Jim Owczarski

Does Summerfest Get Special Treatment?

Its bar license owned by private company never gets a thorough review by the city.

Watch the RNC on Milwaukee’s City Channel

Council At Odds On Committee Assignments

But Pérez pledges to install Ald. Pratt as a vice chair within six months.

Council President Jose Perez Reelected

Pérez wins by 10-5 vote over Milele Coggs to lead city's legislative body.

Villa Terrace Will Host 100 Events For 100th Anniversary, Charts Vision For Future

And check out that renovated kitchen.

Full Legalization of Scooters Ends Up In City Budget

But it doesn't mean it immediately goes into effect.

City Attorney Pumps Brakes On Council’s Lobbying Changes

Decision is on hold until at least after the August recess.

For Council, the paper chase is over

Statement from City Clerk Jim Owczarski

Dr. T Confirmed As Health Commissioner

Michael Totoraitis is the new leader of city health department.

Bowen Won’t Seek Recount, Pratt Is New Alderwoman

Andrea Pratt wins race to replace Ashanti Hamilton by 17 votes.

Chambers, Brostoff Sworn In As Aldermen

New council members welcomed by colleagues, face budget veto override vote next week.

How to Make Your Voice Heard Without An Alder

2nd and 3rd districts, formerly held by Mayor Johnson and Nik Kovac, now lack representation.

Community Land Trust Comes To Town

Nonprofit creates affordable housing and equity through land leases, initial subsidies.

New Mayor Offers Upbeat Inaugural Address

A who's who crowd cheers Johnson's vision of improved public safety and family-supporting jobs

The Fight Over Columbia Hospital

Council poised to give building historic protection; UWM could sue.

Mask Mandate Anticipated To Go Into Effect Saturday

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson signs measure into law. Lasts until Mar. 1.

Council Ends Redistricting With Anger, Tears

Council members call process unfair, unjust and infuriating. How did things go wrong?

New Video Captures Sound, History of City Hall Bell

E-flat giant weighs 20,505 pounds, making it the third largest bell ever cast in U.S.

Mayor Tom Barrett Resigns

Cavalier Johnson will become acting mayor. Special election planned for April.

The Council’s War With Tearman Spencer

Lots of grumbling, but City Attorney scores wins in two of three battles Tuesday.

Milwaukee Adopts New Ward Map For City

New districts coming next week. Riverwest further split between two council districts.

City Poised To Split Redistricting Process

Drawing wards first and aldermanic districts second to meet short deadline.

Board Adopts New Supervisory Map

After jettisoning their independent process, the board adopted a new map during a marathon meeting Friday night.

Milwaukee Will Comply With Subpoenas, But City Attorney Won’t Say How

Spencer big on promises, but short on details.

Mayor Barrett Is Latest Official Subpoenaed In Election Probe

Official leading the probe admits he doesn't understand how elections are supposed to work.

Milwaukee Finds Its Original City Flag

1953 flag design found in City Clerk archives.

Donovan, Taylor Eyeing Mayoral Runs

Former alderman, state senator lead pack of those likely to join Cavalier Johnson in special election.

Council Confirms Avalos, Adds Tie-Breaking Vote to Fire & Police Commission

But a potential issue awaits with looming rejection of Ann Wilson's reappointment.

Council Moves To Reject Federal COPS Grant

Means 30 fewer officers, leaving Milwaukee down by 150 officers in 2021.

Trump Files Second Suit Seeking to Throw Out Wisconsin Election

Trump campaign targets five cities, alleging voter fraud.

Adweek Honors Milwaukee-Based Lead Balloon as its “Marketing Podcast of the Year”

“This is a huge win for a little Midwestern startup like mine.” -Dusty Weis

Municipal ID program to resume with changes to support COVID-19 health guidelines

Virtual Doors Open Offers 85+ Online Building Tours, Neighborhood Experiences and More

Event guide, including links to scheduled events

Council Okays Expanded King Dr. Business District

14-0 vote by Common Council. Neighborhood association had opposed it.

Milwaukee Adopts Mask Mandate

Council unanimously adopts indoor and outdoor mandate. Goes into effect Thursday.

