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Record of Proceedings

Milwaukee Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting April 9, 2026

Common Council — Thursday, April 9, 2026
BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateThursday, April 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:52:19

Original source
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1:58

Good afternoon, everyone.

2:01

Welcome to the community and economic development committee.

2:04

I'm the chairman Alderman Russell Stanford II.

2:07

To my right is the vice chair, Alder Woman Marina Demetrievich.

2:11

To her right is Alderman Mark Chambers, and to my left is our trusted staff assistant, Miss Carmen.

2:18

And to her left is Order Woman Charlotte Moore.

2:21

And to her left is Alderman DeAndre Jackson.

2:26

And to his left is Alder Woman Andrea Pratt.

2:30

And to Alderman Chambers' right is Alder Woman Joe Costa Zamaripo.

2:37

So we're gonna get started with number one.

2:38

Thank you for joining us today.

2:40

We do have an extensive lineup, and I'm looking forward to some great discussion.

2:45

So with that, we'll get started.

2:47

Two five one zero six nine appointment of Michael B.

2:51

Henrens to the business improvement district number four, Mr.

2:54

Michael B.

2:55

Henry.

2:57

Are you available?

3:00

I am available over the camera.

3:02

Yeah, Mike, I don't feel like I said your last name properly.

3:05

Would you say a few?

3:06

Uh Barons.

3:08

Barons, all right.

3:09

Thank you for your willingness to serve.

3:11

Please let us know why you would like to be on this board.

3:15

Uh business improvement number four.

3:18

This is an opportunity for me to help the city.

3:21

I very much love doing that in any capacity.

3:24

And this falls right in line with my line of practice.

3:26

I'm a business attorney.

3:28

So wherever I can help out and do some uh call it pro bono.

3:32

This is a perfect opportunity for not myself, but also for the city.

3:37

So just wanting to help.

3:39

Excellent.

3:39

Happy to have you.

3:40

Let me see if we have any questions by the committee.

3:42

Would anybody else to uh like to ask any questions?

3:46

Harry None, older woman Dmitrievich moves for your confirmation.

3:49

Hearing no objections, so order.

3:51

Thank you, man.

3:52

Have a good day.

3:53

Thank you.

3:54

All right, number two, two five one one three appointment of Mary Reed to serve as the director of the Department of Compliance and Engagement by the mayor.

4:04

Miss Reed, welcome to C D.

4:06

I see you're joined by Miss Amber.

4:09

You guys have the floor.

4:10

All right, good afternoon.

4:12

Good afternoon.

4:13

Yes, Mary Reed here.

4:14

I am the interim uh director of the Department of Compliance and Engagement, the newly created Department of Compliance and Engagement.

4:23

Thank you, uh, Chair, and I appreciate uh all of your time and attention this afternoon.

4:29

All right.

4:30

This is an appointment for you, right?

4:34

I don't.

4:34

I was good afternoon, everyone, Mr.

4:36

Chair.

4:37

Thank you.

4:37

Uh Amber Daniels, Council liaison for Mayor Johnson.

4:40

I'm just here to uh introduce Mary.

4:41

We're really excited to put her before you all today.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████████████35%
Youth Programs███████████████████19%
Procedural██████████████14%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Racial Equity█████████9%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Public Health██2%
Public Housing██2%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Milwaukee Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting

Date: April 9, 2026 | Time: 1:36 PM – 3:26 PM

The Community and Economic Development Committee of the City of Milwaukee, chaired by Alderman Russell W. Stamper II, convened on April 9, 2026 to consider 15 agenda items including appointments, resolutions, and ordinances. The committee took action on grocery and pharmacy access, youth program partnerships, arts funding, and community events, among other items. All five members were present at the start; Alderman Mark Chambers Jr. was excused for items 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

Consent Calendar (Appointments & Reappointments)

  • 252069 – Appointment of Michael Behrens to Business Improvement District #4: Recommended for confirmation (5-0).
  • 252113 – Appointment of Mary Reed as Director of the Department of Compliance and Engagement: Recommended for confirmation (5-0). Reed discussed her background, the transition from the Office of Equity and Inclusion to a department, and her commitment to autonomy, transparency, and balancing federal guidelines with equity work.
  • 252070 – Reappointment of Thomas Irgens to Business Improvement District #21: Recommended for confirmation (5-0).
  • 252071 – Reappointment of Josh Weber to Business Improvement District #51: Recommended for confirmation (5-0). Weber noted this would be his final term due to term limits.

