Terry Witkowski

Contribution to Aycha Sawa of $100

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $50

Contribution to Aycha Sawa of $250

Contribution to Cavalier Johnson of $200

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $250

Contribution to Michael Murphy of $100

Contribution to Robert Bauman of $50

Contribution to Cavalier Johnson of $50

Contribution to José G. Pérez of $50

Contribution to Josh Zepnick of $296

Contribution to Josh Zepnick of $100

Public Safety Committee to take up ShotSpotter expansion, pot penalties

A proposal to significantly expand the ShotSpotter gunshot detection area in Milwaukee will be discussed by the Public Safety Committee.

City Leaders Plot New Urban Placemaking Effort

With some creative use of grant money, the Greater Milwaukee Committee is helping neighborhoods update their image by ‘Urban Placemaking’

Why Bob Donovan Can’t Beat Barrett

No alderman will back him. Why he’s so disliked -- and so certain to lose.

Proposal to lift cap on taxicab permits, create legal path for network company vehicles gets second look Tuesday

“The Council is poised to adopt ground-breaking legislation that in my opinion will be looked at by other large cities and communities across the nation.”

Bradley Center, Wisconsin Center efforts should go hand-in-hand

Alderman Witkowski news conference will call for changes in board structures

VISIT Milwaukee Names 2014-15 Officers and Board of Directors

VISIT Milwaukee announces its officers and Board of Directors for the business year 2014-15.

Ald. Witkowski: Proposed sex offender residency ordinance “badly off-balance”

"This ordinance is badly off-balance and unworkable."

Committee, police department to discuss 9-1-1 automated messages

Representatives from the Milwaukee Police Department will address questions about how emergency calls are handled tomorrow (June 12) during the meeting of the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee.

Mayor Tom Barrett’s 2014 State of the City Address

Milwaukee February 24, 2014 As Prepared for Delivery

Under new configuration, Finance and Personnel Committee will continue precedent of fiscal responsibility

I would like to thank Common Council President Michael Murphy for entrusting me with the responsibility of chairing the City of Milwaukee’s Finance and Personnel Committee.

Strengths, experience reflected in changes in Common Council Committee Appointments

President Murphy has appointed Alderman Nik Kovac to succeed him as the new chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee.

Milwaukee police hit right notes and a treasure is recovered

Statement from Alderman Terry L. Witkowski February 7, 2014

Betting on the Common Council

Haven't got your fix with the Super Bowl? Gamble with friends on who will be the next council president.

Huge Turnout for City Birthday Party

Lots of politicians, journalists, lobbyists and others glad-handed each other and drank free beer to salute the city's 168th birthday.

Committee to review effects of administrative driver’s license suspensions

The significant impact administrative driver’s license suspensions will be discussed tomorrow (Thursday, January 30) during the meeting of the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee.

Alderman: Milwaukee as top 2014 destination shows we’re doing many things right

Milwaukee has made Jetsetter magazine’s list of top recommended travel destinations in 2014 – further validation that the city is headed in the right direction on many fronts, said Alderman Terry L. Witkowski.

Barrett’s Birthday Party

The mayor's celebration is 11 days late. And Lakefront Brewery shatters its record for annual barrels manufactured.

Campaign Season Kicks Off

Politicos flock to Jon Richards fundraiser, and judicial candidate Janet C. Protasiewicz's event.

Ordinance to improve taxicab service in Milwaukee passes

An ordinance meant to improve taxicab service and increase the availability of cabs throughout Milwaukee was recommended for approval Tuesday on a 5-0 vote before the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee

Hearing set for ordinance to improve taxicab service in Milwaukee

An ordinance proposing changes meant to improve taxicab service and to better ensure taxicab service availability throughout Milwaukee will get a public hearing next week before the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee.

East Library Groundbreaking

Photos capture groundbreaking for new mixed-use development combining East Library, retail and apartments. Take that, Bayshore.

