Common Council - Regular Meeting

Come to order, will the city clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt.

Present.

Chambers.

Here.

Brower.

Here.

Bauman. Here. Westmoreland. Here. Coggs.

Present.

Jackson.

Here.

Zamarripa.

Here.

Taylor.

Here.

Moore. Present. Bergelis. Happy Pride Month. Present. Spiker. Here.

Dmitrievich. Alderman Dmitrievich.

Here.

Stamper. I am here. Mr. President. Present. Fifteen members are present.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance to be followed by a moment of silent meditation.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States

Are there any corrections to the Common Council Journal of Proceedings for the meetings of May 12, 2026?

There are no corrections to the journal.

There being no corrections, the minutes of this meeting stand and approve. Alderperson Jocasta Samaripa moves that the Common Council resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for the purpose of making a number of presentations. Hearing no objection, so ordered. Welcome to Pride Month. In just a moment, we will be recognizing five special people and organizations selected by Alderperson Jocasta Samaripa and Alderman Peter Bergelis. They are being honored for their commitment and contributions to the LGBTQ plus community.

I'm sure we can.

Jocasta, do you see her up first? Alderperson Zamarripa and Alderman Bergelis, the floor is yours.

Happy Pride Month, everybody. My name's Alderman Peter Bergelis. I'm joined by Alderperson Jocasta Zamarripa. The first Pride was a riot. And eight years before Stonewall, here in Milwaukee, not too far away at the Black Knight Tavern, trans women of color stood up and said they've had enough, they fought back. We can't forget that. We have to stand up and fight every single day for our rights. Pride Month is a time when we remember our neighbors. The LGBTQ plus community is next door, down the street, your doctor, your police officer, The community, the LGBTQ plus community is a part of our community. And today we celebrate a couple individuals and organizations that live that mission each and every day.

Well said, Alderman Bergelis. Thank you. All right. I am Alderperson Jocasta Zamoripa, one member of our Queer Caucus here at the city. And I'm very, very happy to be here with you all. Thank you to the Milwaukee Common Council for always honoring and celebrating Pride Month here. in Milwaukee and beyond. And so as Peter said so eloquently, we want to honor some organizations and folks who are living their authentic selves, honoring and helping others to live authentically, and being leaders in our queer community. And so, of course, it's only right that I start by honoring the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center today. And behind us, actually, you have all of your honorees, from staff to executive directors to board members to individuals. We wanted them to stand up here on the dais today so you could see how how powerful and awesome our LGBT community is here in Milwaukee. But with that, I want to call up Richie Martin, the Executive Director of the LGBT Community Center, and just give a few remarks as I hand him this plaque so that we can honor them. You know, the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center has come under tremendous fire, as you can imagine, from the Trump administration. Their very name has LGBT in its organizational name. And you can imagine the funding under Donald Trump that has come under at great risk, if not completely lost. And so with Richie Martin's leadership and the leadership of his team and board members, they have worked very hard to ensure that the center continues here in Milwaukee. And, you know, they started in Walker's Point in Alderman Bettis' district many, many years ago when I was just a kid. And they made their way to Alderman Cogg's district on Court Street. That was when I walked through the doors of the center for the very first time. Ultimately, they ended up, I think, in Baumann's district off of Water Street for a time before they came back to Court Street. But now they have come back home to Walker's Point on Milwaukee's near south side. And Alderman Bergelis and I and President Bettis were so happy to be at the ribbon cutting very recently. Richie Martin, under his leadership and with his team, again, have continued to ensure that the LGBT Community Center continues on here in Milwaukee. It is part of our legacy. They were one of the first in the country, and I want to ask Richie to please keep his great work going so we can continue to have a Milwaukee LGBT Community Center serving for generations to come. Richie Martin and your team, I want to wish you a very happy Pride, and I want to thank you so much for your grand leadership.

Folks, this year, Pridefest is joining the Summerfest grounds once again, as they have. This will be the 30th anniversary of Pridefest. Congratulations to Pridefest. With us, we have Wes Shaver, its president and CEO. Wes, congratulations on continuing this tradition on Milwaukee's beautiful lakefront. Thank you, Wes.

Yes, Wes.

Okay. And I do want to add, Pride Fest does begin on Thursday. I already bought my ticket with the VIP experience add-on. And I challenge my colleagues to join me in purchasing the same and joining me Thursday night. But with that, I want to move on to our next honoree. As Alderman Bergelis noted, we're honoring some individuals this morning as well. And so with that, I want to bring up Lieutenant Guadalupe Velazquez of our Milwaukee Police Department. Lieutenant, some of you, I know my colleagues know, just got a promotion. She for quite a long time was Sergeant Velazquez, but she is now Lieutenant Guadalupe Velazquez. So let's congratulate her. Well-deserved promotion. Lieutenant Velazquez is also one of our LGBTQ plus liaisons for the Milwaukee Police Department. In fact, one of the first, if not the first. Yes, so. Yes, so we want to thank her for her leadership as an out LGBTQ plus Milwaukee police officer. She's joined here today by another out law enforcement leader with Lieutenant Hall here in the room with us. And so we want to thank him. And I said this in committee because she used to come to a license committee. Now she's going to move on to greener pastures. But she was always with us in licenses committee representing MPD. And I said this already, but I want to say it again. I've been watching Lieutenant Velasquez as a leader on our near south side. District 2 was in my district. So since she was a rank and file rookie cop, I like to say I knew who she was. And I don't know that she ever knew that I was I saw her and I was watching her and I was admiring her as a Latina in the force as an out openly queer individual in the police department. And she the work that she does now to lift up not just herself and her beautiful family, her wife and her children, but her community. It is very dear to her. I see her at every single event. She's at the events that I'm not even at, and I just want to thank you so much for showing up every single time. And this promotion is well, well deserved, and how lucky we are that you call Milwaukee home, Lieutenant Velazquez. Happy Pride.

