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| | | | Meeting convened at 9:04 am. | | | |
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260837
| 0 | 1. | Appointment | Appointment of Aaron Moriak to the Public Transportation, Utilities and Waterways Review Board by the Common Council President.
Minutes note: Appeared Aaron Moriak
Mr. Moriak said he has advocated for Milwaukee public transit and safer streets for years by attending public meetings, tracking grants, and asking questions.
| RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260864
| 0 | 2. | Resolution | Resolution determining it necessary to make various assessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City engineering cost estimated to be $530,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $2,285,000.
Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260865
| 0 | 3. | Resolution | Resolution determining it necessary to make various nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City engineering cost estimated to be $380,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,315,000.
Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260866
| 0 | 4. | Resolution | Substitute resolution approving construction of nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City construction cost estimated to be $690,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $3,185,000.
Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW) | SUBSTITUTED | Pass | 5:0 |
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260866
| 1 | | Resolution | Substitute resolution approving construction of nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City construction cost estimated to be $690,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $3,185,000. | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260867
| 0 | 5. | Resolution | Substitute resolution authorizing area-wide and scattered sites sidewalk replacement at various areas and appropriating funds for these purposes with the city construction cost estimated to be $1,670,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,685,000.
Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 4:0 |
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260868
| 0 | 6. | Resolution | Resolution providing for continuance of deferred payment of assessments for worthy indigent resident property owners, and appropriating funds for this purpose with the 2026 City cost to be $527.83 with a ten year total of the deferred properties being $7,480.40.
Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 4:0 |
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260851
| 0 | 7. | Resolution | Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “2nd Revision State/Municipal Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, real estate acquisition, and construction of West Appleton Avenue (STH 175) from West Burleigh Street to STH 181, and to set up additional funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $150,000 with an estimated City share of $37,500 and a grantor share of $112,500.
Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (Projects Manager, DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260856
| 0 | 8. | Resolution | Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “State/Municipal Financial Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, and construction of South 27th Street (STH 241) from Howard Avenue to the UPRR, and to set up funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $200,000 with an estimated City share of $50,000 and a grantor share of $150,000.
Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (Projects Manager, DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260857
| 0 | 9. | Resolution | Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “1st Revision State/Municipal Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, real estate acquisition, and construction of West Appleton Avenue (STH 175) from West Lisbon Avenue to West Burleigh Street, and to set up additional funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $650,000 with an estimated City share of $162,500 and a grantor share of $487,500; and to set up funds for real estate acquisition at an estimated total cost of $505,000 with an estimated City share of $0 and a grantor share of $505,000.
Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (Projects Manager, DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260858
| 0 | 10. | Resolution | Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “State/Municipal Financial Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, real estate acquisition, and construction of West Capitol Drive (STH 190) from North 35th Street to the Milwaukee River, and to set up funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $2,570,000 with an estimated City share of $642,500 and a grantor share of $1,927,500; and to set up funds for real estate acquisition at an estimated cost of $110,000 with an estimated City share of $0 and a grantor share of $110,000.
Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (Projects Manager, DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260734
| 0 | 11. | Ordinance | A substitute ordinance relating to fines for the theft or destruction of copper cables and wires.
Minutes note: Appeared Ald. Stamper
Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW)
Appeared Max Drickey (LRB)
Sponsor Ald. Stamper described widespread streetlight outages and theft of circuitry for relatively small scrap proceeds.
Commissioner Kruschke updated the value of stolen cable to nearly $800,000, excluding replacement labor. DPW reported 75 incidents in August, 49 in September, and 22 in October, crediting coordination with MPD and several arrests while cautioning that thefts continue.
The committee asked whether the proposed city citation would accompany criminal prosecution. Legislative Reference Bureau representative Max Drickey characterized it as a civil citation alternative to a criminal misdemeanor.
Members also discussed restitution, Commissioner Kruschke said criminal complaints can include restitution based on the cable loss tied to an incident, though quantifying that loss can be difficult. He mentioned that cable theft can be charged as a Class 1 felony along with other offenses.
City of Milwaukee markings on the cable coating help identify it when un stripped, but are lost when the wire is stripped. Most newer street-lighting circuits operate at 240 volts, older circuits can operate at 2,200 volts and are especially dangerous. A committee member cited an example of a person electrocuted while attempting theft.
