[0:02] Are they to call the meeting of the committee on parks and culture into a session? The data is September 2, 9am, and we have a big agenda ahead of us, but the first order of business is the call of the roll. Call of the call of the roll.

[0:19] Supervisors Taylor District 17.

[0:22] Here.

[0:23] Martin.

[0:25] President.

[0:26] Cogs Jones.

[0:30] Here.

[0:31] Martinez.

[0:32] Here.

[0:33] Eckblatt.

[0:36] O'Connor.

[0:37] Here.

[0:39] Mr. Chairman.

[0:41] There are seven members present.

[0:42] We have a quorum.

[0:44] Thank you very much.

[0:45] The sevens, if you'd like to announce the first end of the agenda.

[0:53] Item 1, the re-appointment of Amis Morris, as Director of the Milwaukee County Zoo.

[1:01] Welcome.

[1:12] The floor is yours.

[1:14] Good morning, Chairman, fellow supervisors.

[1:17] I married Joe Myers, the Chief of Staff for County Executive David Crowley.

[1:21] It is my honor to be here to ask you to consider the re-appointment of Director Amis Morris

[1:27] as the Zoo Director for Milwaukee County.

[1:29] It feels like just yesterday I was six years ago that I was in front of you Chairman for the appointment for DHS Director, so to be here with Director Morris today is a true honor.

[1:44] Mr. Morris continues to bring with him or has brought with him over 30 years of experience and zoo operations and organizational leadership and animal management.

[1:53] he will continue to serve as a Mochi County Zoo with distinction as we continue to uphold our

[1:59] reputation as one of the Zoo's top zoos in the nation, a place of enrichment, education,

[2:06] conservation, and entertainment for all. Prior to joining Mochi County, Mr. Mr. Morris served for

[2:12] three and a half years as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Fresno,

[2:17] Chaffi Zu and California, his leadership there helped drive significant operational improvements

[2:23] and community engagement. His previous roles include director of Masker Park Zoo and

[2:29] Botanical Gardens in Executive Director of Evansville's Aological Society in Indiana.

[2:35] He has served various leadership roles which is in your packet for you to review.

[2:41] Importantly, Mr. Morris is a trailblazer. He was the first black member of the Association of

[2:47] and aquariums, board of directors, and the first Black Zoo director in the history of Milwaukee County Zoo.

[2:54] I had the honor and pleasure of being part of the recruitment and hiring for Mr. Morris, and I can tell you, believe me, we have a true unicorn operating in our zoo.

[3:05] Under Mr. Morris's leadership for the past four years, the Milwaukee County Zoo has achieved remarkable progress through innovative projects and strategic partnerships.

[3:15] Some of which include successfully insumitting and receiving a 3.5 million arpatourism grant

[3:22] to renovate the Humboldt Penguin exhibit.

[3:27] Also awarded of 1.7 million in arpagrant funding for the purchase of the state-of-the-art

[3:33] point of sales system currently in progress to improve our guest services.

[3:39] He secured funding for the construction of the $22 million Rhinoceros complex and

[3:45] 7 million contributed from our nonprofit partners.

[3:49] He completed a joint strategic plan and master plan

[3:53] and master plan in collaboration with the Zoological Society

[3:56] Milwaukee guiding the Zeus Future Development and Growth.

[4:01] Received bless you.

[4:02] Received funding to research and design a new front entrance

[4:05] to reduce vehicle traffic congestion

[4:08] improving access and gas satisfaction

[4:11] and as leading the efforts towards seeing this vision

[4:13] become a reality. He established the Zeus of that

[4:17] Nary first veterinary in residency program approved by the American College of

[4:21] Zoological Medicine. The inaugural veterinary residency program will begin

[4:28] in July 2026, marking a significant advancement in veterinary care and professional

[4:34] development for us. He also successfully imported a female

[4:38] Shagwar from the police zoo to contribute to the Jaguar species survival plan, supporting global

[4:44] conservation initiatives. He has maintained excellence through re-accretedation by association of

[4:51] zoos and aquariums in 2024. In your packet, there are additional accomplishments for Mr. Morris.

