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| | | | Meeting Convened at 9:31 am | | | |
Roll call
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251256
| 0 | 1. | Resolution | Substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name Carl E. Hunt to North 47th Street between West Burleigh Street and West Roosevelt Drive in the 7th Aldermanic District.
Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW)
Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW)
This Item was reconsider at the end of the meeting due to the applicant was running late.
Appeared Cara Hunt (daughter of Carl Hunt) and Carl E. Hunt
Carl Hunt served as a Milwaukee firefighter for 13 years before being injured on duty, after which he became an educator at UWM and Concordia and a successful volleyball coach at Rufus King High School.
Character: Both his daughter and community members spoke to his humility, consistent support for youth and neighbors, and deep sense of responsibility to the community. Committee members noted that Hunt also regularly shoveled snow for other residents, seen as a hallmark of a good neighbor.
Academic Achievement & Uplift: Hunt was the first in his family to earn a second degree. At UWM, he initiated tutoring programs for first-year minority students, helping many achieve success. He became an educator at UWM and Concordia, praised by the academic dean and department heads for his ability to reach and inspire students who struggled elsewhere.
Teaching & Mentorship: After leaving UWM in 2015, Hunt worked as a substitute teacher, particularly excelling with difficult or high-need students. Principals and colleagues valued his rapport and classroom management, with students showing improved behavior and outcomes.
He also supported troubled youth, many of whom went on to better lives, including becoming artists and professionals.
The committee ultimately approved the honorary street naming for the full requested stretch despite some debate about block limits, affirming Hunt's positive and broad impact on youth, education, and the local community.
| RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED | Pass | 5:0 |
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251255
| 0 | 2. | Resolution | Substitute resolution denying the honorary street name F. M. Eason to North Palmer Street from West Townsend Street to West Concordia Avenue in the 7th Aldermanic District.
Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW)
Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW)
Applicant did not appeared and email was send. Applicant in Arkansan problems with connections rural area.
The committee reviewed an application to honor F.M. Easton. Mr. Brey and Mr. Bekele confirmed that the
application met the ordinance requirements and would involve two signs.
Chair Mr. Benson expressed reservations, stating that the application did not show extraordinary community contributions beyond being a good neighbor.
Member Linda Elmer shared Benson's concerns, arguing that the standard for street naming should involve service to the larger community rather than just a single block.
Member Oneill supported the nomination, highlighting Easton’s role as a "Good Samaritan" who cared for neighborhood children and opened her home to those in need but after hearing Linda's remarks about the standards for the committed he aggress with Linda on the non approval of the application.
Chair Benson made a motion for non approval, Mr. Oneill second the motion to do not recommend approval.
The committee ultimately voted against recommending approval for this resolution. | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION | Fail | 1:3 |
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251255
| 0 | | Resolution | Substitute resolution denying the honorary street name F. M. Eason to North Palmer Street from West Townsend Street to West Concordia Avenue in the 7th Aldermanic District.
Minutes note: Committee recommended denial, referred to public works. | REFERRED TO | Pass | 3:1 |
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251556
| 0 | 3. | Resolution | Substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name José A. Olivieri to South 9th Street between West Mineral Street and West Washington Street in the 12th Aldermanic District.
Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW)
Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW)
Appeared Beth Ann Heyrman - spoke in support of naming South Ninth Street, from West Mineral Street to West Washington Street, after Jose Olivieri.
Olivieri served the United Community Center (UCC) for 40 years, including 20 years as chairman, and was involved in many Boards and Foundation to mention some they are Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, the Milwaukee Art Museum, United Way of Grater Milwaukee, Lutheran Social Services, Froedtert Help, the Milwaukee Urban League, Latino Arts, La Casa de la Esperanza etc.
He had a distinguished career in labor and immigration law at Michael Best & Friedrich and served as a regent for the university system.
Members of the committee and the public praised Olivieri as an outstanding human being and a dedicated mentor who helped others find their voice.
Appeared Barbara Velez - spoke in support.
Member O'Neil made a motion to approved, Chair Benson second the motion recommend approval.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the nomination.
| RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED | Pass | 5:0 |
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251688
| 0 | 4. | Resolution | Substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name Shirley Smith to North 111th Street from West Green Tree Road to West Daphne Street in the 5th Aldermanic District.
Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW)
Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW)
Appeared Greg Banks
Smith was described as the "matriarch" of her subdivision and a tireless neighborhood watch leader who looked out for suspicious vehicles and packages.
She was known for her care and compassion, bringing flowers to neighbors experiencing loss, celebrating their achievements, and openly communicating concerns when something was a miss.
Smith served for years as the president of her neighborhood association and the architectural review committee. Neighbors emphasized that the scope of her service was so broad that it would take ten people to replace her.
She was described as a model community member: tireless, fearless, relentless, and universally respected.
