Common Council approves permits for RNC protesters, scooters

By: Stephanie Rodriguez

Posted: Mar 19, 2024 3:16 PM CST

NOW: Common Council approves permits for RNC protesters, scooters

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The Common Council approved several items during its meeting Tuesday.

RNC permits

After some changes at the committee level, the permit process for the Republican National Convention (RNC) is now in motion. The Common Council approved the special events ordinance that allows people to apply for a permit to demonstrate within the RNC security perimeter.

"[If we hadn't passed this], I think we could've had a lot of chaos because people would've been flooding the city with special event requests under our normal process," District 4 Alderman Bob Bauman said. "We would not have the ability to steer them in a designated parade route or steer them toward a speaker's platform. They could've requested multiple locations and multiple streets. I think it would've been very disorganized, very chaotic."

The measure now heads to Mayor Cavalier Johnson's desk for his signature. The city said they plan to have a web page created within a week of approval. There will be a parade route and a speaker's platform where people with permits can demonstrate, but that location will not be released until closer to the convention.

For frequently asked questions about the RNC, click here.

E-scooters

The council also approved a measure that will keep electric scooters in Milwaukee. The city will give out two permits to vendors looking to operate in the city.

Part of the profits will go to Milwaukee's transportation fund, which is used for things like traffic-calming measures. The city estimates that could amount to up to $400,000 a year.

Lead water

If you own a private property that has a lead water service line that has to be replaced but you do not qualify for it to be subsidized, the Common Council capped the annual cost at $4,358.

However, most lead service lines will be removed for free under a program that focuses on low-income neighborhoods using funds from a bi-partisan infrastructure bill.

For more information on lead pipe removal in Milwaukee, click here.