless for the placement of personal communication services, antennas, and ancillary equipment at 5600 West Oklahoma Avenue. Seven, resolution approving an amendment to lease agreement with T Mobile Central LLC for the placement of personal communication service antennas and ancillary equipment at the Southside Health Center at 1640 South 24th Street. Eight, substitute resolution approving levying of assessments and construction of accessible public improvements projects at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes.

With the city cost of these projects approved by this resolution estimated to be $84,200 for a total estimated cost of $84,200.09, resolution determining it necessary to make various accessible public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes. With the city engineering cost estimated to be $40,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,260,000. 10, resolution determining it necessary to make various non assessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes. The city engineering cost estimated to be $27,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $254,000.11, resolution approving construction of non assessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the city construction cost estimated to be $5,879,951.53 for total estimated cost of these projects being $52,438,733.45. 12, resolution authorizing an easement with Wisconsin Electric Power Company on City Of Milwaukee property at 5575 North 76th Street in the 2nd Aldermanic District.

13, resolution authorizing the proper city officers to accept various city owned utility easements in vacated North 32nd Street and West Wright Street and to execute quick claim deeds QCD two eight nine four and QCD two nine four eight, conveying combined storm sewers combined and storm sewers to Mallow, Wisconsin LLC in the 15th Aldermanic District. 14, resolution relating to acceptance and funding of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, congestion mitigation, and air quality City Of Milwaukee route optimization grant. 15, resolution relating to the development of a plan to create security zones on public rights of way in areas designated as entertainment districts. 16, resolution consenting to the termination of the common ownership requirement of the properties located at 1245 Through 47 and 1233 North Water Street as it relates to an existing restrictive covenant in the 4th Aldermanic District. Public Works Committee recommends placing on file 17, a charter ordinance creating a department to be known as the Milwaukee Water Works.

18, communication from the Department of Public Works relating to the possibility of directing city crews to conduct road repairs on weekends. 19, resolution relating to the operation of dockless mobility systems. 20, an ordinance related to dockless mobility systems. And 21, communication from the Department of Public Works relating to pothole patching requests and responses including location, time frame, and historical data.

Chair recognizes Alderman Baumann. Yeah.

Thank you, mister chair. Mister president, regarding item 15, file two five two two three nine, I move to send this back to committee.

Okay. Motion by alderman Baumann's move back to committee. There are no objections to order. Is there any further discussion of the committee report? Hearing none, alderwoman Cogs moves for approval of the remainder of the of the public work committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt? Aye. Chambers? Aye. Broward? Aye. Baumann? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Cogs? Aye. Jackson? Zamorita?

Aye. Taylor? Aye. Boor.

Aye. Bergelis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dimitriovich. Aye. Stamper. Aye. Mister president. Aye. 15 eyes.

15 eyes. The committee report is adopted. Alderwoman Marina Dimitrivitra now present the report of the finance and personnel committee.

The finance and personnel committee recommends passage of 22, a substitute ordinance relating to the membership, organization, and activities of the city information management committee. 23, a substitute ordinance to further amend the twenty twenty six rates of pay of offices and positions in the city service. 24, a substitute ordinance to further amend the twenty twenty six offices and positions in the city service. The finance and personnel committee recommends adoption of 25 substitute resolution authorizing carryover of certain fund balances from the 2025 through 2026 in accordance with section 65.071 P Wisconsin statutes. '26, substitute resolution rescinding reserved commitments and appropriating remaining funds from the 2025 Common Council contingent fund for the purpose of closing the 2025 financial books due to unanticipated shortfalls in current year operating expenses.

27, substitute resolution relative to the allocation and expenditure of up to $617,215 of American Rescue Plan Act funds. 28, substitute resolution relating to pension cost recovery associated with reimbursable overtime extra duty contracts. 29, resolution relating to acceptance and funding of the 2026 through 2027 Wisconsin Congenital Disorder Newborn Screening Grant from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 30, substitute resolution relating to expenditure of funds to be reimbursed by greater than anticipated revenue. 31, sub resolution relating to expenditure of funds to be reimbursed by greater than anticipated revenue.

32, resolution relating to acceptance and funding of State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program, Milwaukee County Domestic Violence High Risk Team Grant. 33, substitute resolution authorizing attendance at conventions, seminars, and other travel. 34, substitute resolution authorizing the sale and issuance of sewerage system revenue refunding bonds in one or more series. 35, substitute resolution authorizing the restructuring of paying agent, registrar, transfer agent and depository services for outstanding storage system revenue bonds. 36, substitute resolution authorizing amendments to common council file number 991,863 relating to the city's storage system revenue bonds.

The finance and personnel committee recommends confirmation of 37, reappointment of Steve Mahan to the deferred compensation plan board by the mayor. 38, reappointment of Molly King to the deferred compensation plan board by the mayor. 39, appointment of Jerry Allen to the Employees Retirement System Annuity and Pension Board Committee by the Common Council President. 40, reappointment of Deborah Ford to the Employees Retirement System Annuity and Pension Board Committee by the Common Council President. The Finance and Personnel Committee recommends placing on file the following.

41, resolution relating to the American Rescue Plan Act Funding Allocation Task Force. 42, communication from the Office of the Controller relating to the waste, and abuse hotline report for the year ended 12/31/2025. 43, communication from the Department of Employer Relations relating to classification studies scheduled for City Service Commission action.

Chair recognizes Alderman Dmitryevich.

Good morning and thank you Mr. President. I rise to speak on item 27 and make a motion to substitute 27 with A. Substitute A as in apple.

Okay. Okay.

I'd like to speak on it. Please. As I discuss the need for this substitution, if you will, Mr. President. Substitute A is hopefully going to be considered by this body. We found out a few weeks ago that there was One second. Okay.

All right, go ahead. I'm sorry.

Go ahead, Alderman.

That's okay. We found out a couple of weeks ago that there was still

amount

of money over $617,000 of ARPA reallocation available. At that time, we found out that it needed to be used in previously ARPA eligible projects and spent by the end of the year. So this looks like it's kind of the last And of the I thank my colleagues for what's been a long couple of years post COVID in finding the most innovative ways, evidence based to make these investments for the city of Milwaukee. If you think it's been quite a long road and journey to rebuild the city after the pandemic and something that I said along those lines was that unfortunately, Mr. President, we had a pandemic in the city prior to the pandemic and the pandemic really exposed that and made things harder for those who had already had hard times.

It's with this substitute A that I offer upstream solutions. Often we come into City Hall and I'm sure I share the disappointment with you that we have to end up being reactionary. The new article in the newspaper, the new item that's stressing out our constituents or our city. And often we find that we're actually in the same situation as other cities across the nation. What many of those cities have done is made strong investments in what I think Substitute A does here.

I chose to focus on two programs that have an exceptional return on investment, ones that we have an amazing history with, evict Milwaukee, evict free Milwaukee with the legal aid. If you look at the history and the independent stout analysis, we've received many emails. It was a hot item in the budget in the past few years. And this council has an amazing record of investing to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability. When you look at that investment, it has truly paid off.

The more that we can keep families in their homes, provide stability and stability to families and especially youth. And I think that is needed now more than ever. My substitute A does provide the largest amount for evict free and that is at 317,214. Next up, and I'm going a bit quickly because we've had a rigorous debate at committee, but I appreciate having the space here because I refrain from a long debate as Chair of that committee. Dollars 300,000 for the Bridge project.

It does not go to the Zilber Foundation per se. They are a funding partner looking to invest another 3,000,000 in the city of Milwaukee in Milwaukee moms. So this is a national project run out of the Bridge Project based in New York with the Monarch Foundation and we've already committed to this and I thank you for that prior commitment and we're asking you to do it once again to draw down this funding in the city of Milwaukee. What does unrestricted cash transfers do? It provides an amazing amount of stability, independence and actually an amount of pride and support.

We know that when moms were just on the cusp of Mother's Day here, are given the tools that they need, they make the right decisions for their families. And this return on investment has been incredible. You can see the memo here as well in the file as well as other supporting messages that drawing down that amount of private investment for over 200 moms and families. And in case you didn't know, not even though I do think 200 children are certainly worth it, three quarters of our Milwaukee moms have other children in the household. That means that when we draw down this $3,000,000 for $300,000 we are supporting hundreds and thousands of families and children.

Imagine what that could do to promote stability. It is not a one time investment. It is for three years. This could be a possible partner in dangerous intimate relationship that is looking for finally financial independence to leave and start on their own. We heard a testimony from a mother in committee. And so I think this program is working. We've seen it actually really explode down south. Many governments are partnering with non profits. If we want to move the needle on these challenging upstream issues, we need to do it with prevention. We have to address the root issues.

Family stability will help the city of Milwaukee. It will reduce violence and it will hopefully eradicate childhood poverty, which is what we've seen. Lastly, Mr. President, I'm here to answer any questions. I also want to thank we have some new letters that were added to the file from Metcalf as well as the African American Roundtable in support of the Bridge Project. And everyone's been afforded a letter there to take a good look at. Thank you so much. And with that, I move Substitute A.

Okay. The motion before us is to move substitute A. Chair recognizes Alderman Chambers.

Thank you, Mr. President. On that motion, I'd like to thank my colleague for her tireless commitment to move in such an amazing program that is the Bridge Project. I personally did not not vote for it when we first initially approved it in 2024. Quite frankly, because I don't think it's not citywide.

I think this program should be eligible to every pregnant woman in the city of Milwaukee, not just those that live in four zip codes, which this project does. There was a heat map that was given out to us and showed the exuberance amount of applicants that did not get approved because they don't live in the zip codes. And you know that I I have a problem with that. You know, while you know, there were some questions that I asked the first time when they came to it

and there

were some questions that I asked this last time when we were able to have a conversation in this. I just want to put on the record that it's a little frustrating to hear the last minute that there were $600,000 remaining in ARPA funds and there was now the collaborative approach in regard to this. It's the reason why I put that file out to ensure that the council can work together collectively in, you know, sponsoring no per no things going around the city. I'm gonna be voting against this. It's quite frankly because we have more important things, more pressing needs in the city like our current youth activity.

