[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6628914,"mediaKeyId","2713579-74ea532831f9261ca9a1b496390021e7","parentId",2713579,"title","Public Works Committee recommends a slate of projects, transfers and namings; several items held for follow-up","audioSeconds",4599,"startMs",36000,"endMs",4635000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713579-74ea532831f9261ca9a1b496390021e7&start=36&end=4635","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713579-74ea532831f9261ca9a1b496390021e7/thumbnail_36000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628914/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Public-Works-Committee-recommends-a-slate-of-projects-transfers-and-namings-several-items-held-for-follow-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628914-552c9d76764a5bb01d69b1c958a5c51f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764655&Signature=kBfPC66bUoq69rBp-2B01BSn45YAnuOJZIPY2kVIjLo-oA-O~4YV6pcrZum3ioX~az8cDVWKRQ~9bpNr0Au4v5IPdWzgibimrzEDoqZs3IMWKgvlDQje4jvq8izRNoVcfahKMgAkN86-MGshWi7Skaa5Nau6Yr64uEtagGIavBfVrJZqtnIkpCj1UMVbsYgbvGbBKC4hlrs~Tr38bEbAaT7fDuMh6hugy-jiCrqJfhlVq-LTnUHaflDkTFfM6nZrkG-sycUxbHuvoimCtOpMu0llk9s5uZq2MYXcvnADsv47sXE6GI7-IrNW4U3~Lh41unv6gZrQGzGuQCeH2~D3lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Milwaukee","date","2025-03-20T09:03:00Z","article","The Public Works Committee on March 20 considered a broad set of agenda items and made recommendations on appointments, public-improvement assessments, jurisdiction exchanges for signalized intersections, green infrastructure grants and honorary street namings. Several items were held for later review.

Key outcomes (motions adopted or actions taken by the committee):

- Appointment and reappointments: The committee recommended confirmation of Jeff Polinski to the Capital Improvements Committee (file 02/1735). Reappointments of Carrie Fix (file 241736), Matt O'Neil (file 241737) and Karl Baer (file 50241771) to the Citizens Advisory Committee on naming public buildings and facilities were also recommended.

- Special assessments and non-assessable improvements (file 241,715 and related files): Committee members called listed projects from the public-hearing notice. A resurfacing project on North 30 Seventh Street (First Aldermanic District) was recommended for approval after no public testimony. A concrete-alley reconstruction listed for a block between West Florence Avenue and related streets showed seven resident responses opposed and two in favor; Alderman Andreada Pratt moved to delete that project and the committee ordered deletion. Other projects (including alleys in the Sixth and Fifteenth Aldermanic Districts) were recommended for approval. Alderman Westmoreland moved to recommend adoption of the overall package as amended and the committee approved.

- Non-assessable public improvements (files 241,716 and 241,717): Substitutes were introduced and the committee recommended adoption of both substitute resolutions as amended.

- Signal-jurisdiction exchanges with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (files 241,713 and 241,751): The committee recommended resolutions that authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to execute agreements transferring operation and maintenance responsibility for signalized intersections adjacent to Interstate 94 (six intersections) and Interstate 43/94 (two intersections) to the Wisconsin DOT, to coincide with reconstruction tied to state freeway projects. DPW staff said the city will operate signals during construction and the state will assume operations afterward.

- Inflow/infiltration change order with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District (file 241,705): The committee recommended authorization for a $87,000 change order to the private-property inflow and infiltration funding agreement for lateral grouting work in a bounded area that includes West Capitol Drive to West Concordia Avenue and North Sherman Boulevard to North 30 Eighth Street.

- Green solutions agreements with MMSD and Milwaukee Public Schools (file 241,702): The committee recommended authorizing the city to enter green solutions funding agreements and conservation easements with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Milwaukee Public Schools to support green-school projects (depaving, green infrastructure) at multiple MPS properties.