Ald. Coggs, Taylor, Bauman, Westorland and Brower asked to be co-sponsors.
| RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE | Pass | 5:0 |
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260817
| 1 | 12. | Resolution | Substitute resolution relating to the prevention of electrical wire theft.
Minutes note: Appeared Ald. Stamper
Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW)
Ald. Coggs said the effort responds to outages affecting her and Pratt’s districts, resident frustration that not enough was being done, and a need for an all-hands review of best practices and local solutions.
Commissioner Kruschke said DPW would partner on a strategy, including hardening frequently hit circuits and investigating resale channels.
Members noted theft has occurred across districts.
Ald. Stamper, Taylor, Brower, Bauman and Westmorland asked to be co-sponsors. | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260819
| 1 | 13. | Resolution | Substitute resolution directing the Department of Public Works to establish a reward program for individuals who provide information relating to the theft of electrical wires.
Minutes note: Appeared Ald. Stamper
Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW)
The resolution directs DPW to establish a reward program for information leading to electrical-wire-theft cases. Committee members clarified the reward is for information that results in a conviction, not for general prevention suggestions.
Committee members encouraged residents to report theft and outages through the existing 286-CITY channel. Commissioner Kruschke said DPW can research temporary lighting options for dark areas, though cost and practical approaches such as generators need assessment. He reported 30 outages at the time, with an average repair time of about three days when DPW knows about them; single-light repairs can take longer, but a year-long delay should not be expected. Reporting the location or pole number helps crews locate an outage. Ald. Coggs also encouraged residents in affected neighborhoods to leave porch lights on, consider alert neighbor cameras and lighting, look out for one another, and report outages. She urged coordination with MPD around areas left dark while repairs are pending to help prevent other crime. | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260855
| 0 | 14. | Resolution | Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “State/Municipal Financial Agreement and State/Municipal Maintenance Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for street lighting work and five sanitary manholes adjustment/seal replacement as non-participating utility items within the City of Milwaukee city limit on project Kearney Street between 72nd Street and 76th Street as part of the WisDOT project, and to set up funds for construction at an estimated total cost of $87,920 with 100 percent City share.
Minutes note: Appeared Eng-Kie Lee (Street Lighting Manager-DPW) | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260862
| 0 | 15. | Resolution | Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute Project Agreements titled “State/Municipal Agreement for an Infrastructure Transportation Alternatives Program Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and to set up design engineering at a total estimated cost of $688,549 with an estimated City of Milwaukee share of $137,709, and a grantor share of $550,840 for two projects.
Minutes note: Appeared Mike Amsden (Multi Modal Planning Manager-DPW)
Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW)
Appeared Ald. Chambers
Mike Amsden said possible elements include protected bikeways, improved crossings, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, street trees, and planting. On Holton, DPW prefers a two-way bikeway on the east side, which would minimize parking impacts; design and community input remain ahead. A Holton crossing near the viaduct, for which residents have petitioned, will receive focused attention, though the design is not settled. The agreement was adopted.
Committee members raised concerns about congestion and signal delays from traffic calming projects, citing Highland from 27th to 35th and a Route 30 bus needing to swing into the westbound lane at Van Buren and Ogden.
Mr. Amsden said DPW evaluates substantial projects using speed and crash data, has seen positive safety results, and is reviewing signal timing at 35th and Highland. MCTS had recently asked DPW to examine the Van Buren/Ogden intersection.
DPW said raised-crosswalk designs must meet standards but vary with street slopes and ADA grades; red-colored concrete is being used to improve visibility.
Committee Members discussed the trade-off between safety and some peak-period congestion.
Mr. Amsden noted that federal transportation programs fund specific safety, pedestrian, trail, bike-lane, and education work; this grant cannot be redirected to potholes. The city’s local budget is a separate funding source. DPW described multi-million-dollar traffic-calming requests as a moving target, with projects funded through different sources and some neighborhood work involving a 30% adjacent-property share.
DPW is expanding outreach through the 414 In Motion mobility plan and a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, including messaging on bus shelters, MCTS buses, bike stations, and billboards.
| RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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260869
| 0 | 16. | Resolution | Resolution authorizing the Department of Public Works - Milwaukee Water Works to execute a second amendment to extend the intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public Schools for the School to Work Transition Program.