You know, we've literally in this council, we literally had a file about takeovers and about the amount of the amount of children that are participating in those takeovers and just the need to do things across the city. I think that we should be putting our focus on that. My colleague who was the sponsor of Substitute eight had a rather large takeover in her district and was extremely frustrated, hence why she was brought the file out and also promoted the apprehension of the ringleader of said takeovers. I think the energies need to be spread around. I think Zilber is a great organization and we were able to give them the initial tranche of $350,000 but I think there is a far much far more pressing need for these funds to leave a more lasting impact on more families than if I'm not mistaken, the remaining funds of this $300,000 will increase the thing from 122,000 to 200,000

Adam, follow on there?

I can answer that when you're ready. But do you want to complete

it? That's

a question.

That's a question to

her. Okay.

It's two separate cohorts. Originally, the work that we did and I appreciate this body for doing it, it was 100. Then following our donation I'm sorry, following our investment came in anonymous donation to get to 122. This funding that we're requesting is for a second cohort, which would be another 200 Milwaukee moms. And the heat map that you mentioned, by the way, were women living under $35,000 that were pregnant across the city of Milwaukee that applied and we should all that should weigh heavily on all of us.

And it wasn't that they were denied because of where they lived. The city money is going to moms citywide. Zilber through the bridge project does focus on area code or zip codes of need, but the city money will be used citywide.

So thank you for that. So I'm looking at the presentation that was given to us when they received a first tranche in 2024 and I'm reading the eligibility criteria. As I said, it lives in Milwaukee City ZIP codes 53204, 53205, 53206, 53215 with priority in neighborhoods in Lindsay Heights, Clark Square, and Layton Boulevard West. Where does citywide come into play in it?

Mr. Chair, they accepted applications citywide. And again, I want to point the fact that we should be, I believe, disappointed as a city that there's thousands of pregnant mothers living with multiple children under 35,000 a year. The Zilber has always stood by the fact that they support what they see as ZIP codes and districts in high need. But the Milwaukee funds have been used citywide.

So I don't I'm just saying the same thing. The city of Milwaukee funds, just like our big Milwaukee, the other substitutes that are in front of us, I know like employee, for example, is countywide. They have a blended approach. But you can be assured that our $300,000 will be citywide.

Mister mister president, sorry to interrupt. Just to help the alder from the 2nd District. Of the number of applications from the 11th Aldermanic District, only one was approved. My entire Aldermanic District. So citywide, sure. One.

In addition to that, far as the substitute that was passed in committee just prior to this meeting, And there was over 3,000 applications. 3,083 applications for this year's summer earn and learn. Now, you know, those who may feel some type of way saying that we gave a million dollars to them, even block grants. Governor Evers gave close to $900,000 in the last tranche of ARPA. That money still in addition to what we gave in the budget, that money still does not help the amount, help to get those kids activities to do in the summer as opposed of trouble and mischief.

And of those 3,083, 2,000, I'm sorry, let me rephrase that. 2,800 were people of color. And I'm not trying to make it a racial thing, but 2,800 applicants for this earn and learn were people in color. I can't stress the need that we have to have for our kids this summer. We've already seen some preludes.

The reason why we made some changes in the downtown area in the last council meeting was due to some of the impacts for our youth coming downtown. And we just have to not going say it's the end all, be all, but we have to dig deep and do a little more. And I think these funds and resources are better equipped for that. I'll be voting against this. Thank you Mr. President.

You. Other woman, Demetriovich, light is on.

That was to respond to the questions that were raised and I feel that I did that already.

Okay. So the motion is to accept this sub. I see no further lights on. Could we do a roll call, please? Before the law firm is Alderman Cox?

So if this substitute is accepted, there will be no additional investment into youth out of this fund for the summer. Is that that would be the case?

I believe so.

Well. Okay. May I respond to that?

Do you want that answered, Woman Cox? Sure. Elder Woman Demetravis?

Right. So the two programs that I believe support families are Legal Aid Society and the Bridge Project and many children, many youth. What's not on this one is the other substitute, which includes Employee Milwaukee and the Summer Youth Internship Program. Substitute A has the two entities, which are evict free and legal aid society and then the Bridge Program, which I can see there's a difference of opinion, but I offer that it promotes family stability, eradicates child poverty and it's for three years of uplifting people, especially families in need, which I personally believe is an upstream getting to the root of the challenge to stabilize families.

I do just before we

take that one, I do

just want to say for the record, I absolutely hate how this came to us. Myself and Alderman Chambers made the effort because of our work with ARPA to have leftover money be brought before the council prior to any suggestions of earmarkings of it, and that is not the way that this came to us. And we are sitting here debating about the worthiness of arguably all very good programs. And our vote for or against any of them should not be an indictment of those programs. I just hate that we weren't given the opportunity, to have more time to work with one another to decide on something that the full council could be proud of in this moment and could push forward.

Having said that, with all that is going on currently, in this moment, I'm always investment in downstream and all of that. I really am. In this moment, with all this going on from team takeovers to worrying about what this summer will look like in this city if young people don't have more to do or more engaging activities for them. I will not be supporting this amendment because I think in this moment, we have to do more for young people to prevent what we see is coming for the summer. And this is at least an attempt to try to do that.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Alderman Brower.

Thank you so much, mister president. I really appreciate the comments from colleagues. It's helping me to clarify some of my thinking on this. I want to just share some of my thinking on this. I think I completely agree with what Alderman Cogs brought that this is before very quickly and I would have appreciated a larger conversation.

But in the absence of that, we do need to make a decision and here it is before us. What was compelling to me to support Substitute A and become a co sponsor of that substitute was that you know, while $617,000 would be a lot to an individual or or even a small organization, you know, in the comparison of of city government, it is a small fraction of the dollars that we're dealing with when it comes to our budget and so it's compelling to me to want to not diffuse that money as much as possible. And to support robustly support some causes that we care about. And I really appreciated the comments from Old Roman Cogs that this is not

you know, we we are in the position right now where we're having to choose what our favorites are, right? And and it and it don't even want

to see it like that but that's how it may be perceived and that's unfortunate but really we just have to end up just dividing what little is left and and from my perspective, what little is left after the or just 1% have taken all of it. The so this was compelling to me to support this because the eviction free MKE is a really, really stellar program. I'm a part of organization, Milwaukee DSA that is supported as well. It is it is a it is a program that we should support very robustly. I'm really proud that the largest amount of money goes to eviction for MK with substitute A.

I also see a tremendous amount of value in the Bridge project and the support for young mothers that that also provides. But really, I want to just ideologically, I was drawn to subsidy and I'm intending to support it this morning because it provides robust funding for both of those programs as opposed to spreading it out a little bit more so we can have more of an impact with some specific things. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Elder Woman Moore. Thank you so much. I want to

just thank my colleagues for this particular substitute in their advocacy around this amazing program. There are so many again and I just have to reiterate this. There are so many worthy initiatives that we can do with this small little pot of money. We're sitting here trying to figure out how to do a lot with a very little. And I have to just highlight Alderwoman Cogs and Alderman Chambers and just talking about our young people.

I think about back in the day where we're summer stars and 14 clubs and there were so many different, right? You actually had the YMCA in the city that catered to young people. At Boys and Girls Clubs that did more catering to the older population at that time. And we are looking at a moment and we're looking at sort of a crisis that we're facing right now with young people where they're figuring out, well, you know what, I can't go to the mall. I can't.

There's no bowling alley that's in the city that caters to me. Can't go skating. It's all the way out in Butler. I may not have transportation to get out there. Like we're thinking about all these young people and there's nothing to do socially for young people.

And so the emphasis again worthy cause with the Bridge Project over three years, but we also have a funding entity that has the time to raise those dollars for that program. Young people don't have the time to wait right now. We're dealing with teen takeovers and street takeovers and we're dealing with all these incidents along with potholes and leaves. Right? Like, this is a moment for us and I know that we're all, you know, we all have our different initiatives that we want to support.

But you all, we have to do something this year and we have to do something now. Summer jobs is an opportunity to do that. Giving young people, especially some of our older youth, an opportunity to get engaged, looking at a population that they're struggling. Look at what the increase in rent has gone up to. People are struggling. Now they gotta figure out how

to deal with the price

of raising gas. Like, we gotta figure this out. And it starts with us with prioritizing how we support our young people. This is a small measure toward that while we figure out how to do more. Thank you so much, Mr.

Chair. Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Chambers.

Thank you, Mr. Brethlin. I'll be brief on this. Coggs brought up something that just triggered something. This is a bit of deja vu.

We back in 2024, you know, we was having this same debate or something was extremely rushed where funds was just shut down, some members drove, mine included, and ironically one of them is one of the files that's on here. To Otto Wimmer's point, we have we can't stress the amount we can't stress the need for youth investment. I mean, again, I'm going to replay the last council meeting as far as the appointment of the the director of the, you know, community wellness and safety and we stressed her. We brought her in the next cycle over talking about the youth takeovers and what they can do and they don't have funding to do anything for the youth. I'm all for supporting families.

I think, you know, the Zipper project the Zipper project is a is a great project. I I agree with my colleague, Aldwyn Moore. They have more time to raise more money. We were able to give them $350,000 to support an an amazing cohort of women that so desperately needed. But now I think this is the this is the time to double down on our youth or the city is gonna get hot this summer and we're gonna be having more files and more communication files out in public safety and public works and every committee there is in this city about what we can do to curve down the the team takeovers and and things of that nature.

So I just want us to really be mindful of this. And then with that being said, mister president, I'm done, but I'm gonna actually separate the question on on a. Okay.

Is a matter of right. There's one more person, one more light on. Aldwoman Taylor, did you wanna

Yes. I thank you so much, mister president. This is very this is a very difficult decision on which way to vote because I do agree with both with all my colleagues in saying that we do need to, we do need to really focus on our youth and, provide positive outlets for them. But I do believe also that, that we need to provide a good support system for them. And I do believe that when we strengthen the adults around our youth, we then strengthen our youth because you give them a better support system.