Common Council Threatens City Shakeup

Votes to hold every Barrett cabinet appointment, wants systemic change in all city operations.

City Clerk Faces Surprise Opposition

Nikiya Dodd leads charge to replace Jim Owczarski with Theodore Lipscomb.

Give Me Liberty and Give Me Death

Brookfield rally rejects both state and federal health experts, while likely spreading disease.

Council Bids Farewell to Bob and Tony

Aldermen Bob Donovan and Tony Zielinski attend their last council meeting and get a warm sendoff.

Common Council Transforms Meetings

For social distancing: no full council meetings, remote voting allowed, no media on site.

Council, Aldrete Again Spar Over FPC

Shouting, an open letter, highly-sensitive leak. The mess at Fire & Police Commission continues.

Council Says Marcus Center Not Historic

Votes down designation and compromise to save Kiley grove with a friends group.

Who Wants to Design A New City Flag?

Common Council starting process intended to end flag debate.

Marcus Center Trees Removed Before Permit Issued

Four of 36 trees were approved for this, but removal done before permit received.

Council Will Now Make Flag Decision

Will city ever have new flag? Council punted issue to arts board and board punted it back.

10 Curious Details in City’s 2019 Budget

A city store? No more alley repairs? Cutting tree trimming? The $1.5 billion budget has it all.

Council Okays New Health Commissioner

Unanimous vote hands Jeanette Kowalik one of the most difficult jobs in city government.

Police Can Soon Seize Scooters

Effective August 4. Now up to Legislature to change state law and make scooters legal.

DeNeve appointed public relations supervisor for Common Council – City Clerk’s Office

Mr. DeNeve will assist in managing all of the division’s public relations.

City Will Contest Foxconn Power Deal

City Attorney will contest $117 million Foxconn subsidy charged to We Energies customers.

Mayor Allows Interim Health Leader

Returns file to the council unsigned, opens door to approval of McManus.

New digs for the City Records Center

News release from City Clerk Jim Owczarski

Top 10 Bar Exams of 2017

Most popular stories: old bars. Corner bars. And some surprises.

5 Milwaukeeans To Be Thankful For

These five people are making Milwaukee a better place for all.

First meeting is tonight for Milwaukee Safety and Civic Commission

News release from Alderman Terry L. Witkowski and Council President Ashanti Hamilton

The City’s Most Curious Lobbyist

Why is fire fighters’ president quietly lobbying on issues unrelated to his job?

Historic Preservation Winners Celebrated

And Best Place at the Pabst Brewery announces new coffee shop and bar.

Black Cat Mural Alley Opens

Sometimes the best public art is hidden from view.

Mexico Opens 50th US Consulate Here

A big turnout of American and Mexican politicians with "Trumpism" in the air.

Rocky Marcoux’s Job in Jeopardy

Council majority votes no, but decision will get reconsidered. His chances look slim.

Nick’s House to Meet Wrecking Ball

East Side tavern's building from 1880s has unique structure, virgin wood. Why destroy it?

Meet the New Boss

Ashanti Hamilton is new Common Council president, but how did he get the votes?

Kenney Targets Ald. Borkowski

Should challenger win, would be only military veteran on Common Council.

Where Can Former Sex Offenders Go?

Restrictive city law often leaves them nowhere to live, many are becoming homeless.

Charter School Review Committee info now available via E-Notify

The city’s E-Notify subscriber categories include news and updates from city departments, elected officials, and city agencies, and a valid e-mail address is all that you need to get started.

City anticipating lawsuit after denying Silk’s request for downtown strip club

City Clerk’s Home Is His Castle

Jim Owczarski's home towers over the nearby ranch homes.

City Channel telecasts on hold for equipment upgrade

News release from City Clerk Jim Owczarski

Celebrating the Life of Paul Jakubovich

A host of notables gathered to salute Jakubovich and the fabulous historic architecture of Milwaukee he helped protect.

A Battle Over Historic Designation

Developer Robert Joseph wants to demolish 1880s tavern but Ald. Bauman and Third Ward board vote for historic designation, which provides protection for now.

Bucks Create a Media Orgy!

Their press conference releasing the plan for new arena and development generated at least 20 stories. Mission accomplished.

