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JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Friday, March 13, 2026 · 9:00 AM AM · Room 301-B, City Hall

TL;DR

The Judiciary & Legislation Committee met for nearly 3 hours to handle legal claims, settlements, and legislative matters. The committee approved multiple claim payments totaling thousands of dollars, recommended against several property damage appeals, and supported state legislation to make illegal tire dumping a misdemeanor crime.

Key Decisions

  • Settlement of Robert Mercado v. City of Milwaukee lawsuit Recommended for Adoption
  • Settlement of Berry Beverly v. City of Milwaukee with up to $125,000 from contingent funds Recommended for Adoption
  • Support for state legislation making illegal tire dumping a misdemeanor crime Recommended for Adoption
  • Multiple property damage claims (Derek Brown, Brittany Hudson, Matt Marlett, Ahmad & Guerard LLP, Ebony Kimbrough, Precious McIntyre, Kinn Guesthouse, AT&T) Recommended for Disallowance & Indefinite Postponement
  • Authorization of claim payments for Jeffrey Dinkins, Fred Miller, Mary Lou Sievert, Robert and Catherine Adamus, Harold Janas, Kevin Dudley, Pang Thao, and Vincent and Paulette Wollert Recommended for Adoption
Agenda PDF Minutes PDF

Agenda

  1. 1. Resolution relating to the appeal of Derek Brown for property damage.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. WESTMORELAND that this Resolution be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  2. 2. Resolution relating to the appeal of Brittany Hudson for property damage.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. WESTMORELAND that this Resolution be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  3. 3. Resolution relating to the appeal of Matt Marlett, Tramont Manufacturing LLC for property damage.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

    This Resolution was RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT

  4. 4. Resolution relating to the claim of Ahmad & Guerard, LLP on behalf of The Estate of El Moctar Sidiya.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  5. 5. Resolution relating to the claim of Ebony Kimbrough and Samarion Johnson.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  6. 6. Resolution relating to the claim of Precious McIntyre.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  7. 7. Resolution relating to the claim of Kinn Guesthouse.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  8. 8. Resolution relating to the claim of Donald Arenson.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  9. 9. Resolution relating to the claim of AT&T (AMER-25-202411-50-0071).
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  10. 10. Resolution relating to the claim of Megdalia Szczerbaty.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. WESTMORELAND that this Resolution be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  11. 11. Substitute resolution amending the City of Milwaukee’s State Legislative Package to express support for state legislation making illegal tire dumping a misdemeanor crime and providing penalty enhancements.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  12. 12. Communication from the Intergovernmental Relations Division and Legislative Affairs Division relating to Legislative updates.
    Communication
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Communication be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  13. 13. Substitute resolution relative to a legislative bill.
    Resolution
    Action: SUBSTITUTED Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Resolution be SUBSTITUTED. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  14. 14. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Jeffrey Dinkins.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. PEREZ that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  15. 15. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Fred Miller.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  16. 16. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Mary Lou Sievert.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. WESTMORELAND that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  17. 17. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Robert and Catherine Adamus.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  18. 18. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Harold Janas.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. PEREZ that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  19. 19. Resolution authorizing the denial of claims for alleged unlawful and alleged excessive tax assessments filed with the City of Milwaukee.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. PEREZ that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  20. 20. Resolution approving a contract between the City of Milwaukee and Grzeca Law Group for legal services relating to securing an employment-based nonimmigrant visa for a Department of Emergency Communications employee.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE Failed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE. This motion FAILED by the following vote:

  21. 21. Resolution authorizing settlement of the lawsuit entitled Robert Mercado v. City of Milwaukee, et al.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  22. 22. Resolution reserving and appropriating up to $125,000.00 from the 2026 Common Council Contingent Fund to the 2026 Damages and Claims Fund Special Purpose Account and authorizing the settlement of the lawsuit entitled Berry Beverly v. City of Milwaukee.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. WESTMORELAND that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  23. 23. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Kevin Dudley.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. WESTMORELAND that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  24. 24. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Pang Thao and West Bend Mutual Insurance Company.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  25. 25. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of Vincent and Paulette Wollert and Progressive Home Insurance Company.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  26. The Judiciary and Legislation Committee may convene into closed session on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Room 301-B, City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(g), Wis. Stats., for the purpose of conferring with the City Attorney who will render oral or written advice with respect to litigation in which the city is or is likely to become involved, and then may go into open session for the regular agenda.
  27. This meeting will be webcast live at www.milwaukee.gov/channel25.
  28. NOTA: Para los clientes de cable de Spectrum que deseen ver subtítulos en español, ya están disponibles en el Canal de la Ciudad. En su control remoto de cable Spectrum, presione “MENÚ.” Seleccione “SUBTÍTULOS/CAPTIONS.” Use la flecha hacia abajo hasta “ESTÁNDAR/STANDARD,” luego use la flecha hacia arriba y cambie a “CC3.”
  29. In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting. Times for specific agenda items are estimations. If items cannot be heard at their specified times, they will be heard as soon as practicable thereafter.
  30. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For assistance contact the Legislative Services ADA Coordinator at 286-2998, (FAX)286-3456, (TDD)286-2025 or by writing to Room 205, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
  31. City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building are accessible by "The Hop" City Hall Stations, the MCTS Green Line, Connect 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, and 57 bus routes. Visit https://www.ridemcts.com/ for more information. Bike racks are available on Water Street, Market Street, and Broadway, and a Bublr Bike Share station is located on the northeast corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. Limited parking for persons attending meetings during normal business hours is available at reduced rates (5 hour limit) at the Associated Bank River Center on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. You must present a copy of the meeting notice to the parking cashier.
  32. Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code are required to register with the City Clerk's License Division. Lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying.
  33. Meeting adjourned at 11:48 AM Joanna Urtiz Staff Assistant
  34. 251883 Resolution approving a contract between the City of Milwaukee and Grzeca Law Group for legal services relating to securing an employment-based nonimmigrant visa for a Department of Emergency Communications employee.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BAUMAN that this Resolution be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  35. 251825 Substitute resolution relative to a legislative bill.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  36. Meeting convened at 9:07 AM