Equity, Community Affairs, Housing, Health, and Education Committee Meeting - July 22, 2026
Equity, Community Affairs, Housing, Health, and Education Committee Meeting - July 22, 2026
The Equity, Community Affairs, Housing, Health, and Education Committee of the Louisville Metro Council met on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 1:35 PM in Council Chambers and virtually. Chair Barbara Shanklin (D-2) presided over the brief meeting, which considered two resolutions for honorary street namings. Both resolutions were unanimously recommended for approval and sent to the Consent Calendar for the full Metro Council meeting on July 30, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Taylore Bass, Legislative Assistant for Councilman Ken Herndon (D-4), spoke in support of R-087-26, describing Mitzi McCauley Wilson's long-standing dedication to the Beecher Terrace community since 1971 and her annual Beecher Terrace Weekend celebration.
- Carmen Washington, Legislative Assistant for Councilwoman Donna Purvis (D-5), spoke in support of R-088-26, highlighting Julio Rodriguez's activism in the Shawnee neighborhood and his role as the "Prince of Jewel Park."
- Committee Member Tammy Hawkins (D-1) expressed strong support for R-087-26, stating she had known Ms. McCauley Wilson for over 30 years and that the honor was overdue.
Discussion Items
- R-087-26 (Honorary Street Naming for Mitzi McCauley Wilson): The resolution proposed naming the corner of 12th Street and Jefferson Street as "Mitzi McCauley Wilson Way." A motion by Vice Chair Stuart Benson (R-20), seconded by Committee Member JP Lyninger (D-6), carried by voice vote. The resolution was sent to the Consent Calendar.
- R-088-26 (Honorary Street Naming for Julio Rodriguez): The resolution proposed naming the corner of Duncan Street and North 36th Street as "Julio Rodriguez Way." A motion by Committee Member Lyninger, seconded by Committee Member Dan Seum, Jr. (R-13), carried by voice vote. The resolution was sent to the Consent Calendar.
Key Outcomes
- Both resolutions (R-087-26 and R-088-26) were recommended for approval unanimously by voice vote and forwarded to the Metro Council Consent Calendar for final consideration on July 30, 2026.
- The meeting adjourned at 1:35 PM after approximately five minutes of deliberation.
Meeting Transcript
Here and around the world. We're so grateful to America 250 for helping us make that happen. Welcome to the Trust Funds wrap-up celebration and the final project, as you can see behind me, of the American Rescue Project. It is great to be with so many friends who are partners in the work to build more affordable housing so that more Louisville families have safe, quality, and affordable places to call home, the foundation for everything else that we expect in our lives. John Yarmouth said this is a crisis that we can't let go to waste. And is chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee. He was in a singular position to do something about it. Because a budget is the ultimate policy document. What is significant about this day is this is an example of how communities invested the money that was provided. The logic, the the humanity, all of the things that you would want to see a government do this project represents. So we're we're having an event for the love of cooking in conjunction with the PGA Tour Wives and Sunrise Children's Services. It's just a really good opportunity for us to get back to our community, bringing the girls out here, obviously the tour wives and the girls of sunrise, and uh they can work together, have a good time, and just really not worried about anything that's going on outside of here and just be able to enjoy time together. Food is amazing. We have a bunch of really great guest chefs uh from around the local community that have donated their time to come and spend it teaching our foster girls and the wives of the PJ Terror Wives Association how to make these amazing dishes. It looks like we're doing a little Italian today. So, yeah, they're gonna learn a little bit of chicken marsala. They're gonna learn how to make a chicken marsala um to do roasted potatoes with some herbs, uh panzanella salad, and a wee start in about 30 seconds. Barbara, how you doing? How you say I see the good afternoon. This is the Equity Community Affairs Housing, Health and Education Committee. And I'm the chair, Councilwoman Barbara Shankman. With me is my vice chair, Councilman Stuart Benson, Councilmember Tammy Hawkins here, Councilman JP Lynch is here, Councilman Dan is Sam is here. Sorry, there and then I'm not sure about uh Councilwoman McParker. She's probably gonna pop in. Uh no, she's gonna pop in any minute, probably. So we have two things on the agenda, so it's gonna be probably very quick. Uh okay, Cheryl, could you read the first one, please? Here item one resolution on Mitzi McCauley Wilson by naming the corner of 12th Street and Jefferson Street. It's Mitzu McCaulay Wilson Way in her honor. Ready in full? Thank you. Oh, she's already there. I am sure. Oh, she's okay. My name is Taylor Bass. I am the legislative aide to Councilman Ken Herndon. Uh Mitsa McColly Wilson was a resident of Beecher Terrace Apartments from 1971 and 1989 and has remained deeply committed committed to the Beach of Terrace community ever since. She continues to serve the neighborhood by hosting community gatherings, volunteering and organizing Beach of Terrace Weekend, which is held annually on the second weekend in August. This year's celebration will take place August 7th through the 9th and will feature a variety of family friendly entertainment in recognition of her long-standing dedication and impact. Councilman Herndon will like an honorary streak naming held in her honor at the corner of 12th and Jefferson. Thank you. I see uh councilwoman Merilyn Park was here also. Okay. Do anyone have any questions or concerns? You do Hawkins. Thank you for the four minutes. Sorry about that. Thank you. Um, first I want to say that um I've been knowing I'm sorry, this is Sonia Harwood, the clerk. I think you all are muted.
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