Council Action.

Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 85-5

in effect

85-5. Council Action. 1. REPORT TO BE PROVIDED. Within 10 working days after it reaches a decision, the committee shall prepare and serve a report and recommendation upon the applicant and upon the complainant or objector, if any. The report and recommendations shall include specific findings of fact and conclusions of law made by the committee. A copy of the report shall be distributed to each member of the common council. 2. FILING WRITTEN STATEMENTS OR RESPONSES. Following a recommendation by the committee that the license or permit not be renewed, or that the license or permit be revoked or suspended, the applicant may submit a written statement including objections, exceptions and arguments of law and fact. When the proceedings have been commenced upon the complaint or objection of an interested party who has appeared and offered evidence, the complainant or objector may also submit a written statement in response. Written statements shall be filed with the city clerk before the close of business on a day that is at least 3 working days prior to the date set for hearing by the common council. 3. COPIES TO BE PROVIDED TO COMMON COUNCIL MEMBERS. A copy of any statement in response to the report and recommendations of the committee that is timely filed shall be provided to each member of the common council at least 24 hours before any vote on the question is scheduled before the common council. 4. PROCEDURE AT MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL. a. At a meeting of the common council following the receipt of the report and recommendations of the committee, the common council shall consider the report and recommendations. The city clerk shall notify the applicant, and the complainant or objector, if any, by United States first class mail, postage prepaid, 5 working days prior to the hearing before the common council, and shall also notify the city attorney, that the council will convene to act upon the report and recommendations. b. Each member of the common council shall be asked to affirm that he or she has read the report and recommendations of the committee. When a written statement has been or objector, each member of the common council shall be asked to affirm that he or she has read the statement. If members of the council have not read the recommendation and report of the committee and any statement in response that has been timely filed, the chair shall allocate time for the members to do so. c. Oral argument on behalf of the applicant, and oral argument by the complainant or objector, if any, shall be permitted only to those parties having timely filed a written statement. Oral argument shall be limited to 5 minutes. The city attorney shall also be permitted to make an oral presentation of not more than 5 minutes. d. Applicants shall appear only in person or by counsel. Corporate applicants shall appear only by designated agents or counsel. Partnerships shall be represented only by a partner or counsel. Limited liability companies shall be represented only by designated agents or counsel. Complainants and objectors shall appear only in person or counsel. Any person making an appearance before the council who requires the services of an interpreter shall obtain one at his or her own expense. e. The common council shall determine by a majority roll call vote of those in attendance and voting whether to adopt the recommendation of the committee. The city clerk shall provide written notice of the decision to the applicant, and to the complainant or objector, if any, including a written statement or summary of the reasons for the decision. f. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the revocation of a license or permit shall be effective upon service of the notice of decision upon the applicant or upon any person having charge or control of a licensed premises. Suspension of a license or permit in proceedings for revocation shall be effective upon service of the notice of decision upon the applicant or upon any person having charge or control of a licensed premises. Suspension of a license or permit in proceedings for renewal shall be effective on the date the common council takes action to suspend the license or permit, or on the date of the expiration of the license or permit, whichever is later. A license or permit may be suspended for not less than 10 days and no longer than 90 days. g. If a retail alcohol beverage license for a premises is suspended and the licensee also holds a public entertainment premises license for the premises, the public entertainment premises license shall be suspended for the same time period as the alcohol beverage license.

Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH85.pdf#page=6Fetched: 10/26/2026