The position of City Clerk was created in the 1846 City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Charter. The Common Council elected the City Clerk, initially, for a term of one
year. This term was expanded to two years in 1852, then four years in 1875. The City
Clerk holds a two-fold position within the City government. Originally, the City
Clerk was elected to handle the clerical end of the Common Council’s work. It was
the City Clerk's duty to be present at all the meetings and to keep a full and
accurate account of the proceedings. The City Clerk keeps an official file of all
matters presented to the Council for consideration. The City Clerk is also the
custodian of the City seal and all papers requiring that seal must go through the
City Clerk.
In addition to Common Council duties, the City Clerk also performs certain
administrative functions. The City Clerk’s office oversees and processes the City
Orders, Chattel Mortgages, Sales Contracts, and Business Licenses for such things as
malted beverages, soft drinks, pool tables, taxis, bowling alleys, dance halls and
second hand dealers. All licenses to operate soft drink establishments, dance halls
and pool rooms are investigated by the police department and acted upon by the
Council before granting. Other licenses issued by the City Clerk are granted upon
request.
