Public Works Committee to discuss snow plowing inadequacies on Wednesday

Alderman Lamont Westmoreland has introduced a communication file to be heard at this week’s Public Works Committee meeting relating to the systemic failure of snow plowing operations during the late December 2024 snow event. The communication file comes on the heels of complaints from residents about the inadequacies of the city’s ability to clear four inches of snow that accumulated on December 20, 2024.

“In the days, and in some cases weeks, following our first substantial snow of the season, I was receiving many calls and emails from residents about how long it took for their roads to be plowed, if they were plowed at all, and when they were plowed how it often seemed inadequate,” said Alderman Westmoreland. “Moreover, it has felt like in the aftermath of this event the communication I have received from DPW leadership has been nonexistent. It’s time to get real and stop blowing smoke about our repeated shortcomings in regards to snow plowing. Residents and elected officials alike deserve a transparent conversation about why leadership seemingly hasn’t learned lessons from past years, and moving forward what can actionably be done to ensure residents receive the service they deserve.”

In advance of the committee meeting, Alderman Westmoreland has also sent the attached letter to department leadership regarding the situation and outlining questions he would like answered as part of Wednesday’s conversation.

The Public Works Committee meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8 in room 301-B at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. The meeting will also be streamed live on the City Channel (channel 25 on Spectrum Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse in the City of Milwaukee) and via streaming video on the city website at city.milwaukee.gov/Channel25.

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.