- Alley vacation (file 241,029): The committee recommended adoption of a resolution to vacate a remnant dead-end alley in the block bounded by East Mineral Street, East Washington Street, South Barclay Street and the railway at the East Side; the applicant, Mill Valley Recycling, said it will continue to use the vacated alley as private access.

- Honorary street namings (files 241,568 and 241,719): The committee recommended adoption of honorary street-name resolutions to name a stretch of North 50 Sixth Street for Pastor Botha Howard (first district) and to name a stretch of West Hampton Avenue for Bishop Sedgwick Daniel (Fifth Aldermanic District); DPW staff said signs will be paid by applicants.

- Telecommunications lease amendments (files 241,658 and 241,659): Proposed amendments to lease agreements with T-Mobile Central LLC for antenna placement at the Zeiler Municipal Building (841 N. Broadway) and the South Side Health Center (1640 S. 20th St.) were held to the call of the chair. Committee members asked staff to confirm whether the carrier is current on other city lease obligations before the committee acts.

Items held to the call of the chair for later consideration included the substitute resolution on the average private-side cost (item 8, later addressed during the meeting), two T‑Mobile lease amendments (items 13 and 14), and other operational-status items (item 21). The committee also pulled the dockless scooter / Hop status update to the call of the chair for subsequent follow-up.

Committee procedure followed the council custom of voice motions; many approvals were recorded as \"hearing no objection, so ordered\" rather than an individually recorded roll-call tally.

Speakers

- Alderman Jose G. Bauman — Chair, Public Works Committee (government). First referenced at 0.40.
- Alderman Andreada Pratt — Member (government). First referenced at 11.68.
- Alderman Lamont Westmoreland — Vice chair (government). First referenced at 11.68.
- Alderman Wilent Taylor — Member (government). First referenced at 29.80.
- Jeff Polinski — Nominee for Capital Improvements Committee; former DPW commissioner/city engineer (citizen). First referenced at 70.91.
- Holly Rittenbach — Department of Public Works (staff) (government). First referenced at 219.62.
- Scott Reimbach — Department of Public Works (staff) (government). First referenced at 681.48.

Authorities

- other: City resolutions and agenda files referenced by number (e.g., files 02/1735, 241,715, 241,716, 241,717, 241,703, 241,705, 241,702, 241,713, 241,751, 241,029, 241,568, 241,719, 241,658, 241,659). These were referenced directly in committee discussion.

Actions (selected individual items)

- kind: appointment
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"02/1735\"}
motion: \"Recommend confirmation of Jeff Polinski to the Capital Improvements Committee.\"
mover: \"Alderman Jose G. Bauman\"
outcome: \"approved\"

- kind: other
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241715\"}
motion: \"Consider notice-listed assessable public-improvement projects; approve some projects, delete one project by motion.\"
mover: \"Alderman Andreada Pratt\"
outcome: \"approved as amended (one project deleted)\"
notes: \"A resurfacing project on North 30 Seventh Street approved; an alley project between West Florence Avenue and related streets was deleted after 7 resident responses opposed and 2 in favor; other listed projects were approved or recommended as shown on the public-hearing notice.\"

- kind: ordinance (exchange of jurisdiction)
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241713\"}
motion: \"Authorize Commissioner to execute agreements with Wisconsin DOT for exchange of jurisdiction for six signalized intersections adjacent to I-94 (city to state).\"
mover: \"Alderman Wilent Taylor\"
outcome: \"approved\"
notes: \"City will operate during construction; the state will operate after reconstruction.\"

- kind: ordinance (exchange of jurisdiction)
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241751\"}
motion: \"Authorize Commissioner to execute agreements with Wisconsin DOT for exchange of jurisdiction for two signalized intersections adjacent to I-43/94.\"
mover: \"Alderman Andreada Pratt\"
outcome: \"approved\"

- kind: contract_award
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241705\"}
motion: \"Authorize Commissioner to execute $87,000 change order to private-property inflow/infiltration funding agreement with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District for lateral grouting work in specified area.\"
mover: \"Alderman Lamont Westmoreland\"
outcome: \"approved\"