[5:00] I'm confident that Mr. Morris will continue to lead the Milwaukee County Zoo forward fostering

[5:05] innovation, stewardship, and accessibility for all residents and visitors. Thank you for your consideration

[5:11] of this re-appointment. I look forward to your confirmation and the Continuance of Seth

[5:16] of Milwaukee County Zoo under Mr. Morris's leadership.

[5:21] Thank you very much. I have to just tell you, of all of our county executive's appointments.

[5:28] Mr. Morris, I think you're the best.

[5:32] Point, thank you, Jim.

[5:34] I think that.

[5:38] I came here without trying to make any trouble.

[5:41] Look at you.

[5:45] I'm not saying that against anyone else.

[5:49] He's our favorite, too.

[5:50] Thank you.

[5:54] But Mr. Morris, would you have done in a very difficult situation?

[5:59] has been very bold. You dream big, but you also are practical and you get things done.

[6:08] And I think when we use adjectives in front of appointments, you know, with color or race

[6:14] or ethnicity, I think it sometimes takes away from the quality of the individual being

[6:18] appointed. You are by far from what I've worked with. Just been fantastic as a zoo director.

[6:25] it's been a pleasure working with you. You have bold visions. You also are practical when

[6:31] you work with committee members, your offices always open to anyone who comes in for questions,

[6:36] or concerns. You've just been a model public citizen, and I really am happy to, I want to vote

[6:44] first, but I can't because I'm chair of the committee, but you are just a star. And I just want

[6:49] to get a public recognition for, through our lives, we go through a lot of different things,

[6:54] But Milwaukee really welcomes you and cherishes you and maybe those other places missed on somebody who you are because I think they messed out

[7:01] They missed out on a winner and they could have had you as a zoo director, but guess what their losses are our gains. So congratulations

[7:08] So let's have a committee take over. I'll make a motion to adopt

[7:15] and

[7:16] I'm not gonna go on a limb like that. I saw this

[7:21] I also know he has for a lot of money too. I know he goes yes for a lot of money. We also say no

[7:26] Well, we do, but I kept it to work.

[7:30] Thank you.

[7:32] Mr. Wars, it's your time, if you like it.

[7:33] Yeah, if I could just say, my success comes along with my team.

[7:41] The zoo team is amazing, the make things happen with the best they can with the resources

[7:49] they have.

[7:50] I'd like to also think the cabinet of the county exec without their knowledge and

[7:57] tutelage, I would not be as successful.

[8:03] Guy, never helping me navigate the county,

[8:11] my chief executive staff, chief of staff with

[8:14] me here, I definitely would not be as successful.

[8:21] And then I would like to think the county executive, his vision, his commitment to diverse

[8:28] thought, his commitment to the community helps the zoo remain strong.

[8:38] The upcoming years are going to be a challenge for us.

[8:41] The next couple of years we're going to be working towards trying to improve getting people into the zoo.

[8:49] And with resources that I'm sure other department leaders would love to have those resources.

[8:56] So we greatly thank the county supervisors if we're so successful to get those resources for the front entrance of the zoo.

[9:08] 28 is going to present a real challenge in that the road in front of the zoo is going to be down to one lane going east and one lane going west.

[9:16] and part of this project, part of the project and the front entrances to help remediate

[9:22] that issue for the year. They're doing that work in our busiest time at the zoo where we have

[9:28] our greatest increase in revenue. So 2020 is going to be a big challenge. And then to bring

[9:35] the zoo back into the fold and keep excitement after that work is done. It's going to be equal

[9:42] challenge we'll be looking for smaller projects to keep people interested in coming to the

[9:47] zoo and connecting with wildlife. So I, once again, I thank you. I thank my team at the

[9:54] zoo. I thank the cabinet for the county executive for all the help.

