City of Milwaukee - File #: 260699

• File #: 260699
• Version: 3
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 9/1/2026
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 9/22/2026
• Title: A substitute resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to expedite concrete panel replacement in alleys and local roads prior to the end of the 2026 construction season.
• Sponsors: ALD. BURGELIS, ALD. MOORE
• Indexes: ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS, STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
9/23/2026	3	MAYOR	SIGNED
9/22/2026	2	COMMON COUNCIL	SUBSTITUTED; Minutes note: Ald. Burgelis moved to replace Common Council File Number 260699, substitute resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to expedite concrete panel replacement in alleys and local roads prior to the end of the 2026 construction season, with the attached Proposed Substitute. This substitute modifies Common Council File Number 260699 by removing the authorization of up to $800,000 in contingent borrowing to hire contractors to expedite concrete panel repair on local roads and alleys. There were no objections.	Pass	14:1
9/22/2026	3	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Pass	14:1
9/10/2026	1	PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE	SUBSTITUTED; Minutes note: Appeared Ald. Burgelis Appeared Kevin Muhs (City Engineer, DPW) Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW)	Pass	5:0
9/10/2026	2	PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Appeared Ald. Burgelis Appeared Kevin Muhs (City Engineer, DPW) Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW) Appeared Mason Lavey (Budget & Management Special Assistant) Appeared Thomas Wagerin (Director of Operations, DPW) Ald. Spiker Ald Burgelis addresses the city's urgent challenges with pothole repairs following an unprecedented surge in reports - 23,000 as of August, about three times more than a typical year, triggered in part by severe mid-April storms that saturated soils and caused widespread road failures. The discussion centered on Alderman Burgelis resolution to expedite more permanent infrastructure fixes by piloting concrete panel replacements in local roads and alleys, rather than relying solely on repeated, temporary pothole patches. The proposed pilot program involves dedicating $300,000 in existing capital funds for contracting out this targeted work, enabling the city to test the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this approach before considering a larger investment or new borrowing. Committee members and DPW leadership highlighted several critical factors: shortages of city staff, the high costs associated with full alley replacements, difficulties recruiting contractors, the limitations of temporary asphalt patches, and resident frustration with slow response times. Committee members discussed the need for creative solutions, such as partnering with Milwaukee County's crews to supplement the workforce, leveraging new pothole-filling technology, and improving communications (including more proactive updates to residents and clearer tracking of pothole service requests). Ald. Taylor motion to amended the proposed substitute to limit the pilot's funding to $300,000 (removing new borrowing for now), aiming to "proof positive" the permanent panel approach before possibly scaling up for the 2027 budget. The pilot will focus on addressing the worst, most recurrent problem areas in alleys and local streets and will be evaluated for impact, efficiency, and scalability. Action items related to this file include DPW collaborating with Milwaukee County on contracting options and reporting on pilot results in advance of future budgeting decisions. Motion by Ald. Bauman to adoption of the substitute as amended. Ald. Brower objects.	Pass	4:1
9/10/2026	2	PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE	AMENDED; Minutes note: Ald. Taylor motion to amended the proposed substitute to a $300,000 pilot program using existing funds to test the efficiency of contracting out concrete panel work before committing to additional borrowing.	Pass	5:0
9/1/2026	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number
260699
Version
SUBSTITUTE 3
Reference

Sponsor
ALD. BURGELIS AND MOORE

Title
A substitute resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to expedite concrete panel replacement in alleys and local roads prior to the end of the 2026 construction season.

Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Public Works to hire contractors to expedite concrete panel repair on local roads and alleys. The resolution also reallocates up to $300,000 in Department of Public Works capital funding for this purpose. This initiative is intended to serve as a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness and financial feasibility of using contractors to supplement City concrete panel repair work.

Body
Whereas, The condition of City streets and alleys directly affects public safety, mobility, and the condition of City infrastructure; and

Whereas, Potholes can cause costly vehicle damage, create severe safety hazards for drivers and cyclists, and worsen traffic flow; and

Whereas, As of August 31, 2026, the City has received 23,075 pothole service requests this year, which greatly exceeds the average of 8,600 requests annually; and

Whereas, Of the pothole service requests received this year, just over 15,300 have been repaired and closed, leaving a gap of nearly 7,775 potholes that still need repair; and

Whereas, The volume of pothole service requests in 2026 indicates a need to expedite concrete panel replacement on local roads and alleys; and

Whereas, Concrete panel replacement can reduce the cost of addressing potholes by providing a more permanent repair than traditional pothole filling techniques; and

Whereas, The use of private contractors would provide additional capacity to perform concrete panel replacement on local roads and alleys; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that up to $300,000 in Department of Public Works Street Maintenance capital funding is reallocated for the purpose of hiring c...