- kind: other
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241702\"}
motion: \"Authorize city to enter green solutions funding agreements and conservation easements with MMSD and Milwaukee Public Schools for MPS green-schools projects.\"
mover: \"Alderman Lamont Westmoreland\"
outcome: \"approved\"

- kind: vacation
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241029\"}
motion: \"Recommend adoption of resolution to vacate a remnant east-west alley bounded by East Mineral, East Washington, South Barclay and the railway; applicant Mill Valley Recycling to retain private access.\"
mover: \"Alderman Wilent Taylor\"
outcome: \"approved\"

- kind: resolution
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241568\"}
motion: \"Recommend adoption of honorary street name Pastor Botha Howard for a section of North 50 Sixth Street.\"
mover: \"Alderman Andreada Pratt\"
outcome: \"approved\"

- kind: resolution
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241719\"}
motion: \"Recommend adoption of honorary street name Bishop Sedgwick Daniel for a section of West Hampton Avenue.\"
mover: \"Alderman Andreada Pratt\"
outcome: \"approved\"

- kind: other
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241658\"}
motion: \"Amend lease agreement with T-Mobile Central LLC for antenna placement at Zeiler Municipal Building — held to call of the chair pending collection of carrier payment status.\"
mover: \"not specified\"
outcome: \"held\"

- kind: other
identifiers:{\"agenda_item_id\":\"241659\"}
motion: \"Amend lease agreement with T-Mobile Central LLC for antenna placement at South Side Health Center — held to call of the chair pending collection of carrier payment status.\"
mover: \"not specified\"
outcome: \"held\"

Other procedural actions: multiple routine reappointments and housekeeping items were recommended for confirmation by voice vote; several agenda items (including item 8 originally and later addressed, item 21 operations status and item 23 dockless scooter/HOP status) were held to the call of the chair for later follow-up.

Speakers (additional)

- Jeff Polinski — Nominee, Capital Improvements Committee; former City Engineer and former Commissioner of Public Works (citizen). First referenced at 70.91.
- Holly Rittenbach — DPW staff (government). First referenced at 219.62.
- Scott Reimbach — DPW staff (government). First referenced at 681.48.

Proper_names

[{\"name\":\"Jeff Polinski\",\"type\":\"person\"},{\"name\":\"Mill Valley Recycling\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Milwaukee Public Schools\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"T-Mobile Central LLC\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Divine Temple Church\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Pastor Botha Howard\",\"type\":\"person\"},{\"name\":\"Bishop Sedgwick Daniel\",\"type\":\"person\"}]

Clarifying_details

[{\"category\":\"assessments\",\"detail\":\"Notice-listed projects called in public hearing; property owner billing: full amount due within 45 days or may be paid on tax roll over 10 years at 9.5% interest if assessment is at least $125\",\"value\":45,\"units\":\"days\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Holly Rittenbach\"},{\"category\":\"change_order\",\"detail\":\"Inflow/infiltration change order amount\",\"value\":87000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Department of Public Works\"},{\"category\":\"green_solutions\",\"detail\":\"MMSD annual grant funding supports MPS green-schools program typically for five schools each year\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Tony Jazak\"}]

Meeting_context

{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":20,\"duration_minutes\":255,\"items_count\":23},\"implementation_risk\":\"low\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2025-03-20\",\"note\":\"Committee considered items including assessments, signal jurisdiction transfers, green solutions agreements, and audit report.\"}]}

searchable_tags

[\"appointments\",\"assessments\",\"signal transfers\",\"green infrastructure\",\"honorary street name\",\"T-Mobile\",\"parking audit\",\"lead service line\"]

