Common Council reduces suspension for Center Street license after mitigation plans presented

The Milwaukee Common Council on a unanimous recorded vote (14 ayes, 1 excused) adopted a motion to reduce a recommended 10-day suspension to a warning letter for a licensed premise at 7002 West Center Street while affirming the Licensing Committee’s recommendations on the objection in file 251558.

The decision followed five-minute presentations and questions during a Committee of the Whole. Attorney Brian Randall, representing DT2 Towing, described DT2 as a private company hired by retailers and other property owners to enforce parking rules and detailed steps the company had taken to address recent complaints. "D t 2 is hired by its business partners to help enforce those rules," Randall said, and told the council the company filed a supplemental plan of operations the morning of the meeting that adds clearer office signage that cash and credit are accepted, periodic employee training on verbal presentation and de-escalation, and appointment-based vehicle retrieval so someone can be accompanied when they collect a towed car.

Randall recounted two incidents in police reports: a March 7, 2025 confrontation in which a motorist pulled a knife but the report did not find DT2 at fault, and a May 6, 2025 allegation that cash was not accepted. Randall said the company had no prior remedial action on file and suggested progressive discipline should start with a shorter sanction; he told the council, "we requested the council impose a 10 day suspension notwithstanding the committee recommendation because of progressive discipline," while also saying a reduction would allow the business to continue operating as it implements improvements.

Attorney Mike Masonman, representing Deepak Thapa (the gas station at 7002 West Center Street), presented a mitigation plan that includes extermination receipts for rodent abatement, employee training on incident response, coordination with police, more frequent litter removal, improved lighting and employee screening. Masonman asked the council to replace the 10-day suspension recommended by the Licensing Committee with a warning letter: "With everything that we're doing, we would ask respectfully that the common council reduce the 10 day suspension to 0 and issue them a warning letter," he said.

Council members questioned how DT2 documents drop fees and how drivers are supervised. Alderman Westmoreland asked how drop fees are collected and documented; Randall said the company uses field documentation and a sample package and that employees who collect more than ordinance limits "would be under our policy subject to termination." On the question of fees and affordability, Randall cited an example where a retrieval total reached $377, explaining that included a $350 tow fee and special handling, and he noted the ordinance allows a $25 per day storage fee but that DT2 has in many cases worked with customers on discounts or waivers.

Assistant City Attorney Travis Gresham told members the council had the Licensing Committee’s findings of fact and conclusions of law before it and was available to answer legal questions.

After the Committee of the Whole rose, Alderman Moore moved to reduce the 10-day suspension to a warning letter, citing the mitigation commitments and community engagement. The clerk called the roll on the objection related to file 251558; the record shows 14 ayes, 1 excused, and the motion passed.

The council’s action changes the committee-recommended suspension to a warning letter while leaving the committee’s broader recommendations on the file intact. No timeline for enforcement steps or follow-up reporting by city staff was specified during the meeting.