The Milwaukee Common Council Public Safety Committee voted against enacting a proposal that would have reserved 721 off-campus parking spaces for residents who live in the neighborhood.

The committee voted 3-2 against passing the proposal and, later in the meeting, again voted 3-2 to place the item on file, meaning it can be brought up before the full council. The measure may come before the full council Dec. 12.

The proposal stems from the Residential Preferred Parking bill that was signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle earlier this year.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Association members attended the meeting in opposition to the proposal.

“We’re elated,” said Kyle Duerstein, SA legislative affairs director. “We think it’s a great first step.”

Although the measure was defeated in committee, it can still be brought up to the whole Common Council, said District 4 Ald. Bob Donovan, who voted in favor of the proposal in committee.

But he said the recommendation of the committee will be to not move forward on the measure.

The full council next meets Dec. 12. At the meeting, the Public Safety Committee will recommend that no action be taken on the RPP proposal.

But District 3 Ald. Michael D’Amato, a supporter of the RPP plan, has said RPP was “part of a broader agreement” with UWM to find a solution to the parking problems around campus.

It is unknown whether D’Amato plans to bring the RPP issue before the full council Dec. 12. Phone calls attempting to reach D’Amato went unreturned.

“We would (be in favor of RPP coming back to the table. It) essentially would put RPP back on the table as a viable option,” said UWM spokesman Tom Luljak.

Duerstein said the association plans to lobby undecided council members.

“We need students to contact their aldermen, especially in the swing districts,” Duerstein said.

Duerstein said BOSS vans will be available on Dec. 12 to shuttle students to and from the 9 a.m. meeting at City Hall.

Placing the item on file allows it to be brought up at a full council meeting.

“On a whole, the (RPP) proposal is a fair compromise,” Luljak said.

Luljak said UWM has been committed to the RPP plan for eight years, dating back to when then Chancellor Nancy Zimpher agreed to help alleviate the parking problem in and around campus.

Luljak said the UWM administration has agreed to the one-for-one match as a “reasonable compromise,” but SA officials have said that the one-for-one match will not be beneficial for students.

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