provenance

{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"00.40\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":140,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Okay. Good morning everybody. We will call to order the regular meeting of the Public Works Committee for Thursday, 03/20/2025 at 09:03 a. M. I'm Alderman Bauman, Chair of the Committee.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"7615.46\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"And hearing no objections, so ordered. That concludes our agenda, we're adjourned.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Milwaukee - PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE on 2025-03-20 9:00 AM - Mar 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 20 meeting the committee recommended confirmations and approvals for appointments, public-improvement projects, signal transfers to WisDOT, school green-infrastructure grants and several honorary street namings; two telecom lease amendments and other items were held to the call of the chair.","taxTitle","Milwaukee , Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",2851,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6628921,"Comptroller audit finds weaknesses in controls for DPW parking structures; department accepts recommendations",1711,4142000,5853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713579-74ea532831f9261ca9a1b496390021e7&start=4142&end=5853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713579-74ea532831f9261ca9a1b496390021e7/thumbnail_4142000.jpg","/articles/6628921/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Comptroller-audit-finds-weaknesses-in-controls-for-DPW-parking-structures-department-accepts-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628921-8612ec83bbd386a8bf1944eda03396cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764655&Signature=mYq-Lezn8tD2pJF40Yr5qSs16rstXpCKyF0Cdw6SoIDKufP8hrhTqGoLdAH76lnsT3fgrR4BiTdyoHUzjWI3RkXbdotgGEP2drhaXjsmIhZShCe65p46lHnCs1exHgjpGFISntt5vVJ6ClREzn7X~yu6YhMb27q7c~Ih49sJsn9k7eVEUnl~aPM9K4VBB70Vd~2AbLPTH24RiI22e~2D3ht21LFBb1Hcy32NCt4JXf1FwyU2K16ALjtQ1QNiC9VKJwARaufA7AfVyB5QydfT~YONDyopSpAs1xkBh7mp9M7g3pKA6osswyvQrCtdomsULTrJsMxNj~YyrBRvKvDbaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Milwaukee Comptroller’s Office presented an internal audit on March 20 that found weaknesses in internal controls for Department of Public Works-managed parking structures and recommended seven corrective actions. Department staff accepted the findings and described steps to improve monitoring and reconciliation.

Auditors from the comptroller’s office told the Public Works Committee the review covered revenue activity from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2024, and analyzed about $3.1 million in revenue tied to five city-owned structures operated by outside contractors. Anna Gutierrez, an auditor on the engagement, summarized the conclusion: \"the controls were not adequately designed or operating effectively during the scoping period.\" The audit identified late or missing contractor deliverables, gaps in procedures and limitations that prevented independent validation of some monthly revenue remittances.

Key findings highlighted by the audit included:
- ABM (a contracted operator) did not submit required annual operating plans and annual performance reports on the contractor schedule; DPW received monthly activity reports but not the formal annual documentation called for in the contract.
- Deer District LLC submitted an annual budget and two monthly split-revenue payments late during a personnel transition.
- DPW lacked a documented set of procedures for daily operations and maintenance oversight of parking structures; ABM similarly did not provide detailed written operating guidelines for customer service, rates, technology, security and maintenance.
- There was insufficient documentary evidence to independently confirm monthly prepaid (monthly-pass) revenues remitted by ABM because those receipts deposited to ABM-managed accounts were not provided as bank statements for city reconciliation.
- The audit found delayed deposit/recording of some revenues; auditors reported revenue postings lagged by roughly two months in several cases, and that a single monthly remittance could be on the order of $200,000.

Comptroller staff recommended that DPW require contractors to deliver the missing annual documents on schedule, maintain documented policies and procedures, supply bank statements or otherwise segregate city receipts so the city can reconcile monthly prepaid revenues, and ensure timely deposit of checks to the treasurer’s office.

Chuck Schumacher, DPW finance/operations manager, told the committee the department already receives monthly budget and revenue detail from ABM as part of invoicing but accepted the audit’s recommendations. He said DPW has directed ABM to segregate city receipts into a dedicated bank account so the city can reconcile deposits against the contractor’s reports and invoices. Schumacher also acknowledged the department will work to improve internal procedures and timeliness of deposits.

Committee members pressed staff about the risk of lost revenue and the historical handling of cash. Auditors said they found no direct evidence of fraud in their scope, but stressed that lack of bank-statement access prevented a full independent confirmation of monthly prepaid revenues. The comptroller’s office rated several risks as medium and laid out steps for DPW to strengthen controls.