And next, another individual that we want to recognize is Aaron Rice. Aaron Rice is not a Milwaukee native. He moved here. If we want to grow our community to a million residents, we need to embrace and acknowledge that we have to grow. While Aaron When Aaron came to Milwaukee, he immediately identified non-profits that he wanted to serve and help on. He's been on the board for the LGBT community center and United Way of United Way engagement. I'm not reading this very quickly. Idea Committee for Visit Milwaukee. And there was another one that I can't remember. But when people come to our community and become a part of that fabric of our community, we have to embrace, welcome, and celebrate them. So in his job, in his day job as Chief Development Officer at Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin, He helps advance the organization's mission to serve all individuals experiencing food insecurity, which is something this council cares deeply about. And that also includes members of the LGBTQ plus community, where nearly one in five experience poverty. Thank you, Aaron, for moving to Milwaukee, making that choice. Thank you, Milwaukee, for embracing him. And Aaron, thank you for embracing our community as your new home. Thank you, Aaron. Our last honoree today is Courage Plus. Courage Plus has made a... immeasurable contribution to milwaukee because they care about kids that otherwise would not have a home and these kids frankly come from all over the state so for the last 11 years purge plus has helped foster and embrace young people who have no home what more of a milwaukee idea bring and recently they purchased another home in my district on the southwest side of the city and to be transparent a lot of the neighbors were concerned but once neighbors understood what the organization is but it isn't and the benefit that they bring to the community Most of those neighbors were overjoyed to support them coming to the Southwest Side and to the 11th Aldermanic District. So today, Courage Plus offers a wide array of uplifting programming, including housing support, advocacy, writing scholarships and grants, and offering education, training and support to nonprofits, organizations, businesses, allies, and anyone wanting to learn. They've been here since 2015. They work to provide safe and inclusive housing, trauma-informed care catered to the LGBTQ plus community, education and reliable data-supported thought leadership with the goal of giving LGBTQ plus youth a sense of community centered around care, safety, and acceptance while bringing about real systemic change. The Common Council of the City of Milwaukee here with Recognize is Courage Plus is a 2026 Pride Month honoree and thanks them for their continued work in the community. Thank you, Brad. Pride doesn't end on June 30th. We have to acknowledge, celebrate, all of our contributions all year long. And if you're not a member of the LGBTQ plus community, you can be an ally, be supportive, but you can also be an accomplice. Happy Pride Month, everyone. Now we'll do a group photo. If you have a plaque in your hand, join us in the front. Squeeze into the diet.

Okay. How do we look into this? Straight away? Yeah. One, two, three, rise.

Amen. Wait, wait, wait.

One, two, three. One, two, three. One, four, three. I do, but I guess I got the photo.

Silly.

He's silly.

He's a trainee at Wolf Harbor Homework. They only know.

Will members take their seats please? Members take their seats. Alderman Bergelis now moves that the Common Council rise, hearing no objections so ordered. Will 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 2026 Pride Month honorees, Courage Plus. the LGBT Community Center, Pride Fest, Aaron Rice, Lieutenant Guadalupe Velazquez. Two, resolution recognizing the inaugural Renueva tu Enseña event. Three, resolution recognizing the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Pink Umbrella Theater Company. Four, resolution recognizing the grand opening of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center location at 161 South First Street, 5. Resolution recognizing the work of Maestro Luis R. Lopez on the occasion of a Celebration of Life event in his honor at South Division High School. 6. Resolution recognizing Dwight Cobb for his decades of service to the Milwaukee community. 7. Resolution recognizing John Conforti for his years of dedicated service to the St. Sebastian School Foundation. Eight, resolution recognizing Dominic the food reviewer and his positive contributions to the community. Nine, resolution congratulating Becky Peelin on her retirement and 37 years of success operating Becky's Customs Sewing and Design. 10, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Alderman John R. Colwitz. 11, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Dennis Lamar Johnson. 12, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Kathleen Hart. 13, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of Tyrone Daniels. 14, resolution congratulating Jill Price on her retirement from the Department of Administration, Information Technology Management Division. And a late addition to the roster, resolution expressing condolences to the family and friends of David Francis Martin.

Are there any objections to their foregone commendations or condolences? If anyone wishes to be added 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 workday. We will now take up reports of standing committees. Alderperson Jocasta Samaripa will now present the report of the License Committee.

The Licenses Committee recommends passage of two, a substitute ordinance relating to the Department of Neighborhood Services investigation of license applications. The Licenses Committee recommends placing on file four, an ordinance relating to the municipal identification card. Five, motion relating to the revocation of the Class B Tavern Food Dealer and Public Entertainment premise licenses of Reginald Butler, agent for 2579 Titonia, LLC, for the premise located at 2579 North Titonia Avenue. doing business as Vibe Lounge in the 15th Aldermanic District. The Licenses Committee also recommends approval of three Common Council File number 260107, motion relating to the recommendations of the Licenses Committee relating to licenses. Included in the file are the following recommendations. Renewal of the 10-day suspension of the food dealer and food peddler licenses of M. Eguadalupe Cabral Villarreal, based upon the preponderance of the evidence in the Aldermanic testimony, applicant and city department testimony, that demonstrates the operational results in a threat to health, safety, or welfare of the public for the illegal parking, pending citations, and failure to comply with the approved plan of operation for the premise located at 2131 South Muskego Avenue, doing business as El Paraiso in the 8th Aldermanic District. The Licenses Committee also recommends non-renewal of the Class D Operator's License of Christopher DeSean McBeath based upon a second non-appearance. No written objections have been filed to either item.

Have the members of the Common Council read the report and recommendations of the License Committee? Roll call, please.

Alderman Pratt. Chambers? Aye. Brower?

Aye.

Bowman? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Coggs?

Aye.

Jackson?

Aye.

Zamoriba?

Aye.

Taylor?

Aye.

Moore? Aye. Bergelis?

Aye.

Spiker? Aye. Dimitrievich? Aye. Stamper?

Aye.

Mr. President?

Aye. Fifteen ayes. There are no motions on respect to these matters. Hearing none, is there any further discussion? Hearing none, I would ask a vote of the common council members to adopt the recommendations of the licenses committee as contained in file number 260107. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderwoman Pratt? Aye. Chambers? Aye. Brower?

Aye.

Baumann? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Coggs?

Aye.

Jackson.

Aye.

Zamarripa.

Aye.

Taylor.

Aye.

Moore. Aye. Bergelis.

Aye.

Spiker. Aye. Dimitrievich.

Aye.

Stamper. Aye. Mr. President. Aye. 15 ayes.

15 ayes. Is there any further discussion of the complete report or the rest of the report? Hearing none, Alderman Samaripa moves, Alderperson Samaripa moves for approval of the remainder of the report of the License Committee. Will the Clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt? Aye. Chambers? Aye. Brower? Aye. Bauman? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Coggs?

Aye.

Jackson?

Aye.

Samaripa?

Aye.

Taylor?

Aye.

Moore? Aye. Bergelis?

Aye.

Spiker? Aye. Dimitrievich?

Aye.

Stamper?

Aye.

Mr. President?

Aye.

Fifteen ayes. Fifteen ayes.

The committee report is adopted. Alderwoman Malaylee Acogs will now present the report of the Public Works Committee.