So it makes it a little bit difficult because I do understand if we if we support moms and moms can have a better life, then children can have a better life. If we give moms a little more hope, then children can have a little more hope. So if moms get a degree, kids are more likely to get a degree. And so if, this program, bridge program, is strengthening moms, it's giving them that extra so

that

they can move forward in life, they can, create a better life for them in their home and their children, then it gives the children a little bit better circumstance in which to move to improve their life as they transition from children into adult life. So that foundation, I think, is really important. And it like I said, it's very difficult, because I do believe, as older woman Cox said, that all of these programs are great programs to help move our city forward, keep, our families afloat, but I do believe that foundation is is where we have to start. So I do appreciate bridge program and what it's doing. So I just wanted to say that just for extra thought as we're thinking about which way we're leaning.

Thank you.

Thank you. Any other discussion? Alderman Chambers?

Withdraw my motion to separate

the question. Thank you. Alderman Chambers withdraw the motion to separate the question. Chair recognizes Alderman Pratt.

Thank you. I just want to kind of speak to this entire process. It's already been addressed, but I do want to say that given the conversation that we're having about the process, I do hope in the future that we can be more collaborative and that money isn't squirreled away trying to get whatever we feel like should be funded as opposed to working with everyone and I hope going into budget that we have the same idea that we are not trying to lock people out of it or keep people away from the process. That happens far too often since I've been here and we have got to do better.

Thank you. Chair Rehan, Sutherland Cox.

Whenever we have these debates, I try to think, a little bit outside of the obvious and and what we're not saying, And and and something just hit me. I know the options we've been given, but it doesn't have to be one or the other. Might there be a way to invest in long term family security to help young people and a way to, give teenagers and young adults more options this summer? I don't think we have to do one or the other. I think we could do both.

Not to the degree that everybody wants to given unlimited funds, but have one option that does still give to the eviction free and does more for young adults employment wise as well as down payment assistance. And

then

you have one that has eviction free in the bridge only. Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle. I know that similar to at committee, I encourage people to come together, and unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have happened. But in our decision here today, I just really don't believe it has to be one or the other. And if we are to move forward with the one or the other, I know that order chambers asked to withdraw his motion to separate.

But if we're really moving forward with a vote on one or the other and not finding a middle ground, then I would ask to separate the question.

Alright. So the the motion in front of us is to accept the sub and then separate it. Correct? Okay. Alright. Alright. We'll do it now then.

So before we do it, I will say this. If members have been paying attention to this debate, it is simple stuff like for the SYIP, that's the young people that work with us here at city hall. For the young people for the departments that have asked for young people. Correct me if I'm wrong, Arda Woman Moore. It is simply they're short the money necessary to provide the young people positions for the positions that have been asked for for departments here at city hall this summer. Correct. That dollar amount, if I'm not mistaken and again, correct me if I'm wrong, Audubon Moore, is $55,000.

Correct.

I know way more than that is being asked for employee and whatever else, but we can't find $55,000 for the departments here who want to hire a young person for the summer and given the several 100 young people that remain on the list for jobs that we don't have the money for. It's 850 positions, I believe. Again, correct me if I'm wrong. Arderwoman Moore that have been that we there is funding for in general with all of the summer stuff, but close to 3,000 kids have applied. And, of course, we can't give everybody a job, but it's literally departments that want young people, here at city hall.

Not the agencies, not the organizations in the community right here at city hall. And we can't find $55,000 to make sure that everybody who wanted a young person can have them and that a few more young people might be employed for the summer. I just I get everybody has their things they wanna support or whatever, but I just can't help but to believe that it is a way to at least a little bit, come to some kind of middle. Thank you.

The

chair recognizes all the one with Demetraevich.

How are we considering division if the substitute isn't before us yet?

Mr. Chair, in the system that exists before the common council as opposed to a committee, the substitution is what is before the body. This is the amendment process

right So

we can take the vote on substitute A now?

Correct, and that is what is being divided.

But you can't divide before it's before us. I think we need to take the vote, in my opinion, to substitute it first.

That is incorrect because once you have substituted the file that is currently before it that came out of committee has been already amended. It is Alderman Cox's wish that each amendment item in this bundle in proposed substitute A be voted on separately, and that is permitted.

And the question before the body is shall parts of it be substituted?

The question for the body would be the individual items being inserted. There would then have to be a separate motion to remove those items that are currently in sub H such or sub H because you can't spend the same dollars twice. So the council would have to move seriatim the $300,000 the $317,000 and then delete all the other items. That is the effect.

While I have the floor, I do prefer to move forward with substitute A.

Okay. The substitution is granted as a right. We have to do a roll call on the item separated.

Could have point of order, the clerk told me that I thought you had to vote on the substitution. Okay. There

being no further light time, Clerk. Mr. President. Chair recognizes Alderman Brugellis.

Can I move that sub H be before us and amend sub H with Alderman Chambers amendment? Objection.

It's not in order. So. Before us is the splitting of the of the file. Correct? That is split. Okay. Chair recognizes Alderman Stamper on the motion.

Yes. Thank you, mister president. Please clarify difference between what's before us and the ability to separate something that is not before us.

The motion before you, mister chair, formally is the motion to amend. There are two ways to amend. One is by substitution, and one is by simple amendment. Alderman Dmitrievich had proposed a substitution which would eliminate the entirety of sub h which was in the file. Correct.

However, Alderman Cox, as is her right, has asked that this motion by Alderman Dmitrievich be divided. And that is this is something that can be divided and by Robert's rules of order must well, it is permitted as of right. Therefore, this is really no longer a substitute. It is an a simple amendment. So each item within the substitute is being pulled out, and you will be voting on each one of them individually.

There is a consequence to this because you cannot spend money twice. If you insert the two that Aldwoman Dmitryevich has requested, you must delete those that persist in substitute age. So the simple answer to your question is what is before you by the order of it would be the $300,000 for the Bridge project.

Point of order.

Point of order.

Chair, recognize Alderman Bergelis.

Thank you. So if this is a substitute to replace something, you can't see the same funds twice. So this the substitute that would the divided substitute that would be before us right now does not specify which funds are removed from the adopted committee recommended file. So I do not believe that a split substitute would be in order because it does not identify which funds would be removed from what the committee recommended for adoption.

Mr. Chair, if it is desired this matter could be held and we could prepare based on Alderman McCogs' action of division, a pair of amendments that would reflect a deletion of the other item.

Chair recognizes Alderman Dmitryovich. I would like to offer my support for substitute A to keep it together. We had a committee meeting. We had a special committee meeting. And this is what is now before us. I personally would like to have a vote here on sub A. If that doesn't succeed, then take up other options. But I would like to give sub A a try. Mr. President?

Alderman Cox would have to remove her amendment. It's still on the floor to split or divide the vote on the question. Point of order, mister clerk. Honor member Douglas.

Is there is there a procedure in our rules that would allow the body to object to a motion to divide? No.

To elaborate more, the last time I looked into this question, I do not believe the word appeared.

Chair recognizes the other one with Demetriovich.

I will just add that I ask members to consider what are you dividing for. So if you support A, you wouldn't support the divide and we don't even know at this point what we are dividing for. It would be the council floor in new amounts. I understand the effort and I respect it, but just think that we've had over a week and a half and that didn't come to fruition. So to do that on the floor now, if you choose to divide, I would oppose the divide.

I don't even know what the divide would get us at this point. We're on letter H. I think there's been sufficient debate at committee and here. And I would like to move forward with substitute A because otherwise I ask you to oppose the division because what is the division for? Thank you, Mr. Chair. And remind you, sorry, also we only have a couple more months to spend this money. So I'd like to get this done today and get it into the hands of the people who need it the most.

Chair recognizes the amendment.

Me if I'm wrong, Mr. President, but if one supports substitute a, then one would vote yes on the two questions after the separation. Correct? Yes. Okay.

Chair recognizes alderman Stamper.

Yes. So the division is for a or for h? Or a to get to H.

A.

A. So what are we dividing? This hypothetically.

Well Run this by me. What are

we We don't know what we're dividing because it doesn't tell us

Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. I'm talking. What are we dividing?

Well, it's just those two. I want to clarify that.

Yeah. I mean, it it takes the it basically divides alderman stamper, the two items in a to have separate votes on that. That's what it does.

So two separate votes on the 300,000 for Ziebler Foundation, the bridge project, and $317,214 for legal aid society eviction.

Yep. That that's what that's what the division does. Take separate roll call instead of putting them together in a. It creates a division to to have separate votes on both items in a.

How does that accomplish funding going towards the other initiatives?

It doesn't.

It doesn't.

Check of order, mister clerk.

One second, please. Chair recognize are you are you done, Alderman Stamper? Yes. Chair recognizes all woman Taylor.

Actually, I think that, thank you so much, mister president. I think that, Alderman Stamper sort of was asking what what I was thinking about. So if we divide this, we're then left to just vote on essentially, I mean, sub a would only be the bridge, and we'll be voting on that whether to give the 300,000 to the

bridge program. No. Did somebody has both funding Right. Eviction and bridge? Alderman Cox asked to separate them so we have two votes instead of one just on a. Okay. They have a separate vote on both items within a.

I guess my question then is, if we divide these, then, does that mean that

because when I look at sub

a, we still, there's 317,000 for the legal aid eviction program. Would that then be moved to can we reduce sub a so that we can then begin to divide that for those programs?

If if one of them were to fail, then we'd have to reallocate

those reallocate funds. Those. Okay. I just wanted to make sure

that we Chair have that

recognizes. Alderman Bergelis. Thank you. We don't know.

This motion to divide without knowing where the funds would be appropriated from is not properly before us because we don't know what funds would be used for should one of these two divisions succeed.

Okay. Understood. Chair recognizes Alderman Brower. Yeah, that's all was going clarify

was regarding Alderman Taylor's question was that if we could potentially vote down one or both of these and then we would have money that we could put by emotions into other pots that are in other substitutes. I mean that might be the intent here as far as my understanding. Thank you.

Chair recognizes the other one with Demetrivich.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just want to be clear. If you choose to support substitute A, you would vote aye on both of the items as they come up separately now. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm hoping that we can call the roll.

Chair recognizes, Alderman Bourgeaus. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I or thank you, Mr. President. I maintain my objection that this is not properly before us. However, if you would like to support a different amendment or a different substitute like what was recommended by committee or an amendment thereof, you would need we would need to vote no on both of these divisions so that the next amendment or the next substitute could be back before this body.