[10:00] And support. Thank you very much.

[10:02] We have a motion approving the nomination for the questions statements from committee members.

[10:11] From supervisors who are not on the committee. I see two in front of me right now.

[10:16] All right. Seeing no further comments. If we like to call the call for the vote.

[10:21] On the motion by supervisor Taylor District 17 that item number 1 be recommended for confirmation.

[10:27] Supervisor Taylor District 17.

[10:29] Martin.

[10:32] Cogs Jones.

[10:34] Aye.

[10:35] Aye.

[10:36] Eckblatt.

[10:38] Aye.

[10:39] O'Connor.

[10:39] Aye.

[10:40] Mr. Chairman.

[10:42] Seven eyes.

[10:42] Zero nose.

[10:43] The motion prevails.

[10:44] Congratulations.

[10:55] Next up.

[10:56] Sevens.

[10:56] If you like to call up item number two.

[10:58] Item two from the Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks requesting authorization

[11:03] to enter into a lease extension with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee for their

[11:08] use of the Mary Ryan Building and Sherman Park.

[11:14] Good morning, Chair and Supervisors, Jim Tarantino Deputy Director from Milwaukee County

[11:18] Parks.

[11:19] Vanessa Caster, Director of the Administration, Good Morning.

[11:23] And I believe we have representatives of the Boys and Girls Club online as well.

[11:28] So as noted, this is an extension and we're requesting approval of the lease

[11:35] extension for the Mary Ryan building at Sherman Park.

[11:44] And just in background, as you know, we have a

[11:46] long standing relationship with the Boys and Girls Club since 1990, so over 34 years,

[11:54] the original lease was formalized on April 30th in 1991, with provisions for 3 tenure extensions.

[12:02] The first extension was approved on February 22nd in 2011. The second extension was approved

[12:09] 26 of 2021 and the current least expires July 1st of 2031. So the key benefits of this extension are really

[12:19] to sustain a vital youth service in the community at Sherman Park. The extension ensures a long-term

[12:27] stewardship of the Sherman Park facility and it supports community investment in park infrastructure.

[12:34] So

[12:39] the 10-year extension through July 31, 2021 will allow for the same utilities for the Boys and Girls Club that will be capped at 45,955 dollars and 48 cents annually.

[12:58] The clubs responsibilities are enhanced in that, in the prior agreement, they will have responsibility for the complete maintenance of the new parking lot, and that includes all the pavement and the utilities and the interior operations of the facility, janitorial services and routine maintenance.

[13:23] So, the county's responsibilities include structural elements including the foundation, the exterior building components, roof flashings and exterior lighting, water sewer and electrical service lines, and will continue a good faith effort to secure funding for major infrastructure needs, and we're also responsible for the public amenities the splash pad and the public restaurants.

[14:01] And so the recommendation is for the Parks Committee to approve the proposed lease extension

[14:09] for the agreement at the Mary, Ryan, Boys and Girls Cove at Sherman Park.

[14:15] Thank you.

[14:17] Members of the committee?

[14:18] Supervisor Martinez.

[14:20] Thank you very much.

[14:22] Having lived over by Sherman Park for a lot of my formative years that building has been there

[14:27] or ever, and it's a real treasure to the community.

[14:32] I would be happy to move this for adoption.

[14:35] Thank you very much, supervisor.

[14:37] Other comments from other supervisors?

[14:40] And the committee?

[14:41] And you've been off the committee?

[14:43] All right.

[14:45] Seeing no further discussion.

[14:46] Miss Evans, you'd like to call the roll on the vote.

[14:48] On the motion by supervisor Martinez,

[14:51] that item number two, be recommended for adoption,

[14:53] supervisor Taylor District 17.

[14:55] Hi.

[14:56] Martin.

[14:58] Hi.

[14:59] Hogs Jones.

