Common Council

CITY OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2025 The regular meeting of the Common Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on November 18, 2025, by Mayor Jim Shelenske in the Common Council Chambers at South Milwaukee City Hall, 2424 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On roll call, Ald. Joe Bukowski, Ald. Lisa Pieper, Ald. David Bartoshevich, Ald. Peggy Clark, Ald. Brett Briesemeister, Ald. Craig Maass, and Ald. Michal Olechowski, were present. Ald. Tim Backes was excused. The meeting was prefaced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Citizen comment period was opened at 7:03 p.m. and closed at 7:06 p.m. Special presentation by U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience regarding federal disaster loan programs available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits impacted by recent disasters in Milwaukee County. Under President of the Council, Briesemeister/Maass moved to adopt the following items in the consent agenda: a) Approval of minutes from the November 4, 2025, Common Council meeting, b) Approval of the Schedule of Vouchers for the period October 1-31, 2025 in the amount of $1,859,845.33, c) Approval of Financial Reports for the various funds for the period ending October 31, 2025, d) Accept the resignation letter of Distribution and Collections Technician Luke Lau, effective November 12, 2025, and e) Accept the resignation letter of Distribution and Collections Technician Andrew Felle, effective November 14, 2025. Motion carried 7-0. Ald. Briesemeister gave the following reminder: There will be a public hearing on the City’s budget in the Common Council Chambers on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. At the special Common Council meeting on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., the Common Council will adopt the 2026 annual operating budget. Under Finance Committee, Bartoshevich/Clark moved to approve the dollar amount of $425,000 and direct Ehlers Financial Advisors to draft a 2026 operational referendum question for the South Milwaukee Public Library, with the resolution and referendum question to be brought back to the Common Council in January 2026. Motion carried 7-0. Bartoshevich/Clark moved to approve a resolution authorizing the transfer of funds due to capital equipment reconciliation. Motion carried 7-0. Under Human Resources Committee, Briesemeister/Maass moved to authorize the proper city officials to enter into a professional services agreement with Innovative Public Advisors for interim City Administrator services, subject to any contract revisions from the City Attorney. Motion carried 7-0. Briesemeister/Maass moved to authorize the proper city officials to enter into a professional services agreement with Innovative Public Advisors for executive recruitment of a City Administrator, with a cost not to exceed $18,000, provided from account # 100-00000-58400, subject to any contract revisions from the City Attorney. Motion carried 6-1 (Olechowski voted no). Under Legislation and Permits Committee, Olechowski/Maass moved to adopt an ordinance to repeal and recreate Section §19.01 of the South Milwaukee Municipal Code to authorize “Class B” licensees to sell intoxicating liquor in the original package or container for off-premises consumption, with an amendment to the ordinance to include “No sales shall occur between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.” Motion carried 7-0. Olechowski/Maass moved to suspend the rules to allow for giving the first, second, and third readings on ordinances, including the ordinance that was just voted on. Motion carried 7-0. Olechowski/Maass moved to adopt an ordinance to repeal and recreate Section §5.23.1 of the South Milwaukee Municipal Code relative to election official appointments, election day shifts, and primaries for municipal races. Motion carried 7-0. Olechowski/Maass moved to adopt an ordinance to repeal and recreate Subsection §5.27 B. of the South Milwaukee Municipal Code relative to destruction and preservation of public records. Motion carried 7-0. Under Public Works and Public Property Committee, Maass/Briesemeister moved to approve the proposal from Collins Engineers, Inc. for professional engineering design services for the 9th Avenue Rehabilitation project, in an amount not to exceed $107,763.31, with funding from the Capital Improvement Fund – 9th Avenue (Columbia to Milwaukee). Motion carried 7-0. Under Miscellaneous Business – Fire Department, Briesemeister/Maass moved to adopt the 2025 Milwaukee County Hazard Mitigation Plan to meet FEMA requirements. Motion carried 7-0. Under Miscellaneous Business – Economic Development, Briesemeister/Maass moved to enter into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified business, whenever competitive bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically to discuss a potential agreement with Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly to open a grocery store business at 2901 S. Chicago Avenue located in Tax Increment District No. 3 and an amendment to the rent-to-own agreement with Skyline Catering for the city-owned properties at 1919 12th Avenue and 2001 12th Avenue located in Tax Increment District No. 5. Upon roll call, motion carried 7-0. Briesemeister/Maass moved to return to open session and take any necessary action on closed session items. Upon roll call, motion carried 7-0. Briesemeister/Maass moved to approve Amendment 2 to the rent-to-own agreement with Skyline Catering for the city-owned properties at 1919 12th Avenue and 2001 12th Avenue located in Tax Increment District No. 5. Motion carried 6-1 (Pieper voted no). There being no further business to discuss, Olechowski/Clark moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 p.m. Motion carried 7-0. APPROVED: 12-2-25