True. Any other discussion? Chair recognizes Alderperson Samariba.

Yes. I did try to follow the special this morning. I wanted to confirm though that substitute that second substitute that Alderman Berglis speaks to. The money for the bridge project was removed entirely. Is that correct? I don't know if Alderman Berglis wants to answer that. Answer that.

The the committee did not move that portion of sub H forward. Correct.

Thank you.

That was that was removed on a zero to five vote.

So, $0 going to the bridge pad project in the in the amendment that you're pushing, correct?

That amendment cleared committee by a unanimous vote.

Dollars 0 for the bridge project in that second amendment. So I won't I can't support it then. Thank you.

Okay. I see no further lights. So we'll have the question is divided. We'll have two votes in front of us. The clerk, please call the roll.

On appropriating $300,000 to the bridge project. Aldwoman Pratt. No. Chambers. No. Brower. Aye. Baumann. Aye. Westmoreland. Aye. Cogs. No. Jackson. Zamoripa.

Aye.

Taylor. Forgive me. Moore. No. Bergelis. No. Spiker. Aye. Dmitryevich?

Aye.

Stamper? Aye. Mister president? Aye. Nine ayes. Six nos.

Nine ayes. Six nos. Next file.

Unappropriating $317,214.37 to Legal Aid Society for Eviction Free Milwaukee. Alderman Pratt.

Aye.

Point of order. Hold on, mister Stanford. Can I separate 55,000 for the youth program and the youth out of this 03/2017?

Oh, no.

Not during the roll call.

How do you break up the roll call?

Just started. Yeah. You're gonna have to How do

you break up the roll call?

You're gonna have to reconsider and then prepare a written amendment if if it's reconsidered.

Thank you very much. To

do reconsider, you have to be on the prevailing side. Correct?

Correct. Yes.

Well, that's my intention, Alderman of the Common Council. Yes. And all the women.

To repeat, this is appropriating $317,214.37 to eviction free Milwaukee. Alderman Pratt has been recorded in the affirmative. Alderman Chambers. Aye. Brower. Aye. Baumann. Aye.

Miss Morland. Aye. Cogs.

Aye. Jackson.

Thank you.

Please.

Zamripa. Aye. Taylor. Aye. Moore.

Aye.

Bergelis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dmitryevich.

Aye.

Stamper. Aye. Mister president. Aye.

15 ayes. Chair recognizes all in chambers.

Now that we did this vote, this mean the substitute is before us is already sent in for this.

The

file is amended. Now if someone wants to make an amendment, have to reconsider the file. We'd have to prepare a sub. So is anyone gonna make a motion or do we move on?

Yes. I'd like to make a motion. Alright. Mister president. Hold on, miss

Stamper. Motion to reconsider.

Okay. Yep. Okay. Yeah.

I'm right. Alright.

We'll we'll we'll bring this back, Alderman. You you're going to need something in writing. Cathy, I'll help you prepare. Sure. We're gonna as these amendments are prepared, we're gonna proceed with the rest of the agenda, and we'll come back to this.

Hold on, mister Amber. No. We're not. The city clerk asked for a second. We're gonna continue with the the rest of the agenda and then get the amendments back after some reconsideration.

Hearing no further discussion of this committee report, Alderman Dimitriv, which adoption of the recommendations of the finance There being no further discussion committee report, Alderman Demetrius is moved for adoption of the recommendations of the finance and personnel committee with the exception of the item that's being held. Will the clerk please call the roll.

Alderman Pratt, Chambers. This is a

vote on the

committee report minus the item that was held. That item is currently being held, Alderman Stamper.

Mister president. Yes. Please allow a five minute recess. Please. Just five minutes, man.

We we will take a five minute recess. Thank you.

Thank you, mister president.

Your seats.

The sweeter will come to order. Roll call, please. On

the return from recess, Alderman Pride.

Present. Chambers.

Brouwer. Here. Baumann. Here. Westmoreland. Here. Cox. Jackson. Here. Zamripa?

Aye. Taylor? Aye. Moore?

Aye. I'm present.

Sorry. Bergelis? Aye. Spiker? Aye. Dmitrievich? Stamper?

Aye. Mister president? Aye. All members are present. All members present.

Listen. Okay, we're back. Okay. All the women to be true. This is your.

Is your motion? Yes. Alderman Stamper.

Whenever I know, I'm resending that, that motion I

make. Okay. Should recognize this alderman Westmoreland.

Thank you, mister president. This question is for alderwoman Dmitryevich and alderman Moore. I understand that my vote is wanted. My frustration comes in at is when these substitutes were discussed and deliberated. I was not part of this conversation.

Why?

You are not part of what conversation?

These I heard from you yesterday, and I talked to you yesterday. My question is well, my frustration is not bring not being part of the conversation on the front end and really talking about it and deliberating on the council floor. So I'm just trying to figure out how do I become part of these conversations in the future early on.

Mister president?

Alder Womore?

Thank you so much. I think a few of my other colleagues brought up the situation with elder woman Dimitri Avery being the chair of finance. She was the one that got wind first to the dollars. So she had an opportunity to pull together her projects and how she wanted the allocated, how she wanted the dollars allocated. The First Amendment, as far as an option to it, was then brought to the table by Alderman, thank you, Alderman Bergalis, where he had a conversation with me on doing some other things that could broaden supporting an array of organizations.

And that's how sort of a list came to be. We tried to take some recommendations that the administration had requested and try to do some things that would focus on some priority areas that we can, again, immediately use these dollars for to make an impact. We then started having conversations with as things unfolded that didn't, that measure didn't pass, we held it and that's when I started having some conversations with other council members on, hey, here's a thought, here's an idea, this is what we're looking to do. I agree with Alderman Pratt said as far as just the process. And Alderman Cobb said, like, we have to do better at the process and how we bring in our colleagues.

It would have been great if we would have said, hey, colleagues, we have X number of dollars. What are you all thinking? What do you all what would you all want to see? I would have preferred that method better than sort of scrambling trying to make sure that not just two agencies received a fair chunk of dollars that could go into doing some for good. Again, worthy projects.

We're doing a lot. We're trying to do a lot, but very little. So it wasn't intentional that you weren't included in that process in the beginning. I think it's just structurally, we need to figure out how we change things and how we stop doing things as business as usual. Thank you Mr. President.

Chair recognizes Aldo Woman Demetraevich.

There we go. So

this whole package is in these packages is in response to the administration. If we all knew before they presented it to us, yes, I mean the administration found over $600,000 And the one thing that we didn't talk about at all today is that unfortunately pretty much nobody here is going with the administration's recommendation, which was like the first thing that's in the file. When we found out about it, then yes, it's up to anybody to amend it and that came out on Monday, when the agenda came out last Monday. So when the timing of us knowing that they had funds, this has been everyone is in agreement here that often we find out about funds from the administration and they have a concurrent plan with how to spend it. So that is how that was communicated.

Upon seeing that, that's when I put my change out there when the agenda was out last week. I informed members of finance as soon as possible and then within twenty four hours there was another substitute. That's how that timing went and then all the discussions were made. I think ideally what I hear from my colleagues is that, yes, we would know these funds were available without a funding plan attached to it. Who goes around and asks for what people want?

I mean, I think that happened organically in these last couple of days and weeks. But again, it was response to a funding plan that had already been put out there by the administration. So when the agenda came out on last Monday, that is when, yes, I saw the agenda and I said I have a plan. I immediately called finance members and said this substitute is up. Like I said, within twenty four hours there was another substitute.

That is how that took place. So also I want to remind people, Mr. President, that this is unique. Why they didn't come out sooner, why there wasn't another project, why there wasn't an open invitation, I can only infer because there's five months to spend this, six months, excuse me, and it must be prior ARPA eligible. So it really was a unique you could all ask every one of us to submit 10 ideas and I just don't know that it would meet those unique needs.

In fact, there was a substitute letter E or D, can't recall, that had that ended up being removed at the table because it had something that was not ARPA eligible for bag leafs leaf bags, excuse me. So yes, it is not an ideal process. We're trying to work in the process that was given. I feel confident that I reached out to everybody as soon as I had the information and could get a hold of people and talked about it. I put it in the file. Substitute A has remained exactly the same since last Monday. There's many other ideas and changes out there. I would like to stick with substitute A. I would like to stick with what was just approved by a majority of this council, both parts of it. To me that shows that there is support for both parts of it.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Do you have a motion, Alderman Dmitryovich?

I do. While I have the floor, I have to admit to my honorable colleagues, I'm still a little confused. Wasn't expecting the division. But now that both from what I understand, Mr. Clerk, correct me if I'm wrong, that both parts of it, the 300,000,000 and the $317,000,000 were approved by a majority of this council.

It moved that into the file, meaning that you're double spending it. And so you have to remove from the file what the substitute amendment is, which is common counsel file number 252,047 by changing the amount of funding allocated to employee earn and learn and down payment assistance. You would be double spending the money if you this is a result of the action we just took and this was given to me by the city clerk. It sounds to me that this is implementing what my colleagues just approved by the two part majority vote on a Vic Free Milwaukee and the Bridge program. I only want to offer one last point to my colleague.

I tried very hard at committee. I tried very hard having a special committee this morning to not have to bring this to the floor in an unsettled way. And for that, I apologize for any role that I had in that, but I tried so hard to get it done before we got here. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.

Roll call,

On the adoption of One second.

Chair recognizes Alderman Chambers. Thank you, Mr.

President. So I just wanna put this on the record that we are essentially saying that things are more important than what's going on with the youth in this current time with this vote. Contrary to what people may think, stand here, I'm to continue my support of the youth as I have always been. I will continue to support families as well. But this vote, as the previous vote we did as well, is basically saying that we are prioritizing different projects compared to the youth.

So when things get hot in this summer, and it will, we don't want to see press conferences or press releases you know, so they're condemning things when we could have doubled down on on figuring things out. Thank you, mister president.

Chair recognizes Alderman Brugellis. Thank you very much.

Point of order, what happens if this motion amendment does not pass? And we double spend money? Because these were already recommended for adoption of the committee and any subsequent action and a substitute would follow. So I would argue if this amendment does not pass, whatever was done on the floor gets funded last.