[15:00] Aye, Martinez, aye, Eplad,

[15:09] O'Connor, aye, Mr. Chairman, aye, seven aye, zero nose, the motion prevails.

[15:15] Great.

[15:19] I have to tell you have to support the boys and girls club, because their campwhip comes on late cases.

[15:25] And I go by your lake water skiing all the time. So the boys and girls club is a very near and dear part to my family. So keep up the good work.

[15:35] Thank you.

[15:36] Appreciate you, Sam.

[15:37] Thank you.

[15:40] Item number three, Ms. Evans.

[15:42] Item three from the Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks requesting authorization

[15:46] to grant a 10-year maintenance covenant to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewridge District, MSD.

[15:53] For tree plantings at Menomany River Parkway, authorization is also requested for the county

[15:58] executive and county clerk to execute all necessary documents for future plantings supported

[16:04] by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. F.S. Grant.

[16:09] Mr. Tarantino.

[16:10] Good morning. Jim Tarantino, Deputy Director Milwaukee County Parks.

[16:14] Good morning. The NASA Caster Director of Administration, Milwaukee County Parks.

[16:23] All right. So just a little bit of background.

[16:25] A year ago, County Parks provided an informational report on a forthcoming tree planting

[16:31] partnership at the Connect Connect Parkway. This file will continue

[16:36] the successful tree planting partnership between Milwaukee County Parks, MMSD and the Milwaukee River Keepers.

[16:45] MMSD's ReForce Station and Wetland Restoration Program, that is hard to say,

[16:51] Intense to plant 6 million trees and restore over 4,000 acres of wetlands over the next 10 years,

[16:59] and the USFS grant funding supports the implementation costs.

[17:08] 1.3 Acre Reforestation Project at the Monami River Parkway and West Concordia Avenue in

[17:17] Wala Tosa will look at planting 172 native trees and shrubs and these will be planted

[17:24] by community volunteers. This is really a natural flood management measure and it captures

[17:30] all the water in place. It aligns with the Milwaukee County Park's 2023 through 26 strategic

[17:38] plan priority to expand the tree canopy. MMSE requires green infrastructure to be protected as

[17:46] part of this agreement. And these are the terms outlined in the proposal before you today.

[17:53] The county will assume full responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and performance evaluation.

[18:00] there will be a 10-year limited maintenance covenant with MMSD. MMSD will retain the inspection

[18:08] and monitoring rights, and they also have the right to enter the property for inspection and monitoring.

[18:16] And this image shows the location of the tree planting and wetland restoration area,

[18:22] so it's just north of Berlin and Curry Park is off this image to the north.

[18:30] And the see,

[18:34] so this is the highlight area.

[18:36] And that is all and we request your approval

[18:39] of this maintenance covenant.

[18:46] Oh, yes, supervisor.

[18:48] I move for adoption.

[18:51] Well, all right, great.

[18:53] Community members.

[18:55] Now, and committee members.

[18:57] That is.

[19:00] All right, that went pretty quickly too.

[19:02] This guy is going to like to call the, well,

[19:05] On the motion by Supervisor O'Connor, that item number three be recommended for adoption, Supervisor Taylor.

[19:12] Martin?

[19:14] Aye.

[19:15] Cog stones?

[19:17] Aye.

[19:18] Martinez?

[19:19] Aye.

[19:20] Eckblad?

[19:21] Aye.

[19:22] Aye.

[19:22] O'Connor?

[19:23] Aye.

[19:24] Mr. Chairman.

[19:25] Seven eyes, zero nose, the motion prevails.

[19:28] I just want to thank also MMSD.

[19:30] At first, I wanted to just really appreciate the partnership between the Parks Department

[19:35] and MSD. It really is a win for everybody in our communities for the organizations themselves.

[19:43] They do a great job and continue to future work as your partnership continues to grow and thrive.

[19:49] And also thank you for MSD's work for that thousand year flood that we had and all the retention pools and ponds.