Ald. Witkowski, City Negotiate Concessions from WallyPark;

Restaurant/Retail/Hotel In Plans for Property at Howell and Layton

Slight traffic jam, but we are making progress on taxicab service improvements

Statement from Alderman Terry L. Witkowski May 9, 2013

Alderman Donovan calls for increasing police overtime funding, adding 20 new officers

Statement of Alderman Bob Donovan

Proposal to lift cap on city taxicab permits, improve taxi service to get special committee hearing

Committee chair invites hospitality industry reps to provide input

Mayor Barrett’s 2013 State of the City Address

Monday, February 25, 2013, Pritzlaff Building

Every Politician in Town

Well, not quite, but the City's Birthday Party had a big turnout of politicians and insiders.

Hines Would Reduce Fire & Police Commission Power

Council appears to back radical change, Barrett seems lukewarm.

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.

Council President Hines & Ald. Witkowski to announce process changes for FPC confirmations

11:00 a.m. TODAY, January 17

Common Council approves long-awaited Historic Preservation revisions

The Milwaukee Common Council Tuesday morning signed off on revisions to the city’s Historic Preservation Ordinance aimed at clarifying and streamlining the process for obtaining permission to do work on historic sites, as well as updating other procedures.

Major Revisions proposed for City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance

Major Revisions proposed for City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance

Volunteers to plant flower bulbs near Mitchell Interchange

News media invited to event tomorrow morning

Milwaukee Public Schools Promotes Fire Safety Awareness

Survive Alive House will host fire safety kick-off and 20th anniversary celebration on October 8.

Why Voter Fraud Is So Rare

What the experts know that the scaremongers are deliberately ignoring.

Abele Under Fire

Has the Johnny Thomas situation poisoned relations between the county exec and county board?

Tragedy in Oak Creek

Joint Statement from Members of the Common Council

Green Corridor news event Wednesday looks at progress made, plans to come

So what has happened in the past year since the City Of Milwaukee Common Council declared S. 6th St. from Howard to College to be Milwaukee’s “Green Corridor”?

Milwaukee Sustainability Planning and Homeowner Resource Event

Residents are invited to attend a free City of Milwaukee sustainability planning and homeowner resource event on Thursday evening.

Ribbon cutting Saturday for Garden District Farmers Market

The grand opening of the farmers market sponsored by the Garden District Neighborhood Association will take place on Saturday, July 7 at S. 6th and W. Norwich (near Howard Ave.).

Potential Sydney HIH Savior Comes Forward with Proposal

Preliminary renderings of what a restored Sydney HIH complex surface.

Extreme dry conditions, fireworks bad combination

Possession of fireworks is against the law in Milwaukee and can result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Last Days for the Sydney Hih

Unless a savior comes along before July 6th, it truly will have been the last days for the Sydney Hih.

Rocky Road

Some aldermen want to dump DCD head Rocky Marcoux, but Mayor Barrett disagrees.

Garden District Farmers Market Starts Saturday

Sponsored by the Garden District Neighborhood Association, the farmers market will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will operate each Saturday through October 20.

Watching the Watchdog – Joint Statement from Members of the Common Council

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s recent investigations into the police department have misled the public about important facts relevant to the safety of our community.

Common Council Committee Appointments, Milwaukee County Attraction Pass, The Moderne Lands a Restaurant, and More

Eyes on Milwaukee this week focuses on the committee appointments by Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines, Supervisor Haas' efforts for a Milwaukee County attraction pass, the restaurant coming to The Moderne, and more.

Are Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Laws Too Strong or Too Weak? Yes

Are Milwaukee's historic preservation laws too strong or too weak? Should the entire ordinance be re-written, or is just a revision in order? Alderman Witkowski's proposed overhaul to Milwaukee's historic preservation ordinance sparked these very questions.

Historic Preservation, Miller Park Sales Tax, The War on Bob Donovan, and More

Welcome to the sixth installment of Eyes on Milwaukee. This week I take an initial look at Alderman Witkowski's attempt to redefine Milwaukee's historic preservation ordinance, the Miller Park sales tax's sunset, the ugly turn Juarez versus Donovan has taken, and more.

Public Safety Committee Approves New Milwaukee Bike Plan

The Bicycle Master Plan was presented to the Public Safety Committee at the September 16th, 2010 meeting.

M.O.R.E. – Common Council March 25th, 2009 Meeting Notes

The M.O.R.E ordinance was the most widely debated action taken at this Common Council meeting.