Alderman Lamont Westmoreland moved to receive and place the audit report on file; the committee approved that motion.

Speakers

- Anna Gutierrez — Auditor, Comptroller’s Office (government). First referenced at 4142.53.
- Vashkin Batsa — Senior auditor, Comptroller’s Office (government). First referenced at 4148.93.
- Adriana Molina — Audit manager, Comptroller’s Office (government). First referenced at 4153.49.
- Chuck Schumacher — Finance/operations manager, Department of Public Works (government). First referenced at 4569.76.
- Alderman Jose G. Bauman — Chair, Public Works Committee (government). First referenced at 0.40.
- Alderman Lamont Westmoreland — Vice chair, Public Works Committee (government). First referenced at 11.68.

Authorities

- other: Contract provisions between City of Milwaukee and private parking operators (referenced by auditors and DPW staff)

Actions

- kind: other
identifiers: {agenda_item_id:\"241655\"}
motion: \"Receive and place on file the comptroller's audit of DPW parking structures and lot revenue controls.\"
mover: \"Alderman Lamont Westmoreland\"
second: \"not specified\"
vote_record: []
tally: {}
outcome: \"approved\"
notes: \"Report received and DPW committed to follow-up actions: require contractor annual documents, segregate ABM receipts into dedicated account, and improve deposit timeliness.\"

Clarifying_details

- {\"category\":\"audit_scope\",\"detail\":\"Time period covered by audit\",\"value\":\"2024-01-01 to 2024-06-30\",\"units\":\"dates\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Anna Gutierrez\"}
- {\"category\":\"revenue_scope\",\"detail\":\"Total revenue reviewed in audit\",\"value\":3100000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Anna Gutierrez\"}
- {\"category\":\"monthly_remittance\",\"detail\":\"Example size of a monthly remittance referenced by auditors\",\"value\":200000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Anna Gutierrez\"}
- {\"category\":\"contract_term\",\"detail\":\"Length of ABM contract referenced in discussion\",\"detail\":\"3 years\",\"value\":3,\"units\":\"years\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Anna Gutierrez\"}

Proper_names

[{\"name\":\"ABM\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Deer District LLC\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Office of the Comptroller\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works\",\"type\":\"agency\"}]

Community_relevance

{\"geographies\":[\"Milwaukee\"],\"funding_sources\":[],\"impact_groups\":[\"city treasury\",\"parking customers\",\"contract vendors\"]}

Meeting_context

{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":6,\"duration_minutes\":80,\"items_count\":1},\"implementation_risk\":\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2024-01-01\",\"note\":\"Audit scope begins\"}]}

Topics

[{\"name\":\"parking-revenue-controls\",\"justification\":\"Audit focused on revenue controls, documentation and reconciliation for city parking structures.\",\"scoring\":{\"topic_relevance\":1.00,\"depth_score\":0.85,\"opinionatedness\":0.05,\"controversy\":0.55,\"civic_salience\":0.70,\"impactfulness\":0.60,\"geo_relevance\":1.00}}]

