Attempt to censure Brookfield alderman for comments fails
A Brookfield alderman who sparked controversy and outrage when he said people should “live in Wauwatosa or West Allis” until they’ve worked enough to afford to live in Brookfield will not face any consequences for his statements.
Instead, members of the public on Tuesday night praised Ald. Kris Seals at the city’s common council meeting. Seals first made the comments in November, and again in January, while speaking against an affordable housing project that was ultimately approved.
During last month’s common council meeting, city officials were to ensure final plans for the previously-approved Flats at Bishops Woods met zoning guidelines. Despite City Attorney Jenna Merten’s warnings, Seals opposed the project’s overall purpose, violating Wisconsin’s Fair Housing Law that prohibits discrimination based on lawful source of income.
In response, fellow council member Ald. Mike Hallquist called for Seals be censured, or formally reprimanded, for the “discriminatory” comments.
Hallquist’s motion to censure failed at Tuesday’s common council meeting, followed by a standing ovation from dozens of Brookfield residents who came to support Seals. Alderpersons did not second or publicly discuss the motion. Seals declined to comment.
The council squandered the opportunity to welcome all residents, regardless of income, to the city of Brookfield, Hallquist said in a statement.
“I look forward to building a future where the financial barriers are lowered so more people can live and enjoy our community,” he said. “If you can work here, you should be able to live here.”
The 203-unit Flats at Bishops Woods will offer workforce housing priced at $400 less than the city’s average, aiming to fulfill workforce demands in Waukesha County. The average rent for an apartment in Brookfield ranges between $1,442 and $2,250.
Housing qualifies as affordable when its cost doesn’t exceed 30% of a household’s earned income, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In Brookfield, “workforce housing would be affordable for individuals and families with an annual earned income of $42,952 to $85,904,” the Waukesha County Business Alliance said in a letter to the council.
Council members remained tightlipped on the issue, but residents voiced vehement support for Seals during a 45-minute public comment ses
sion.
“(Seals) may have violated aldermanic ethics clauses and may have spoken out contrary to the Affordable Housing Act language, but I applaud his speaking on our behalf,” said Mary Stephani, a longtime Brookfield resident.
Many locals spoke, to applause, in defense of Seals’ freedom of speech.
“We clearly live in an age of cancel culture, bullying and censoring the voice of anyone who gets in one’s way,” said Peggy Hamill. “The proposed censure of our loyal Ald. Kris Seals is clearly an act of such canceling, censoring and bullying of not just Kris, but ... (of) his constituents.”
Some defended Seals’ comments with their own stories of “earning” their way into Brookfield residency.
“I lived in West Allis,” said Steven Bowman, a new Brookfield resident. “I paid my dues. I saw the negative influence that was coming into our neighborhoods that was affecting my children. Because of that, we made a conscious effort to move to Brookfield to get away from that.”
One resident, Jason Rasoul, voiced support for the Flats project because it could improve the city’s diversity. His comment was met with laughter from the public.
“This development is clearly going to help the community in that area (of diversity),” Rasoul said. “Saying that you have to earn your way in your Brookfield — that really isn’t how it’s supposed to be.”