Minutes note: Jane Islo (Water Adminstration Manager, DPW-Water Works)
Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW)
The resolution extended the City-MPS School to Work Transition Program agreement by one year, through January 2028. Jane Islo of Milwaukee Water Works said the program serves special-education students in their junior or senior year, who rotate among host employers for a semester to build job skills. Water Works has participated for three years and hosts three to four students per semester, initially at the Howard Treatment Plant and more recently at DPW Field Headquarters. Students have learned to use a lathe and detail vehicles; staff also build mentorship skills. The extension was adopted. Ms. Islo said MPS was gathering demographic and school-participation information requested by Ald Coggs.
Members discussed expanding DPW/MPS pathways: DPW cited vehicle-service-technician work with Pulaski, forestry events, and efforts to build a broader pipeline.
| RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Pass | 5:0 |
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191930
| 0 | 17. | Communication | Communication from the Department of Public Works relating to the status of current and future operations.
Minutes note: Appeared Thomas Wangerin (Director of Operations, DPW)
Appeared Jerrel Kruschke (Commissioner, DPW)
Tom Wangerin, DPW Director of Operations, reported fall leaf collection was underway after a heavy leaf drop. Residents can mulch leaves, rake them one foot from the curb, use the two drop-off centers, or request paper-bag pickup. The drop-off centers were open Tuesday-Sunday, with winter hours beginning November 30 (Tuesday-Saturday). DPW had received about 250 bagged-leaf pickup requests, including around 150 the previous week. The online map uses green for collection expected in roughly one to three days, yellow for consolidation, and orange for active collection; a weekly Leaf Watch photo gallery tracks 12 city locations. Mr. Wangerin estimated 30-40% of citywide leaf volume had dropped.
Winter preparations included servicing and outfitting snow vehicles and holding driver/yard meetings. DPW had applied brine to bridge decks ahead of a frost advisory, using six operators for up to six hours. A Solar Salt pilot is testing whether purer salt can halve brine-production time and reduce clay/shale buildup in equipment; a separate liquid-only pilot will test salt conservation before crews switch to regular treatment when conditions require it.
Equipment-operator vacancies were about 55 as of October 1, with roughly 30 candidates in active recruitment; DPW is also working on retention and training. In response to questions, DPW said a pothole-camera pilot remains active, but the number of equipped vehicles and results were not available.
DPW uses route ware to track leaf operations, and said staff try to access parking-exempt streets when possible, bagged-leaf pickup may help in difficult locations. Crews are instructed to keep leaf piles clear of catch basins and leave at least a one-foot buffer from the curb so water can drain, residents should report piles obstructing drainage.
DPW said its entire vehicle fleet now has cameras. A public facing plow map, with about a 30-minute delay for safety, is intended to show where crews have been during significant events. DPW will determine which conditions warrant publishing it. Routes prioritize arterials, rotate starting points year to year, and use some single-pass residential plowing to improve access. Committee members discussed staffing limits and the balance between quickly clearing roads and minimizing driveway snow buildup.
Ald. Coggs asked DPW to improve training for staff attending neighborhood walks and town halls after residents received conflicting information about responsibility for brush, holes, and clogged grates.
Commissioner Kruschke greed public facing staff should avoid giving incorrect answers and say they will follow up when unsure.
Committee Members also discussed debris along highway fence lines. DPW handles the city-side right-of-way, while the county performs work for the state on the freeway side; cleanup is sometimes coordinated, especially in spring. Ald. Bauman specifically flagged debris near 25th and St. Paul.
| HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR | Pass | 5:0 |
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| | | | 9:30 AM | | | |
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260890
| 0 | 18. | Motion | Motion relating to the recommendations of the Public Works Committee relating to licenses.
Minutes note: LUCAS, Lance L Public Passenger Vehicle Driver’s License Application
The applicant was not present.
Ald. Bauman moved denial based upon second nonappearance. There were no objections. | RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL | Pass | 5:0 |
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| | | | Meeting adjourned at 10:52 am.
Carmen O Roman
Staff Assistant
This meeting can be viewed in its entirety through the City's Legislative Research Center at http://milwaukee.legistar.com/calendar.
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