City Approves DNC Contract

Mayor Barrett signs the resolution approving the deal with the DNC. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

The city has executed its legal agreement to bring the 2020 Democratic National Convention to Milwaukee.

The Common Council approved the contract and Mayor Tom Barrett quickly signed the legislation.

The convention isn’t as simple as a contract between the city, host committee (The Good Land Committee) and Democratic National Committee. “There are a number of agreements involved, but the city is only party to one,” said Assistant City Attorney Mary Schanning.

“The city has three major responsibilities with regards to putting on the convention,” said Schanning. The city is responsible for security, permitting and facilitating road and street closures. A separate security plan and venue license agreement will be approved by the host committee.

“The cost of doing security is expected to be paid for by federal grants,” Schanning told the council. Security is expected to cost $50 million, including applicable insurance agreements. Philadelphia received $43 million in 2016.

Council members Milele A. Coggs and Russell W. Stamper, II stressed that the host committee, led by Barrett, Milwaukee Bucks vice president Alex Lasry and Congresswoman Gwen Moore, continue to ensure that the estimated $200 million in economic benefits are spread across the entire city.

The council almost couldn’t approve the agreement today as it barely had a majority of members.

Council members Robert Bauman, Nikiya Dodd, Nik Kovac, Chantia Lewis and Khalif Rainey are in Washington D.C. for the National League of Cities conference. Ald. Tony Zielinski is traveling.

Joining Stamper and Coggs in supporting the agreement were council members Ashanti Hamilton, Mark Borkowski, Terry Witkowski, Cavalier Johnson, Robert Donovan and Michael Murphy.

For more on specific requirements of the contract, see my companion column “12 Rules for City in DNC Convention Contract.”