Common Council
Regular MeetingSouth Milwaukee, WI · September 16, 2025
Minutes
CITY OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
The regular meeting of the Common Council was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on September 16, 2025, by Mayor
Jim Shelenske in the Common Council Chambers at South Milwaukee City Hall, 2424 15th Avenue, South Mil-
waukee, Wisconsin. On roll call, Ald. Peggy Clark, Ald. Brett Briesemeister, Ald. Craig Maass, Ald. Michal
Olechowski, and Ald. Tim Backes, and Ald. Joe Bukowski were present. Ald. Lisa Pieper and Ald. David Bar-
toshevich were excused.
The meeting was prefaced with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen comment period was opened at 7:02 p.m. and closed at 7:02 p.m.
Under President of the Council, Briesemeister/Maass moved to adopt the following items in the consent
agenda: a) Approval of minutes from the September 2, 2025, Common Council meeting, b) Approval of the
Schedule of Vouchers for the period August 1-31, 2025 in the amount of $4,998,741.55, c) Approval of Finan-
cial Reports for the various funds for the period ending August 31, 2025, d) Approval of Financial Reports for
the various funds for the period ending December 31, 2024, following final audit, and eReceive and place on
file a letter summarizing the 2024 Tax Roll collections. Motion carried 6-0.
Under Finance Committee, Bukowski/Clark moved to receive and place on file the 2024 Financial Statements
and Supplementary Information. Motion carried 6-0.
Under Public Works and Public Property Committee, Backes/Olechowski moved to suspend the rules to allow
for giving the first, second, and third readings on ordinances. Backes/Olechowski moved to adopt an ordi-
nance to amend Sec. §28.03 of the Municipal Code increasing bus stop clearance requirements from 40 feet to
80 feet per Milwaukee County Transit System guidelines. Motion carried 6-0.
Under Reports of the Mayor, Bukowski/Briesemeister moved to accept the proposal by Visionary Light Shows,
LLC to purchase a Christmas pixel megatree for display at the Bucyrus Commons with funding provided from
the revolving funds. Motion failed 0-6. Bukowski/Clark moved to accept the proposal by Visionary Light Shows,
LLC to purchase a Christmas pixel megatree for display at the Bucyrus Commons with funding provided from
the Bucyrus Foundation funds, and to direct staff to draft an amendment to the Bucyrus Foundation funds usage
policy to include maintenance and repairs at the Bucyrus Commons. Motion carried 6-0.
Under Miscellaneous Business – Police Chief, Police Chief Jessup presented a Citizen Award to Ald
Briesemeister for assistance leading to an arrest on July 29, 2025.
Under Miscellaneous Business – Economic Development, Briesemeister/Maass moved to authorize the proper
city officials to engage a firm for the development of a grocery market analysis report in order to attract a new
occupant at 2901 S. Chicago Avenue. Motion carried 6-0.
Briesemeister reminded everyone that SAMtember Fest is being held at the Bucyrus Commons from 3:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m. on September 27, 2025.
Administrator Brever and Assistant Administrator Crosby gave a presentation regarding the US Bank Purchas-
ing Card Rebate Program.
There being no further business to discuss, Backes/Olechowski moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 p.m.
Motion carried 6-0.
JAMES SHELENSKE, Mayor
STEVEN A. BRAATZ, JR., City Clerk
APPROVED: 10-7-25
Agenda
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COMMON COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA – FINAL
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Call to Order / Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Deletions
Citizen Comments and Suggestions
CONSENT AGENDA
a) Approval of minutes from the September 2, 2025, Common Council meeting.
b) Approval of the Schedule of Vouchers for the period August 1-31, 2025 in the amount of
$4,998,741.55.
c) Approval of Financial Reports for the various funds for the period ending August 31, 2025.
d) Approval of Financial Reports for the various funds for the period ending December 31, 2024,
following final audit.
e) Receive and place on file a letter summarizing the 2024 Tax Roll collections.
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL – Ald. Briesemeister
1) Motion to adopt items in the consent agenda.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – City Clerk
2) Swearing-in ceremony for Deputy City Clerk Ying Xiong.
Reports of Standing Committees
FINANCE COMMITTEE – Ald. Bartoshevich
3) Discussion/possible motion regarding the 2024 financial audit following a presentation by Wendi
Unger from Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP.
PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE – Ald. Backes
4) Discussion/possible motion to adopt an ordinance amending Subsection §26.16 E. of the South
Milwaukee Municipal Code to allow for the collection of recyclable materials from non-residential
facilities to reflect current practices.
Council Agenda – September 16, 2025 1
REPORTS OF THE MAYOR
5) Discussion/possible motion regarding the purchase of a Christmas pixel megatree for display at the
Bucyrus Commons with funding provided from the Bucyrus Foundation funds.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – Police Chief
6) Presentation of Citizen Award for assistance leading to an arrest on July 29, 2025.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – Economic Development
7) Discussion/possible motion to authorize the proper city officials to engage a firm for the development
of a grocery market analysis report in order to attract a new occupant at 2901 S. Chicago Avenue.
8) Reminder that SAMtember Fest is being held at the Bucyrus Commons from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
on September 27, 2025.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – City Administrator
9) Presentation regarding the US Bank Purchasing Card Rebate Program.
Adjourn
JAMES SHELENSKE, Mayor
STEVEN A. BRAATZ, JR., City Clerk
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTE: Upon reasonable notice, a good faith effort will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. Requests should be made as far in
advance as possible, preferably a minimum of 48 hours. For additional information contact the City Clerk’s office at 414-762-2222.
Council Agenda – September 2, 2025 2
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