Business Improvement District Board #5 (westown Area) - Regular Meeting

On the big board, we have Alderman Chambers and Alderman Dimitriovich. We're gonna get started along with my trusted staff staff assistant, miss Carmen. We're gonna get started with number 1251711. This is a reappointment of Annette Adams to the business improvement district. Number one by the mayor in the 4th Automatic District. Miss Adams, are you present?

I am. Pleased to be.

Oh, awesome. How are you this afternoon?

I'm good. How are you?

I'm well. Thanks for asking. This is a reappointment for you done in the fourth automatic addition bid number 21. Please let us know why you would like to continue to serve.

It has been an honor for me to have a role with the bid twenty one under Matt Dorner's leadership. I look forward to continuing to further the vision, the purpose, the mission of the organization and really continue to showcase Milwaukee as a wonderful community and a place we want to continue to thrive and invite others to join us.

Excellent. Any big plans for 2026?

I think we've got a lot on the docket, you know, continuing to make sure that we are welcoming all of our visitors that come into Downtown Milwaukee. Make sure that we continue to showcase the more safe, friendly environment through the various community events that we have planned, the different engagements and the work that we're doing with our community partners.

Also, Ms. Adams, let me check with the committee. Committee members, do we have any questions for Ms. Adams?

No. Thank you so much for your service.

Awesome. Matt, I see you on the board. Thank you for your support. Did you wanna comment on miss Adams since you are in attendance today?

Yeah. And and thank you committee members. Excuse me. Just wanna say thank you to Annette for your leadership and MGIC's incredible investment and partnership in Downtown Milwaukee. During my transition into a leadership role at the bid, Annette and I saw Patty join as well, have been incredibly helpful and supportive through that transition.

Very grateful for that continued support on the board.

Excellent. Excellent. Thank you, Matt. And with that, orderwoman Moore moves for your Hearing no objections are ordered. Have a great day, miss Adams.

Great. Thank you so much.

Alright. Number 225-1712, reappointment of Patricia Keatling Khan to the business improvement edition number 21 by the mayor also in the 4th Automatic District. Miss Khan, are you available?

I am.

How are you today?

I'm great. How are you?

I'm wonderful. Thanks for attending. Let us know why you would like to continue to serve.

Well, I think the downtown bid has makes a huge impact on our community. It keeps our downtown vital, refreshed, exciting, always something new thing. And it's important that we get the community's voice for what our activities are. Matt Doerner has become a real powerhouse in Milwaukee for this done. And we are always doing something important to make Milwaukee a a great city.

Excellent. Anything you're looking forward to this year regarding the Yeah.

There are always good things. One of the things that really I love hearing about is the report every time we meet about homelessness and what it's been doing to alleviate homelessness in the city. And we have, you know, we actually fund a homelessness coordinator who take care of the people in a really humane way, make sure they have housing and so on. It's an amazing service, and I loved watching that and with making that, you know, part of our community.

Oh, that's excellent. I didn't know that. Is there a a program that you guys are following, or are they just hired to help the homeless get off street? Are they working with the continuum of care, how does that work?

Well, it's it's really a very it's a handholding kind of program.

Okay.

We have on the maybe you're aware of the ambassador program that we have. All the people who are out on the street greeting visitors to Milwaukee, cleaning the streets, you know, when there's litter, making sure that everything is done correctly. They also keep an eye out for people who are are on house and they refer and even work directly with people who are on house and we have a an incredible network. You know, maybe it would be a good idea for us to let the common council know about how we do this because we are known throughout the country as the number one community for programs in homelessness, and I don't think there's a keen awareness for it. Locally, I don't think there's an awareness.

But nationally, we're known. And we could certainly do a program and lay out all the details of how it's done, how it's funded, and how we end up finding homes for people so that they're safe, they're comfortable, and they can find a new way to create their lives so they have a quality of life that's totally better than what they've been going through. We find social services, all the things that are required. Each person is different. The team at the bid actually knows the individual you know, has a personal relationship with them.

So if, you know, if someone's, you know, acting up, let's say, we can diffuse the problem because they

have

a friend in the downtown bid team that works with them. And, you know, it's it really you don't see too much of that Right. Problem anymore. Do you notice that?

