CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND STREETS

200 E. Wells Street City of Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 Meeting Minutes CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND STREETS John Gurda - Chair Carl Baehr, Clayborn Benson III, Carrie Fix, Reuben K. Harpole, John McGivern, Matthew O'Neill Staff Assistant: Linda Elmer, 286-2231 Fax: 286-3456, lelmer@milwaukee.gov Legislative Liaison: Aaron Cadle, 286-8666, acadle@milwaukee.gov: Thursday, November 15, 2018 9:00 AM City Hall, Room 303 Meeting convened: 9:00 A.M. Members present: John Gurda, Reuben Harpole, John McGivern, Carrie Fix, Carl Baehr and Clayton Benson (arrived during item #3 at 9:29 A.M.) Members welcomed new member Carl Baehr to his first meeting. 1. 180603 Resolution assigning the honorary street name "Rev. Willie D. Wanzo, Sr." to West Burleigh Street from North 13th Street to North 14th Street in the 6th Aldermanic District. Sponsors: THE CHAIR Shirley Robinson, Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, said Pastor Wanzo set up a food pantry, set up the 14th Street block club, opened the doors of the church for the homeless with the American Red Cross and he has helped numerous community leaders and organizations. He was a minister for 40 years. The church will continue the mission of the community with its 550 plus members. Mr. Harpole knew Pastor Wanzo's wife started a reading center in the basement of the church and it's a great church. Pastor Wanzo died in 2012. Mr. Yance Marti, Dept. of Public Work, said the application has met all criteria and three signs will be required. Mr. Harpole moved, seconded by Mr. McGivern, for approval. There were no objections. 2. 180575 Resolution assigning the honorary street name "Kevin Pittman Way" to North 36th Street from West Hampton Avenue to West Ruby Avenue in the 1st Aldermanic District. Sponsors: THE CHAIR Ms. Kenya Robertson said Mr. Pittman grew up in that neighborhood since the age of 1 or 2. A couple of months after he turned 21 he came down with a rare childhood cancer and during his fight he still wanted to go to school. He passed away a couple of years after his diagnosis and he helped other youth in the neighborhood who may not have had food or clothes. Ms. Robertson's contribution on behalf of him is to create scholarships for students who want to focus on oncology and she would also City of Milwaukee Page 1 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON Meeting Minutes November 15, 2018 THE NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND STREETS continue support of youth in the neighborhood. He always talked to friends he went to school with and neighbors about peace and elevating yourself in life. As a kid, he took food out of the house and fed the neighborhood and also provided clothing to those who didn't have them by sneaking them out of the house to them. At the end of his life, he was a driving force for education for himself and others. He always tried to push his friends to get more education and Ms. Robertson is continuing that. Mr. Pittman passed away two years ago. The family is still raising money for a scholarship - they're currently at $1,0000. She wants to connect with the youth at the local high schools and encourage students to go into healthcare. She would like to coordinate the essay contest winner with the block party, which is anticipated to be an annual event. A walk was also led in Kevin's memory for St. Jude's as well as a local St. Jude's walk in his memory. Gloria Robertson is Kenya's aunt and here to support her and is the great aunt of Kevin Pittman. There's a lot of people in that area who need help and Ms. Kenya Robertson paid for a block party in the neighborhood out of her own pocket. Mr. Yance Marti, Dept. of Public Work, said the application has met all criteria set by code. There would be 5 signs and the signs would read "Kevin Pittman", rather than "Kevin Pittman Way" as city policy prohibits adding "Way". Mr. Harpole moved, seconded by Ms. Fix, for approval. There were no objections. 3. 180769 Resolution assigning the honorary street name "Mae Elizabeth Dey" to West Virginia Street from South 6th Street to South 9th Street in the 12th Aldermanic District. Sponsors: THE CHAIR Ms. Fix recused herself from the committee for this item. Mr. Rob Gardnier, president of M.E. Dey & Company, Inc., said that Mae Elizabeth Dey took over the business in 1907 and was granted license #1 by the Collector of Customs and when she incorporated she got license #5. She played in an orchestra and she liked Chinese artifacts. She hired Mr. Gardnier's grandfather in 1923 and this is the 111th year of operations and he is working on getting the 5th generation to take over operations. For the company, being international, it would make sense to move out of state, but he loves the city. The company's chief focus is on educating people who want to get into the business and also create partnerships. Ms. Fix was very impressed that a woman founded this company and really fought through wars, the depression and created a dynasty for the city. The company has 55 employees. The industry is still male-domininated. The honary naming is really about Mae Elizabeth Day, not the company itself. Mr. Gurda has concerns about a member making a nomination. Yance Marti, Dept. of Public Works, said the application meets the criteria set by code and two signs would be required. Mr. Harpole moved, seconded by Mr. McGivern, to bring this matter before the committee. There were no objections with Mr. Gurda abstaining. City of Milwaukee Page 2 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON Meeting Minutes November 15, 2018 THE NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND STREETS Meeting adjourned: 9:37 A.M. Linda M. Elmer Staff Assistant City of Milwaukee Page 3