The Public Works Committee recommends. approval of six motion relating to the recommendations of the public works committee relating to licenses public works committee recommends passage of seven in ordinance relating to state requirements for recycling and other purposes the public works committee recommends adoption of eight substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name john j williams to north 14th street from west capitol drive to west olive street in the first aldermanic district 9 a substitute resolution relating to the exploration and development of external partnerships for street maintenance 10 substitute resolution relating to the collection of leaves raked by residents to the curb 11 substitute resolution approving levying of assessments and construction of assessable public improvements projects at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the city cost of these projects approved by these resolutions estimated to be eight hundred and seventy three thousand eight hundred and eighty dollars for a total estimated cost of $1,196,800. 12. Resolution relating to acceptance and execution of funding of a Green Solutions Grant from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for the installation of permeable pavers in the westerly parking lane of South 18th Street between West Lincoln Avenue and West Beecher Street as part of the City's reconstruction project in the 12th Aldermanic District. 13, resolution authorizing city entry into green schoolyards redevelopment program funding agreement and conservation easements with MMSD and MPS for MPS properties at various locations in the City of Milwaukee. 14, resolution authorizing city entry into a development and credit purchase agreement with Milwaukee Board of School Directors, City of Milwaukee, and CIS MMSD LLC for the purchase of green infrastructure gallon credits at Lincoln and Modrzejewski Playfields in the 12th Aldermanic District. 15. Resolution authorizing city entry into green solutions funding agreements and conservation easements with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Milwaukee Public Schools for the Milwaukee Public Schools properties in the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 14th, and 15th automatic districts. 16. 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 $425,000, for a total estimated cost of these projects being $2,550,000. 17, resolution determining it necessary to make various non-accessible public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes, with the city engineering cost estimated to be $240,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $3,500,000. 18 resolution approving construction of non-accessible public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the city construction cost estimated to be $1,758,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,820,000. 19 resolution authorizing the transfer of funds from the state improvement state and or federal aid program to the street reconstruct or resurface program regular city program at various locations for funding of local street improvements under the local roads improvement program for municipal streets improvement greater than twenty thousand with a city cost of four million eight hundred and fifty two thousand one hundred and eighty five dollars and twenty cents with a grantor's cost of one million five thousand one million five thousand eight hundred and sixty four dollars and eighty cents for a total estimated cost of five million eight hundred and fifty eight thousand eight hundred and fifty eight thousand fifty dollars 20 resolution authorizing the transfer of funds from the street improvement state and or federal aid program to the street reconstruct or resurface program regular city program for west keith avenue between north 8th street and north 18th street in the 6th aldermanic district to fund the municipal street improvement supplemental local roads improvement program with a city cost of $1,100,000 and a grantor cost of $900,000 for a total estimated cost of $2 million. 21, resolution authorizing the Commission of Public Works to execute a reimbursement agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for the removal of an obstruction and relaying of storm sewer pipes along the Menominee River located in the City of Milwaukee. 22. Resolution granting approval of three driveway approaches with a width greater than 30 feet for the premises at 2005 West Oklahoma Avenue in the 13th Old Dominic District.

Mr. President?

Chair recognizes Alderman Spiker.

I'd like to move to return Common Council file number 260132. That's item 7 to committee. The city attorney's office is asked to have a little more time to work on tweaking some of the language to reflect state requirements.

Motion by Alderman Spiker to return to committee on any objections. Hearing none, so ordered.

The Public Works Committee recommends confirmation of 23. Reappointment of Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr. to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District by the Mayor. 24, reappointment of Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District by the Mayor. 25, reappointment of Representative Kaylin Hayward II to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District by the Mayor. 26, reappointment of Julia Taylor to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District by the Mayor. 27, reappointment of Corey Zetz to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District by the Mayor. The Public Works Committee recommends placing on file 28, substitute resolution relating to acceptance and funding of the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration. 29, communication from the Department of Public Works relating to its performance in securing funding for infrastructure projects in the previous biennial budget and prospects for such funding in the future. 30, communication from the Department of Public Works submitting its 2025 Residential Recycling Annual Report. 31, communication relating to the permit process for parklets, sidewalk area dining facilities, and the active streets for business program.

Chair recognizes Alderman Coggs.

Thank you. Mr. President, I would ask to be noted as an abstention from item 24.

Let the record reflect the abstention of item 24. Chair recognizes Alderman Chambers.

Same for item 23.

Let the record reflect an abstention by Alderman Mark Chambers for item 23. Any further discussion?

Chair recognizes Alderman Brower. Thank you so much, Mr. President. I just want to comment on the confirmations, items 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, that I really am looking to the MMSD board to do every single thing it can to investigate some of the allegations that have come forward regarding Viola. And I really do, I have faith that my colleagues here will work to serve the people's interest by investigating those and conducting an audit. um and i um you know some of those people some of the individuals were present at public works and i received i believe some assurance from them so i don't want these two these appointments to not go through because we we as the city of milwaukee appoint the majority of that board and we should have our people seated as soon as possible so they can begin the work and that's why i didn't object in committee but i do have concerns about what I've heard in the news media, and I just urge the colleagues here and everyone else that we're appointing to begin an investigation and even an audit. There's been a calls for an audit by a specific agency. I'm not hung up on what agency conducts the audit, but I am hung up that we do everything we can to investigate allegations of that provider As we're looking, as we have the contract open right now and for proposals from a different provider, or potentially that same one for the management of the system, I just want us to investigate fully everything there. So I wanted to make those opinions known. Thank you. Thank you.

Any other discussion? Hearing none, Alderwoman Coggs moves for approval of the remainder of the report of the public works of the clerk, please call the roll.

Alderwoman Pratt? Aye. Chambers? Aye. Brower? Aye. Bowman? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Coggs?

Aye.

Jackson?

Aye.

Samaripa?

Aye.

Taylor?

Aye.

Moore?

Aye.

Bergelis? Aye. Spiker? Aye. Mitrievich?

Aye.

Stamper? Aye. Mr. President?

Aye.

Aye.

59th.

59th, the committee report is adopted. Alderwoman Marina Davidovich will now present the report of the Finance and Personnel Committee.

The Finance and Personnel Committee recommends passage of 32, a substitute ordinance to further amend the 2026 rates of pay of offices and positions in the city service. 33, a substitute ordinance to further amend the 2026 offices and positions in the city service. The Finance and Personnel Committee recommends adoption of 34, substitute resolution relating to acceptance and funding. of the 2025 through 2029 lead hazard reduction and healthy homes grant from the u.s department of housing and urban development 35 substitute resolution relating to the enhancement and expansion of the department of employee relations eap mental health and wellness benefits program mr president chair recognizes our member gillis thank you mr president

Item number 35 expands access to mental health services for city employees. We heard a very important presentation and had an important discussion in committee. I urge colleagues to pay attention to this file very, very carefully. We are essentially doubling the availability of mental health services for city employees. I would be honored to add my name as a co-sponsor with Alderwoman Moore for file 252-188, item number 35.

Let the record reflect co-sponsorship of item 35, file 252-188, Vowel Member Gilles. Chair recognizes Alderperson Samaripa.

Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, would like to be added as a co-sponsor to file number 252-188.

Let the record reflect co-sponsorship of Alderwoman Samaripa to item 35, file 252188. Chair recognizes Alderwoman Taylor.

Same, Mr. President. I could be added as a co-sponsor on that file.

Let the record reflect Alderwoman Taylor added as a co-sponsor of item 88252188. Thank you. Is that it for the file?