[19:56] I don't think they got thanked enough. So Kevin Jaffer, if you're listening.

[20:07] Item 4 from the Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks requesting authorization to grant an easement to American transmission company, ATC at Jackson Park to provide electric service relocation.

[20:23] Mr. Territory, Mr. Eversa.

[20:25] Jim Terrentino, Deputy Director Milwaukee County Parks.

[20:28] Vanessa Caster, Director of Administration, Milwaukee County Parks.

[20:36] So again, this request is from the Executive Director

[20:38] of Milwaukee County Parks, seeking authorization

[20:41] to grant an easement to American transmission company

[20:45] at Jackson Park to provide electric service location.

[20:50] So just a brief background, the existing high power voltage

[20:55] power lines at Lincoln Avenue's substation to South 43rd Street are from 1955, and are the

[21:03] oldest in ATC's service area and have reached the end of their operational life. So the replacement

[21:09] is needed for maintaining electrical reliability across the Milwaukee area. The new installation

[21:16] will be underground at Jackson Park and it allows the current lines to remain active during

[21:21] construction to avoid any service disruption. ATC evaluated other potential routes, but there's

[21:33] other utilities that already occupy the right of way, and there's insufficient space for construction

[21:39] materials staging. So no other viable alternatives were found. The completion is scheduled

[21:46] before MMSG's scheduled planned work in Jackson Park all of their improvements.

[21:56] So the terms of this easement is permanent. The easement fee is $1.60 per square foot, and the

[22:03] easement area is $41,102 square feet, and the total easement fee is $65,763.20.

[22:16] And we are recommending

[22:18] County Parks Committee approval of the easement to allow ATC to continue providing electrical

[22:24] service to the area. And then the next steps this will provide authority to prepare review

[22:31] and approve and execute all of the necessary easement documents. Thank you.

[22:38] Thank you very much for the supervisor Martinez. Thank you very much and thank you for this presentation.

[22:44] I, along with Deputy Director Jim Terentino, we went to that ATC informational session over

[22:51] at Alvernal a couple of weeks ago.

[22:54] Mostly, I mean, through the part of Jackson Park, that's my district, it's going to be pretty

[23:01] undisrupted, undisrupted, but in Supervisor Caprio, all those district, this is going to

[23:07] be pretty disruptive of the way traffic is going like with the one way the way it's going

[23:14] and I have like the detours going all the way around a little bit north of that so I was

[23:20] just wondering if this easement fee that we're going to be receiving I'd like to be able to

[23:26] say to the residents around Jackson Park that we would be using the funds to maybe put it towards

[23:34] something special in Jackson Park, particularly with some of the residents that I've spoken

[23:41] to around there, there's a bridge that bridge that's been out for, I don't know, how long

[23:46] I know, if we could, I mean, I might have to draft an amendment or something like for that,

[23:53] saying that if we could use those funds to put it towards that in Jackson Park, maybe towards

[23:58] the bridge. What would be the kind of, we would be your thoughts on that?

[24:05] Chair and Supervisors, what good news is that that bridge is going to be replaced as part

[24:10] of the MMSD investment in Jackson Park. And that's one of several improvements that will

[24:16] be occurring over the next couple of years in this part of the park, the whole area that

[24:20] currently, if you're on 43rd Street, you'll see athletic fields under construction just south

[24:26] around Manitoba and then this area north to the railroad tracks that basketball courts will

[24:33] be relocated to this area.

[24:34] A new pathways will be built to connect the KK River Parkway on the north of the river

[24:38] across 43rd Street and then a new parkway will be built all through West East throughout

[24:45] Jackson Park.

[24:46] So that bridge that you're talking about that has been closed because of the condition

[24:51] of it will be replaced with a new bridge in the future along with a whole host of other

[24:55] improvements, new playgrounds, pickleball courts, lighting.