Yeah. The city clerk informs me you would have to figure out a way to amend down to the money available.

So I would encourage my colleagues to vote against this amendment. If you value down payment assistance and homeownership in the city, you value summer youth programming and paying a livable wage for young people and not $12 an hour, vote no on this amendment.

Chair recognize all mister Stamper?

No, sorry.

Don't have to. Okay.

On my legs.

Alright. Roll call on the simple amendment.

On Alderman Dmitryevich's amendment. Alderman Pratt. Chambers. No. Brower. Aye. Baumann. Aye. Busmoreland. Aye. Cox. No. Jackson.

Zamripa. Aye. Taylor. Aye.

Moore. No. Bergelis. No. Spiker. Aye. Dimitrijevic. Aye. Stamper. Aye. Mister president. Aye. 10 ayes.

Five nos. 10 ayes. Five nos. Is there any further discussion of the committee report? That's a separate box. Okay. We'll have to move the file as amended. Roll call, please.

On file 252047 as amended. Alderman Pratt. No. Chambers. No. Brower. Aye. Baumann? Aye.

Westmoreland? Aye. Cogs?

No. Jackson? Zamorepa?

Aye. Taylor? Aye. Bohr? No. Bergalis? No.

Spiker? Aye. Dmitryevich? Aye. Stamper? Aye. Mister president? Aye. 10 ayes, five nos.

10 ayes, five nos. Any further discussion of the committee report? Hearing none, Alderman, Alderman, Demetrius move for adoption and recognitions finance personnel committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt.

Aye.

Chambers. Aye. Brower. Aye. Baumann. Aye. Westmoreland. Aye. Cogs. Aye. Jackson. Zamoriba.

Taylor. Aye. Boor. Aye.

Bergilis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dmitryevich. Aye. Stamper.

Aye. Mister president. Aye. Fifteen eyes. Alderman DeAndre Jackson will now present the report of the judiciary and legislation committee.

The judiciary legislation committee recommends adoption of 44.

Mister chair. Alderman Westmoreland. Alderman Jackson. I was out on Monday. Alderman Westmoreland. Oh, Oh, my bad. Alderman Westmoreland will now present the report of the judiciary and legislation committee.

That fault is mine and not the president's. Excuse me. The judiciary and legislation committee recommends adoption of the following. 44, resolution reserving and appropriating up to $150,000 in the 2026 damage and and claims special purpose account and authorizing the settlement of the lawsuit entitled Barry Beverly versus the city of Milwaukee. 45, substitute resolution amending the City of Milwaukee state legislative package to express support for legislation requiring the installation of speed limiting devices on vehicles owned by those repeatedly convicted of reckless driving.

46, resolution approving the revised municipal non traffic deposit schedule. The judiciary and legislation committee recommends placing on file 47, communication from the office of the assessor relating to twenty twenty six assessments. And the judiciary and legislation committee recommends dis allowance and a definite postponement of items 48 through 50 claims against the city.

Is there any further discussion of the committee report? I see no lights. Hearing none, Alderman Westmoreland moves for the adoption of recommendations of judiciary and legislation committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt. Aye. Chambers. Brower. Aye. Baumann. Aye. Westmoreland. Aye. Cox. Aye. Jackson. Aye. Zamoriba.

Aye. Aye. Moore. Aye. Bergelis.

Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dimitriovich. Alderman Dmitryevich. Excused. Standby. Aye. Mister president. Aye. 14 ayes.

One excused. 14 ayes. One excused. Alderman Scott Spiker will now present the report of the Public Health and Safety Committee.

The public safety and health committee recommends passage of the following. 51, an ordinance relating to parking controls. 52, an ordinance relating to traffic controls. The committee recommends adoption of 53 substitute resolution directing the health department to collaborate with Department of of Employee Relations to develop strategies to prevent clinic closures due to staffing shortages. 54, resolution relating to the acceptance and funding of a 2020 Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Safety Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement Grant.

55, resolution relating to the application acceptance and funding of the fiscal year 2025, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, local solicitation grant. 56, substitute resolution relative to the acceptance and funding of the 2026 speech water monitoring grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource Resource. 57, the resolution authorizing the the commissioner of health to enter into a grant agreement by carrying out the purposes of a healthy food establishment special fund. 58, substitute resolution amending the common council file number two five one two four zero relating to the acceptance and funding of the twenty twenty six women, infants, and children's grant from the state of Wisconsin Department of Health. 59, resolution authorizing the Milwaukee Fire Department to enter into an agreement with the managed health services insurance corp for community paramedic services.

60, substitute resolution approving an emergency medical services intergovernmental agreement between the city of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee County effective 01/01/2026 through December 31. 2031. 61 substitute resolution authorizing the expenditure of opioid settlement funds. The committee recommends placing on file 62 resolution relating to a trauma care and fire and police personnel. 63 resolution relating to the agreements between the community intervention task force and the law enforcement action partnership. 64, communication from the fire and police commission relating to standard operating procedures.

Is there any further discussion of the committee report? Hearing none, alderman Spike removes for adoption and recommendations of the Public Health and Safety Committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Old woman, Pratt? Aye. Chambers?

Sure. Excused.

Brower.

Aye. Baumann. Aye. Westmoreland.

Aye.

Cox. Aye. Jackson. Zamarepa. Aye. Taylor. Aye. Moore. Aye. Bergilis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dmitryevich. Aye. Stamper.

Aye.

Mister president. Aye. 14 ayes when excused.

14 ayes when excused. The committee report is adopted. Alderman Robert Baumann will now present the report of the zoning, neighborhoods, and development committee.

Excuse me. The zoning neighborhoods and development committee recommends passage of 65. A substitute ordinance relating to the change in zoning from single family residential to multi family residential or property located at 11919 West Bradley Road to allow multi family residential development on a portion of the site located on the South Side of West Bradley Road, East of North 124th Street in the 9th Automatic District. 66, a substitute ordinance relating to the change of zoning from industrial heavy to industrial mix for the properties located at 2156 South 4th Street and 2166 South 4th Street on the East Side of South 4th Street, Southwest Feature Avenue in the 12th Automatic District. The committee recommends adoption of 67.

Substitute resolution relating to a minor modification to a detailed plan development known as Saint Rita Square to allow an additional building signage on the existing building located at 728 East Pleasant Street on North Side of East Pleasant Street, East of North Van Buren Street, and the 3rd Automatic District. 68. Substitute resolution authorizing the sale back to Michael J. Lowery to and Charlene H. Clint, former owners of the city owned tax deeded property located at 1847 North 2nd Street in the 6th Automatic District.

69, resolution approving amendment number eight to the project plan for tax incremental district number 56 known as Erie Erie Jefferson to allow donation to tax incremental district number 89 on the Scarfield And North and tax incremental district number six known as McKinley School in the 4th Automatic District. 70, resolution approving a project plan development agreement authorizing expenditures in creating tax incremental district number one 33 known as 2711 list. As well as in the 4th Automatic district. 71, resolution to facilitate expansion of Milwaukee Public Schools, Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Playfield authorizing conveyance of two redevelopment authority to the city of Milwaukee owned vacant lots to the city of Milwaukee in trust for the board of school directors in the 6th Automatic District. 72, resolution authorizing the redevelopment authority of the City of Milwaukee to enter into at least with ABM Industry Groups LLC for 634 North 5th Street in the 4th Automatic District.

73, resolution authorizing a sale back to Maurice Murray, former owner of the city owned tax deeded property located at 3613 North 23rd Street in the 6th Automatic District. 74, resolution authorizing a sale backs to Shalisha Burke Berkshirean, former owner of the city owned tax deeded property located at 22470 41st Street in the 15th Automatic 75, resolution authorizing a sale back to Willie C Robinson and Inez M Robinson, former owners of the city owned tax deeded properties located at 29 Rather 2539 North 27th Street in the fifteenth automatic district. 76, resolution authorizing the sale back to Rodrigo Castillo Luna, former owner of the city owned tax deeded property located at 2329 Or 15th Street in the fifteenth automatic 77, resolution authorizing a sale back to Steven L Perkins, former owner of the city owned tax deeded property located at 2436 North 25th Street in the 15th Automatic District. 78, resolution authorizing a sale back to William W Jackson, former owner of the city owned tax deeded property located at 3325 North 45th Street in the 7th Automatic District. 79, resolution authorizing a sale back to Emily Knox, former owner of the city owned tax deed property located at 3970 North 29th Street in the 7th Automatic District.

80, resolution authorizing the sale of Joseph Holman rather to Joseph Holman, former owner of the city owned tax deed property located at 3245 To 47 North 23rd Street in the 7th Automatic District. 81, resolution authorizing a sale back to Angelo Clark, former owner of the city owned tax deeded property located at 3038 North Doctor Lester Carter Drive in the 7th Automatic District. 82, resolution authorizing a sale back to Ramon Tiburcio and Anselmo Garcia, former owners of the city owned tax deeded property located at 1005207 South 30th Street in the 8th Automatic District and the committee recommends placing on file item number 83, substitute resolution relating to the issuance of revenue bonds by the public finance authority to finance the acquisition of two multi two multi family residential rental properties known as Arbor Ridge Apartments and St. James Place.

Chair recognizes Alderman Baumann. Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. Regarding item 70, file 252,192,

I move to send this back to committee due to some timing issue with the redevelopment authority.

Okay. Motion by Alderman Bowman is to send back item 70 to committee. So, order here, no objections to order. Chair recognizes Alderman Chambers.

Please me in the affirmative for the public safety.

Okay. If the record reflects, chamber's affirmative for public safety. File. Chair recognizes Alderman Brower. Yeah, thank you

so much mister president. I would like to be registered in opposition to item number 83. One item that was a resolution that was placed on file and I'd like to speak to that here for a moment. We have before us an opportunity or before presented before zoning was an opportunity to authorize at no expense to the city. Authorize a entity to purchase and use revenue bonds to convert to my knowledge several 100 units to from market rate to affordable.