Yes. Well, unless they trans transferred to 13th and Valid. So I asked because we emulated your ambassador program. So we have an ambassador program in the 15th District, and it came from watching and wanting to be do with you your with what your ambassador program does in the downtown bid. So this will be another thing that we can emulate. So I would take you up on that offer, and you and Matt could put together a little presentation, and we'll we'll set it up. I'll I'll ask Carmen to reach out to you.

I think that's a great idea. I think we should let let the common council know more about what the bid is doing because I think it's a great you know, I'm a building owner downtown. I have paid the special, you know, fees that go with funding the downtown bid. And I'm happy to do it, frankly, because there is so much value in what we provide. And I don't think it's it's I don't think people are aware of it as much as they should be.

No. We I don't think I I wasn't. I'm not sure if my colleagues were, but let me open it up open the floor to them. We have any questions or comments by committee.

Mister chair. Older Woman Moore.

Thank you so much. Of course. I just I just definitely had a comment, Patty. You know, aside from your extensive work experience, I was just perusing your volunteer experience and it runs the gamut. So, thank you for what you have contributed back into our great city and your leadership on the on the bid. So, thank you so much. Awesome.

A great deal to me. Thank you. Thank you very much for noticing. You know, I love this city. I grew up in Milwaukee, and I, you know, I've never left. So it's important me that we have a vibrant and exciting city.

For sure. Yeah. For

sure. Alright.

Matt, did you wanna make some comments? Oh, I'm sorry. Alderwoman Demetrivich.

Yes. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Thank

you so much, mister chair. Just wanted to, if you allow me, move approval. I've known miss Keating Khan and her family for a very long time and, yes, can testify to her commitment to the city. A lot of people talk about loving our city, but this is someone who puts the love into action, and it takes time and dedication. So I would like to move approval if it's an order.

Of course. Order of Medrevich moves for your approval, your confirmation. Hearing no objections are ordered. Thank you so much, and have an awesome day.

Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you, Marina.

Appreciate it. Alright. Item 2517 of course. Item 251713. This is a reappointment of Michael Beloit to the business improvement district number fifty three by the mayor also in the 4th Automatic District. Mister Beloit, are you present?

Yes. I am. Good afternoon,

mister chair.

Oh, I'm sorry. Is this Beloit or Beloit?

Yes. Beloit. Yes.

Beloit. Alright. Mister Beloit, how are you today?

I'm doing great.

Alright. Thanks for attending today. This is a reappointment for you as well. Let us know why you would like to continue to serve.

Yes. So you I I I work for the Milwaukee Bucks and have have met in within many of you at the city before as I work on the development of Deer District, it's near and dear to my heart. But the the thing that we're also is very important is the constant programming and really looking to make Deer District Milwaukee's gathering place. And I've enjoyed what we've continued to do, whether it be the holiday market this past year. We just announced an Irish celebration we're going do for St. Patrick's Day and a variety of other programming. So I really enjoy it. And it's definitely a passion of mine, and would love to continue in in the role on the board.

Of course. Of course. Well, thank you, mister Bullock. Can you continue the great work with the Deer District? I hope we keep Giannis. I don't know if he can put a word in for us and for you.

But let me open it up for

the committee. Committee members, do we have any comments or questions? Alright. Hearing none, Alderman Jackson moves for your confirmation hearing. No objections to order. Thank you, and have a great day. Thank Thank you very much. Alright. Number 4251714. Reappointment of Jill Ingalls to the business improvement district number fifty three by the mayor also on the 4th Automatic District. Miss Jill Ingalls Ingalls, are you available?

I am, mister chair.

How are you today?

I'm doing well. How are you?

Excellent. Thank you for attending. This is a reappointment for you as well. Let us know why you would like to continue to serve.

Yeah. I similar to Michael, I also work for the Milwaukee Bucks in Deer District. I think, you know, without echoing everything that he said, I agree with all of his sentiments. I think, you know, as a rather small in terms of geographic scope and also one of the younger bids, this being our third operating year. I think we've done a lot so far to really engage the community and also try to drive traffic down to Deer District, and I hope to continue that mission. We've hired a big director who I think will bring some really good ideas in order to continue to allow bid 53 to grow, and I'm excited for the year ahead to see what we're able to do.

