The hot topic of this committee meeting was a recent Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article accusing the Department of Public Works (“DPW“) of having a racial bias in their handling of pothole filling.  Jeff Mantes and Jeff Polenske laid out DPW’s process in regards to pothole repair.  Explaining that they prioritize arterial roads higher than neighborhood streets [...]

This meeting’s highlights included the proposed water sale to New Berlin and the reappointment of Jeff Mantes to the Commissioner the Department of Public Works.The water sale involved two separate resolutions.  Resolution 080012 would handle the actual water sale and resolution 080011 will enact an intergovernmental agreement contingent on the water sale.  Water sales are [...]

The meeting began with public hearings regarding assessable road improvements and lead into Alderman Bauman’s opening discussion of resolution 080034, the proposed municipal vehicle registration fee.  This resolution would change the assessable portion of road improvement costs from 60%, which on average is an assessment of $2500 to the abutting property owner, to 0% being [...]

The reappointment of Jeff Mantes to the position of Commission of the Department of Public Works and the reappointment of Jeff Polenske to the position of City Engineer were held to the call of the chair to start off this meeting. As numerous reappointments have flown through as of late it appears this may be [...]

This special committee meeting was scheduled to discuss resolution 080034. It was brought forward by Alderman Bauman, Alderman Donovan, Alderman Wade and, Alderman Hines Jr and proposed replacing large assessments on property owners to pay for road repaid projects with a $20 vehicular registration fee. Alderman Bauman laid out the three principal goals for this [...]

Resolution 071564 proposed the vacation of two “paper” alleys to support the Palomar development project within the Park East. Apparently Alderman Bauman read Mary Louise Schumacher’s article in the Journal Sentinel, History lost in Park East bait-and-switch, because he stated that “I see this as a bait and switch” referring to the dramatic change in [...]

The most significant item to come out of this Public Works Committee meeting wasn’t even heard. Resolution 080034 was held to the next committee meeting because Alderman Wade was unavailable for this meeting and Alderman Bauman wanted the entire committee to hear the item. The goal of the resolution is to resolve an ongoing problem [...]

Resolution 071600 requested an additional $20,000 to help fund a parking study of downtown. Specifically the parking study is to be conducted in conjunction with the downtown planning process. Allison Rozek, Senior Planner at the Department of City Developer, explained the study would focus on “parking with economic impact” and would help determine the City [...]

As part of resolution, 071488, a portion of the street from S. Barclay St. – E. Pittsburgh Ave. to S. Water St./E. Seeboth St. will be rebuilt resulting in an improved environment in around the Fifth Ward neighborhood. Although a minor improvement to the physical infrastructure this should help spur further development in the area. [...]

Resolution 071440, sponsored by Alderman Bohl, requested an exception to City requirements that sidewalks be developed during the repaving of Good Hope Rd. It specifically requested that the area between 91st St. to 107th St. be excluded from the requirement because this area is more rural than urban. It was pointed out during the meeting [...]