South Milwaukee meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

South Milwaukee boards meet on assessments, water adjustments, primary canvass

Over the past two weeks, several South Milwaukee boards and commissions held meetings on property assessments, water utility adjustments, the August primary canvass, and community event planning. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so no decisions are available to report.

Board of Review

The Board of Review met Aug. 14 to certify the 2026 assessment roll and correct errors under Wis. Stat. §70.43. The agenda also included considering waivers of the 48-hour objection notice and hearing waivers, reviewing objection forms and income/expense compliance, handling subpoena requests and stipulations, and scheduling objection hearings if needed. These items affect property tax assessments for residents.

Water & Wastewater Commission

The Water & Wastewater Commission met Aug. 10 to consider adjustment requests for properties at 1332 Drexel Blvd. and 2428 Cleveland Ave., as well as approval of Water/Wastewater/Fire Protection adjustments and Water Utility vouchers. The commission also discussed employee out-of-state travel for 2027 and the status of 2026 lead service line replacements.

Board of Municipal Canvassers

The Municipal Board of Canvassers met Aug. 14 to canvass the results of the Aug. 11, 2026 Partisan Primary and to rehabilitate any provisional ballots received, as required by Wis. Stat. §6.97(4). The meeting was held at South Milwaukee City Hall, 2424 15th Ave.

Celebrations Committee

The Celebrations Committee met Aug. 10 to elect a chairperson, review financial reports, and plan upcoming events. The agenda covered Sounds of Summer at the Commons (Aug. 8), Trunk or Treat at the Commons (Oct. 30), and Christmas at the Commons (Dec. 5).

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed in the provided data. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for future agendas and minutes.

South Milwaukee Council to weigh new city jobs, $250K roadwork contract

South Milwaukee's Common Council is scheduled to meet Aug. 4 to consider creating two new city positions and awarding a $250,000 contract for the Milwaukee Avenue Restoration Project, according to the meeting agenda. The council will also review zoning amendments and a tobacco license application. No minutes have been published for any of the recent meetings, so all items remain pending decisions.

Common Council

The council will consider approving position descriptions for a Finance Director and an Administrative Coordinator. It will also vote on awarding a $250,000 contract for the Milwaukee Avenue Restoration Project. Other agenda items include amending the zoning code to limit new tax-exempt uses in open Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) districts, amending no-parking rules on 5th Avenue, and reviewing a new tobacco license application for Virtue Coffee & Valor Wine at 1234 Milwaukee Ave.

Plan Commission

The Plan Commission met July 28 to continue its third meeting on proposed amendments to several zoning code sections: lot and building regulations, signs, parking, landscaping, erosion control, stormwater, and definitions. The commission also discussed a new ordinance to impose zoning limitations on new tax-exempt uses in open TIF districts. An economic development quarterly report covered Bucyrus grants, commercial vacancies, and development projects. Staff proposed revisions to accessory structure setbacks and heights, including allowing taller garages for accessory dwelling units.

Public Works & Public Property Committee

On Aug. 4, the committee discussed bids and contracts for the Milwaukee Avenue Restoration Project not to exceed $250,000. It also considered an ordinance to amend Section 28.03 regarding prohibited parking and an ordinance to repeal and recreate Chapter 26 on recycling, refuse collection, and self-deposit stations.

Other committees

• **Library Board (July 27):** Reviewed expenditures and financial statements for June 2026, discussed the meeting room policy, and discussed Trustee Essentials Handbook #15 on Public Records Law.
• **Celebrations Committee (July 27):** Discussed plans for Sounds of Summer at the Commons on Aug. 8, Trunk or Treat on Oct. 30, and Christmas on Dec. 5, plus a financial report.
• **Claims Committee (Aug. 3):** Reviewed six claims from individuals and companies, with a possible closed session to deliberate and consult legal counsel.
• **Human Resources Committee (Aug. 4):** Discussed position descriptions for Finance Director and Administrative Coordinator, and an ordinance amendment regarding salaries for election and appointed officials.
• **Legislation & Permits Committee (Aug. 4):** Reviewed a cigarette, tobacco, and vape products license for Virtue Coffee & Valor Wine at 1234 Milwaukee Ave; a temporary premises extension for South Milwaukee Arcade at 1200 Madison Avenue for Aug. 29; and an amusement device license for Corner Stone Pub at 1435 Rawson Avenue.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed within the next 14 days.