Excellent. Do we have any word on the new music venue and the opening for that?

Next week.

Is it next week? What Next week. Who's the performance?

Rain rainbow kitten surprise?

Oh, have no idea who

that is.

Rainbow kitten surprise.

I I hear they're very popular. Okay. Okay. Or to their opening.

Yeah. Alright. Would you extend an invitation to the grand opening to the committee so we can go come down there and and I want them to experience the new venue. It was beautiful.

Yep. I'll pass that along.

Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments by the committee?

No. Thank you.

Alright. Hearing none, Alderman Chambers moves for your confirmation. Hearing no objections. So ordered. Thank you, miss Engels.

Thank you, sir.

Good day. Alright. Number 5251715. Reappointment of Rich Lunt to the biz business improvement number 53 by the mayor. Mister Rich Lant, are you present today?

I am. Thank you, mister chair.

Thank you. How are you doing?

I'm doing well. Thank you for asking.

Alright. Alright. So this is a reappointment for you as well. Long How have you been with the bid, and why would you like to continue to serve?

Well, I've been since inception. I oversee the trade hotel.

Okay.

So we did exciting to be a part of the area in such a bright, vibrant, growing area. It's just cool to be a part of the growth.

We love that hotel. Anything planned for the year?

You know, we are doing some concepting on the 2nd Floor Solomons. If you've joined us, that's more of the kind of cocktail lounge and doing some live music. So, we're doing a little bit some different things there over the next couple months. Stay tuned. Okay. But a lot of exciting stuff happening in the District.

A proposal for a new thousand room hotel. Would that assist the trade or would it compete?

I don't think it necessarily compete. You know, the trade we're we're, you know, it's upscale, it's niche, you know, our relationship with Deer District and Fiserv and being so, you know, I I think but yet we still support what's happening at the convention center. I think it really just adds to our city.

Excellent. Excellent. Alright. Any questions by the committee?

Alright. Thank you.

Thank you. Order woman Moore moves for your confirmation. Hearing no objections are ordered. Thank you for serving and have a wonderful day.

Thank you so much.

Alright. Number six, item two five one seven two eight, nomination of Arias Denan as the fourteenth district representative to the Milwaukee Youth Council. Carmen, is is is Jim calling to talk about miss Darren, or who's gonna come talk about the two youth people? Give him a call real

quick. Okay.

I'm a hold Alderman Moore holds number eight, number six, and number seven to the call of the chair to see if we can get the city clerk to come discuss our two new young people, one of them in the Great 15th Automatic District. So I'm looking forward to hearing about her. I think I know her, though.

Asia is the one in your district. Yes.

She is

on office now. Mhmm. She's already on there, isn't she?

Yes. I think she has to be reappointed or something.

Okay. All one more. Would you like to do you know these young people?

Yes. I I can I

can I can You can't get a hold of Jim all over more

than something? In in

the Alright. Let me let me go ahead and introduce it then. Okay. Item number 6251728 nomination of Arian den Denan as the fourteenth district representative of Milwaukee Youth Council, Alder Woman Moore.

Thank you. Thank you so much. So as you all know that we are we our list of young people for the youth council is growing. I am so excited to to have this position particularly filled by a new young person, our Arias. And and so Jim probably can speak better because he's

the one that resume.

He has one that has the, you know, has a resume. It's hard. It's also on here. It's also on here.

Okay. Okay.

What's also

What school would she go to?

And what

what does her what does she like to do?

So I don't know what she likes to do. But

Okay. Is she gonna expertise on there?

But she she Arius is at Ari is at Reagan.

Right.

Right. High So

School.

Okay. Yeah. So we're we're always looking for new folks. There there's still a few, only a few slots left, but we do have some seniors that will be cycling off. I think we have about four seniors that will be cycling cycling off. So we just want to tell our community, please have those young people apply. We would love for them to live. Ideally, we want them to live in the district so that there's district representation, but I would be more than happy to come confirm our Excellent.

