HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-15 Community RelationsCOMMUNITY RELATIONS MAY 11, 2015 4:45 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Valerie Schey, Derek Dieter
Citizen Members Present: Gavin Seabe (AB), Alfreda Gillespie (AB)
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Dr. David Varner,
Oliver Davis (XAB)
Others Present: Brian Pawlowski, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Kathryn Roos,
Bob Emery
Agenda: Bill 15 -34 Recommending Public Input be Encouraged
on a Suggested Additional Street Name to
Honor the Late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
With every Community Relations Committee member present, Karen White, the Chair, opened the
meeting with one bill on the agenda. It was a resolution, primarily authored by Karen, encouraging
public input to an effort to name a street after the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
It has long been felt by many in the community that the current dedicated stretch of the "inner belt"
was a slight to Dr. King's memory. It is both short in length and has no addresses.
During the Council comment portion that followed Karen's presentation, Tim Scott recounted that Mr.
Scoby has long advocated that a bus route be chosen, more specifically of late, Portage Aveune.
Henry Davis expressed some impatience with the years long process saying the Mayor who could simply
issue an executive order and the Board of Public Works could have had this done long ago.
Derek Dieter suggested involving the Historic Preservation Commission in any discussion to rename a
street.
Gavin Ferlic expressed support for soliciting public input.
Dr. Fred Ferlic and Karen White both saw a need to spell out the process for renaming a street. Karen
went on to say the Mayor should weigh -in and step -up to the process.
Mayor Pete said he asked for both public input as well as the Council's to achieve consensus as to which
street be renamed three years ago.
Finally Gavin made a motion to recommend the bill favorably. Derek Dieter seconded and all supported.
With that Karen White adjourned at 5:06 P.M.
Respectfully Submittteed,
Karen White, Chairperson
Community Relations Committee