In Defense of Historic Tax Credits

National Trust for Historic Preservation's leader comes to town, where her speech to a crowd filled with notables dramatized the need for state to maintain the current credits.

Davis Sets, Cancels Meeting on Streetcar

His claim on streetcar turns out to be false. Meanwhile, new city assessor appointed with little fanfare.

The Legacy of Paul Jakubovich

The City’s Historic Preservation Officer had an unmatched knowledge of and commitment to the preservation of historic buildings.

License Division looks to process surge of applications for new taxi permits

News release from the Office of the City Clerk

After lifting of cab cap, city will begin accepting applications for new taxi permits

For the first time in decades, applicants for a public passenger vehicle permit to operate a taxi in Milwaukee will be able to apply without regard for a cap on the number of permits issued, and receive provisional permission to begin operating the day of their application. On a unanimous vote, the Milwaukee Common Council passed legislation last month that did away with the cab cap and created a more streamlined application process, allowing drivers to sign an affidavit affirming their record is clean and receive a provisional permit immediately upon their application. The legislation will allow network companies like Uber and Lyft to operate legally, and Alderman Robert Bauman, who as chair of the Public Transportation Review Board helped author the legislation, said it creates a level playing field for all drivers while ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. Alderman Bauman and City Clerk Jim Owczarski, whose office oversees the License Division, will kick off the application process with a news conference Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. Alderman Bauman said the first 10 applicants will receive a commemorative gift. Applicants are asked to visit milwaukee.gov/license and prepare their application materials ahead of time. What: News conference – First new taxi permit applications accepted When: 8:15 a.m. – Tuesday, September 2, 2014 Where: License Division, City Hall rotunda – 200 E. Wells St.

New York Discovers Our Sinking City

City Hall, Milwaukee Rep and Mitchell buildings are sinking. Is Deep Tunnel the culprit? The Times is not sure.

Let Them Take Taxis…or Uber or Lyft

City may lift cap on cabs and embrace upstart ride sharing services. There will be rides for everyone!

Taxi Cab Lottery Has Light Turnout

Though there were 1,706 applications for 100 new licenses, only about 200 showed up for the lottery. But the show must go on! -- and did.

The Long Arms of Uber

The upstart ride service company could replace cab companies across the globe, some predict. How will it change our city?

Murphy Announces New Committee Assignments

The changes aren't radical but big winner is Ald. Kovac, who becomes chair of Finance and vice-chair of Steering and Rules.

Is Zamarripa’s Democratic Challenger Really Republican?

He's just 18, but candidate Vincent Synowicz is already mastering the slick verbal skills of a veteran politician.

Milwaukee City Channel expands offerings to include second streaming feed online

City channel adds second video feed.

FPC confirmation starts with committee hearing tomorrow

For the first time in city history, on Thursday citizens will be able to indirectly ask questions of and comment on an appointee to the Fire and Police Commission.

New Network of Charter Schools Coming

Ex-MPS Superintendent Howard Fuller is helping lead effort, which will delay schools opening to 2014-2015.

Historic Preservation, Clerk’s Office team up to document condemned convent

Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Commission is teaming up with the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Public Information Division of the City Clerk’s Office to collect photos of the building and document its history on an interactive website.

Youth Council ready to begin new session; two seats stand vacant

The City of Milwaukee Youth Council (MYC) is a step closer to beginning a new term on November 1 – that after the Common Council’s Community and Economic Development Committee (CED) approved new and reappointed members of the body this morning.

Has the Clock Run Out for the Sydney Hih?

The historic Sydney Hih building, which city officials had intended to tear down, may have been saved for another day, due to a legalistic maneuver by alderman and attorney Bob Baumann at a Tuesday meeting of the Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

Regional Bus Service Cuts, Transit Center Redevelopment, Museum Mile, and More

The 11th installment of Eyes on Milwaukee focuses on transit, development, and new restaurants. The Downtown Transit Center's redevelopment is inching closer to reality. The Milwaukee Museum Mile is a new marketing effort for some overlooked museums. Service reductions are coming to the Milwaukee-Racine-Kenosha commuter bus service, and the Milwaukee City Clerk is still tweeting, thankfully.

Tower De Force

Mandel’s Groundbreaking High Rise