Alderman Moore, she sounds great. Our young people have been dynamic, and I have no doubt that she would do well as well. So order woman Moore moves for confirmation here in Ogela. Chair. So order. Did you wanna order the chair, did you wanna talk before I we confirm? You wanna

Yeah. No. You can confirm. I I just wanted to highlight, you know, within the youth council, you know, I just want to give all of them more huge kudos for her guidance on the youth council and, you know, just wanted to shout out, you know, I it's know totally unrelated to it, but I wanted to shout out my youth council representative, Kalia Kalise, I'm sorry, and, you know, her recent our recipient of a $10,000 scholarship for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Wow. So Yes.

You know, through the HBCU scholarship.

So, I

just want to give a huge shout out to her and I I plan on coming to a youth council meeting and and congratulate her personally and you know, just want to say keep up the good work and you know, hopefully, the youth council will get to a full power and and show its impact as we already doing. So thank you.

Thank you. Let me know when you do that. I'll I'll I'll like to join you on that. Do you have you have you selected a college yet?

So really really quick. Mister chair,

I just

wanna just thank my colleague. Thank you so much Alderman Chambers for that. The goal obviously for our youth council is to have representation throughout our city. Young people doing amazing things and they're and they just don't meet just to be meeting. These young people are advocating. They're giving away dollars, real dollars around issues that are important Mhmm. Important to them. And so I'm excited

Mhmm.

About the council. And we're going to be more intentional about the youth council members, you know, connecting with their older persons.

Mhmm.

And so we'll figure out ways to not only invite you all to meetings but to have some socials just so that you all have the opportunity to connect with them. So thank you so much again, Alderman Chambers.

Alright. Alright. Excellent. Excellent. So Alderman Moore moves for confirmation hearing no objection. So order number seven, item two five one seven zero three nomination of Asia Marie Gilmore to the 15th Automatic District to represent the Milwaukee youth council. I look forward to meeting the the youth council representative for the 15th District. I understand that she is dynamic as well.

And you've met her as well.

Is she going to trip

with us? Yes. Yes, mister chair. Asia participated actually in Alderman Jackson's Asia was was meeting was connected with Nick. His off office last year but ended up coming, you know, being a part of the summer earn and learn youth council and so Asia has been phenomenal young person on the council and so I think.

Mister chair, I wanna correct.

My young person was commandeered

by automatic more incident. Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I did. I I stole her.

I did. What? You told me somebody else?

No. No. No. No. He was saying the same. And I took her.

What she did?

She kinda did. No. Okay. You're right.

We share we share our young people around here. They they they get experience.

She had a great experience during the common council summer earning earn, which we will be having again this summer as well. So I'm excited about that's that's

And

And

Hearing no objection, so ordered. Thank you. Case. Number eight, item two five one six six six nine, an ordinance relating to friendship by relationships. Chris, thanks for joining us. You are the staff assistant for the sister cities committee. Please let us know what this is about.

Hi. Chris Lee from the city corrects office. This is a technical correction file in the sister cities ordinance. Mhmm. This file would update the terminology to be correctly referenced as Friendship City.

Currently, the ordinance references friendship I mean, friendly exchange exchange or friendly relations. Mhmm. So this file just brings the terminology up to date to reflect the terminology used by Sister Cities International, which is a national organization. They are the subject matter experts on sister city relationships and friendship city relationships. And so this is just to be consistent with sister cities international, which city of Milwaukee is a member of. Mhmm.

And thank you so much, Chris, for your continued work and your leadership on that committee along with me. I appreciate you. Alright. With that, Alderman Chambers moves for passage. Hearing no objections, so order. And our last item of the day will be placed on file 240483 resolution terminating business improvement district number twenty eight Menominee Valley and creating a new Menominee Valley business improvement district. This will be placed on file. Alderman Jackson moves place this on file. Hearing no objections, so order. I do see we have a member of the community in the audience. Are you here to speak on anything, sir? Alright. Alright. You're looking plain as a whistle.

Thank you for

coming down. And with that, meeting is adjourned. Everybody have an excellent day.