And I know that there were you know some concerns from the committee about this proposal. But I just want to, you know, I want to go on record saying that I don't want to that I want us as a body and as as a city to take every single opportunity that we can to adopt and acquire and have within the city limits affordable housing units. The housing crisis right now is is spiraling out of control in the city here and and and it's only with with, you know, with the billions wasted on this war that ran, with the mismanagement of our federal government, and and the and the Republican onslaught on communities like Milwaukee. You know, the housing crisis is only going to get worse in the coming years. So, there is an entity that wants to that just all they need right now is our nod of approval to purchase revenue bonds or excuse me, the float revenue bonds to purchase a property and convert it to affordable and in the process remodel the units.

I just want to, you know, go on record saying that like that every single opportunity that we have like this before us, we should take. I was unless there's information that I need to be enlightened on. I was disappointed by the actions of the committee and I understand that the local alder expressed opposition to this proposal as well. But I

would say that

I cannot sit here and not take and not speak to an opportunity to provide affordable units here in the city of Milwaukee. I welcome affordable housing every single in every single space in this city including on the 3rd District. I'm really looking forward to a conversation soon hopefully with the developer that wants to propose some affordable units in the 3rd Aldermanic District and but I just, you know, want to say ideologically, I urge colleagues that we should be supporting affordable housing units in every single part of this city right now. Rent is getting out of control right now and we're we're just, you know, we're, you know, the landlords are a huge problem, right? This adopting this resolution would not fix that problem of the landlords.

Obviously, that's going to require a complete systematic overhaul including frankly eliminating capitalism which I support but you know, what's before us here, if we say, if we would have said yes to this resolution, it would have allowed for affordable housing units to be created in an existing property in the 9th Aldermanic District. So, I want to, you know, I want to express my support for this project and I hope many more like it come down the pike. Thank you.

Okay. Let the record reflect your opposition to 83. Alderman Brower, chair recognizes Alderman Bowman.

Yeah. Thank you, mister president. I appreciate what Alderman Brower is saying but I think facts matter. Number one, we have no idea what this buyer was planning to do with these properties. They never came to Milwaukee. They appeared virtually. They never met with the local alder person. There was never a town hall meeting. There were never any community input. We have seen these out of state schemes before where there's a nonprofit front, but behind that front is a corporately owned and operated real estate investment enterprise.

And we have no idea what their track record has been in terms of producing affordable housing, in terms of maintaining the quality of their affordable housing. We know nothing about this entity, number one. Number two, there is nothing to stop them from proceeding with this acquisition through other means, other methods of financing, and providing affordable housing if that's truly their goal. And number two, number three, we were asked to provide input. They could have proceeded straight to an acquisition.

They didn't need our input. But apparently, they wanted to come to us for some savings on the investment side. Frankly, we've seen these schemes come to Milwaukee before. The promise of a nonprofit for affordable housing were good people, but behind that front are corporately financed real estate operations that do not intend to provide the quality of housing that our citizens deserve. So I enthusiastically voted against this and I'll vote against it again until an entity comes to town that wants to actually tell us what they're planning to do, show us their track record, give us the addresses of other properties that we can check on, we can see if they maintain the heat in winter, we can see if they have screens in the windows, we see if the elevators are working in the buildings, and all those kinds of details which many corporate landlords in this city have willful record of not performing.

Hey. Thank you. Any further chair recognize Alderman Taylor.

Thank you so much. And because this is my district, so I do wanna, speak up. And I do appreciate and and thank Alden Embalman, for his support in this and what he, has mentioned in regards to this organization coming with the lack of communication that they have put forth in trying to acquire property within my district. I was hired to represent District 9 and to represent the interest of the people that are in District 9. I have a number of developments that are brought forth to District 9 to try to address the housing needs of many of the residents in District 9 and not in District 3.

So I will not go over into District 3 trying to represent them and tell them what they need to do for their district. So I appreciate being able to represent my district in the best interest. And in that, with the number of units that we have proposed, there it is not necessary to have these two developments that I have mentioned before that are maintained as they are to have those change into affordable housing units at this time. Thank you.

You. There being no further Sorry. Chair recognizes Alderman Brower.

Yeah. Thank you so much. Just a couple different comments on that. Yeah. Can appreciate I can appreciate that we should investigate these these entities.

But what we're with the acute problem of affordability that we have, I think with an opportunity, you if if they if they commit, you know, some sort of fraud or or or negligent, should we should send DNS after them. They would be, you know, buying and fraudulent if it does not turn out to be affordable and that is a consequence for them that they would face and we would, we should be pursued the full extent of the law if in fact, they do, you know, lie with a proposal that they're that they're making and they should be held accountable. You know, regarding the the concept of of what, you know, where where we're allowed to, you know, comment or not either, you know, through our rules or informally. You know, I would just suggest this to colleagues that the entire city is an ecosystem that exists in an interdependence with each particular part of it. And so on the question of whether it's right and proper for me to comment on something occurring in another part of the city, I would argue emphatically yes.

That what happens in District 3 and on the East Side impacts every other part of the city and conversely, what happens in every other part of the city impacts District 3 and that extends beyond our our borders as well. I mean, we don't exist in a vacuum with an impenetrable border wall on 60th Street with Wauwatosa. We exist in an interdependence with the rest of this metropolitan area, the rest of this state, the rest of this country, and the rest of this world. So, for us to for us to just, you know, just to for us to believe that we are 15 different municipalities united by one administrative building in the middle of the city, I don't agree with that concept. And I understand and would acknowledge that that might be different than what other colleagues believe.

But I think that we should look at things and act in a united way and I know folks that have held my seat before have made comments like that as well. And I probably stand in that tradition to that we should all be considering while representing our constituents, we should all consider, you know, the the breadth of the entire city, metro area, and country, and world in every single vote that we take. Thank you. Thank you.

Alderman Bowman moves for adoption or recommendations of the zoning neighborhood development committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Brower? Aye.

Bowman? Aye. Wissmoreland? Aye. Jackson? Aye. Zamarepa? Aye. Taylor? Aye. Moore? Aye. Bergilis? Aye. Spiker? Aye. Dimitrijevic?

Stamper? Aye. Mister president? Aye. 15 ayes.

15 ayes. The committee report is adopted. Alderman Russell Stamper the second will now present the report of the community and economic development committee.

The community and economic development committee recommends passage of 84. A substitute ordinance relating to the membership of the emerging youth achievement advisory council. The committee recommends adoption of 85 resolution relating to the acceptance and funding of a U. S. Department agriculture agricultural marketing service regional food system partnership program grant.

The committee recommends confirmation of 86 appointment of Beth Handel to the Business Improvement District number 51 by the mayor 87. Reappointment of John Rossetto to the Business Improvement District Number 51 by the mayor 88. Reappointment of David Stegman to the Business Improvement District Number 51 by the mayor. 89, reappointment of Colleen Chaney, Trowinski, to the Business Improvement District Number 51 by the mayor. 90, appointment of Aaron Franseca to the Milwaukee Arts Board by the mayor. 91, appointment of Melissa Mueller to the Milwaukee Arts Board by the mayor. And 92, appointment of Maritza Arte to the Emerging youth achievement advisory council by the mayor.

Chair recognizes all of mister Stamper.

Thank you, mister president. I have a motion relating to item number 84, substitute orders related to the membership of the emerging youth achievement advisory council. I move to replace substitute one of common council file number 250659 with the attached proposed substitutes. I further move for passage of this file as a minute. This is simple language that need to be cleaned up. And I'm abiding by it. Thank you, mister president.

Thank you. Motion by Alderman, Stamper is the simple substitute amendment.

There have

no objections to order. Any other further business before any further discussion of the committee report? Hearing none, Alderman Stamper moves for the adoption of recommendation of the Community and Economic Development Committee. Will the clerk please call the roll? Alderwoman Pratt.

Aye. Chambers. Broward. Aye.

Bowman. Aye. Westmoreland. Aye. Cox. Aye. Jackson. Aye. Zamarepa. Aye. Taylor. Aye. Moore. Aye. Bergelis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Mitrijevich. Aye. Stamper.

Aye.

Mister president. Aye. 15 ayes.

15 ayes. The committee report is adopted. We will now take up communications from city officers.

Item number 260009. Communication from the city clerk relating to service of papers.

Order on file.

File number 260010. Communication from the city clerk relating to the various amendatory condolatory resolutions to be acknowledged and affirmed by the common council. Order of file. File number 206Rather260011. Communication from the city clerk relating to official notices and reports. Order on file. File number 260022 communication relating to the notices filed under file number 251676. A substitute ordinance relating to notice of closures for food establishments. Order on file. File number two six zero zero three four.

Appointment of Cindy Wright Smith to serve as special deputy commissioner of the Department of City Development with respect to the signing of documents relating to the sale of city owned property by the commissioner of the Department of City Development. Order on file. File number 260040. Appointment of Kathleen Brangles. As a representative of the legislative reference bureau and the chair of the zoning code technical committee. Order on file. File number 260087. Appointment of Missy Zober. Somber rather to the Milwaukee Public Library Board by the Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent. Order on file.

And file number 260089. Communication relating to the the appointments of Douglas Stern, Patrick Mozinski, and Frederick Climates as the reserve municipal judges for the city of Milwaukee.

Order on file. Are there any items for immediate adoption?

There are five measures for immediate adoption. Item number 93, file number 260,041, resolution conditionally approving a final certified survey map. Item number 94, file number 60044, Resolution approving final certified survey maps. Item number 95, file number two six zero zero eight four. Motion amending the school of regular meetings of the common council and its standing committee for the year 2026.

Yes, right.

Item number 96, file number 260104. Resolution expressing the city of Milwaukee's opposition to the recent ruling by the Supreme Court relating to the nineteen eighty nineteen sixty five Voting Rights Act and item number 97, file number six, whether two six zero one zero six, resolution opposing the energy's request to increase utility rates and authorizing the city attorney to intervene in We Energies twenty twenty seven, twenty eight rate increase case.

Let the record reflect. I'd like to be a co sponsor of 02/2004 and 02/2006. Chair recognizes all the women Dimitrivich.

Request to increase utility rates. I know we've had a lot of information kind of thrown at us here, but I'm hoping that in the past, just like the past, this will be a fairly easy question for colleagues, but not creating a light note here because it is incredibly heavy for the nearly 500,000 residents that we serve. Again, if you're a bit tired of hearing me speak on this, imagine how tired I feel and imagine how tired the residents of the city of Milwaukee feel. This feels like it's coming up every couple months. Now, our work matters.