[25:00] Like path. So no amendment is needed to this easement at this time to fund future improvements, but I hear what you're saying about the impacts to the park and the general neighborhood and the south side with this whole ATC project.

[25:14] the extent of, you know, traffic impacts,

[25:17] South Korean third street impacts is much greater,

[25:19] South of Oklahoma.

[25:20] There's, I believe, a D-12 plant.

[25:23] This, we thought that the impacts to the park here

[25:26] were pretty minimal, because it's directional bore.

[25:29] It's being sequenced before the MMSD work

[25:31] that's happening, so it doesn't prevent anything

[25:33] from happening.

[25:35] So, I guess my recommendation would be

[25:37] that an amendment is not needed,

[25:38] but if we want to have additional conversations

[25:40] about what the investment from MMSD

[25:43] and parks and jacks and looks like in the future so that you understand how much better

[25:47] everything is going to be. After all that work is done, we're happy to do that.

[25:52] Okay, yeah, I must thank you very much for that. I must have missed that part about the bridge.

[25:57] There's so many improvements going on at jacks and park playgrounds basketball courts and everything

[26:01] in that. I don't think I've really gotten like the full representation of what's going to

[26:09] with that bridge, so I would appreciate that and at this point, yeah, I'd like to make a motion to approve.

[26:15] Sounds good. Motion's been made for approval. Other committee members?

[26:22] And, not in committee members, supervisors.

[26:25] Okay, all right. I see no further discussion. Miss Evans, you'd like to call the roll for the vote.

[26:32] On the motion by supervisor Martinez, that item number four would be recommended for adoption.

[26:37] Supervisor Taylor District 17.

[26:39] Martin.

[26:41] Hi.

[26:42] Hogs Jones.

[26:44] Hi.

[26:45] Hi.

[26:47] Epleb.

[26:49] O'Connor.

[26:50] Mr. Chairman.

[26:52] Seven eyes.

[26:53] Zero nose.

[26:53] The motion prevails.

[26:55] All right.

[26:56] Thank you very much.

[26:57] Mr. Terry Taylor and Vanessa.

[27:00] Next up is our aquatic studies.

[27:02] There's something that a lot of people are very interested in.

[27:05] Miss Evans.

[27:05] You like to announce the item.

[27:07] Item 5 from the Executive Director of Parks requesting authorization to adopt the 2025 Milwaukee County Parks Aquatic Study as an

[27:33] from Rocky County Parks.

[27:35] I'm here on behalf of Milwaukee County Parks,

[27:37] because this aquatic study is shared.

[27:40] It's part of the overall park and open space plan.

[27:43] That's a living document

[27:44] that represents our most recent long-term planning efforts.

[27:49] Milwaukee County, Milwaukee County Parks,

[27:51] are built upon a tradition of providing public services

[27:55] to all residents.

[27:57] The focus of this most recent study

[27:59] has been a pragmatic and sustainable analysis

[28:02] of the aquatic offerings in our park system, as well as setting a trajectory for future management

[28:08] and investments that are aligned with Milwaukee County's resources and interests.

[28:14] The Mission Milwaukee County is to enhance the quality of life in Milwaukee County

[28:18] through great public service, specific values drive this mission. Respect, we work with and for others,

[28:26] integrity, we do the right thing, and excellence we never stop improving.

[28:31] Milwaukee County Parks uniquely supports this county vision, mission and values, because

[28:37] Parks touch every person in Milwaukee County. Parks and proof is go health, support mental

[28:43] health, provide clear and air and water and strengthen communities. When Parks live, people

[28:50] thrive. Parks mission is destroyed a thriving park system that positively impacts every

[28:57] Milwaukee County Parks visitor. The vision of parks is to foster dynamic connections through

[29:02] our land and community. The vision of parks is to heighten the quality of life and lead as a model

[29:10] park system. The core values of Milwaukee County parks are the heart of the department. We're fun.

[29:16] We provide unique spaces for people of all abilities to play and enjoy life. We're inclusive.

