Common Council approves full lead hazard review for city-owned properties
News release from Alderman Jose G. Perez and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II
The Common Council today approved a resolution requiring the Department of City Development to prepare a comprehensive plan to review all lead health hazards in occupied city-owned properties.
The legislation (File #180119), created by primary sponsors Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, directs the Department of City Development to create the plan within 30 days. The plan must include a review of all potential lead hazards, including water pipes, paint, and soil, in occupied city-owned buildings.
“Lead exposure is a serious issue plaguing our city and putting children at risk,” said Alderman Pérez. “Developing a plan to review every city-owned property, specifically homes with young children, can guide us to the best form of action to eliminate this health hazard.”
“With this comprehensive plan in place, we can now take action steps to provide safer homes for our city’s residents,” Alderman Stamper said. “The quick turn-around with this plan will help us to address the real issue, removing lead from occupied city-owned homes.”
The measure aims to reduce health risks, including attention disorders and slow development, within homes that are often lived in by pregnant women and young children, who are most vulnerable to risks of lead poisoning.
Added as co-sponsors to the legislation today were Alderman Jim Bohl, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, and Alderman Nik Kovac.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- Alderwoman Coggs introduces file to discuss MPS lead exposure issues - Ald. Milele Coggs - Feb 20th, 2025
- Gov. Evers’ biennial state budget prioritizes clean water, clean energy, and public lands for Wisconsin - Wisconsin Conservation Voters - Feb 18th, 2025
- Gov. Evers Announces Comprehensive Plan to Ensure Clean Water for Kids and Families in 2025 Year of the Kid - Gov. Tony Evers - Feb 18th, 2025
- More Milwaukee Schools Getting Tested for High Lead Levels - Evan Casey - Feb 15th, 2025
- Milwaukee Health Department Conducts Follow-Up Lead Hazard Assessment at MPS’s Golda Meir Lower Campus - Milwaukee Public Schools - Feb 14th, 2025
- Dangerous Levels of Lead Contamination Found At Three MPS Schools - Jeramey Jannene and Sophie Bolich - Feb 6th, 2025
- As Previewed in 2025 State of the State Address, Gov. Evers Approves DHS Emergency Rule to Strengthen Standards to Prevent Further Hazardous Lead Exposure to Wisconsin Kids - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 3rd, 2025
- Wisconsin Joins Legal Effort to Preserve Tougher Standards for Lead in Water - Erik Gunn - Feb 3rd, 2025
- Attorney General Kaul Joins Multistate Coalition to Defend Lead and Copper Rule Improvements - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Jan 29th, 2025
- Superintendent Jill Underly Proposes Lead Water Removal Program For Schools - Baylor Spears - Nov 15th, 2024
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Common Council President Jose Perez
Statement on the passing of Felix Mantilla
Jan 13th, 2025 by Common Council President Jose PerezCommon Council President José G. Pérez January 13, 2025
We must make efforts to get ahead of the brewing storm – Pushing back is not enough
Dec 23rd, 2024 by Common Council President Jose PerezStatement of Common Council President José G. Pérez December 23, 2024
Since the vast majority of children’s exposure to lead is paint related, and since most of these exposures are in rental properties that have been deteriorating for years, the idea of concentrating on City-owned housing (mostly built after the years of lead paint) will be fairly meaningless. Do not let the property owners of low-income rental housing get off this hook, and increase spending on inspections and follow through.