Provenance

{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"4142.5254\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"My name is Anna Gutierrez, and I'm an auditor, in the comptroller's department... the audit scope was from 01/01/2024 through 06/30/2024, and we reviewed approximately $3,100,000 in revenue.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"5833.535\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":88,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Aldwin Westmoreland moves the receive and place on file. Thank you for coming down. Good job.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","An internal audit of DPW parking-structure revenue controls found insufficient documentation, late deposits and incomplete evidence for monthly revenue reconciliation; DPW said it will work with contractors to remedy gaps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6628926,"Public Works Committee hears Milwaukee Water Works update, sets private-side average at $3,999 for lead service-line replacements",2344,1592000,3936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713579-74ea532831f9261ca9a1b496390021e7&start=1592&end=3936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713579-74ea532831f9261ca9a1b496390021e7/thumbnail_1592000.jpg","/articles/6628926/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Public-Works-Committee-hears-Milwaukee-Water-Works-update-sets-private-side-average-at-3999-for-lead-service-line-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628926-164b4da0e4afd37298351840812c9829/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764655&Signature=LpVQ4f~Pc5qhsGg7ZMoUv3yVT0AiBd~JJvlAy8FsJSpywa9S3G4R8bbt73IvQeCBiYenrtZV0-YyminTQVVIvnGq8IfYSmH-fZ8PH20Dob6zcJbUeb03sGVUnlNhNj~3ipUoWQ0mZ5S8sg0ok9JaHjEyUFjzgN3aezV785DRPaXIwE3l89s~EH0d6tfOoqXF2cPnVtWMpLrfbszRCBhHarWWVt-BBl34IFG5eDEtCUFxBRmeZW-~O3LSHvFngA5ApMQSzKCHRgXlC8cDmGIWSQuRlSNYHO1lVY~wiRMgJYoJYJv4mW8er8GOfmhQBQG35v3fn~TDP8kYRt5eQ3S8PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Works Committee on March 20 heard a semiannual report from Milwaukee Water Works on its lead service-line replacement program and voted to set the average private-side replacement cost at $3,999 for 2025.

Committee Chair Alderman Jose G. Bauman convened the discussion and Patrick Pauley, Milwaukee Water Works superintendent, and Michelle Natarajan, water quality manager, presented program progress, testing results and financing details. Alderman Lamont Westmoreland moved to recommend adoption of the substitute resolution that establishes the annual average private-side amount; the motion was adopted without objection.

The update described the utility’s inventory work, testing practices and the program’s scale-up. Pauley said the utility submitted a comprehensive service-line inventory to the Wisconsin DNR last year as required under recent Lead and Copper Rule revisions and has posted the inventory on its website. He told the committee the 2025 budget plans for about 3,500 total replacements, of which roughly 2,300 are in the prioritization program administered by the city’s owner-representative. He also said replacements have accelerated: “we surpassed 9,000 services as of the end of last year,” and the utility expected to reach 10,000 replacements in early May 2025.

Pauley reported that contractor experience and higher volumes have reduced per-service costs; \"the cost for a total replacement 5 year average is now 8,441,\" he said. The committee adopted the required annual figure for the private-side maximum payment by property owners: $3,999 for 2025. Pauley said the ordinance now requires the property owner to be charged the lesser of the actual private-side contractor cost or the published annual average.

On testing and water quality, Natarajan described the three-bottle sampling protocol used after service-line replacements (stagnant-home sample, a sample intended to represent service-line water, and a sample representing water from the main). She said most childcare-site tests were below 2 parts per billion, and that average sample results across the program were below 5 ppb. She noted a small number of post-replacement samples exceeded the internal action level (10 ppb), and in those cases staff offered customers flushing/fixture cleaning and retesting; in most retests levels fell precipitously.

Committee members pressed staff on whether removed lead pipes are recovered and recycled. Pauley said crews generally leave the larger lengths of old lead in the ground because soil conditions and construction methods make full removal impractical; small exposed sections removed at the connection are recycled where feasible. In response to a finance question, Pauley described federal infrastructure funding and state-administered Safe Drinking Water loan/principal-forgiveness arrangements that reimburse the city for much of the public- and private-side replacement costs and said the state has received federal allocations and is reimbursing the city on a periodic basis.

The committee also discussed outreach and notifications required by the Lead and Copper Rule changes, including annual mailings to properties with known lead services and to properties where the service-line material is unknown. Pauley said the utility is asking residents with unknown internal service-line materials to provide photos to help reclassify those services.

The committee’s formal action on the agenda was the substitute resolution establishing the 2025 average private-side cost at $3,999; Alderman Westmoreland moved to recommend adoption and the motion carried by unanimous voice vote (\"hearing no objection, so ordered\").

The department said it will continue contractor oversight, customer outreach and sampling with the DNR-required inventory updates and compliance testing schedule.