Shirley was a devoted member and secretary of St. Mark AME Church, where she also organized a satellite food pantry (via Interchange), feeding 400 families each month.
Her outreach extended to donating pantry surpluses to nearby schools, and she was recognized for her extensive involvement at church, serving elders, overseeing multiple congregational initiatives, and supporting several elected officials.
Her efforts led to the support and appreciation of both her neighborhood and her wider church family, with many people describing her as simply irreplaceable.
When she passed away in September of the previous year, the neighborhood and church community hosted large memorials, and her daughter’s letter of support was included in the file.
Chrislyn Frederick Stanley and Eva Roberson highlighted Smith’s work at St. Mark AME Church, where she organized a food pantry serving approximately 400 families per month.
Mr. Bekele noted that the "Boulevard" designation in the application would be removed to comply with ordinances regarding honorary names.
Committee members and attendees all agreed that Shirley Smith epitomized the spirit of community service and neighborhood leadership, and her application was supported by at least 13 letters attesting to her extensive impact.
Member O'Neil made a motion to approved, Chair Benson second the motion recommend approval.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the nomination.
| RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED | Pass | 5:0 |
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251689
| 0 | 5. | Resolution | Substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name Mary L. McCormick to North Prospect Avenue from East State Street to East Mason Street in the 4th Aldermanic District.
Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW)
Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW)
Appeared Barbara Velez (from the Rotary Club of Milwaukee)
She is set to retire after 25 years as Executive Director of the Rotary Club, a period marked by substantial leadership and community impact:
Under her tenure, McCormick led fundraising and realization of major civic projects such as the Rotary Amphitheater at Discovery World, the Live at the Lake Front concert series, the renovation of Brown Street Academy and Johnson's Park Playground, and the creation of the Rotary Centennial Arboretum, which involved raising over $400,000.
The Rotary Club, under her direction, also funded Milwaukee Urban Stables and launched the RCM Scholarship Program offering full four-year scholarships and mentorship's to first-generation college students, with 50 graduates and 27 ongoing scholars at the time of the meeting.
Beyond Rotary, McCormick's civic service included work with Friends of Shorewood Nature Preserve, the Guest House of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Children’s Village, and Milwaukee Women Inc. She served as board chair for Well Point (formerly Saint A’s), and was named Mentor of the Year by Tempo.
She also served on boards of Saint Robert School and the Shorewood Foundation, with her leadership recognized citywide as a model for making a lasting difference in the community fabric.
DPW clarified that the designation "Way" would be removed from the sign to leave only the name Mary Ellen McCormick.
Member O'Neil made a motion to approved, Member Elmer second the motion recommend approval.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the nomination. | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED | Pass | 5:0 |
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252149
| 0 | 6. | Resolution | Substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name Mrs. Cherrye J. Trotman to West Roosevelt Drive from North 20th Street to North Teutonia Avenue in the 1st Aldermanic District.
Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW)
Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW)
Appeared Enid Trotman-(daughter of Cherrye Trotman)
Cherrye Trotman was an educator in Milwaukee Public Schools from 1963 until her retirement in 1994, and she continued volunteering in schools after retiring, often being mistaken by students for a staff member because of her daily involvement.
She founded the Martin Luther King Club after Dr. King’s assassination to promote racial unity in the community. The club regularly participated in multiple city parades (Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July, Juneteenth), and helped guide many youth in the city, some of whom went on to become community leaders, professionals, and public servants.
Ms. Trotman’s involvement extended beyond education: she was active in the NAACP, business women’s groups, Top Ladies of Distinction, Church Women United, and Links Incorporated. She was a long-time Girl Scout leader and board member, receiving national recognition such as the Girl Scouts’ "Thank You" award for her decades of service.
Ms. Trotman was also a founder and leader of the Roosevelt Area Action Group for neighborhood beautification and safety, and continually supported schoolchildren with food, clothing, and resources often quietly and without recognition.
She was personally acquainted with civil rights leaders, having formed a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King during her time in Alabama. Dr. King and Rosa Parks both visited her family’s home on Roosevelt Drive.
Appeared Sheila Parrish and Deidra Edwards in support.
Residents Gail O'Neil and David Mays initially expressed opposition due to fears that the honorary naming would legally change their home addresses, requiring new passports and licenses.
Committee members clarified that the naming is strictly honorary and involves a blue sign attached to the existing street sign with no impact on postal addresses or voter registration.
Ms. Trotman also received the Milwaukee Common Council’s Living Legacy Award in 2017 and was remembered for her generosity and tireless support of youth, neighbors, and social justice causes.
Chair Benson made a motion to approved, Member O'Neil second the motion recommend approval.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the nomination. | RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED | Pass | 5:0 |
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| | | | Meeting Adjourned at 10:49 am
Carmen Roman
Staff Assistant | | | |
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