South Milwaukee committees weigh $4M bond, fire apparatus, and Milwaukee Avenue roadwork

South Milwaukee officials have a packed agenda this week, with the Common Council scheduled to vote August 4 on a $250,000 Milwaukee Avenue Restoration Project contract and two new city staff positions. That follows a July 21 round of committee meetings where a $4 million bond issuance and a $1.37 million fire apparatus purchase were on the table.

Note: Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings below, so outcomes are not confirmed. All items are drawn from published agendas.

Finance Committee and Common Council — July 21

The Finance Committee was scheduled to consider a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $4,000,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026B. The same agenda included a proposed contract with Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc. for a municipal rescue pumper costing $1,371,542.53.

Also on the Finance Committee agenda: a professional services agreement with Kane Communications Group up to $120,000 for a lead-service-line outreach grant, purchase of a digital fingerprint computer and scanner for the Police Department, and an updated Lead Service Line Replacement Community Outreach Grant Program Agreement with the Wisconsin DNR.

The Common Council agenda for July 21 listed the same bond resolution and fire apparatus contract, along with a $1,566,121.82 voucher schedule, two temporary Class "B" beer licenses for the South Milwaukee Lions Club at 1028 Madison Avenue and 1601 N Chicago Avenue, and approval of June 23, 2026 meeting minutes.

Public Works Committee — July 21

The Public Works and Public Property Committee was set to discuss a proposed three-way stop-controlled intersection at 5th Avenue and Drexel Boulevard, along with a Traffic Safety Group Review Summary.

Plan Commission — July 28

The Plan Commission continued its third meeting on proposed amendments to multiple zoning code sections: §15.16 lot and building regulations, §15.21 signs, §15.22 parking, §15.23 landscaping, §15.26 erosion control, §15.27 stormwater, and §15.28 definitions. Staff also proposed revisions to accessory structure setbacks and heights, including allowing taller garages for accessory dwelling units.

The commission was also scheduled to consider an ordinance imposing zoning limitations on new tax-exempt uses in open Tax Incremental Financing Districts, and to receive an Economic Development Staff Quarterly Report covering Bucyrus grants, commercial vacancies, and development projects.

Library Board and Celebrations Committee — July 27

The Library Board of Trustees was set to review June 2026 expenditures and financial statements for Library Trust/Gift Accounts, discuss and act on a Meeting Room Policy, and discuss Trustee Essentials Handbook #15 regarding Public Records Law.

The Celebrations Committee was scheduled to discuss three 2026 events at the Commons: Sounds of Summer on August 8, Trunk or Treat on October 30, and Christmas on December 5, plus a financial report.

Coming up

• **August 3 — Claims Committee:** Review of six claims (Richard Klamrowski, Fred Sadler, Estate of Daniel Wisniewski, Peter Kesich, Progressive Universal Insurance Company A/S/O Alla Ahmad, and AK Development, LLC). A closed session may be held to consult legal counsel.
• **August 4 — Common Council:** Vote on creating Finance Director and Administrative Coordinator positions; awarding a $250,000 contract for the Milwaukee Avenue Restoration Project; zoning code amendments for tax-exempt use limitations in TIF districts; no-parking rule changes on 5th Avenue; and a tobacco license application for Virtue Coffee & Valor Wine at 1234 Milwaukee Ave.
• **August 4 — Human Resources Committee:** Discussion of the two new position descriptions and Ordinance No. 2294 amending salaries for Election and Appointed Officials.
• **August 4 — Legislation & Permits Committee:** Three license applications — tobacco for Virtue Coffee & Valor Wine at 1234 Milwaukee Ave, temporary premises extension for South Milwaukee Arcade at 1200 Madison Avenue for August 29, and an amusement device license for Corner Stone Pub at 1435 Rawson Avenue.
• **August 4 — Public Works & Public Property Committee:** Milwaukee Avenue Restoration Project bids and contracts not to exceed $250,000; ordinance amending §28.03 on prohibited parking; and an ordinance to repeal and recreate Chapter 26 on recycling, refuse collection, and self-deposit stations.