Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee Meeting – November 12, 2025

The Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee convened on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, to review four board bills concerning speed hump installations, a one-way street designation, and a street renaming, alongside approving previous meeting minutes. The committee achieved a quorum with five members present: Chair Browning, Vice Chair Sweitzer, Aldermen Devoty and Clark-Hubbard, and Alderwoman Cox Antwi. Alderwoman Boyd was initially absent but joined electronically during roll call.

Consent Calendar

• The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the preceding meeting held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to provide testimony for any agenda items. All discussions were conducted solely between committee members and the bill sponsors.

Discussion Items

• Board Bill 79 (Speed Humps): Alderman Devoty introduced a consensus bill to consolidate the installation of five speed humps across the Hill, North Hampton, and Southampton neighborhoods. Following a brief delay to distribute a printed amendment, the committee adopted Amendment 1 to add subsections four and five to the bill's first section, allowing for multiple installations within a single legislative vehicle. Alderman Devoty stated that a petition process requiring "plus 1 of parcel owners" had been complied with for the areas in question.
• Board Bill 86 (Speed Hump): Alderwoman Cox Antwi presented a request to install a speed hump on Victor Avenue in the 8th Ward. She described a process involving a petition collected from residents that met the necessary threshold to initiate the project. Alderman Devoty and Alderwoman Boyd noted they had no questions regarding the process.
• Board Bill 97 (Kimberly's Way): Alderwoman Clark-Hubbard presented a resolution to rename a designated stretch of Deer Street (from Deer Street at Martin Luther King Boulevard) to "Kimberly's Way" in honor of Kim Kerkery, a local entrepreneur and community organizer. Alderwoman Clark-Hubbard shared a personal narrative of meeting Kerkery 30 years ago and highlighted Kerkery's legacy as a salon owner, union-style organizer of liquor store owners, and philanthropist. The committee member expressed full support for honoring Kerkery's legacy and permanent contribution to the city.
• Board Bill 96 (Marine Avenue One-Way Change): Alderwoman Cox Antwi proposed changing the direction of traffic on the 3600 block of Marine Avenue from northbound to southbound to alleviate congestion caused by early school drop-offs at a nearby school. She stated that the neighborhood association collected signatures from residents, and the bill is supported by "65% of the residents located on Marine Avenue." Alderman Devoty expressed concern regarding safety and asked if traffic guards would be present; Alderwoman Cox Antwi confirmed that KIPP already employs school safety guards and that signage would be added to clarify the direction change.

Key Outcomes

• Board Bill 79: Adopted Amendment 1 with a unanimous vote (5-0) to consolidate speed hump installations. Subsequently passed out of committee with a "due pass recommendation" via voice vote (no objection to previous question).
• Board Bill 86: Passed out of committee with a "due pass recommendation" with a 5-0 vote (Ayer Boy, Clark-Hubbard Aye, Sweitzer Aye, Devoty Aye, Cox Antwi Aye).
• Board Bill 97: Passed out of committee with a "due pass recommendation" with a 5-0 vote. Alderwoman Hubbard noted the historical context of the salon's location crossing from the 18th ward to the 10th ward.
• Board Bill 96: Passed out of committee with a "due pass recommendation" with a 5-0 vote (no objection to previous question).
• Adjournment: The committee adjourned with no resolutions, written testimony, or additional committee discussions scheduled.