It's not. The Finance and Personnel Committee recommends placing on file 36, resolution relating to the lobbying of outside entities by agencies under contract with the City of Milwaukee. 37, resolution amending Common Council file number 200996, authorizing city departments to expend monies appropriated in the 2021 budget for special purpose accounts, debt service funds, provision for employees retirement fund, delinquent tax fund, Common Council contingent fund, grant and aid fund, and special capital projects or purposes. 38, an ordinance relating to fees charged by city agencies for online transactions, interactions. 39, communication for the Department of Employee Relations and Freighter Workforce Health regarding the city's comprehensive health and wellness program for the 2025 program year. 40 communication from the Department of Employee Relations amending the salary and positions ordinances related to clerical or administrative corrections 41 communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to classification studies scheduled for City Service Commission action 42 communication from the Department of Administration budget management division amending the positions ordinances positions ordinance relating to position authority for positions in the Department of Public Works operations division

Is there any further discussion of the committee report? The chair recognizes Alderman Spiker.

Yeah, sorry, I was remiss. I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor on item 35 as well.

Let the record reflect co-sponsorship of item 35 by Alderman Spiker.

The chair recognizes Alderman Chambers. Unanimous consent.

For 35? Correct. The motion by Alderman Chambers is unanimous consent for item 35. File 252188. Correct. Hearing no objection, so ordered. Any further discussion? Chair recognizes Olimar Brower.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. For item 39, I really appreciate the work that Frederick Workforce Health is doing with our comprehensive wellness program for our employees. I think it's worth just noting just what a state this world is in right now that we as the employer need to even be concerned with our employees' health. Really, frankly, if we think about it objectively, it's really none of our business what employees, what kind of healthy attitudes employees have or healthy habits they engage in. I mean, that's really up to them as their own independent person. So we do need to do this, though, because I would agree with doing this because. We are burdened with the cost of providing them healthcare. And I just want to say just out loud right now that it is worth in the future and working towards a United States where we have a Medicare for all system where we as an employer, and we're not even the largest employer in the city, where we as an employer don't have to shoulder solely the burden of providing health insurance for our employees. It should be a collective responsibility provided by the federal government through a progressive income tax where the millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. And I just want to note that I think, like, I really do, in some levels it does irk me that we're, like, telling our employees what to eat or what kind of, how many steps they should take and all that stuff. I mean, it's really none of our business in the end. But I just want to know that the way out of this is for us to have a federal government that's going to provide health insurance for every single American, regardless of where they work, not tied to where they work, and paid for by the millionaires and billionaires. Thank you.

Any further discussion of the committee report? Hearing none, Alderwoman Dimitrievich Wu for adoption of the recommendations of the Finance and Personnel Committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderwoman Pratt?

Aye.

Chambers? Aye. Brouwer? Aye. Baumann?

Aye.

Westmoreland? Aye. Cox?

Aye.

Jackson? Aye. Zambripa?

Aye.

Taylor?

Aye.

Moore? Aye. Regellis?

Aye.

Spiker? Aye. Dimitrievich? Aye. Stamper? Aye. Mr. President?

Aye.

Fifteen ayes.

Fifteen ayes. The committee report is adopted. Alderman DeAndre Jackson will now present the report of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee.

The Judiciary and Legislation Committee recommends adoption of 43, substitute resolution relating to the arrest and detention of Elvira Benitez. 44, resolution authorizing settlement of claims in the lawsuit entitled Nikki Robinson and Others versus the City of Milwaukee and Others. 45, resolution authorizing payment of the claim of John M. Bowe Jr. 46, resolution authorizing payment of the claim of the estate of Haley Linville. 47. Substitute resolution relating to locations for in-person absentee voting in the City of Milwaukee for the 2026 August partisan primary and November general elections. 48. Substitute resolution authorizing the City Attorney to hire outside counsel for election-related needs. The Judiciary and Legislation Committee recommends confirmation of the following 49 appointment of Madeline Miranda Navarro to the Equal Rights Commission by the Mayor. The Judiciary and Legislation Committee recommends placing on file 50 in ordinance relating to the acquisition of certain properties in tax foreclosure. 51, a resolution relating to tax foreclosure acquisition and disposition of certain properties. 52, communication from the Election Commission relating to its plans for using operating funds made available by the cancellation of the February 2026 primary election. And the Judiciary and Legislation Committee recommends disallowance and indefinite postponement of items 53 through 58, claims against the city.

Let the record reflect that I will be a no vote on item 44 file 260088 and I'll be abstaining from item 46 file 260091. Is there any further discussion of the committee report? Mr. President? Chair recognizes Alderman Bergelis. Thank you.

Please add my name to 43 and record me as a no on 44. Let the record reflect a

Alderman Bergelis's co-sponsorship of 43 and an 0144.

Chair recognizes Alderman Brower. Thank you so much, Mr. President. I wanted to speak to item 43, which is a very important piece of legislation that we have before us today, along with the rest of this council's efforts to stop ICE. And I will just say that we as a body have been... extraordinary amongst common councils across the country in passing and speaking to and furthering legislation to do everything we can at a local level to get our community ready for ice. I'm really proud of the work that this council has been doing in the city of Milwaukee and I appreciate the mayor signing our legislation as well. The resolution before us today that was before Judd Legge last week is a resolution that calls out The arrest and detention of Elvira Benitez. I do actually have a motion, Mr. President, that I'd like to make because I have a substitute, given the fact that there were some changes in the ground. What is the best procedure? Should I make that motion now, Mr. President? Okay, thank you so much, and I'd like to speak to it as well. I move to replace Substitute 1 of Common Council File Number 260006 with the attached proposed substitute and further move passage of the, it says ordinance here, but I believe it's a resolution. The resolution as substituted.

Okay. The motion by Alderman Brower is a substitute amendment. Are there any objections to that substitute amendment?

Hearing none, the floor is yours, Alderman Brown. Yeah, thank you so much. You all have a copy on your desk of the substitute resolution. Some of the facts on the ground changed. As you guys know, Elvira Benitez has been here in the United States. A resident of Sheboygan, a fellow Wisconsinite, has been here in the United States for over 30 years and has now twice been abducted by ICE. It is incomprehensible, it is immoral what we are doing to our immigrant friends and neighbors in this country. And there is no law, there is no law that required Elvira Benitez to be detained while she is awaiting her path to permanent residency here in the United States. She's posted bond. She was held and detained, as it says in the resolution, for over two months. and subject uh subjected to arm and ankle shackles and um recently a judge has ruled that um elvira was allowed to post bond and she has been uh released now from ice custody and i actually wanted to point out that she is in the audience here today um elvira would you please stand with your husband thank you so much for speaking out thank you so much Thank you so much for speaking out because so many of our immigrant friends and neighbors are afraid to speak out. It breaks my heart, and I appreciate every single individual who does speak out and is willing to let us put a spotlight on you and raise your story up because it's a story that so many people in this country are experiencing. It breaks my heart what's going on. Here it is, the actions of the Trump administration must be stood up to. And I was so proud that our Judiciary and Legislation Committee passed this resolution unanimously. And we declared in this resolution that the cruel and unnecessary detention of mothers, laborers, caregivers, and long-time community members who pose no danger to society. We declared that in this resolution, that action to be a profound and absurd waste of taxpayer dollars. And I know that us passing a resolution here this morning isn't going to change the facts on the ground for the tens and tens of thousands of people who are in ICE custody illegally right now. But if we do not raise our voices, then our silence is a contribution. In a small way, our silence would be a contribution to part of the problem. So today, we're taking action. Thank you. Today, we're taking action. And even though it's a small amount of action, it is an action worth taking. It is an action worth speaking to. I really appreciate council leadership here and the leadership of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee for having us consider these resolutions, for continuing to support these things. Thank you to the co-sponsors. And I just wanted to just say thank you to everybody and thank you especially to the members of the public who took time out of their busy days this morning to come and observe the passage of this resolution. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Chair recognizes all the persons.

