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| | | | 1. Call to Order 10:06 AM | | | |
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| | | | 2. Roll Call | | | |
Roll call
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| | | | 3. Review and Approval of prior meeting minutes (1/21/26).
Minutes note: Member Meyer, seconded by member Mazmanian moved to approved the minutes. There were no objections. | | | |
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| | | | 4. Review and discussion of existing policies and procedures from Department of Neighborhood Services and Department of Public Works.
Minutes note: The illegal dumping cases start from reports or inspector identification. Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) investigates and determines if the case is public referred to Department of Public Works (DPW) or private property (owner contacted and cleanup enforced).
The process of enforcement and challenges, where the investigators seek to identify responsible parties, but witness reluctance and legal limits mean citations usually go only to individuals observed dumping. Whether vehicle owners can be cited is under legal review. Fines are $5,000 per incident; most cases go to default judgment when not contested, with uncertainty about subsequent enforcement. Property owners are responsible for their property even if not directly responsible for dumping, which leads to frequent push back.
For tracking and reporting each case gets a unique identifier. Recent improvements include inspector check boxes to flag likely illegal dumping. Reporting systems are cumbersome compared to other service requests; streamlining is needed.
DPW cleans public property incidents and tracks cleanups by addresses and batch. Estimated annual public cost is approximately is $1.2M for 5,000-10,000 cleanups.
Some suggested actions may include to clarify legal actions on vehicle-owner citations, post-default-judgments processes, improve reporting tools, align case tracking, and refine data collection for better insights.
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| | | | 5. Illegal Dumping research findings by the Legislative Research Bureau (LRB)
Minutes note: Mr. Chris Hillard is interested in combining three separate tracking streams/systems related to illegal dumping in the City to create a complete, unified picture. With the goal to enable a more holistic view of what is happening across sources rather than treating each system in isolation; key first step is to establish individual so records from different systems can be connected and treated as distinct incidents/locations. Not requiring everyone to adopt the same tracking system, but need clarity on how each group currently tracks incidents so data can be individualized when brought into GIS. These GIS enhancements and documentation plan is to build on existing work by incorporating photographic documentation into GIS with the Intention to label each individual location by the nature/type of dumping.
The proposed categories include construction debris, tires, and household goods. The objective understanding of the proportion of dumping types could help inform future policy decisions.
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| | | | 6. Activating City Vacant lots for deposits.
Minutes note: Ms. Cindy Wright-Smith
The intent is to encourage (activate) the use of the City vacant lots for community projects and sort-term events (clean Up). It was clarified that residents can use vacant lots through an "overnight process".
For garden lots, there is a license requirements in order to get a grant, insurance and similar requirement are also needed. These requirements may be a reason the lots are not being utilized as much. Community lots generally need some kind of affiliation. There are additional steps and requirements to obtain and use the lots.
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| | | | 7. Possible use of Railroads corridors for dumping.
Minutes note: Identified railroad corridors as recurring dumping hotspots, especially along industrial corridors and areas near Third Street. These sites are historically difficult to address because of unclear boundaries/public-right-of-way vs. railroad property lines. Railroad have sometimes responded quickly when incidents are publicized. Ongoing challenges getting railroad entities to cut grass, clean areas, or otherwise maintain sites.
The City can send contractors for many issues, but cannot proactively clean up railroad property due to trespassing concerns. Enforcement action is limited because railroad property is treated as federal (or federal-like protections/Exemptions ). City staff and inspectors have made many calls, but cleanup outcomes remain difficult.
It was suggested shifting from an enforcement frame to a partnership approach with railroad companies and related stakeholders. Idea was raised to invite a responsive railroad contract person to a future meeting to get feedback and improve coordination. Discussed involving broader city departments and corridor initiatives already in communication with railroads. The Chair confirmed that this item should remain an ongoing agenda item, even if it moves lower on the list, to keep consistent pressure and connection.
A few suggested action items were to invite representatives from railroad companies to the next meeting to discuss collaborative approaches to dumping/maintenance along railroad corridors. Ald. Pratt was asked to help make introductions and connections with relevant railroad contacts. Mr. Mazmanian mentioned confirming with the City Attorney's Office what enforcement authority (or barriers) exists regarding railroad properties and dumping/maintenenace issues. Clarify the intent of item #6 - activating City Vacant lots for deposit - how the community can use vacant lots, and for what types of projects or events. | | | |
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| | | | 8. Announcements/Public Comments.
Minutes note: Public testimony/appearance:
LaRane Patterson - Milwaukee's Neighborhood Services Program (NSP) organizer
The Chair read a letter received from Milwaukee’s Neighborhood Services Program (NSP) organizations as partners in supporting clean, safe, and healthy neighborhoods across the city. NSP organizers work daily with residents, businesses, neighborhood groups, and local institutions, and illegal dumping remains one of the most visible and consistently raised quality-of-life concerns across service areas.
We recognize that this is a long-standing issue in Milwaukee and sincerely appreciate the continued work and investment of City departments, Common Council members, and Committee representatives who have been engaged in addressing it.
They are interested in continuing to serve as community-based partners in this work and would appreciate guidance on the most appropriate process for sharing neighborhood observations, data feedback, and emerging concerns so that NSP documentation and resident experience can remain part of the Committee’s ongoing efforts (exerts from the letter). | | | |
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| | | | 9. Adjournment at 11:34 AM
Next meeting April 22, 2026 at 10AM (1.5hr) | | | |
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| | | | In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting.
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| | | | Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request this service, contact the City Clerk's Office ADA Coordinator at 286-2998, (FAX)286-3456, (TDD)286-2025 or by writing to the Coordinator at Room 205, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. | | | |
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| | | | City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building are accessible by "The Hop" City Hall Stations, the MCTS Green Line, Connect 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, and 57 bus routes. Visit https://www.ridemcts.com/ for more information.
Bike racks are available on Water Street, Market Street, and Broadway, and a Bublr Bike Share station is located on the northeast corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street.
Limited parking for persons attending meetings during normal business hours is available at reduced rates (5 hour limit) at the Associated Bank River Center on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. You must present a copy of the meeting notice to the parking cashier. | | | |
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| | | | Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances are required to register with the City Clerk's Office License Division. Registered lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying. | | | |
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