Contentious M.O.R.E Debate Continues

The controversial M.O.R.E ordinance was the primary item of discussion at this meeting of the Common Council.  This ordinance proposed new requirements related to hiring City of Milwaukee residents, the utilization of emerging small businesses, and the paying of prevailing wages for all City of Milwaukee projects and private developments that receive $1 million or more in TIF funding.  It was widely believed that this ordinance was going to be put to a vote of the full Common Council today, which made Alderman Michael Murphy‘s motion to send this file to the Finance & Personnel Committee all that more contentious.  Through the discussion it became evident that this file had originally been scheduled to appear the Finance & Personnel Committee but was removed at the last minute because of a legal technicality.  Immediately prior to the Common Council meeting a fiscal note that indicated the ordinance would require a number of full-time employees to manage the new programs arrived which made the motion to send it back to committee both legal and appropriate.  Although he indicated he would likely support the ordinance Alderman Murhpy argued that “basic issues, and basic questions are just not being addressed” and that “one needs to take the time to do it right.” At first the sponsors of the legislation were surprised and took the motion as a delaying tactic.  They argued that the process had been fully transparent and didn’t require any further delay.  Alderman Ashanti Hamilton stated that “I think the public has been engaged and involved in the creation of this ordinance.”  During the discussion Alderman Nik Kovac piped in saying “I believe in process, I campaigned on process”, but he then indicated he didn’t believe sending it back to committee would change anything.  In fact he said “the controversy today will be the same in 21 days.”  Alderman Joe Davis fired away at the implication that not enough questions had been asked or that there wasn’t enough transparency to the process contending that “I made a point to schedule a special meeting to achieve transparency.” Initial supporters of the motion argued more questions needed to be asked and that it would be appropriate to send it back to the Finance & Personnel Committee.  Specifically, Alderman Terry Witkowski supported the motion in an attempt to gather more information saying “I do support sending this back to committee, this was a constantly evolving piece of legislation.”  In an attempt to bring a bit of levity to the debate Alderman Jim Bohl joked “I’m feeling a Rodney King moment, why can’t we just all get along here?” Then he defended Alderman Murphy’s motives and attempted to call the question.  Oddly on this specific motion the ability to call the question isn’t an allowed so the debate continued.  Alderman Murphy responded to the criticisms by stating “I do feel I was attacked unfairly” and he again attempted to clarify his position stating that “the fact is somebody, literally two minutes before the meeting handing you […]

M.O.R.E. Ordinance Approved by Committee

The Milwaukee Opportunities for Restoring Employment ordinance was the primary reason behind this special meeting of the Community & Economic Development Committee.  The ordinance intends to increase the required percentage of City of Milwaukee residents hired to work on city projects and development projects receiving more than $1 million in TIF assistance.  Additionally it mandated a prevailing wage to be paid for these projects and set a higher Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE ) utilization level as well.  The proposed ordinance brought out a large group of both supporters and opponents.  Alderman Ashanti Hamilton attempted to frame the discussion early on saying that “there are many people who may come to the table and say this is the wrong time to do something like this” and indicated that he felt the time was right to move on this ordinance.  He added that “I submit to you that the price has already been too great”.  Alderman Nik Kovac explained that “in the end this is not a philosophical question, it is a practical question” and lent his support saying that “I think we have a document that comes close to being a win win win”.  An extensive list of developers and real estate professional spoke in opposition to the ordinance though primarily the development community opposed the ordinance because of the prevailing wage mandate. Richard Wanta, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association, spoke in opposition of the project saying that “the same city has chased us out of town for decades”.  He went on to point out that there is currently only one major water and sewer contractor in the city, so once this passes that contractor is especially likely to get all of the available work in the area because of the new regulations. Dick Lincoln, Senior Vice President of the Mandel Group, started his remarks saying that “the camel is a horse that is designed by committee” indicating the ordinance wasn’t quite right but went on to say that “we’re almost there”.  He explained that generally he felt the ordinance was a positive but that the prevailing wage requirement was problematic.  He argued that it works against minority hiring, as smaller companies often compete on price, and that this would add substantially to the cost of the project. Barry Mandel, President of the Mandel Group, pointed to the PERC requirements in the Park East and tied them to the fact that development has been non-existent in the county owned portion of the Park East.  He then pointed to The Brewery and The North End projects as two projects that have been moving forward because they utilizing non-prevailing wages. Greg Uhen, President of Eppstein Uhen Architects, spoke out against the proposed ordinance saying that “my concern is that it will reduce the number of opportunities that come to the city” and that he felt “this is another roadblock, another reason for them not to come”. The line of members in support of the ordinance were at least as lengthy […]

