City of Milwaukee - File #: 260205

• File #: 260205
• Version: 1
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 6/2/2026
• In control: COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
• Final action: 6/23/2026
• Title: Substitute resolution relating to the use and allocation of Community Development Block Grant 2026 reprogramming funds.
• Sponsors: ALD. STAMPER
• Indexes: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, FEDERAL GRANTS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
6/26/2026	1	MAYOR	SIGNED
6/23/2026	1	COMMON COUNCIL	AMENDED; Minutes note: Ald. Stamper motion and move to amend Attachment A to Common Council File Number 260205 by: Removing $250,000 from Employ Milwaukee: Earn & Learn Inserting and funding the following programs: $50.000 Missing Piece $50,000 Community Agricultural Growing Experiences (CAGE) $20,000 Community Task Force MKE $20,000 True Skool $20,000 Sherman Park Community Association $20,000 Metcatfe Park Community Bridges (MPCB) $20,000 MERA Response Team $10,000 Simba Soccer $10,000 TAP Program $10,000 Journey House $10,000 Youth Council Summer Internship $10,000 Mentorship Program-Victory Over Violence This amendment modifies Attachment A to fund the programs as shown above. There is no net change to the total reallocation. There were no objection.	Pass	14:0
6/23/2026	1	COMMON COUNCIL	AMENDED; Minutes note: Ald. Stamper motion and move to amend Attachment A to Common Council File Number 260205 by: Removing $500,000 from Safe & Sound.	Pass	8:6
6/23/2026	1	COMMON COUNCIL	AMENDED; Minutes note: Ald. Burgelis moved to returned the file to committee later he withdrew the motion. The meeting recessed at 11:15 am. The meeting reconvened at 11:42 am. Ald. Chambers motion and move to amend Attachment A to Common Council File Number 260205 by: Insert $500,000 to Safe & Sound. The release of the funds is contingent upon adding the Missing Piece Collective as a Safe Summer site and adding Comforce MKE as a named partner. There were no objections.	Pass	14:0
6/23/2026	1	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Pass	14:0
6/10/2026	1	COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Appeared Mario Higgins (Director of Community Development) Director Mario Higgins explained that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) reprogramming process involves reconciling prior year awards and making those funds available again after closeout. A total of approximately $3 million was identified for allocation, representing one of the largest allocations in recent years. Chairman Stamper emphasized that the primary focus of these funds is to support youth services and collaboration between organizations this summer. The Youth Council Reserve was set aside by ordinance at $80,000, with RFPs due back by the 15th for various programs. Youth Employment and Training Programs: Romell Greer from Employ Milwaukee presented the Camp Rise program for 10-13 year-olds, operating June 22nd to August 7th at North Division. The program has a 300-participant capacity but received 650 applications this year. Cody from Employ Milwaukee discussed the Earn and Learn community work experience program for ages 14-24. The $250,000 award will support an additional 100 youth for the 2026 summer cycle. Tony Kearney and Ken Lowery from Northcott Neighborhood House presented on Milwaukee Builds and Safe Zones, receiving $300,000. Their construction training program has helped produce over 1,000 affordable housing units over 23 years. Rebirth Milwaukee, led by Shyreeta Lane, was awarded $45,000 for job training and construction pre-apprenticeship services, replicating the former Absolute Advantage model. Silver Spring Neighborhood Center received $100,000. Devin Hudson and Ashley Campbell explained their shift into green space and clean energy training, alongside traditional youth social development and basketball programs. The Center continues to provide food pantry services, healthy food access initiatives, and early childhood programming. Alderman Chambers spoke at the meeting to personally thank Silver Spring Neighborhood Center for its longstanding impact, mentioning he is a product of the Center’s programs. He highlighted their partnership, commitment to the Westmont Gardens, neighboring northwest side communities, and the city at large. Chambers called attention to the Center’s legacy in youth development, especially its Spartan AAU basketball program, which produced several professional athletes. He also expressed ongoing support for their leadership and encouraged further collaboration.Silver Spring Neighborhood Center can be contacted through their website (https://www.ssnc-milw.org/) or by visiting/calling the center in West Lawn for tours, orientations, or enrollment. Public Service and Safe Summer Sites: Appeared Karin Tyler (Director of the Department of Community Wellness and Safety) Appeared Aziz Abdullah (Co-Founder-Empower) Appeared David Muhammad (Department of Health and Human Services