Us taking a strong position publicly like this matters. There was just a positive ruling by the PSC to have data centers in this council, and I think each and every one of you unanimously said that future large data centers should pay 100% of their costs. They originally wanted 75, 25 and that was put forth by groups like the Corporation of We Energies. So that was a success, one minor victory in a long, long battle. As soon as the ink could dry on that decision, We Energies, a monopolistic corporation, went forward and asked for another rate increase.

Please look at this memo. I thank Dave Gelting for putting it together on Item two, Page two. Look at what's being proposed for 2028 and 2027. And it may at first glance not seem perhaps too much or up with the cost of living, but that is absolutely incorrect. The request would increase the typical residential customers' bill by $14.67 per month or 10.28% and then another 5.52% in January 2028.

So again, that's 10.28 then followed by 5.52%. What does that mean for our Milwaukeeans who are already some of the most energy burdened people in The United States Of America? It means $14.67 per month, then followed up by $8.69 per month. On top of, if you look at Page two, the increases throughout the year. 2028 is at $1.66 and 2027 is 157.

Those are the typical residential We Energies electric bill. We talked a lot earlier this meeting about how people's needs are not being met. When over a quarter, if not approaching a third of our residents' income goes to the one choice and one choice only, which is We Energies. It's not like we're getting more energy, we're barely even getting cleaner energy. We're not getting any better product. And in Bayview, I can tell you specifically in my district, the power goes out all the time. I have friends and family that have generators. So we're

not getting anything more for the

money here. In fact, their increases continue. They make more money on the backs of our people who can't afford other things they need like housing, food, diapers, many of the things that we talked about today. It leads to the instability and insecurity of our families. So we will intervene with your support here. Our voices have been heard. Our voices collectively represent half a million people. And we cannot allow these decisions to be made on their behalf when it is so detrimental. In fact, Mr. President, I'll offer you one last point.

The more that these bills go up and the increases happen almost unilaterally, I know the PSC looks at it, the more work that we're going have to do in the city of Milwaukee to help people reach their needs. It's actually coming back to us. We're going to have to do more for our people because they're not going to be able to afford the quality of life that they deserve in the city of Milwaukee. So once again, I ask for your support. We have to continue to stand up. And I know many colleagues want to chime in here because it is an issue that people are thinking about every single day and we would like the PSC with this intervention to agree with us and stop the increases for our community.

Chair recognizes Oliver Brower. Yeah. Thank you

so much, mister president. I would like to also be added as a cosponsor for item number 96 and wanna just say heartfelt appreciation for this, you know, for the authors of this resolution. We need to make our voices heard regarding what the out of control Supreme Court is doing to erode rights for every single person here in The United States. I also want to speak to item number 97 regarding We Energies. We need to intervene and act and I hope we can get a unanimous vote on adoption of this today to to show that the Milwaukee Common Council is united in opposition to We Energies continuing continuing their quest for more and more profits and more and more greed.

We have to stop it right now and they're and they're going to use every excuse in the book, right? They're going to, you know, if they didn't, if they didn't have, you know, excuses before to not meet their climate goals, they're going to use the Iran war right now as an excuse to not meet their climate goals and to raise prices, right? This is this is an unacceptable situation. These you know, you can almost say that there's a system that's making this happen. I would argue that there is.

It's capitalism. We need to stop it. We can start that fight against the system that is oppressing every single person here in the city of Milwaukee. We can start that by opposing. I I really appreciate Alderman Dmitryovich taking the lead on this and and making sure this got here this morning for immediate adoption so we can intervene in this rate case.

But there is more that this council can do. There is definitely more that this council and this community can do. We can begin to explore using chapter 197 of the Wisconsin State Statutes to replace We Energies and actually get them out of this city because when a business reaches the state of monopoly, it needs to be under public ownership, right? And this and this definitely includes our utilities but also other major corporations obviously need to be under democratic and people ownership as well and we have a tool in our toolbox that we can use as soon as we can muster the political will which is chapter one ninety seven of the Wisconsin state statutes. I urge adoption of this. Thank you so much.

Let the record reflect your sponsorship, cosponsorship of item 96. Chair recognizes Alderman Baumann.

Yes. I'd like to be added to 96, 97 as well.

Let the record reflect cosponsorship 96, '97. Chair recognizes Alderman Samaripa.

Thank you, mister chair. I would also like to be added as a co sponsor for items number ninety six and ninety seven.

With the record, reflect co sponsorship by elder person Samaripa, ninety six, ninety seven. Chair recognizes elder miss Piker.

Thank you, mister president. I'd like be listed as a cosponsor on item 96 relating to the SCOTUS decision regarding section two of the Voting Rights Act thirteen years after Shelby County eliminated largely the pre clearance regime in Section five. There's precious little that exists left. It's very disturbing and have tremendous consequences. I'd also like to be listed as a cosponsor on Item 97 as well. Thank you.

Cosponsorship Okay. On ninety six, ninety seven. Chair recognizes all of mister Stamper.

Yeah. Thank you mister president. And I thank my colleagues for the cosponsorship and please add me to the one against the energies. Great. But I'm glad and blessed to be an elected official to stand up against this 1965 Voting Right Act, opposition by the Supreme Court and the president of The United States.

So it's our duty. It's our right. And I can't imagine what elected officials went through back then, leaders, Black Panther, all of those different leaders that went back to the civil rights movement and Jim Crow laws and all of the stuff that they did so we can be elected, 2026. So I I wrote some comments that I like to share because I was flabbergasted when I saw that they can blatantly just change the constitution and the law right in front of us so you can change a map, so you can decide who can vote. That's crazy that they're able to do that right in front of us, right in our eyes.

So this is this is what I'm I'm feeling, and I've been feeling this since the day it passed because I saw it other day that they already implementing the laws and trying to erase a minority vote. So I rise in strong support of this resolution opposing the recent Supreme Court ruling that weakens protections under the 1965 Voting Rights Act, one of the most important civil rights laws in American history. The Voting Rights Act was created to ensure that every citizen, regardless of race or background, have a fair and equal voice in our democracy. For decades, section two has helped protect communities from discriminatory voting practices and unfair district maps that dilute the power of minority voters. This recent ruling sends the wrong message at a time when trust in our democ democratic process must be strengthened, not weakened.

It creates additional barriers for communities seeking fairness, representation, and equal access to the political process. Milwaukee understands the importance of this representation. We understand the sacrifices made by those who marched, protested, bled, and even died for the right to vote. We cannot remain silent when protections that generations fought for are diminished. This resolution is about standing on the side of fairness, inclusion, and democracy.

It is about affirming that every resident deserves to be heard and every vote deserves to count. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and continue to fight to protect voting rights for all people. Thank you, mister president.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Chambers.

Thank you. Thank you, mister president. I'm going to ask for unanimous consent on items ninety six and ninety seven and I got some words to speak about 96.

Okay. The motion by Alderman Chambers is unanimous consent ninety six ninety seven. Any objection? Hearing that's ordered.

The floor is yours. Thank you, mister president. I will be remiss if I don't express my frustration, you know, about section two being completely gutted, essentially, the Voting Rights Act being completely gutted, so I as well construct you some words. The Voting Rights Act was born out of struggle, sacrifice, and understanding that democracy only works when every voice truly has a seat at the table. The recent Supreme Court decision weakens protection in the VRA, not just a a legal ruling.

It's a step backwards for a community that fought too hard and too long to be heard. As an elected official representing the historically underrepresented community, I know firsthand that access to fair representation does not happen by accident. It happens because protections were put in place to stop discrimination before it can silence people at the ballot box. We should not be making it harder we should not be making it harder for communities of color, working class neighborhoods, or historically marginalized voices to elect candidates to understand their lived experiences. We should be strengthening our democracy, not narrowly.

This decision sends the wrong message at the time when trust in government is already fragile. The Voting Rights Act is not outdated. The need for fairness, accountability, and equal access to represent to representation is as important as it was generations ago before us. I stand firmly in opposition to any effort that weaken the voices of the people and undermine the progress of so many sacrifices to achieve. Thank you, mister president.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Taylor. Nope. I don't have it. Chair recognizes Alderman Bugelis. Thank you, Mr. President.

I was gonna ask for cosponsorship for 9697. I appreciate the Chambers Yeah. Speaking up for all of us. But these two items reflect how fundamentally critical our democracy is today. Eroding voting acts eroding the Voting Rights Act undermines the political collective will of a democratic society.

We're on a cliff, and the country has very little time to change course and correct the destruction of democracy in our country. And utilities, costs, families across our state are already stretched thin by rising housing costs, groceries, insurance, gas, property taxes. Now, yet another major increase in utility bills. Utilities are essential services that people depend on every single day. But when rates rise too quickly, residents are forced to make impossible choices between paying the utility bill, buying groceries, filling prescriptions, or paying rent.

Let us not forget that this also impacts local governments. We are one of the City Of Milwaukee is one of WeEnergy's largest customers in Southeastern Wisconsin. Having higher utility bill costs for the city means that we also have to adjust our budget. The result will be fewer services paid for, for our residents. I believe Milwaukee needs to have a voice in this process.

Everyone in Wisconsin, every resident should have a voice in this process. We have to advocate for fairness, transparency, most of all, affordability now more than ever for ratepayers. Residents I talked to are financially exhausted. Government should not stay silent. We need to stand with our constituents clearly who are struggling, keep up, I urge adoption of both of these. Thank you, mister president. Chair recognizes Alderman Moore.

Thank you, Mr. President. My colleague has already expressed unanimous consent for ninety six and ninety seven.

That's what I was referencing.

Chair recognizes Alder Woman Demitravich.

Thank you. Okay, then I don't need to add myself to 96. Do we have unanimously, everybody? Both. Okay, well, me just do one thing I forgot, Mr.

President. In this beautiful chart though, I forgot to mention, I just think this is outstanding and for the people watching that from the years 2022 to 2026, there was a 32% increase from We Energies and now from '26 to '28, there will be a 16%. So again, '22 to '26, thirty two percent twenty six to '28, 16%. I just thought that was such an outstanding, outrageous data point that it needed to be demonstrated in color. Thank you.

