Board denies most solid‑waste and tall‑grass appeals; grants one bulky‑waste appeal after city absence

The Milwaukee Administrative Review Board handled a series of nuisance, solid‑waste, bulky‑waste and tall‑grass appeals at its April 15 session, denying most property owner appeals but granting one when the city failed to appear.

Key outcomes at a glance: the board denied appeals by Daniel Sheehan (garbage and litter at 2463 W. Chambers St.) and Samantha Parker (garbage and litter at 3052 N. 20th St.), denied an appeal by Stephen Wolf for failure to appear, and granted a bulky‑waste appeal for Mark Wilson (508 N. 20th) because sanitation staff did not appear. The board also sustained contractor fees for tall‑grass/weed abatement at 508 N. 20th and 425 N. 30th in separate cases.

Why it matters: These rulings uphold city enforcement of solid‑waste and vegetation codes and confirm that property owners remain responsible for removal costs when contractors abate violations. The decisions illustrate common board practice: city photographic evidence and contractor invoices form the basis for rulings, and the board is inclined to deny claims that the owner relied on third‑party pickup services unless evidence shows city service was promised or performed.

What the board decided and why

- Daniel Sheehan, 2463 W. Chambers St.: DNS submitted inspection photos and contractor charges (administrative fee $121.92; contractor $265.35). Sheehan said he requested bulk pickup online multiple times and believed the city had removed the material. Board members concluded the city met its burden; a motion to deny the appeal carried and the appeal was denied.

- Samantha Parker, 3052 N. 20th St.: DNS presented before and after photos showing a large amount of furniture and refuse. Gallup said contractor removal totaled $962.16 plus an administrative fee of $121.92 ($1,084.08 total). The appellant said others had illegally dumped on the vacant lot and she had no tenants there. The board denied the appeal, noting the volume of debris and contractor work.

- Stephen Wolf, 508 W. Vienna: The appellant did not appear; the board voted to deny the appeal for failure to prosecute.

- Mark Wilson, 508 N. 20th (bulky waste): The city did not appear for the bulky‑waste appeal. Board member Kendrick Yandell moved to grant the appeal for failure to prosecute by the city; the motion passed and the appeal was granted.

- 508 N. 20th — tall grass and weeds: Separately for the same address, the city’s contractor submitted before‑and‑after photos showing grass over 12 inches; city staff explained the fee structure (posting $50, admin $100, contractor minimum $86 doubled to $172 for >12" grass, plus tax; total $343.49). Appellant Mark Wilson (or his representative) said management had been inconsistent about cutting. The board denied the appeal and upheld the fees.

- 425 N. 30th — tall grass and weeds: The city again relied on contractor before‑and‑after photos and cited the same fee schedule; appellant said a management company had mowed the property. The board denied the appeal and upheld the city abatement fees.

Procedure notes: in several cases DNS witness Laurie Gallup authenticated photographs and invoices; appellants sometimes said they had requested city bulk pickup online and believed the city had removed material. The board repeatedly noted the difference between a city‑arranged contractor abatement and a routine sanitation pickup request and deferred to sanitation procedures when bulk removal exceeded what front‑line sanitation crews will handle.

Ending: The board directed DNS to send written decisions and appeal rights to appellants in each case. Several appellants were told they may further appeal to circuit court as specified in the written notices.