Milwaukee County) Appeared Bridget Whitaker (Executive Director of Safe and Sound) A $500,000 award was granted for Public Services Safe Summer Sites, a collaborative effort involving Safe and Sound, Milwaukee County, MPS,and Empower. Aziz Abdullah from Empower and David Muhammad from the County explained that 14 sites will operate from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM, Monday through Saturday, to fill the evening safety gap for youth. The initiative focuses on addressing safety, extending hours beyond current offerings (such as Twilight Centers), and ensuring a culturally relevant response with enrichment activities, employment, and resource connection The committee discussed filling the "August gap" when MPS Twilight Centers close on August 6th by activating other community locations. Alderman Chambers requested a formal commitment to include "Lock In MKE" and partners like Vaun Mayes (Calm Force) and Natalia Renteria (Missing Piece) as integral parts of the plan. Director Muhammad and the presenters agreed to formalize these specific community partners into the game plan before the full Council meeting. To contact Safe and Sound directly for program participation, partnership, or inquiries, you can reach out to Bridget Whitaker, Executive Director, or visit their official website at https://safesound.org/. For Safe Summer Sites collaboration, attendance at VR FAST (Violence Response Public Health and Safety Team) meetings and following the "Tap In MKE" platform are primary entry points for organizations wishing to get involved. Safe and Sound is also accessible through the City of Milwaukee website and is responsive to referrals from committee members and the collaborative network. Specialized Youth Innovation and Financial Services; Apperared Alderman Perez. He expressed strong support for all youth investment and innovative programming. Alderman Perez congratulated the committee and Director Higgins on navigating tough funding decisions and emphasized that allocating reprogramming dollars to youth services demonstrates a real commitment to Milwaukee's young people. He pointed out that, traditionally, initiatives like Black Male Achievement received annual CDBG support, and now the Advisory Council is broadening those opportunities to smaller, innovative agencies. Riverworks Development Corporation, represented by Darrell Johnson, was awarded $250,000 for the Financial Empowerment Center, providing free counseling and legacy planning for city residents. The Emerging Youth Advisory Council received $200,000 to fund innovative, smaller organizations. Lavell Mabato from Biker Fest MKE explained their Smartech (STEAM) and Sliders (racing) programs, which teach kids aged 7-16 to build and race motorcycles. They plan to double their capacity from 8 to 16 kids. Bill Nimke from All Hands Boat Works shared that their funding will enable participation for 60 or more additional youth in boat-building trades. Alderman Perez also said the Center and similar organizations exemplify efforts to reach under served youth and that investing in data collection, STEM, trades, and civic engagement prepares young people for leadership and productive futures. He invited all to participate in upcoming summer events, particularly those kicking off youth programs.	Pass	5:0
6/2/2026	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

260205

Version

ORIGINAL

Reference

Sponsor

ALD STAMPER

Title

Substitute resolution relating to the use and allocation of Community Development Block Grant 2026 reprogramming funds.

Analysis

Body

Whereas, The amount of Community Development Block Grant funds available for reprogramming is $3,000,000; and

Whereas, The organizations requesting reprogramming funds are listed in Attachment A; now therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that reprogramming awards are approved for the organizations in Attachment A; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Community Development Grants Administration is responsible for awarding a subrecipient contract for these approved activities; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the subrecipient organizations shall submit budget and activity reports in amounts and according to any conditions approved by the Common Council and in accordance with File Number 74-92-5v, to the Community Development Grants Administration and the City Comptroller for review and approval; and, be it

Further Resolved, That payments for CDBG cost incurred shall be paid in accordance with approved CDBG reimbursement policy based on the approval by the Community Development Grants Administration and the City Comptroller; and, be it

Further Resolved, That except as modified by this resolution, the guidelines for handling the Community Development Block Grant Program set forth in Common council File Number 74-92-5v are fully applicable to the 2026 Community Development Entitlement Funding Program.

Requestor

Drafter

2026-REPRO-CDBG

Mario Higgins

06/03/26