Thank you, Mr. President. You know, I'm wearing this Wonder Woman T-shirt today, Mr. President, and I'm sure you probably thought it was in honor of Pride Month, and that is true. But I also wore it because it reminded me of Elvira Benitez, our very own Wonder Woman. Today, Elvira is home in the great state of Wisconsin with her husband and her children and her friends and her neighbors. The Trump administration's decision to detain her at a federal prison in Kentucky is outrageous and unacceptable. A judge had already previously ruled that Elvira should be granted a green card when the Trump administration intervened because their goal is to further Trump's xenophobic anti-immigrant agenda. I want to in particular make sure that my fellow Latinos take note of what Trump and his administration did here. Elvira is a wife and a mother to four U.S. citizen children. She is a business owner, an entrepreneur like so many in our community are. She is an active member of her church in Mequon. Trump made a campaign promise that he would only deport the criminals. This is proof positive that he sees this amazing woman, this pillar of her community, Elvira Benitez, as a criminal. If you are an immigrant, Donald Trump and his administration want you gone. We must remember this and never, ever forget. Now, I want to thank Alderman Brower for authoring this resolution today. And I want to join him in expressing my gratitude to the Judd-like chairperson, Alderman DeAndre Jackson. He didn't have to schedule this. Elvira is a Wisconsinite, but she's from Sheboygan. So I really, really want to join Alderman Brower in saying thank you so much to the Judd-like committee, to the chairperson for being willing to schedule this, and to the members for being willing to hear this. And I ask my colleagues to join me today in voting for this. And to Elvira, yesterday after your ICE appointment, I walked out with you and you said thank you to me. But all the gratitude goes to you and your family because you fought and you advocated for yourself and for your freedom. Your fight will make it easier for the next immigrant family who is fighting for their own lives right now. And your fight will help us to bring so many more immigrant Wisconsinites back home where they belong. Gracias.

The Chair recognizes Alderman Dimitrievich.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. I first rise to join you. I'll be abstaining from item 46, which is 260091. And I could understand how that could be interpreted differently. But I am abstaining because I do believe that the estate of Haley Linville deserves more than what was offered. I'll leave it at that. It's a legal matter, but we need to continue to hold people accountable. Too many lives have been lost, and quite frankly, too many women in particular I'm seeing not receiving the standard of care that they need to from the city of Milwaukee. Furthermore, on the item before us, on item 43, on a lighter note, I am proud to be a co-sponsor in the comments of my two colleagues, Alderman Brower and Alderperson Samarripa, who, just so you know the kind of colleagues that we have, stood by Elvira's side. We don't hear that story all the time, but the courage that it took, first of all, for Elvira, coming out of detention, she mentioned to Wisconsin Public Radio that when she was in the Kentucky facility, the food she served was served, the medical care she didn't receive, and furthermore, that she was along with serving along other inmates that were serving for non-immigration related offenses. And they were mostly mothers separated from their children. That is totally unacceptable. And Elvira's courage, could you imagine walking into that ICE appointment yesterday? And my two great colleagues being able to stand by her side is more than symbolic. It's an example of how the city of Milwaukee will continue to stand up every time. Someone said to me, are we gonna do this all the time? Aren't we getting tired? Yes, we're going to do it any time that our constituents, our neighbors, and our friends are separated from their families. I hope we never have to do it again. And no, we're not tired. We're actually fired up. And so I just think that it was exceptional that we were there to stand in solidarity, that we as a body are standing up in solidarity today. these things matter to the other families the other mothers anybody living in fear that is not the way for the city of milwaukee to thrive and we are doing just the opposite to make sure that our people are safe at all times so i wanted to add my name i wanted to add my support and i really wanted to speak it into the record the conditions that are being faced by our own neighbors. Neighbors is the word. Sitting with other mothers separated from their children. We've also seen the children treated terribly, predominantly in the Texas facility. This is not okay. And I just truly thank my colleagues for allowing us the time and space to continue to fight this fight. And like Alderman Brower mentioned, this council has led by real policy. It is not easy in this environment. We have also been threatened. We have our funding threatened. We have the biggest bully in the White House threatening us. And we keep standing up and doing it together because there is solidarity in numbers and we do have the support of the people. So thank you.

Let the record reflect Alderman Demetria's co-sponsorship of item 43. Chair recognizes Alderman Westmoreland.

I was not present at the last jet lag meeting, so please list me as an abstention for items 44, 45, 46.

Let the record reflect an abstention by Alderman Westmoreland for 44, 45, and 46. Chair recognizes Alderwoman Taylor.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. I just wanted to just say I appreciate my colleague Alex Brower for standing up and speaking out against ICE. I want to appreciate my other colleagues for what they have just said regarding the separation of families and tearing families apart. It's such a tragedy. when we see families torn apart and trauma that is put on children unnecessarily. And so because of that, because that tragedy does exist and trauma is created, I would like to join you guys on signing up for co-sponsoring item number 43.

Let the record reflect the Alderman Taylor's co-sponsorship of item 43. Chair recognizes Alderman Moore.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. I think all of my colleagues have said it well. If we don't stand up for our families, it's going to. So please add me as a co-sponsor to item number 43.

Thank you. Let the record reflect co-sponsorship of Alderman Moore 43. Is there any further discussion of the committee report? Hearing none, Alderman Jackson moves. Well, time out. City Clerk, I believe we have three noes on. Two noes and an abstention. Okay, I'm sorry. Is there any further discussion of the committee report? Hearing none, Alderman Jackson moves for our adoption of the recommendations of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt?

Aye.

Chambers? Aye. Brower? Aye. Bowman?

Aye.

Westmoreland? Aye. Coggs?

Aye.

Jackson?

Aye.

Zamarripa?

Aye.

Taylor?

Aye.

Moore? Aye. Bergellis? Aye. Spiker? Aye. Dimitrievich?

Aye.

Stamper? Aye. Mr. President? Aye. 15 ayes.

15 ayes, the committee report is adopted. Alderman Scott Spiker will now present the report of the Public Safety and Health Committee.

