PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · 9:00 AM AM · City Hall Room 301-B

TL;DR

The Public Works Committee approved over $8 million in public improvement projects and multiple state highway agreements with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The committee also addressed copper wire theft prevention through new fines, a reward program, and ordinance changes. Additionally, the committee approved sidewalk replacement funding and extended a school-to-work program agreement.

Key Decisions

  • Public Improvement Appropriations Passed
  • State Highway Project Agreements (4 projects) Passed
  • Sidewalk Replacement Program Passed
  • Copper Wire Theft Prevention Measures Passed
  • Aaron Moriak Appointment to Public Transportation, Utilities and Waterways Review Board Passed
Agenda PDF

Agenda

  1. 1. Appointment of Aaron Moriak to the Public Transportation, Utilities and Waterways Review Board by the Common Council President.
    Appointment
  2. 2. Resolution determining it necessary to make various assessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City engineering cost estimated to be $530,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $2,285,000.
    Resolution
  3. 3. Resolution determining it necessary to make various nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City engineering cost estimated to be $380,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,315,000.
    Resolution
  4. 4. Resolution approving construction of nonassessable public improvements at various locations and appropriating funds for these purposes with the City construction cost estimated to be $520,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $3,000,000.
    Resolution
  5. 5. Substitute resolution authorizing area-wide and scattered sites sidewalk replacement at various areas and appropriating funds for these purposes with the city construction cost estimated to be $1,670,000 for a total estimated cost of these projects being $1,685,000.
    Resolution
  6. 6. Resolution providing for continuance of deferred payment of assessments for worthy indigent resident property owners, and appropriating funds for this purpose with the 2026 City cost to be $527.83 with a ten year total of the deferred properties being $7,480.40.
    Resolution
  7. 7. Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “2nd Revision State/Municipal Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, real estate acquisition, and construction of West Appleton Avenue (STH 175) from West Burleigh Street to STH 181, and to set up additional funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $150,000 with an estimated City share of $37,500 and a grantor share of $112,500.
    Resolution
  8. 8. Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “State/Municipal Financial Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, and construction of South 27th Street (STH 241) from Howard Avenue to the UPRR, and to set up funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $200,000 with an estimated City share of $50,000 and a grantor share of $150,000.
    Resolution
  9. 9. Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “1st Revision State/Municipal Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, real estate acquisition, and construction of West Appleton Avenue (STH 175) from West Lisbon Avenue to West Burleigh Street, and to set up additional funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $650,000 with an estimated City share of $162,500 and a grantor share of $487,500; and to set up funds for real estate acquisition at an estimated total cost of $505,000 with an estimated City share of $0 and a grantor share of $505,000.
    Resolution
  10. 10. Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “State/Municipal Financial Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the programming, design, real estate acquisition, and construction of West Capitol Drive (STH 190) from North 35th Street to the Milwaukee River, and to set up funds for design engineering at an estimated total cost of $2,570,000 with an estimated City share of $642,500 and a grantor share of $1,927,500; and to set up funds for real estate acquisition at an estimated cost of $110,000 with an estimated City share of $0 and a grantor share of $110,000.
    Resolution
  11. 11. A substitute ordinance relating to fines for the theft or destruction of copper cables and wires.
    Ordinance
  12. 12. Substitute resolution relating to the prevention of electrical wire theft.
    Resolution
  13. 13. Substitute resolution directing the Department of Public Works to establish a reward program for individuals who provide information relating to the theft of electrical wires.
    Resolution
  14. 14. Resolution directing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute a document titled “State/Municipal Financial Agreement and State/Municipal Maintenance Agreement for a State-Let Highway Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for street lighting work and five sanitary manholes adjustment/seal replacement as non-participating utility items within the City of Milwaukee city limit on project Kearney Street between 72nd Street and 76th Street as part of the WisDOT project, and to set up funds for construction at an estimated total cost of $87,920 with 100 percent City share.
    Resolution
  15. 15. Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to execute Project Agreements titled “State/Municipal Agreement for an Infrastructure Transportation Alternatives Program Project” with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and to set up design engineering at a total estimated cost of $688,549 with an estimated City of Milwaukee share of $137,709, and a grantor share of $550,840 for two projects.
    Resolution
  16. 16. Resolution authorizing the Department of Public Works - Milwaukee Water Works to execute a second amendment to extend the intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public Schools for the School to Work Transition Program.
    Resolution
  17. 17. Communication from the Department of Public Works relating to the status of current and future operations.
    Communication
  18. 9:30 AM
  19. 18. Motion relating to the recommendations of the Public Works Committee relating to licenses.
    Motion
  20. This meeting will be webcast live at www.milwaukee.gov/channel25.
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  22. 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.
  23. 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.
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