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Wauwatosa council approves permits, licenses, fire and public‑works contracts; study of shared services wins 12‑1
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Summary
At its meeting the Common Council approved land‑use permits, an ordinance restricting truck turns, multiple finance and public‑works measures and a study of shared service options with McMahon Associates; several items were approved unanimously while two items recorded split votes or were marked for closed session.
The Wauwatosa Common Council approved a slate of zoning, licensing, finance and public‑works measures at its meeting, and authorized a study of shared services that passed 12‑1.
The council's actions included conditional use and planned unit development approvals, an ordinance change on truck turns, multiple fund transfers and contract awards, liquor‑license approval, intergovernmental repair agreements with the City of Milwaukee Fire Department, and tabling/closed‑session markings on a private development term sheet.
Why this matters: the votes move forward capital projects, code changes and service contracts that affect public safety, street projects, private development and local business licensing. Several items also carry budgetary implications for city maintenance and fleet repair.
Key votes and outcomes (selected)
- Conditional use permit, 10310–10336 West Blue Mound Road: Council approved a conditional use permit to allow site modifications and expansion of a convenience store at an existing gas station; the plan commission had recommended approval 5‑0. Alder Phillips moved the item; Alder MacPlu seconded and the council approved the measure unanimously.
- Planned unit development (PUD) at 11450 West Burleigh Street (Boundary Way): Council approved planned unit development plans for a multi‑unit building; committee recommended approval 7‑0. Raymond White (Dimension 4) was listed as applicant; the council passed the item unanimously.
- Government Affairs items (three items): A shared‑services review proposal by McMahon Associates for Wauwatosa and a neighboring jurisdiction was approved on a 12‑1 vote after discussion; Alder Franzen said, "Just to say that this is merely a study it does not commit us to anything." The council also approved a new Class B beer/Class C wine license for Prime Life LLC (The Local Makerie), Timothy Walsh agent, and a memorandum of agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) referencing Wisconsin statutes 97.41 and 97.615 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter 80 CP 74; the latter two items were approved unanimously.
- Ordinance amending municipal code to prohibit truck right turns at Glenview Place and westbound Harwood Avenue: The Transportation Affairs Committee recommended adoption 6‑0 and the council adopted the ordinance unanimously.
- Financial Affairs items: The council authorized an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the City of Milwaukee Fire Department for apparatus and equipment repairs; approved level‑3 fund transfers for emergency ladder‑truck repair and for purchase of a 2025 Vactor 2100i combination jet‑and‑vacuum sewer cleaning truck and maintenance package; and approved a multi‑year contract (with two optional one‑year extensions) for management of room rentals at the Milner Building at Hart Park (committee recommendation 7‑1). The council also approved accepting donated funds and a level‑3 transfer for a sign project at Firefly Grove Park, and authorized master‑planning work with Irgens for the Milwaukee County Research Park (committee recommended 8‑0). One financial item was marked for closed session: a term sheet with Mandel Partners (Harlow and Hem apartments LLC) for development at 7470 Blanchard Street (committee recommended approval 6‑2 and the item was noted as marked for closed session in the agenda).
- Board of Public Works items: The council approved five Board of Public Works recommendations, including granting an underground distribution easement to We Energies at the Burleigh Water Tower site, placing 2022–2024 street improvement special assessments on the tax roll, awarding Center Street improvements contract 25‑0A to MJ Construction Inc. for $1,414,080, accepting the 2024 MS4 annual stormwater report, and approving final payment for the Fire Station bunkhouse remodel. Those items were approved unanimously.
- Bills and claims: The council approved bills and claims by unanimous roll call.
Roll‑call and split votes
- The McMahon shared‑service study passed 12‑1. Alder Franzen explained the vote was to authorize a study only.
- A Financial Affairs item (identified by alder comment in the record) passed on a 12‑0‑1 vote after a council member recorded a present vote due to a conflict.
- Another item passed 10‑3 on roll call (transcript records the roll call for that item as passing 10 to 3).
Items marked for closed session or further action
- The term sheet with Mandel Partners for Harlow and Hem at 7470 Blanchard Street was listed as "marked for closed session if the council so chooses" in the agenda; the transcript does not record a final public‑session vote on that closed‑session item.
Ending
Council members moved several consent and committee recommendations with combined motions when permitted. Multiple alder members thanked staff for project presentations; no new ordinances beyond those listed were introduced during the meeting, and staff will proceed with contract execution and assessments as authorized by the votes recorded.