The Public Safety and Health Committee recommends passage of 59, an ordinance relating to parking controls, 60, an ordinance relating to traffic controls. The committee recommends adoption of 61, substitute resolution relative to acceptance and funding of the 2026 Women's, Infants, and Children's Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The committee recommends placing on file item 62, An ordinance relating to traffic controls at the intersection of South 2nd Street and West Washington Street. 63. An ordinance relating to residency restrictions for sex offenders. 64. A substitute ordinance relating to the display of warning lights by school buses. 65. An ordinance relating to penalties for certain criminal offenses committed... within close proximity to schools 66 substitute motion modifying the milwaukee police department standard operating procedure for 60 use of force 67 communication from the fire and police commission relating to 911 call wait times and dispatch response times 68 Communication from the Fire and Police Commission relating to the 2025 Annual Policy Review, 69. Communication from the Milwaukee Police Department, the Department of Public Works, and the Department of Community Wellness Safety relating to the 4th of July Safety Plan for the entire city, and 70. Communication from the Fire and Police Commission relating to the Standard Operating Procedures.

Is there any further discussion on the committee report? Hearing none, Alderman Spiker moves for adoption of the recommendations of the Public Safety and Health Committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt? Aye. Chambers?

Aye.

Sorry, Mr. President? Chair recognizes Alderman Bergelis. Just so you know, your light's not working. I don't see it over here.

You better get that fixed. My apologies. I move to send item 66, file 251, 663 back to committee.

Motion by Alderman Bergelis is to send item 66, 251, 663 back to committee. Are there any objections to that motion? One objection. Okay. Okay, we're hearing one objection, so ordered. Any further discussion of the committee report? Would the clerk please continue the roll call, please?

Alderman Brower?

Excused.

Bauman? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Cox?

Aye.

Jackson? Samaripa? Excused. Taylor? Aye. Moore? Aye. Bergelis?

Aye.

Spiker?

Aye.

Dimitrievich?

Excused.

Stamper? Aye. Mr. President? Aye.

12 ayes, 3 excused. 12 ayes, 3 excused. The committee report is adopted. Alderman Robert Bauman will now present the report of the Zoning Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

The Zoning Neighborhoods and Development Committee recommends adoption of 71. Resolution approving a project plan and development agreement authorizing expenditures and creating tax incremental district number 133, known as 2711, was... AS WELL AS IN THE FOURTH AUTOMATIC DISTRICT. 72, RESOLUTION DECLARING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PARKING LOT AT 1335 NORTH 12TH STREET AS SURPLUS TO MUNICIPAL NEEDS AND AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN UNSOLICITED OFFER TO PURCHASE FROM WEST VALLEY LOFS LLC IN THE FOURTH AUTOMATIC DISTRICT. 73. Substitute resolution relating to a minor modification to a detailed plan development known as River West Apartments to allow additional signage in a mixed-use building located at 1132 East North Avenue on the north side of East North Avenue west of North Commerce Street in the 3rd Automatic District. 74. Resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to the Project Plan for Tax Incremental District No. 67 known as Pabst Brewery, the Brewery Project. authorizing expenditures and authorizing approval of the land acquisition report in the fourth automatic district. 75, substitute resolution authorizing the conveyance of 13 redevelopment authority of the city of Milwaukee owned vacant lots to the city of Milwaukee in the King Park neighborhood within the fourth automatic district. 76, resolution authorizing the sale of the city owned tax deed property at 420 East North Avenue in the 6th Automatic District. 77, resolution authorizing the acceptance of an unsolicited offer to purchase from Maxson Industries, Inc. for the portion of the city-owned tax deed property at 6600 North Titonia Avenue in the 1st Automatic District. 78. Resolution authorizing a sellback to former owners of the city-owned tax-debted property located at 1318 West Ring Street in the 6th Automatic District. 79. Resolution authorizing a sellback to former owners... of the city-owned tax-needed property located at 3769 North 2nd Street in the 6th Automatic District. The committee recommends placing on file items 80, communication from the Department of Compliance and Engagement relating to the 2024 Annual Report of the Residency, rather of the Residence Preference Program, 81, and ordinance relating to the reporting requirements for the tax incremental districts approaching closeouts. 82. A substitute ordinance relating to the appeal of certain determinations by the City Plan Commission. 83. Resolution authorizing approval of the land disposition report and sale of the city-owned tax deed property at 4016 West Silver Spring Drive in the 1st Automatic District. And 84. Communication from the Department of Compliance and Engagement relating to the 2025 annual report of the Residence Preference Program.

Is there any further discussion on the committee report? Chair recognizes Alderman Brower.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. For some reason, my thing wasn't working quite well. Appreciate it. I'd like to be recorded as a yes on the report of the Public Safety and Health Committee report, please. And I do support the motion that was taken by this body to send item 66 back to committee. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

Okay, let the record reflect yes vote on the Public Safety Committee report. Alderman Brower, Chair recognizes Alderwoman Dimitrievich.

Yes, Mr. President, and I accept my apology, but I would request the same as Alderman Brower to be listed as a yes on the roll call for public safety and the other one I went back to committee. Thank you.

Okay, let the record reflect. Yes, vote for Alderwoman Dimitrievich on the Public Safety and Health Committee report. Any further discussion? Hearing none, Alderman Bauman moves for adoption of the recommendations of the Zoning, Neighborhoods, and Development Committee. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderman Pratt? Aye. Chambers? Aye. Brower? Aye. Bauman? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Cox?

Aye.

Jackson?

Aye.

Zamarripa?

Aye.

Taylor? Aye. Moore? Aye. Bergelis?

Aye.

Spiker? Aye. Dimitrievich?

Aye.

Stamper? Aye. Mr. President? Aye.

Fifteen ayes. Fifteen ayes. The committee report is adopted. Alderman Russell Stamper II will now present the report of the Community and Economic Development Committee.

The Community and Economic Development Committee recommends passage of 85, a substitute ordinance relating to residential preference program requirements for construction contracts. The committee recommends adoption of 86, substitute resolution declaring Milwaukee Love Summit Kickback to be an official city event and reallocating funds from the Milwaukee Community Excellence Fund for that purpose. The committee recommends placing on file 87 an ordinance relating to the membership of the Emerging Youth Achievement Advisory Council. 88, communication from the Department of City Development relating to Milwaukee Arts Board and a report.

Chair recognizes Alda Person-Samaripa.

Yes, Mr. President, permission to be added in the affirmative for... Items 59 through 70.

Let the record reflect. Is that for the Public Safety and Health Committee? Correct.

Okay.

Please let the record reflect all other persons on Maripa's affirmative on the Public Safety and Health Committee report. Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further discussion of the committee report of Community and Economic Development? Hearing none, Alderman Stamper moves for adoption of the recommendations of the Community and Economic Development Committee. With that clear, please call the roll.

Alderwoman Pratt?

Aye.

Chambers? Aye. Brower? Aye. Ballman? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Cox?

Aye.

Jackson?

Aye.

Zamarripa?

Aye.

Taylor? Aye. Moore? Aye. Bergelis? Aye. Spiker? Aye. Dimitrievich? Aye. Stamper? Aye. Mr. President? Aye.

