Mark Borkowski

Council Overrides Every Barrett Veto

Without debate Common Council overrides mayor, keeps 59 amendments to budget

Summerfest Pays No Net Rent

Charges ethnic festivals more rent than it pays city, like “a greedy landlord,” alderman charges.

28% of City Workers Live Outside of Milwaukee

All the city news you can use.

Summerfest Got $48 Million in Gifts

Total donations from 2010 to 2018 helped pay for CEO Don Smiley’s "caviar lifestyle"?

Barrett Issues 8 Budget Vetoes

Vetoes attack borrowing, garbage truck replacement, blight elimination.

Health Department Probe a State Matter

Criminal investigation taken over by Department of Justice, city officials say.

City Fighting Illegal Dumping

New DNS program makes it easier for citizens to report problems, results in 16 citations.

4,000 Police Officers Will Guard DNC

Some 150 police departments, 12 fire departments will secure 50,000-person event.

DPW Defends Plow Mounting Strategy

Delaying use of plows allowed more salt to be spread and prevented expanding potholes.

Council Cuts Police, Adopts $1.6 Billion Budget

Council wrestles with huge fiscal challenges due to rising police costs, declining state aid.

Summerfest CEO Awarded $2.33 Million

Don Smiley’s 2017 pay package includes $1.3 million deferred from prior years. City officials “shocked.”

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Now A Holiday

Mayor signs legislation into law making it a holiday for city of Milwaukee.

Committee Approves City BRT Agreement

City DPW would be reimbursed by Milwaukee County for design and infrastructure costs.

Anonymous Crime Reporting Service Launches

"Crime doesn't pay, but Crime Stoppers does," says Alderwoman Chantia Lewis.

Council Debates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be forced to defend the Catholic Church," Donovan thundered.

Bucks, Fire Department Have Cost Sharing Agreement

Deputy Chief praises Bucks' commitment to safety.

Should Smoking Be Banned in Front of Public Buildings?

Murphy and Donovan square off over smoking in front of City Hall.

Is The City Ready to Plow Snow?

City has 28,405 tons of salt and 414 pieces of equipment ready to clear 1,472 miles of city streets.

Council Approves Ikon Hotel Deal Despite Objections

Plus: Council unanimously endorses host of other development projects.

City Recycled More in 2018

Residents recycled 25,451 tons in 2018, but don't throw plastic bags in the bins.

Council Okays Settlement to Sterling Brown

City would pay $400,000. But the Bucks guard isn't expected to accept the offer.

Milwaukee Losing As Summerfest Safety Costs Grow Quickly

Long-term lease agreement means the city has eaten $4 million in costs since 2011.

Contribution to Patty Doherty of $50

Aldrete Will Lead Police-Fire Commission

Attorney, third FPC leader in three years, brings diverse background to challenging job.

Council Pushes Plan for $15/Hour Downtown Jobs

Would urge downtown businesses, developers to increase wages, worker protections.

Outside Firm Auditing City’s Lead Program

Expert hired by Comptroller doing audit council originally wanted done by May 2018.

FPC Nominee Faces Cloud of Uncertainty

Council vote unclear on Griselda Aldrete, mayor's pick to lead Fire & Police Commission.

Take It EZ, Donovan Urges

New public-private initiative targets reckless driving in the city.

Pilot project aims to put the brakes on reckless driving in Milwaukee

News conference set for Monday at 11 a.m. to launch unique public-private partnership called Operation Take it EZ Milwaukee

Five Takeaways from Yesterday’s Election

The race for Terry Witkowski's seat had surprises -- and key lessons.

Scooters Legalized But Not on Sidewalks

City's action means scooters could be back on streets soon, but fined for using sidewalks.

Gambling Taxpayer Dollars on the Streetcar? Milwaukee is NOT Las Vegas

Statement of Aldermen Tony Zielinski, Bob Donovan, and Mark A. Borkowski June 28, 2019

Board of Health Appointments Sail Through

Public Safety & Health Committee approves Barrett's appointments, chastises Barrett for not creating board earlier

Do You Believe Us Now?

The Milwaukee Streetcar Will – Sooner Rather Than Later – Need Your Tax Dollars

Free Streetcar Rides Planned for 2020

City hopes to maintain free rides to keep up ridership but this could leave funding gap.

