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.