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

File number 260128, communication from the city clerk relating to service of papers. Order on file. File number 260129, communication from the city clerk relating to various commendatory and dilatory resolutions that be acknowledged and affirmed by the Common Council. Order on file. File number 260130, communication from the city clerk relating to official notices and reports. Order on file. File number 260153, reappointment of Theodore Lipscomb, senior, to serve as the local initiative support corporation's representative on the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board. Order on file. File number 260154, reappointment of Brian Peters to serve as Independence First representative on the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board. Order on file. File number 260157, communication designating Diana Bilstrom as an alternate for Carrie Scott Haney on the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Order on file.

And file number 260220, Appointment of Michael Editorial to the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board by the Common Council President.

Order on file. Is there any, are there any items for immediate adoption?

There is one item for immediate adoption. Item number 89, file number 260208. Motion directing the Department of City Development to initiate a zoning map amendment to correct the mixed zoning of the property located at 1993 South Esquivel Avenue in the 8th Automatic District and assign a single zoning designation known as Local Business 2 to this property.

Is there any discussion of this item? Hearing none, Alderman Bauman moves approval. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Alderwoman Pratt? Aye. Chambers? Aye. Brower? Aye. Bauman? Aye. Westmoreland? Aye. Cox?

Aye.

Jackson?

Aye.

Zamarripa?

Aye.

Taylor?

Aye.

Moore? Aye. Bergelis? Aye. Spiker? Aye. Dimitrievich? Aye. Stamper?

Aye.

Mr. President? Aye.

15 ayes. 15 ayes. The items for immediate adoption are approved. Are there any announcements? Any announcements? Chairperson recognizes all of Ms. Piker.

Thank you, Mr. President. This Saturday, a lot's going on in the Garden District over at 6th and Norwich. There will be a plant sale by the Garden District Neighborhood Association. There will also at the DPW Association. Shed nearby, the compost bin sale, and there will be workshops on composting across the street by Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful. All happening Saturday morning through afternoon at 6th and Norwich, 6th and Howard area. Also on Friday, June 9th, there will be the movie in the garden, regular movie. for families and kiddos over at 6th and Howard, the Garden District space, where they'll be showing Zootopia 2 starting at dusk. So bring the family by Friday, June 12th. Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Taylor.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. This month is my birthday coming up this month.

Happy birthday.

June 21st. Thank you. And just as we did last year, we did a big bike birthday giveaway. And this year, we're going to do it again in conjunction with our Kid Fun Days. So we had two Kid Fun Days already in Granville area. So we're going to do a third one in addition to giving away bikes. And that will be June 20th from 10 until 2. Thank you.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Pratt.

Thank you. Just want to remind everyone that I am hosting neighborhood walks so anyone who's interested in doing neighborhood walks reach out to the office i've already done seven neighborhood walks i just started in may um and looking forward to doing more and also to uh let everyone invite everyone to come out on saturday to the sixth annual promise zone bike ride we'll be riding through the first district and parts of the seventh district um looking at the new 20th street bike trail along with Northwest Side CDC and Wisconsin Bike Fed. It's going to be a great time, lots of vendors, a great ride through an amazing part of the city. So I'm inviting everyone to come out to Garden Homes on Saturday at 10 a.m. There will be repairs on site if you need repairs and also bubbler bikes available. So look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday for the Milwaukee Promise Zone bike ride.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alvin Wilcox.

Thank you, Mr. President. Our 16th annual Brownsville Week will be August 1st through the 8th. And the festival will be on August 2nd on North Avenue from King Drive to 7th Street. We are currently accepting vendors. If anyone is interested in vending at the Brownsville Cultural and Arts Festival, please go on the website, milwaukee.gov, I think, or slash Brownsville, or they can give my office a call at 414-286-2998. Additionally, this Saturday, June 6th, there is the Miss Juneteenth pageant, the Mr. Juneteenth pageant, the Little Miss and Little Mr. Juneteenth pageants as well, and they will be held at Northcott's, I believe it starts at 1 p.m. But either way, you can call Northcott to know exact time that it starts. But I encourage people to attend. I believe they have more than 30 young people participating in all of the pageants. Additionally, on June 19th, we will be celebrating Juneteenth Day. That celebration will begin with a parade beginning on Atkinson and coming through King Drive. And the festival itself, I believe, is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from King Drive and Burla to King Drive and Center. So I encourage folks to come out and experience the culture, the history. It's just a great day with family and friends. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair Reckon. That's all in the chambers. Thank you, Mr. President. A couple of announcements. Saturday, June 27th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Havenwoods Neighborhood Improvement District No. 9 will be launching its summer kickoff. It was a great opportunity for residents in the area to say hello to summer and also to work on projects to make sure the neighborhood is safe and secure, but also clean and around the area. So that will be held at Carmen Playfield, located at 7320 West Carmen Avenue. So from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27th. Additionally, there have been many stories about a project in the second district in regards to the former Walmart at Midtown Shopping Center. There are a lot of misperceptions of the project that was going on. So we want to set the record straight. Community has always been in the forefront in regards to this project, and we're going to double down by introducing the residents and the neighbors in the surrounding areas to come to three open houses at the very own former Walmart building. In Midtown at 5825 West Hope Avenue. That will be Wednesday, June 10th from 530 to 7 Thursday, June 18th from 530 to 7 and also a Saturday day, Saturday, June 27th from 12 to 130. There will be representatives from my office, Department of City Development, Milwaukee Public Library, as well as representatives from AFS Milwaukee and also Gorman and Company. So it's a great opportunity to come and actually see what's going to be presented and get any questions or concerns addressed from the people themselves. You know, I look forward to meeting and seeing those residents come in and see what fantastic project is being proposed up at the Midtown Shopping Center. And finally, Mr. President, I'd like to congratulate all the graduates that are graduating or have graduated, including our very own city clerk's son, Mr. Edward Ozarski from Marquette University. I think he's going to West Point, correct? Correct. All right, well, congratulations to you and also my son. I think he's somewhere around here. My son just graduated Saturday from University School of Milwaukee for fantastic years and he'll be heading off next week to Howard University as he start his journey in mechanical engineering and the summer bridge program. So I just want to say congratulations to him and his cohort and his graduates and the graduates of class of 2026. Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes herself.

Congratulations. Chair recognizes Alderman Moore. You know.