Is the City Ready for Scooters?

Council debates pilot program allowing scooters. "We're all scared to death," Borkowski says.

Council Approves Water Rate Increase

Three council members object to plan that raises annual cost by $7.

Contribution to Patty Doherty of $100

City Will Raise Its Water Rates

Average customers in city and suburbs served directly will see their bills rise $7 per year.

Resolution to adopt a Green Infrastructure Plan for the City of Milwaukee advances to the Common Council

“The Green Infrastructure Plan will reduce the amount of rainwater that flows into the sewerage system following a wet-weather event.”

City Is Repaving More Streets

But is focus on streets just creating a backlog of alleys and sidewalks needing work?

Council Rejects Barrett’s FPC Appointee

Fire and Police Commission appointee gives "petulant" presentation, rejected by council.

Alderman Terry Witkowski Resigning

Barrett-ally stepping down. Witkowski's aide, Scott Spiker, has filed to run for his seat.

Council Needs to Direct Resources Toward Citizen/Community Priorities: Our Neighborhoods

Statement from Aldermen Bob Donovan and Mark A. Borkowski May 23, 2019

Council Holds Streetcar Extension

Streetcar proponents become opponents, push for longer extension to Walker's Point.

Bronzeville Business Owners Desire the Streetcar

Local shopkeepers say The Hop’s proposed expansion would bring an economic boost to the neighborhood.

Council Says Marcus Center Not Historic

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

Council Okays Subsidy for One MKE Plaza

Comptroller calls the deal a "significant risk" but council votes 12-3 in favor.

Mayor Barrett: Secure Our Neighborhoods, Fix Our Streets, and Enough with Your Damned Streetcar

Aldermen urge citizens to voice their opposition to the streetcar by saying “Enough is Enough!’ Joint statement from Alderman Bob Donovan and Alderman Mark A. Borkowski May 6, 2019

Milwaukeeans Getting Worse at Driving

Crashes up 51% since 2009. Is cell phone use by drivers helping drive numbers?

The Cold War With We Energies

Bauman, other aldermen believe city is charging too little for utility's use of city land.

Meet the City’s Pothole Patrol

Turns out those frequently maligned parking checkers do more than issue tickets.

Who Wants to Design A New City Flag?

Common Council starting process intended to end flag debate.

City Will Shame Prostitutes’ Customers

Get caught paying for sex? That'll cost you $2,500 and maybe exposure on TV.

Kowalik Reshaping Health Department

Commissioner reorganizing troubled, 254-person agency, first such effort in 10 years.

What’s the Infrastructure Plan for DNC?

Council, led by Bauman, pushes for city to have citywide, coordinated plan for convention.

Council Wants Better Pothole Response

Public Works officials say Milwaukee bests other cities. Not good enough, aldermen say.

Common Council passes resolution to establish the Growing Entrepreneurs in Milwaukee (GEM) initiative

Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs: Council approves establishment of GEM initiative

City Approves DNC Contract

City expects $50 million from federal government to pay for security.

Who Will (Finally) Clear The Snow?

"Why did you stop sending out front-end loaders to finish the job?" irate alderman asks.

Retired Drivers to Join Plowing Crew

Bauman's proposal gets endorsed by Department of Public Works, but may take a year.

Council Will Now Make Flag Decision

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

Joint statement on the death of a Department of Public Works worker

From Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderman Robert Donovan, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Mark A. Borkowski, Alderman Jóse G. Pérez, Alderman Terry L. Witkowski, Alderman Tony Zielinski, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II

Joint statement on fallen Milwaukee Police Officer

From Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Jóse G. Pérez, Alderman Robert Donovan, Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderman Terry L. Witkowski, Alderman Cavalier Johnson and Alderman Mark A. Borkowski

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $50

Ashanti Hamilton Files for Mayoral Run

Is Chris Abele planning to back Hamilton?

Marquette, a vacant Ramada Inn and homelessness

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan - November 28, 2018

Council Slaps Down Mayor’s Vetoes

Legislative body rejects all five vetoes by Mayor Tom Barrett.