Small Changes Coming to Preservation Ordinance

One item of interest was a proposed change to how appeals of Historic Preservation Commission actions were to be handled. Alderman Bob Bauman explained that most issues related to actions by the Historic Preservation Commission are handled by the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee or the Common Council.  It was pointed out that during a typical situation the Historic Preservation Commission may deny a demolition permit and then the property owner could appeal to the Common Council whereas in the case of the Transera project the Administrative Review Board stepped in due to what Alderman Bauman characterized as a “a glitch in the HPC ordinance”.  Alderman Terry Witkowski supported the measure and added “I’ve been on that board for five years and this is the first time anything from historic preservation came that way,” indicating that this change wouldn’t burden the Common Council with numerous appeals. In response to this legal quirk, Alderman Bauman considered passing legislation to dissolve the board but instead brought forward an amendment to the ordinance.  The amendment directed future appeals to the Common Council and restricted who may appeal a decision by the Historic Preservation Commission.  This ordinance change was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.

New Land Enterprises’ East Side Proposal Faces No Objections

The most notable item on the agenda was New Land Enterprises' proposal for Farwell Avenue and Kenilworth Place.

Common Council Approves Snow and Ice Fee

This Common Council meeting was called to handle the Mayor’s proposed 2008 and 2009 snow and ice removal fee increases as well as a proposed increase to the solid waste fee for 2009. Resolution, 080483, proposed an increase to the 2008 snow and ice removal fee to pay for cost overruns due to the record breaking snowfall Milwaukee experienced this past winter.  It was pointed out during this discussion that non-taxable entities will have to pay this fee so it shares the cost of the service to all entities that receive services.  As the funding was need to cover an existing budget gap the Common Council generally supported it and the fee increase was approved. Resolution, 080485, proposed an additional increase, approximately $8 per household, to the 2009 snow and ice fee to cover an estimate rises in costs.  Alderman Robert Bauman pointed out that even with the increases “it really leaves out a major service enhancement” referring to the clearing of sidewalks and curb cuts to allow handicap and elderly residents the ability to cross the street safely.  This problem had been brought up by numerous residents at earlier Public Works Committee meetings and the failure of this fee increase to address this issue raised concerns for Alderman Bauman.  This resolution was not approved by the Common Council. Resolution, 080484, proposed an increase of approximately $37 per household to the 2009 solid waste fee.  This increase again raised debate on the council floor and concerns over the impact of these increases on citizens.  Additionally concerns over the perceived belief of citizens that city hall is always looking to grow were discussed and it was brought up that the City of Milwaukee has 2000 less employees than 20 years ago.  Alderman Terry Witkowski said these cuts had hurt the City of Milwaukee’s ability to provide quality services and to insure quality infrastructure saying that it “has it shown up in service?  Has it shown up in infrastructure?  Yes”.  He went on to state that “the fact of the matter is we have been downsizing”.  This resolution was placed on file by the Common Council, stopping the fee increase for the time being but it may be revisited in the future.

Common Council Votes Away Its Dark Shadow?

As few resolutions were returned to committee and only minimal discussions occurred on any individual resolution the highlight of this fairly mundane Common Council meeting was the passing of resolution 080042. This resolution brought forward by Alderman Terry Witkowski will cut off funding of an Alderperson’s transportation allowance if they have a month’s worth of unexcused absences at committee meetings. Alderman Witkowski pointed out that “recent events have cast a dark shadow on the council”, referring to former Alderman Michael McGee‘s legal issues, and clearly the intent of this bill was to rid the Common Council of this “dark shadow”. Unfortunately as Alderwoman Milele Coggs and other member’s attempted to point out this resolution will be more symbolic than effective as former Alderman McGee had been excused properly during his absence. This resolution passed the full Common Council on a narrow vote of 9 to 6.

How Did Peggy Know?

Over Cocktails in 2001, then-A.G. Candidate Peg Lautenschlager Said Rival would be Indicted