You. Hearing no further discussion of these items, hearing none, Aldwoman Demetravers moves adoption. Will the clerk please call the roll? Alderwoman Pratt. Aye.

Chambers. Aye.

Broward. Aye.

Baumann. Aye.

Wissmoreland. Aye. Cox. Jackson. Zamorripa. Aye. Taylor. Aye. Moore. Aye. Bergelis. Aye. Spiker. Aye. Dimitrijevic. Aye. Stamper.

Aye.

Mister president. Aye. 15 ayes.

15 ayes. The files are adopted. Are there any announcements? Chair recognizes Alderman Chambers.

Thank you, mister president. This Saturday Saturday, May sixteenth from 10AM to 11:30AM, congresswoman Gwen Moore will be hosting congressional cafes, a district listening session hosted at in the 2nd District at Marshall High School in the auditorium at 4141 North 64th Street. This is an annual event that the congresswoman has held in the 2nd District. This year, it will be attended by Congresswoman Gwen Moore, obviously, State Senator Latonya Johnson, State Representative, Supreme Court Omar Kounde, County Supervisor Felicia Martin and yours truly. It's a great opportunity to speak with your elected official.

There will be resources there. A great opportunity to hear some great conversation about what's going on in the nation's capital, in the state, county and also the city. So if anybody who is interested in coming over to Marshall, we look forward to see you Saturday, May 16 at Marshall High School again, 4141 North 64th Street from 10AM to 11:30AM. Thank you, mister president.

Thank you. Chair recognizes all mister Stamper.

Yeah. Thank you, mister president. Tonight and Thursday, I'm hosting along with a few community groups, a property assessment information and appeal assistance community meeting. Two sessions on the process, how they got here, open up questions for the community, and most importantly, how to appeal. They are tonight at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society from 05:30 to 07:30, 2620 West Center Street.

Assessors office will be there, realtors will be there, and developers will be there to help individuals understand their assessment and to appeal if wanted. And then also this Thursday at peak initiative, same time, 05:30 to 07:30. Peak is located at 2480 West Cherry Street. I encourage all residents to come out. Anyone concerned about their assessment to come learn the process and do what you can to a fight against the city assessments.

We just well, I learned of the news another announcement. I learned of the news yesterday morning. A legend passed away, in Milwaukee. He's a frat brother of mine, a member, and a leader of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and I'm sure we're going to issue a common council press release. Thank you to Alderman Cox but doctor Finlayson was a leader and legend in this city delivering over 10,000 babies in Milwaukee.

I can guarantee you if you're an African American person, black person that lived in the city, if you weren't delivered by him, your cousin was, your auntie, somebody in your family or somebody that knows your family was delivered by doctor Finlayson, one of the first black doctors in Milwaukee. The frat is pretty sad, and we're putting together what we can to have a robust program. So all are invited to come spend time with his family and recognizing and honoring doctor Finn Mason. We had the chance to give him his flowers when he was alive. I'm very proud of that when he turned a 100 years old.

We were in Alderman Cox District, and we did a program, and we changed the street. I think it's 4th Street,

though. 5th.

5th. 5th Street. We got Vail Phillips on 4th. Right? We got doctor Martin Luther King. We got Vail Phillips, and we got doctor Martin Vin Mason all in Bronzeville and Spreadout. So I'm proud of that, and that's the little bit of honor we were able to do in honoring him. So the hit he'll go down in history. So very sad news, but at least we got to honor him while he was here. Thank you, mister president.

Thank you. Chair, recognize all the woman Taylor.

Oh, thank you so much, mister president. Couple of things. One, last month, I forgot to mention a happy birthday to my daughter. I turned 33 years old, so, just wanted to make sure I gave her that shout out. The other one was I also omitted to say thank you to PID and all the hard work that they put in to make Teacher Appreciation Day a success.

So I wanted to make sure I publicly said thank you to them for all their work. Lastly, just wanted to mention that District nine is committed to this is violence prevention month, and then we had a lot of support with the Violence Prevention Week through Doctor. Fuller's school. So I wanted to continue to do things to support our children and focus them in a positive direction. So we have Granville Kids Funday, and there's going to be a total of three.

Two are in May. So one is this weekend, May 16, from ten to three at 9550 West Brown Deer Road at the Risen Savior Church parking lot. And then the next one is May 23, and it is also ten to three at the crossover center at 9155 North 76th Street. All kids are welcome. Come out.

Get they're gonna get free hot dogs, chips, and a drink, and just have a lot of fun. There's plenty of games. Special guest is gonna be Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee Police Department. And then the last one will be, as we did last year, also in recognition of my birthday and Ken Fut Kids Fund Day together will be June 20, so we can save the date. And, again, we'll be doing the exact same thing. Only we'll be adding the bike raffle as we did last year.

Thank you. Chair recognizes all over the front.

Thank you. First, I'd like to echo the sentiments of Artemis Stamper for Doctor. Finlayson. I'd also like to offer condolences for John Calwitz who passed. He was a former common council president and alderman in the city of Milwaukee. I just wanted to say some things that's going on in the 1st District. I love neighborhood walks, we are starting neighborhood walks. First one is on May 18, Rufus King, starting, at 1801 West Aloe, starting at 11:30. I have another one on May 20 with the Lincoln Park neighborhood group starting on nineteenth in Hampton at 11:30. On May 27, are also doing another walk, 5600 Block on North 35th Street with the bridge builders.

And then at 12:45 on May 27, another walk, 4500 Block on West Custer with the McGovern Block Club Group. And on May 29, March on West Vera, another walk. Also wanna highlight that we are having a community meeting regarding, an application for to open a reopen the gas station at Totonia And Roosevelt. And this meeting will be on this Saturday at Lighthouse Youth Center, which is 2,475, and the family of Isaiah Allen will be there as well as the owners, and they've been in communication. This is for the community to come out and voice their opinion about what they want to see next.

Just lastly, I'd like to say happy anniversary to my parents. They just celebrated their fifty fifth wedding anniversary. Congratulations.

Chair recognizes Alderman Cox. Thank you, mister president. I would like to wish my son who celebrated his golden birthday yesterday on the eleventh. He turned 11 a happy birthday. So that's happy birthday, Kalfani.

On May 30 from 11AM to 6PM on 9th in Atkinson till eleventh in Atkinson. There will be the fourteenth annual Hill the Hood block party. There'll be free food, community resources, and entertainment. It is free and open to the public. Again, that is May 30, eleven to 6PM, ninth to eleventh in Atkinson, the Hill the Hood block party and all are invited.

Additionally, we are still accepting applications for vendors for the Brownsville Cultural and Arts Festival, which is scheduled for August 2 on North Avenue between King Drive and 7th. Those applications for for vending can be found on the city's website at milwaukee.com. Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Bergelis.

Thank you, Mr. President. Please join Lieutenant Governor, Sarah Rodriguez County Executive, David Crowley Mayor, Kevlar Johnson Council President, Jose Perez and also Alderperson Gil Castro Zamripa and myself, today in thirty nine minutes for the LGBT Community Center brand open brand opening and ribbon cutting at their new location 161 South 1st Street. That's today in thirty eight minutes. See you there.

Also, June 1, we have a joint county and city Intersex Progress Pride flag raising ceremony on the South side of the county courthouse near 10th And Wells. That's on Monday, June 1 at 9AM, put together by both LGBTQ plus ERG groups of the county and the city, the HIVE and PRISM. Please join us Monday morning, 9AM, June 1 at the county Courthouse. Thank you so much.

Chair recognizes Alderman Moore. Thank you so much, Mr. President. Just want to invite our community out to Washington Heights Night Market. They have an amazing night market.

It's coming up on May We're going to a a Groom Plant Sale is, I wanna say, it's this Saturday from nine to 11AM at Endress Park Playfield for those folks that are looking to spruce up their homes and get some plants, please stop by Endress Park. Couple more things, Deneen Park also has their community play day on Saturday, May 16 at the Deneen Park Tennis Courts from one to 3PM. It is an amazing free family friendly fun event. So if you want to get outside, if you're in the neighborhood, please check them out. A shameless plug here.

I had a chance to go see the play Raisin in the Sun, which was spectacular. It plays from May 8 through the twenty fourth. Google it, you'll see it, but definitely a really cool opportunity by Lorraine Hansberry. Just it was amazing. And lastly, would like to congratulate my twin boys who both graduate this Saturday at the same time at two different schools.

So Matthew Moore graduating from University of Wisconsin Whitewater with his four year degree and Malachi Moore which will be graduating from MATC with his associate's degree and will be moving on to UWM. So proud of both of them and all of our scholars that are graduating from whether it's kindergarten, middle, high school and college and beyond, we wish our community well. Thank you.

Thank you. Congratulations. Chair recognizes Alderman Jackson. Mic check. Check. Check. Jackson.

I wish I could give you my mic.

Breaker breaker. Robert Duckie. Okay. There you go. Thank you, mister president. Busy weekend coming Saturday morning, Bridge Builders is having their serve day. I can't attend, so I'll be sending my nephews to get to work. They'll be painting they'll be painting two garages, a porch, and painting a house. So that's going on at nine eight 8AM at the Bridge Mills location, 4621 North 40th Street. Sunset Heights has a cleanup on 51st in Fairlock at 9AM.

Second cleanup is at twelve at noon, and that's a Farrell cleanup. Farrell was a young man that passed away five years ago. This is the fifth annual cleanup, 4331 North 48th Street. And, also, Saturday Sunday, we will have Earth Day in May, plant sale at Sherman Park Associations. So play on words with my colleague, Spruce, up. Your gardens and everything with plants to purchase. Thank you.

Chair recognizes Alderman Demetriovich. Yes. Please join us

May 19 from four to 5PM at Brujas. If you haven't been there, it's lovely. 3062 South 13th Street is for the Ohio Park Neighborhood Meeting. Also playing on the spring language that we're blooming together and we will have a seed exchange May 19 at Brujas. Thank you.

Any other announcements? I just want to take a second to wish my son, Victorio, who just turned 17, happy birthday, and very proud of him. And there being no further business before this council, it is adjourned.