Meeting Details

Meeting Name: PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 7/1/2026 9:00 AM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: City Hall Room 301-B
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video: eComment: Not available  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultTallyAction DetailsVideo
     Meeting convened at 9:17 am

Minutes note: Ald. Brower arrived at 10:17 am
    Roll call Not available
260289 01.ResolutionSubstitute resolution approving levying of assessments and construction of assessable public improvement projects at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City cost of these projects approved by this resolution is estimated to be $177,900 for a total estimated cost of $197,900.

Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW) 4th Aldermanic District N. 28th St. - W. Kilbourn Ave. to W. Richardson Pl. (ST211250134). Concrete pavement reconstruction, replace all curb and gutter, sidewalk, and driveway approaches, sodding (6' width tree border area), grading, and tree removal where necessary. No public testimony. Ald. Bauman moved to delete, to be reconsider next year. The motion to delete was approved without objection. 8th and 11th Aldermanic Districts W. Cleveland Ave. ~ S. 43rd St. to S. 68th St (ST211250137). Install traffic calming speed hump(s) and pinned-on traffic cirde(s). Appeared Gregory Rihn - opposed the project, citing concerns about snowplow efficiency, vehicle wear and tear, and potential delays for emergency vehicles. Appeared John Kolbert and Lauren Cardenas testified in favor of the measures, reporting extreme speeding (exceeding 65 mph) and dangerous road rage incidents. Ald. Burgelis was present he is in support. He also attached to the file a aldermanic survey showing opposition and support for the project. Ald. Bauman moved approval. Ald. Coggs Abstain The motion to approve passed with one abstention. 10th Aldermanic District N. 55th St. at W. Garfield Ave. (ST211250150). Install traffic calming raised crosswalk. Appeared Steve Kichenmeister - He supports the proposed raised crosswalk but requested that DPW Engineering evaluate signal timing at Lloyd and North Avenue to prevent traffic backups that might block residential driveways. Holly Rutenbeck committed to a follow-up with the resident. Ald. Moore supports the project. Ald. Westmoreland moved approval. The motion was approved without objection. W. Vliet St. - N. Alois St. to N. 60th St. (ST211250152). Install traffic calming speed table(s) and pinned-on island(s). Appeared Rebecca Bailey - supports the project. Appeared Judson - opposed the project. Holly Rutenbeck communicated that Ald. Moore request the project to be held to allow for more community discussion. Ald. Taylor moved to hold to the call of the chair. The motion was approved without objection. 14th Aldermanic District S. 11th St-W.HoitAve. to W. Ohio Ave.(ST211260123). Install traffic calming speed hump(s). No public testimony. Ald. Dimitrijevic supports the project. Ald. Westmoreland moved approval. The motion was approved without objection.
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260290 02.ResolutionSubstitute 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 $105,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,975,000.

Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW)
SUBSTITUTEDPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260290 1 ResolutionSubstitute 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 $105,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,975,000.

Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260291 03.ResolutionResolution 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 $100,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $100,000.

Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260292 04.ResolutionSubstitute resolution approving construction of nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City construction cost estimated to be $1,472,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,987,240.17.

Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW)
SUBSTITUTEDPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260292 1 ResolutionSubstitute resolution approving construction of nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City construction cost estimated to be $1,472,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,987,240.17.

Minutes note: Appeared Holly Rutenbeck (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
251556 15.ResolutionSubstitute resolution assigning the honorary street name José A. Olivier to South 9th Street between West Mineral Street and West Washington Street in the 12th Aldermanic District.

Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW) Appeared Beth Ann Heirman she testified to Olivieri's 40 years of service on the United Community Center board and his extensive involvement with the Milwaukee Public Library and the University of Wisconsin Regents. Ald. Perez is in support.
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260344 06.AppointmentAppointment of Rebecca Gries to the Board of Harbor Commissioners by the Mayor. (10th Aldermanic District)

Minutes note: Appeared Rebecca Gries She highlighted her goal of leveraging regional economic development to make the port more competitive nationally.
RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260310 07.ResolutionResolution 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 North 76th Street (STH 181) from STH 175 to West Grantosa Drive, to set up funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $2,700,000 with an estimated City share of $675,000 and a grantor share of $2,025,000, and to set up funds for real estate acquisition at an estimated cost of $200,000 with an estimated City share of $0 and a grantor share of $200,000.

Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260311 08.ResolutionResolution 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 South 1st Street (STH 32) from West Lapham Boulevard to East National Avenue, to set up funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $2,235,000 with an estimated City share of $558,750 and a grantor share of $1,676,250, and to set up funds for real estate acquisition at an estimated cost of $265,000 with an estimated City share of $0 and a grantor share of $265,000.

Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260312 09.ResolutionResolution 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 construction of Interstate Highway 43 North-South Freeway; Halyard Street to Capitol Drive, and to set up funds for real estate acquisition and construction at an estimated total cost decrease of $4,450,000 with an estimated City share decrease of $1,666,500 and a grantor share decrease of $2,783,500.

Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260314 010.ResolutionResolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “7th Revision State/Municipal Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, and real estate acquisition of West National Avenue from 39th Street to 1st Street with a total estimated cost decrease for the project of $203,700, with an estimated decrease of Grantor share of $2,678,850, and an estimated increase of City share of $2,475,150.

Minutes note: Appeared David Tapia (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260313 011.ResolutionResolution 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 adjustment and seal replacement of 18 sanitary manholes, construction of bioswales, and adjusting City Underground Conduit (CUC) manhole cover as non-participating utility items within the City of Milwaukee city limit on project STH 241(South 27th Street), West Layton Avenue to West College Avenue as part of the WisDOT project, and to set up funds for construction at an estimated total cost of $164,500 with 100% City share.

Minutes note: Appeared Eng-Kie Lee (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260315 012.ResolutionResolution informing the Common Council of the City’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report for the year 2025.

Minutes note: Appeared Anthony Jazdzyk (DPW)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260319 013.ResolutionSubstitute resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for the purposes of delegating responsibilities for the design and construction for the 43rd Street Ditch Project for the Kinnickinnic River in the 8th Aldermanic District.

Minutes note: Appeared James Washington (DPW Coordination Manager)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260320 014.ResolutionSubstitute resolution approving an Operating Agreement with Badgerland Striders Running Club for staging of the 2026 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon, half marathon, 5K run and 5K walk in the City of Milwaukee.

Minutes note: Appeared James Washington (DPW Coordination Manager)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260334 015.ResolutionResolution granting approval of a driveway approach with a width greater than 30 feet for the premises at 517 West Layton Avenue, in the 13th Aldermanic District.

Minutes note: Appeared James Washington (DPW Coordination Manager)
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
260268 016.AppointmentReappointment of Ald. Bauman to the Public Transportation, Utilities, and Waterways Review Board by the Common Council President.

Minutes note: Ald. Bauman Abstain
RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATIONPass3:0 Action details Video Video
260366 017.AppointmentAppointment of Ald. Brower to the Public Transportation, Utilities and Waterways Review Board by the Common Council President.RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATIONPass4:0 Action details Video Video
191930 018.CommunicationCommunication from the Department of Public Works relating to the status of current and future operations.

Minutes note: Appeared Jerrell Kruschke (DPW Commissioner) Appeared Kevin Muhs (City Engineer, DPW-Infrastructure) Ald. Brower arrived at 10:17 am Commissioner Jerrell Kruschke and City Engineer Kevin Muhs provided a status update on DPW operations. Pothole requests reached a record high of 19,270 in the first six months of 2024, surpassing previous annual records. The current service lag is approximately 25 days as crews prioritize major arterials before moving to residential backlogs. Mr. Kruschke discussed the department's 264 vacancies, including 18 open Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO) positions and 46 equipment operator spots. He noted that a "City Laborer" recruitment cycle would open at the end of July, offering entry-level opportunities with city-funded CDL training. In response to Alderman Bauman's query about PEO revenue, Kruschke estimated that each officer represents roughly $250,000 in annual value. He also addressed safety concerns for field crews during the current heat wave, noting that one worker was recently hospitalized for overheating. The committee discussed the long-term need for road replacement rather than just maintenance, with Jerrell Kruschke stating that many local roads are well beyond their design life due to historical underinvestment. Suggested Action: Commissioner Jerell Kruschke to provide the committee with the specific number of parking enforcement vehicles currently in the fleet. DPW to provide data on the total amount of protected bike lanes built to date for the upcoming Public Safety meeting. DPW to attach the funding history and asset management memo (originally requested by Alderman Burgelis) to the official committee file.
HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIRPass5:0 Action details Video Video
     Meeting Adjourned at 11:13 am. Carmen Roman Staff Assistant This meeting can be viewed in its entirety through the City's Legislative Research Center at http://milwaukee.legistar.com/calendar.    Not available