Resolutions Recommended for Adoption

  • 252112 – Partnership with Milwaukee Succeeds: The resolution authorizes collaboration between the City and Milwaukee Succeeds to improve coordination with youth-serving organizations. It includes an 18-month "City Accelerator" program with peer cities and Results for America to improve data capacity. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • 252054 – Wisconsin Arts Board 2026 Regranting Program Grant: Accepts and expends a grant supporting local arts nonprofits. In 2025, 47 grants totaling $276,600 were awarded; approximately 61 applicants are expected this year. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • 252096 – Reallocation of up to $1,000 from the MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit to the 2026 Girls’ Day at City Hall event: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • 251707 – Strategies for retention and attraction of full-service grocery stores and pharmacies: Directs the Department of City Development (DCD) and Health Department to report back within 60 days. The lead sponsor, Ald. Coggs, emphasized the need to address food deserts and pharmacy access. Community members from the Food Justice Collective testified, highlighting their work on policy, mutual aid, and cooperative grocery models. Recommended for adoption (4-0, Chambers Jr. excused).
  • 252087 – Designating April 26 to May 2, 2026 as Youth Victory Over Violence Week: Sponsored by Ald. Taylor and community activist Tracey Dent, the resolution aims to expand youth violence prevention programming. Over 1,300 students have participated over the past four years. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • 252104 – Rescinding an official city event resolution (Cesar Chavez Day): Recommended for adoption (4-0, Chambers Jr. excused).
  • 252107 – Allocating up to $11,000 from the MKE Community Excellence Fund for official city events (replaces former Cesar Chavez Day event): Funds three events: Me Milwaukee, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Leaders Igniting Transformation. Recommended for adoption (4-0, Chambers Jr. excused).
  • 252110 – Expenditure of funds from the Grocery Store Retention Fund: Allocates $2.8 million (including $1.8 million found by Ald. Jackson) for healthy food access initiatives, administered through the City Clerk’s office. Recommended for adoption (4-0, Chambers Jr. excused).

Ordinance Held

  • 252102 – Ordinance on residential preference program requirements for construction contracts: Held to call of the chair for further discussion (4-0, Chambers Jr. excused).

Communication Placed on File

  • 251900 – DOA Community Development Grants Administration fund balance update: Placed on file after discussion of available funds, including the Large Impact Development Fund ($1 million), Housing Trust Fund ($1 million), and Neighborhood Improvement Project reprogramming. (4-0, Chambers Jr. excused).

Key Outcomes

  • Appointments confirmed: Michael Behrens (BID #4), Mary Reed (Dept. of Compliance and Engagement), Thomas Irgens (BID #21), Josh Weber (BID #51) – all by 5-0 votes.
  • Grocery/pharmacy initiatives advanced: Three resolutions passed (items 8, 12, 13) directing DCD and Health Department to develop strategies, allocating $1 million from the Large Impact Development Fund for grocery/pharmacy grants (up to $50,000 each), and dedicating $2.8 million from the Grocery Store Retention Fund for community-led healthy food access programs.
  • Youth partnerships approved: A partnership with Milwaukee Succeeds was authorized, and Youth Victory Over Violence Week was designated for April 26–May 2, 2026.
  • Community event funding redirected: The Cesar Chavez Day event was rescinded; $11,000 reallocated to three other community events.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the community and economic development committee. I'm the chairman Alderman Russell Stanford II. To my right is the vice chair, Alder Woman Marina Demetrievich. To her right is Alderman Mark Chambers, and to my left is our trusted staff assistant, Miss Carmen. And to her left is Order Woman Charlotte Moore. And to her left is Alderman DeAndre Jackson. And to his left is Alder Woman Andrea Pratt. And to Alderman Chambers' right is Alder Woman Joe Costa Zamaripo. So we're gonna get started with number one. Thank you for joining us today. We do have an extensive lineup, and I'm looking forward to some great discussion. So with that, we'll get started. Two five one zero six nine appointment of Michael B. Henrens to the business improvement district number four, Mr. Michael B. Henry. Are you available? I am available over the camera. Yeah, Mike, I don't feel like I said your last name properly. Would you say a few? Uh Barons. Barons, all right. Thank you for your willingness to serve. Please let us know why you would like to be on this board. Uh business improvement number four. This is an opportunity for me to help the city. I very much love doing that in any capacity. And this falls right in line with my line of practice. I'm a business attorney. So wherever I can help out and do some uh call it pro bono. This is a perfect opportunity for not myself, but also for the city. So just wanting to help. Excellent. Happy to have you. Let me see if we have any questions by the committee. Would anybody else to uh like to ask any questions? Harry None, older woman Dmitrievich moves for your confirmation. Hearing no objections, so order. Thank you, man. Have a good day. Thank you. All right, number two, two five one one three appointment of Mary Reed to serve as the director of the Department of Compliance and Engagement by the mayor. Miss Reed, welcome to C D. I see you're joined by Miss Amber. You guys have the floor. All right, good afternoon. Good afternoon. Yes, Mary Reed here. I am the interim uh director of the Department of Compliance and Engagement, the newly created Department of Compliance and Engagement.

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