Donovan Calls on MU To Help Homeless

Alderman suggests Marquette should re-open 155-room Ramada Hotel to house the homeless.

Aldermen Donovan and Borkowski to address Milwaukee’s homeless crisis

News conference set for Tuesday morning near one of several city encampments

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 Adopts 2019 City Budget

Average homeowner will see $51.88 increase, no change in total fire and police officers.

11 Things to Know Before You Ride The Hop

How many people will ride it? How is it free? Oh so many questions, all answered here.

Barrett Signs Complete Streets Policy

Mayor, city officials and activists gather to celebrate new legislation.

Council Passes Complete Streets Policy

Streets for all, not just cars, is now the law of the land.

Norquist Bashes Inspector General Idea

Council wants its own watchdog. Former mayor says post is unnecessary.

How Long Will Flag Debate Last?

Arts Board might not have decision on the city flag by the end of 2018.

Barrett Vetoes Inspector General

Council, Mayor at odds over how independent new position should be.

Was Barrett Asleep on Health Department?

Problems may go back a decade and mayor deserves much blame, some alderman say.

Council Okays Market-Based Parking Fees

But Tony Zielinski adamantly opposes it, joined by four other council members.

The Inspector General Is Coming

Common Council creates its own watchdog to monitor city departments.

Milwaukee’s Young Children Need to Be the Focus

Statement from Alderman Borkowski - September 24, 2018

Health Commissioner Pick Gets First Approval

Kowalik wins unanimous vote from committee, interim commissioner reveals ongoing issues.

Streetcar Called “Disaster”

Statement of Alderman Mark A. Borkowski

Port Supported 1,309 Jobs, $106 Million in Trade in 2017

New port director introduces report trumpeting harbor's value to Milwaukee, but is there a salt shortage looming?

4th Street Rededicated Vel R. Phillips Ave.

A who's who ceremony of politicians and candidates turns out to honor legacy of Vel Phillips.

Joint Statement on the death of Officer Michael Michalski

From Alderman Terry Witkowski, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Jóse G. Pérez, Alderman Nicholas Kovac, Alderman Mark Borkowski, Alderman Tony Zielinski, Alderman Bob Donovan, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, and Alderman Robert Bauman

Council Delays Flag Decision

Delegates Milwaukee Arts Board to decide if new flag needed and how to proceed.

City’s $3.4 Million Settlement Will Cost More?

IT costs weren't factored into city settlement of ACLU suit, could increase price tag.

Council Backs Less Mayoral Power Over FPC

Votes 13-1 to ask state to reduce mayor's power to appoint Fire and Police leader.

Council Backs $3.4 Million to Settle Suit

ACLU sued over police “stop and frisk” practices from 2010 to 2017.

Zielinski Ramps Up Mayoral Campaign

"I want to run against Barrett," alderman says, laying out issues he will use against mayor.

Should Milwaukee Elect Police Chief?

Alderman Rainey's proposal gets discussion, but not much support.

Adam Schlicht Confirmed as Port Director

New director envisions growing the port through international marketing, diversification.

Council Moves to Confirm New Port Director

Adam Schlicht has dreams of growing the port through international marketing.

Aldermen urge further interviews in Health Department investigation

News release from Alderman Bob Donovan and Alderman Mark A. Borkowski

Police Reform Needed, Say Council Members

Brown incident proves problem, changes needed, Hamilton, Coggs say at press conference.

Mayor, Council Play Musical Chairs

New appointments open door for Ald. Jim Bohl to leave his elected position for lobbyist job.

Aldermen ask Mayor Barrett to step down if he enters race for Governor

Media advisory and letter from Alderman Bob Donovan and Alderman Mark A. Borkowski

4th St. Will Become Vel. R. Phillips Ave.

Major downtown street to be renamed for Milwaukee leader and civil rights pioneer.

Ascension announces pause to service downsizing at St. Joseph

Press release from Alders Khalif J. Rainey, Michael Murphy and Bob Donovan

The Remarkable Life of Vel Phillips

"A giant in our state" dies at 94; city to honor political pioneer with annual award.

Council approves Ascension service retention measure

"Citizens across our city rely on Ascension facilities for care..."

Contribution to Bob Donovan of $50

Contribution to Bob Donovan of $50