Alderman Moore. Thank you so much, Mr. President. Alderman Moore, I'm sorry. No, you're good. You're very good, definitely. Congratulations to all the graduates in our city. Such a really, really beautiful time. I just want to just share really quick that I had an opportunity to participate in the Red Cross Sound the Alarm event that happened this past Saturday. And when I tell you, when I think about what we did, going into homes, installing smoke detectors, providing the education, it was really life-changing for me because it's one little device can literally save a life, particularly with the stats that we have about just the many families and individuals that have lost their lives in fires. So it was very humbling For me, and probably even more humbling, my carbon monoxide detector went off the following day. I was just like, oh crap, I got education on what to do in case of a fire. But I think I followed protocol in what to do in case of a carbon monoxide warning. So I was grateful to just have that device in my home. To warn me, all is well. Everyone in the house, thank goodness, evacuated. Call 911. Shout out to MFD for coming and supporting us around that. So thank you. Really quick, some of the things that are coming up in the district. Washington Heights has their night market coming up on June 11th from 4 to 8 p.m. It'll take place between 53rd and 54th Street on Washington Boulevard. Those things are always really, really huge events in Washington Heights. Also, the neighborhood I live in, Merrill Park, we're having a huge block party on 29th and Clybourne on June 13th. I want to give a huge shout out to um district three and particularly officer king who spearheads he's one of our clos that spearheads this block party i'm in partnership with the near west side partners safe and sound and merrill park neighbors it's always a really good time so we want our neighbors to come out and celebrate with us Also in the district, again, you all hear me talking about young people all the time. St. Charles is kicking off their 2026 Safe Summer Celebration on June 8th from 12 to 3.30 at their location. I love the work that they do, particularly working with our most vulnerable. at-risk young people. Also, Near West Side does this thing called the Supper Club, which is an opportunity to get together, have conversation around different topics. The next Supper Club will be on June 18th from 5 to 7 p.m. And that is at their location, 801 North 27th Street. And lastly, mark your calendars for Washington Park Wednesdays. Definitely shameless plug. They have on the bandshell side starting July 8th, and it goes all the way till the end of August. Food, music, fun. It's always, always, we're looking to grow that event bigger and better. Milwaukee is definitely a city of festivals, so there is always something to do. If you tell your out-of-town folks that come to the city, please tell them to come during the summer. We don't want them coming winter because they might not come back, but summer is always, always a good time. And a couple quick things. The block is block party season. So reminding our residents, I already have tons of block party on the calendar. But those that are in the district, in the city, get those block party applications in. And lastly, happy upcoming birthday to our very own Deborah Moore, whose birthday is also coming up on June 14th. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Alderman Bergelis. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I want to welcome everyone to the best farmer's market in the entire city, to the Jackson Park Farmer's Market. It starts June 18th. On that very same day, we'll be celebrating the brand new pickleball courts in Jackson Park near 43rd and Cleveland. The pickleball tournament begins, or the pickleball play begins at either 3.15 or 5.15 in the afternoon. Same great fun, two different times, neighbors can come out. This is where produce meets friendly competition. Don't worry, there will be a celebrity elected pickleball tournament later on this summer. Details are still pending. If you have interest joining Alderman Spiker, please let me know. We will get you scheduled for that elected pickleball. I had the privilege and honor of having a better understanding of the highest priority that my constituents And residents throughout the community have shared with me of public safety earlier this week when I did a 24-hour tour with Engine 24 with the Milwaukee Fire Department. A lot of us have done firefighter for a day where you go into the smoke room and you learn how to hold the hose and spray some cones or something. But living and breathing just... half of a regular shift, a 24-hour shift with firefighters in the barracks on the engine responding to calls for service. We responded to 20 calls for service in that 24-hour period with a wide range of calls from medical to an actual fire. It wasn't all that big and was quickly taken out to a swatting call for fire. We saw everything. Even a shooting in a trip to Frederick bringing that person who thankfully is able to recover. I encourage everyone in this chamber to do the exact same thing, if not for 24 hours, for 12 or for six. I ate with the firefighters, helped make the meals. It's an eye-opening perspective. When the call came in that a four-year-old called mom that their house was on fire, I've never seen firefighters move that quickly. So I encourage all of you to learn more about the first responders in our community. The best place to do that is the fire department and Engine 24. Thank you for hosting me for those 24 hours. This is also Pride Month, and thank you for your patience with the five acknowledgements that we presented earlier today. There is a whole lot more celebrating to do. The 30th anniversary of Pride Fest starts on Thursday this week. Runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday down at the Summerfest grounds at our beautiful lakefront. The parade down South 2nd Street, or up South 2nd Street, is Sunday, June 7th, starting at 2 p.m. The city is marching in that as well. Please check your email for details on how to join the Hive Employee Resource Group to participate. On Saturday, the day before the parade, Saturday morning is Ride with Pride that kicks off with Harley Davidson at 10 a.m. And then after the celebrations this coming weekend, next week, Brewers Pride Night is Thursday, June 12th. Kickoff is at 6.40 p.m. Hope to see you there.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderperson Samaripa.

Mr. President, I just wanted to, I know I was able to get it under the condolatory recognitions this morning, but I wanted to give just an extra special shout out at the end here. A constituent that you and I have both shared at one point when I was in the assembly, Dave Martin passed away and lives in Walker's Point right there on South 3rd with his husband, Tony. And very sad news, tonight is his memorial and I'll be there. I was honored to represent him during my time in the assembly. I also worked alongside him when he worked at the LGBT Community Center and I was on the board of Equality Wisconsin. He and Tony We're supporters of mine, and I know you knew them as well, President Perez, but a big loss to our community. And a couple of years ago, we lost Ray Vahey. just huge leader in the LGBTQ plus community, and he passed during Pride Month. And here we have another LGBTQ leader who has passed during Pride. So just a solemn reminder of those folks whose shoulders that we stand on. So in remembrance of Dave Martin. Thank you, Mr. President.

Chair recognizes Alderperson Taylor.

Oh. In my haste, I forgot to give the address for the Kid Fun Day because everyone is invited. It's 7830 North Good Hope Road on June 20th. Again, that's 7830 North Good Hope Road. I also omitted to announce June 18th, I'll do one of our third Thursday Taylor Talk Backs from 10 to 2, and that'll be at Evolve Church. cafe again it's june 18th i'm sorry and that shouldn't say 10 to 2 12 to 2 uh third thursday taylor talkbacks 12 to 2 on june 18th thank you thank you chair recognizes uh alderman jackson

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'll just invite everybody to the 38th annual Father's Day picnic at Sherman Park. It'll be hosted by Andre Lee Ellis, music by Homer Blow. It'll be from noon to 6, Father's Day, June 21st, 2026. Thank you.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Stamper.

Thank you, Mr. President. This Thursday, Alderman Jackson and I are hosting our second meeting regarding the Sherman Park, Sherman Boulevard Street proposal. Washington High School from 5 to 7.30. Please come out to express your concerns. And also on June 27th, Homer Blow will be hosting his birthday party for the kids right on 3401 West North Avenue at the Boys and Girls Club. I believe it's the 27th, let me, 20 decades, plenty. So congratulations to Homer Blow and thank you for all you do for the children. And I'm inviting everybody out, particularly young people. Thank you, Mr. President.

Will there be red Kool-Aid? You know it. Okay, I just wanted to take a second to acknowledge a colleague that is here visiting from Waukesha, Rico Camacho, Alderman of the 15th District. Another 15-er, so I'll just give you a shout out.

Thank you for being here.

Mr. President, can you repeat that please?

He is the alderman for the 15th district in Waukesha, City of Waukesha.

Respect, respect. I wanted just to give him a shout out. So, for sure, for sure. One more announcement, Mr. President, when you get time. Yes, please. Young Russ is graduating from the eighth grade. I'm very proud of him. When I ran for office, he was in my wife's belly. Now he is going to Marquette High School to excel and become great. Thank you very much. All right, there being no further announcements and no further business, this meeting is adjourned.