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JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 · 9:00 AM AM · Room 301-B, City Hall

TL;DR

The Judiciary & Legislation Committee approved multiple resolutions on May 26, 2026, including measures related to absentee voting locations for the August primary and November general election, settlement of several city lawsuits and claims, and authorization for outside legal counsel on election matters. The committee also recommended disallowance of several individual claims and held some items for future consideration.

Key Decisions

  • Absentee voting locations for 2026 elections Passed - Recommended for Adoption (amended)
  • Settlement authorization for Niki Robinson, et al. v. City of Milwaukee lawsuit Passed - Recommended for Adoption
  • Authorization for City Attorney to hire outside counsel for election-related needs Passed - Recommended for Adoption
  • Individual claims (Julius Adway, Mary Johnson, Jackie Williams, Julian Woodruff, Steven Brandenburg, Unique Long) Passed - Recommended for Disallowance and Indefinite Postponement
  • Appointment of Madeline Miranda-Navarro to Equal Rights Commission Passed - Recommended for Confirmation
Agenda PDF Minutes PDF

Agenda

  1. 1. Substitute resolution relating to the arrest and detention of Elvira Benitez.
    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:

  2. 2. Appointment of Madeline Miranda-Navarro to the Equal Rights Commission by the Mayor. (5th Aldermanic District)
    Appointment
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION Passed

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

  3. 3. Resolution relating to the claim of Julius Adway.
    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:

  4. 4. Resolution relating to the claim of Barbara Robinson.
    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:

  5. 5. Resolution relating to the claim of Mary Johnson.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

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

  6. 6. Resolution relating to the appeal of Jackie Williams for property damage.
    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 Julian Woodruff.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR DISALLOWANCE & INDEF. POSTPONEMENT Passed

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

  8. 8. Resolution relating to the claim of Steven Brandenburg.
    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:

  9. 9. Resolution relating to the claim of Unique Long.
    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. Communication from the Election Commission relating to its plans for using operating funds made available by the cancellation of the February 2026 primary election.
    Communication
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE Passed

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

  11. 11. Substitute resolution relating to locations for in-person absentee voting in the City of Milwaukee for the 2026 August partisan primary and November general election.
    Resolution
    Action: AMENDED Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Resolution be AMENDED. 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. Resolution amending the City of Milwaukee’s State Legislative Package to express support for legislation relating to homeowners associations.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

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

  14. 14. Resolution authorizing settlement of claims in the lawsuit entitled Niki Robinson, et al. v. City of Milwaukee, et al.
    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:

  15. 15. Resolution authorizing payment of the claim of John Ambeau, Jr.,
    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 the Estate of Hayley Linville.
    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:

  17. 17. Resolution approving the settlement of the complaint entitled Tiffany Lewis v. City of Milwaukee.
    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:

  18. 18. Substitute resolution authorizing the City Attorney to hire outside counsel for election-related needs.
    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. --- Following Items May be placed on file as no longer necessary.
  20. 19. An ordinance relating to the acquisition of certain properties in tax foreclosure.
    Ordinance
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. A. PRATT that this Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  21. 20. A resolution relating to the tax foreclosure acquisition and disposition of certain properties.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE Passed

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

  22. The Judiciary and Legislation Committee may convene into closed session on Tuesday, May 26, 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.
  23. This meeting will be webcast live at www.milwaukee.gov/channel25.
  24. 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.”
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. Meeting adjourned at 11:40 AM Joanna Urtiz Staff Assistant
  30. Meeting Convened at 9:11 AM
  31. 260099 Substitute resolution relating to locations for in-person absentee voting in the City of Milwaukee for the 2026 August partisan primary and November general election.
    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: