Common Council
Regular MeetingSouth Milwaukee, WI · December 2, 2025
Minutes
CITY OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 2, 2025
The regular meeting of the Common Council was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on December 2, 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. David Bartoshevich, Ald. Peggy Clark, Ald. Brett
Briesemeister, Ald. Craig Maass, Ald. Michal Olechowski, Ald. Tim Backes and Ald. Joe Bukowski, were
present. Ald. Lisa Pieper was excused.
The meeting was prefaced with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen comment period was opened at 7:03 p.m. and closed at 7:03 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 November 18, 2025 Common Council regular meeting and
November 25, 2025 Common Council special meeting, b) Accept the retirement letter of Police Lt. Ed
Hallett, effective January 7, 2026, and c) Accept the retirement letter of Police Officer Robert Wentz,
effective March 21, 2026. Motion carried 7-0.
Under Plan Commission, Briesemeister/Maass moved to approve a Bucyrus Storefront Activation grant
for a proposed carryout food establishment at 1015 Milwaukee Avenue, for up to $35,000 and not to
exceed 50 percent of eligible costs for installation of a commercial hood. Motion carried 7-0.
Under Miscellaneous Business – Water/WWTF, Water/WWTF Superintendent Ben Huffman gave
updates on the 2026 Lead Service Line replacement funding and the 3M and DuPont lawsuit settlements.
Under Miscellaneous Business – Economic Development, Savage Solutions gave a presentation on the
status of the South Milwaukee Sam campaign.
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 an agreement with Savage Solutions for the 2026 budget for South
Milwaukee Sam campaign with funding provided from Bucyrus Foundation grant funds and 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. Upon roll call, motion carried 7-0.
Backes/Olechowski moved to return to open session and take any necessary action on closed session
items. Upon roll call, motion carried 7-0.
There being no further business to discuss, Backes/Olechowski moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:04
p.m. Motion carried 7-0.
APPROVED: 12-16-25
Agenda
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COMMON COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA – FINAL
Tuesday, December 2, 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 November 18, 2025 Common Council regular meeting and November
25, 2025 Common Council special meeting.
b) Accept the retirement letter of Police Lt. Ed Hallett, effective January 7, 2026.
c) Accept the retirement letter of Police Officer Robert Wentz, effective March 21, 2026.
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL – Ald. Briesemeister
1) Motion to adopt items in the consent agenda.
Reports of Standing Committees
PLAN COMMISSION – Ald. Briesemeister
2) Discussion/possible motion regarding a Bucyrus Storefront Activation Grant for 1015 Milwaukee
Avenue for a proposed carryout food establishment.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – Water/WWTF
3) Update on the 2026 Lead Service Line replacement funding.
4) Update on the 3M and DuPont lawsuit settlements.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – Economic Development
5) Presentation from Savage Solutions regarding the status of the South Milwaukee Sam campaign.
6) Discussion/possible motion to go 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 an agreement with Savage Solutions for the 2026 budget for
the South Milwaukee Sam campaign with funding provided from Bucyrus Foundation grant funds
and 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.
Council Agenda – December 2, 2025 1
7) Motion to return to open session and take any necessary action on closed session items.
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 – December 2, 2025 2
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