Speakers

- Patrick Pauley — Waterworks superintendent (government). First referenced at 1592.19.
- Michelle Natarajan — Water quality manager, Milwaukee Waterworks (government). First referenced at 1598.67.
- Alderman Jose G. Bauman — Chair, Public Works Committee (government). First referenced at 0.40.
- Alderman Lamont Westmoreland — Vice chair, Public Works Committee (government). First referenced at 11.68.
- Alderman Andreada Pratt — Member, Public Works Committee (government). First referenced at 11.68.
- Alderman Wilent Taylor — Member, Public Works Committee (government). First referenced at 29.80.

Authorities

- regulation: Lead and Copper Rule revisions / Lead and Copper Rule improvements (referenced by Patrick Pauley)
- agency: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (referenced by Patrick Pauley)
- law: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (federal) / Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (referenced by Patrick Pauley)

Actions

- kind: other
identifiers: {agenda_item_id:\"241703\"}
motion: \"Adopt substitute resolution establishing the 2025 average private-side cost for lead service line replacement at $3,999.\"
mover: \"Alderman Lamont Westmoreland\"
second: \"not specified\"
vote_record: []
tally: {}
outcome: \"approved\"
notes: \"Adopted by voice vote; committee recorded 'hearing no objection, so ordered.' The ordinance requires owners be charged the lesser of actual private-side cost or the annual average.\"

Clarifying_details

- {\"category\":\"2025_budget\",\"detail\":\"Total replacements budgeted\",\"value\":3500,\"units\":\"services\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Patrick Pauley\"}
- {\"category\":\"prioritization_program\",\"detail\":\"Properties in prioritization program for 2025\",\"value\":2300,\"units\":\"properties\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Patrick Pauley\"}
- {\"category\":\"program_progress\",\"detail\":\"Replacements completed as of end of 2024\",\"value\":9000,\"units\":\"services\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Patrick Pauley\"}
- {\"category\":\"per_service_cost\",\"detail\":\"Five-year average cost for a full public+private replacement\",\"value\":8441,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Patrick Pauley\"}
- {\"category\":\"annual_private_side_average\",\"detail\":\"2025 annual not-to-exceed private-side average established by committee\",\"value\":3999,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Patrick Pauley\"}

Proper_names

[{\"name\":\"Milwaukee Water Works\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\",\"type\":\"agency\"}]

Community_relevance

{ \"geographies\": [\"Milwaukee\"], \"funding_sources\": [\"Bipartisan Infrastructure Law / federal funding\",\"State SDWLP principal forgiveness\"], \"impact_groups\": [\"residential property owners\",\"childcare facilities\",\"school populations\"] }

Meeting_context

{ \"engagement_level\": {\"speakers_count\":6,\"duration_minutes\":120,\"items_count\":2}, \"implementation_risk\":\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2024-10-01\",\"note\":\"Comprehensive service-line inventory submitted to DNR.\"}]}

Topics

[{\"name\":\"lead-service-line-replacement\",\"justification\":\"Core subject: program progress, testing, costs, and an adopted fiscal figure for private-side cost\",\"scoring\":{\"topic_relevance\":1.00,\"depth_score\":0.90,\"opinionatedness\":0.05,\"controversy\":0.30,\"civic_salience\":0.95,\"impactfulness\":0.90,\"geo_relevance\":1.00}}]

Provenance

{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"1592.1901\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Patrick Pauley, waterworks superintendent. ... we're here to present the semi annual lead service line replacement report.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"3916.1648\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":140,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"... the new dollar amount for 2025 is $3,999 That's a reduction of $360 from 2024. ... Alderman Westmoreland moves to recommend adoption of this item. And hearing no objections to that, so ordered.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","The committee received a semiannual report from Milwaukee Water Works on lead service line replacement progress and adopted an annual average private-side cost of $3,999 for 2025.","actionData","errors"]

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Public Works Committee hears Milwaukee Water Works update, sets private-side average at $3,999 for lead service-line replacements