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Meeting Name: STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 2/16/2026 1:30 PM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: Room 301-B, Third Floor, City Hall
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video: eComment: Not available  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultTallyAction DetailsVideo
250798 11.OrdinanceA substitute ordinance creating a department of compliance and engagement.HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIRPass7:0 Action details Video Video
251428 12.ResolutionSubstitute resolution relating to collaboration between Port Milwaukee, the Department of City Development, the Innovation Office and the City Clerk.

Minutes note: Sam Leichtling (DCD) and Benjamin Timm (Port Director) were present.
RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass7:0 Action details Video Video
251349 03.AppointmentAppointment of Tracey Sparrow to the Charter School Review Committee by the Mayor. (3rd Aldermanic District)

Minutes note: Mrs. Sparrow was not present.
RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATIONPass7:0 Action details Video Video
251584 04.AppointmentAppointment of Taiyani N Davis to the Charter School Review Committee by the Common Council President.

Minutes note: Ms. Davis was present.
RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATIONPass7:0 Action details Video Video
251040 05.CommunicationCommunication from the Charter School Review Committee transmitting the findings of the Annual Report for 2024-2025.

Minutes note: Dr. Aza Baylor presented the Charter School Monitoring Report 2024-2025 which has been added to the file. Also present: Crystal Bielmeier- Milwaukee Math and Science Academy Kim Copeland and Joey Zocher- Escuela Verde Dr. Precious Smith- Darrell Lynn Hines Academy Anthony McHenry- Milwaukee Academy of Science Mary Widman- Downtown Montessori There was a request from the members to include the lead water and paint results for each school on the next report. There was also a discussion about the governance systems in place on each school. Ald. Brower announced that he will introduce a communication file for this matter.
RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILEPass7:0 Action details Video Video
251393 16.MotionSubstitute motion approving renewal of a charter school contract with Escuela Verde for an additional 5-year term.

Minutes note: Joey Zocher and Kim Copeland were present along with staff members Edlund, Maxson, Schultz and Weber. Responding to Ald. Brower's question, Ms. Zocher said that when Escuela Verde was first formed, they met with MTA to be part of the union and that they were declined. She added that they follow what they do, that they up bridged the salaries and they are not opposed to unions. Mr. Edlund said that he is a senior adviser and that he has been focusing on opening doors and opportunities for pro-union labor, that they have been partnering with Big Step and that he is going to integrate firefighting and police options in the curriculum. He added that he also works closely with families to complete FAFSA and any other financial aid for post-secondary progress for the students. Mr. Schultz said that this is his third year at Escuela Verde after completing college, that he was nervous with the idea of working for a charter school at the beginning but that he has found that he is valued as an educator. He added that he has family members who work for MPS and they do not feel that they have a seat at the table. He also said that they are cultivating a community of great humans which is important when it comes to school. Ms. Weber said that Escuela Verde is within the 25% range of special education, that the students in her caseload come from a much more restrictive placement from MPS and they are fully included now because they have the freedom and flexibility to provide the services with their peers. Mr. Maxson said that he has been an educator for 33 years with experience in rural, suburban and urban schools and that this model combines a lot of the things of a democratic education. He said that he returned to work after retiring from public education for what the school is doing. Ms. Copeland said that the students at Escuela Verde find the opportunities they need.
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVALPass7:0 Action details Video Video
251394 17.MotionSubstitute motion approving renewal of a charter school contract with Milwaukee Math and Science Academy for an additional 5-year term.

Minutes note: Ashley Ellis, Crystal Bielmeir and Ali Yilmaz were present. Ms. Bielmeir said that 12-15% of the students are learning the language and 15-25% are students with special needs. She added that the more students are enrolled, there are more needs and that they do what they can, with the money that they receive. She said that according to the presentation, the students are not at the desired level yet but achieving and that students have to show a high growth year after year. She also said that the state report card indicates that students are growing at a faster rate than others with same demographics. She explained that the curriculum they use, helps the students to feel confident about themselves, they take more chances academically and it's when they just take off. Dr. Ali said that 10-12% of the charter schools nationwide are unionized, that this school is very democratic because it is a choice for students and teachers. He added that they have 15 licensed teachers, 1 is under the licensing program and 4 about to get started.
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVALPass7:0 Action details Video Video
     2:00 PM    Not available
251755 08.CommunicationCommunication from the Office of the City Attorney relating to a status update on the Collins settlement.

Minutes note: City Attorney Goeke was present along with some team members of 21st Century Policing Solutions (21CP): Ronald L. Davis, Partner Hassan Aden, Senior Advisor Tim Mygatt, Senior Consultant Eve Gushes, Consultant Teresa Towey, Director of Operations At 3:00 PM Ald. Bauman moved to go into closed session. There were no objections. (Ald. Stamper and Ald. Dimitrijevic were excused) At 3:30 PM Ald. Zamarripa was excused and Ald. Stamper joined the meeting.
RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILEPass5:0 Action details Video Video
     The Steering and Rules Committee may convene into closed session on February 16 at 2:00 p.m., in Room 301-B, City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(d) and (g), Wis. Stats., for the purpose of considering strategies for crime detection and prevention, and conferring with the City Attorney who will render oral or written advice with respect to litigation in which the city is or is likely to become involved, and then may go into open session for the regular agenda.    Not available
     Files to be Placed on File as no longer needed:    Not available
241866 09.CommunicationCommunication from the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, the Office of the City Attorney, the Department of Neighborhood Services, and the Milwaukee Police Department on the Housing Authority’s “Milwaukee Recovery Plan.RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILEPass5:0 Action details Not available