Community & Economic Development Committee — April 9, 2026: appointments confirmed; funding and grocery-retention measures advanced
At a glance
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The committee met April 9, 2026 and unanimously recommended confirmation of four appointments, recommended adoption of multiple resolutions including a city partnership with Milwaukee Succeeds, acceptance of a Wisconsin Arts Board grant, reallocations and event funding, directives to pursue grocery and pharmacy retention, and expenditure from the Grocery Store Retention Fund (noted at $2.8 million). An ordinance on residential preference was held to the call of the chair and a DOA communication on fund balances was placed on file.
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Key decisions
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- Recommended for confirmation: Michael Behrens — Appointment to Business Improvement District #4.
- Recommended for confirmation: Mary Reed — Director, Department of Compliance and Engagement.
- Recommended for confirmation: Thomas Irgens — Reappointment to Business Improvement District #21.
- Recommended for confirmation: Josh Weber — Reappointment to Business Improvement District #51.
- Recommended for adoption: Substitute resolution authorizing a partnership between the City and Milwaukee Succeeds to improve collaboration with youth-serving organizations.
- Recommended for adoption: Resolution accepting and expending a Wisconsin Arts Board 2026 Regranting Program Grant.
- Recommended for adoption: Substitute resolution reallocating up to $1,000 from the Community and Economic Development Fund to the 2026 Girls’ Day at City Hall event.
- Recommended for adoption: Substitute resolution directing the Department of City Development to work with the Milwaukee Health Department and other agencies to create strategies to retain and attract full-service grocery stores and pharmacies.
- Recommended for adoption: Substitute resolution designating April 26–May 2, 2026 as Youth Victory Over Violence Week.
- Recommended for adoption: Resolution rescinding Common Council File Number 251658 (relating to an official City event).
- Substituted and recommended for adoption: Allocation of up to $11,000 from the MKE Community Excellence Fund for official city events.
- Substituted and recommended for adoption: Allocation of funds from the Large Impact Development Fund.
- Recommended for adoption: Substitute resolution authorizing expenditure from the Grocery Store Retention Fund for healthy food access (Grocery Store Retention Fund noted as $2.8 million).
- Held to call of the chair: Ordinance relating to residential preference program requirements for construction contracts.
- Placed on file: Communication from DOA — Community Development Grants Administration regarding current fund balance and status of previous appropriations.
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COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Agenda
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- Agenda Item
- Communication from the Department of Administration - Community Development Grants Administration relating to current fund balance and the status of previous appropriations.
- Appointment of Mary Reed to serve as the Director of the Department of Compliance and Engagement by the Mayor.
- Substitute resolution authorizing a partnership between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Succeeds to improve collaboration between the City and youth-serving organizations.
- Substitute resolution relating to the expenditure of funds from the Grocery Store Retention Fund for the purpose of healthy food access.
- Substitute resolution allocating up to $11,000 from the MKE Community Excellence Fund for official city events.
- Resolution rescinding Common Council File Number 251658, relating to an official City event.
- An ordinance relating to the residential preference program requirements for construction contracts.
- Substitute resolution reallocating up to $1,000 in the Community and Economic Development Fund from the MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit to the 2026 Girls’ Day at City Hall event.
- Substitute resolution designating April 26 to May 2, 2026, as Youth Victory Over Violence Week in the City of Milwaukee.
- Reappointment of Josh Weber to the Business Improvement District #51 by the Mayor. (12th Aldermanic District)
- Reappointment of Thomas Irgens to the Business Improvement District #21 by the Mayor. (12th Aldermanic District)
- Appointment of Michael Behrens to the Business Improvement District #4 by the Mayor. (12th Aldermanic District)
- Resolution relating to acceptance and expenditure of a Wisconsin Arts Board 2026 Regranting Program Grant.
- Substitute resolution relating to the allocation of funds from the Large Impact Development Fund.
- Substitute resolution directing the Department of City Development to work with the Milwaukee Health Department and any other relevant agencies to create strategies for the retention and attraction of full-service grocery stores and pharmacies.
- Meeting convened at 1:36 pm
- Substitute resolution allocating up to $11,000 from the MKE Community Excellence Fund for official city events.
- Substitute resolution reallocating up to $1,000 in the Community and Economic Development Fund from the MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit to the 2026 Girls’ Day at City Hall event.
- Substitute resolution relating to the allocation of funds from the Large Impact Development Fund.
- Substitute resolution designating April 26 to May 2, 2026, as Youth Victory Over Violence Week in the City of Milwaukee.
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