Number
260736
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Resolution accepting control of six gateway sign locations from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and authorizing related agreements.
Analysis
This resolution accepts from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District the return of control of six gateway sign locations within the City of Milwaukee. It also authorizes the Commissioner of Public Works to enter into agreements with the Forest County Potawatomi Community for gateway signage at three of those locations and a boulevard maintenance agreement of the West Canal Street roundabout median.
Body
Whereas, In 2006, the City of Milwaukee partnered with Spirit of Milwaukee, Inc., to create and operate a gateway signage program at various entrances to the city; and
Whereas, Under that partnership, Gateway signs were established at six locations within the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, Under a 2021 agreement among the City, Spirit of Milwaukee, Inc., and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), MMSD assumed responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and insurance of the six gateway signs; and
Whereas, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District has expressed its desire to terminate the 2021 agreement and return control of the six gateway sign locations to the City; and
Whereas, The six gateway sign locations to be returned to the City are:
1. West Fond du Lac Avenue near 1000 West Winnebago Street.
2. North 6th Street at West Kilbourn Avenue.
3. West Grange Avenue and South Howell Avenue, north of the Mitchell Airport spur.
4. North 101st Street at West Capitol Drive.
5. South 25th Street at the West Canal Street roundabout.
6. West Oklahoma Avenue at South 74th Street.
; and
Whereas, A proposed agreement with the Forest County Potawatomi Community would provide for gateway signage at the West Fond du Lac Avenue, North 6th Street, and West Canal Street locations; and
Whereas, Under the proposed agreement, the Forest County Potawatomi Community would be responsible for the costs associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the applicable gateway signs, while the City would continue to pay the energy costs associated with sign lighting; and
Whereas, Under a maintenance plan approved by the Commissioner of Public Works, a related boulevard maintenance agreement would authorize the maintenance for the turf, flower garden, and related landscaping within the median at the South 25th Street and West Canal Street roundabout; and
Whereas, That entering into an agreement with the Forest County Potawatomi Community for the three locations will support continued gateway signage improvements and ongoing maintenance at no construction or maintenance cost to the City, except for the City's continued payment of energy costs for sign lighting; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City accepts from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District the return of control, responsibility, and authority over the following six gateway sign locations:
1. West Fond du Lac Avenue near 1000 West Winnebago Street.
2. North 6th Street at West Kilbourn Avenue.
3. West Grange Avenue and South Howell Avenue, north of the Mitchell Airport spur.
4. North 101st Street at West Capitol Drive.
5. South 25th Street at the West Canal Street roundabout.
6. West Oklahoma Avenue at South 74th Street.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the appropriate City officials are authorized to take the actions necessary to terminate the 2021 agreement with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and effectuate the return of the six gateway sign locations to the City; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of Public Works is authorized to negotiate and enter into one or more agreements, in a form satisfactory to the City Attorney, with the Forest County Potawatomi Community for gateway signage at the following locations:
1. West Fond du Lac Avenue near 1000 West Winnebago Street.
2. North 6th Street at West Kilbourn Avenue.
3. South 25th Street at the West Canal Street roundabout.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the agreements shall provide for the Forest County Potawatomi Community to operate and maintain the gateway signs at the West Fond du Lac Avenue and North 6th Street locations and to replace, construct, operate, and maintain gateway signage at the West Canal Street location; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Forest County Potawatomi Community shall be responsible for all costs associated with the replacement, construction, operation, and maintenance of the gateway signs under the agreements, except that the City shall continue to pay the energy costs associated with sign lighting; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the design and installation of any replacement or new gateway signage shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Public Works; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of Public Works is further authorized to negotiate and enter into a boulevard maintenance agreement, in a form satisfactory to the City Attorney, with the Forest County Potawatomi Community for maintenance of the turf, flower garden, and related landscaping within the median of the South 25th Street and West Canal Street roundabout; and, be it
Further Resolved, That under the boulevard maintenance agreement for the landscaping within the median of the South 25th Street and West Canal Street roundabout, a maintenance plan shall be approved by the Commissioner; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of Public Works is authorized to approve non-substantive revisions necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution and to administer the agreements authorized by this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
James Bohl, Innovation Office
August 24, 2026
LRB181918-1
Beka Bein
September 15, 2026