[29:21] we strive towards racial equity and reflect the people we serve. We're green. We care about

[29:27] the world around us in our impact on it. We're resourceful. We cultivate creative partnerships

[29:33] in stewardship opportunities and of course your backyard. We grow parks for all. As one of the

[29:41] many aspects of a world-class park system, Aquatics is a service area that enhances Milwaukee County's

[29:47] quality of life and provide space for recreation.

[29:52] Walkie Parks, Milwaukee County Parks, sees this planning study as a key guide for future

[29:58] commitments to aquatics and our public.

[30:13] Good

[30:17] morning, Chair and Supervisors, Sarah Tumson, director of planning for the Parks Department, and I'm joined by George Dynast, who is our consultant, one of several on a project team that's been working for multiple years to complete this study, allow George to introduce himself.

[30:35] Good morning, I'm George Dynast with Councilman Hunsaker and we're the Aquatics firm that's been working with Sarah and her team on this study.

[30:44] Wonderful. So we do have a PowerPoint that was a part of your packet that we would like to walk through.

[30:52] And I just want to reinforce the introduction that Guy gave, and thank you Guy, that we are seeking adoption of this plan as an addendum to our long range plan.

[31:02] We feel that this is an important method of adopting these guiding principles because through

[31:11] an adopted parking open space plan that makes us eligible for a variety of grant programs.

[31:18] State and federal grants require that you have an adopted parking open space plan that meets

[31:23] certain compositional elements. And so we would like to bridge our plan to include this study

[31:31] that follows what we intend to do with the upcoming trails network plan and what we've already done with the Northwest

[31:36] Trail's Connections Study.

[31:43] Alright, so jumping right in, the study goals were to cover the entirety of the system to take a look

[31:53] in the past, into the current and into the future.

[31:56] And so we began by assessing the existing system, the infrastructure in place, the way that we manage the financial conditions

[32:04] And we took a large inventory of what composes the Perks aquatic system.

[32:11] For the purpose of this study, we are not including our beach or riverfront sites, we're talking about pools.

[32:18] And so, we took a close look at those and we have a variety of audits related to those studies.

[32:25] We also included a discrete public engagement phase where we reached out and looked for information,

[32:32] what we're doing well, what we could improve on, and what we might not be thinking of when it comes to Aquatics.

[32:38] We took a specific approach to reach not only those who use Milwaukee County Parks Aquatics,

[32:44] but also those who may not use our Aquatic system and to find out more information about why.

[32:50] Through the course of the study as we got more and more data, we evaluated a variety of future state options.

[32:57] We didn't go in with a pre-determined outcome, and we looked at all the available options before

[33:05] selecting the path forward, and the recommendations are for that 20-year planning horizon.

[33:11] These recommendations come from this team of outside experts, and are based on the data that we were able to provide to them over the past

[33:20] 5 or 20 years. We haven't had a new aquatic study since the year 2002.

[33:29] So this image you don't need to be able to read the font, I understand how small that is,

[33:34] but it shows the inventory of the system at the beginning of our project.

[33:38] Since that time we have had some changes in the system, as you may know,

[33:43] there's a new splash pad under construction at Sherman Park,

[33:46] which is a conversion from the waiter that had been in place.

[33:50] What I think is important about this slide is if your eye can differentiate

[33:53] that magenta color from the black font that's labeling these aquatic site.

[33:59] Those things that are magenta or pink are not owned by Milwaukee County.

[34:04] So when you look at the county-wide coverage and what is available to residents,

[34:09] they might not only use Milwaukee County facilities, they may also be served

[34:14] by other local municipal offerings, private pools, or they may actually travel outside of the county as well.

[34:26] This slide is, again, using some graphic representation

[34:31] to help us look back at the last 100 years

[34:34] of Milwaukee County Parks and Aquatics.

[34:37] We're lucky to have such a long-term system,

[34:42] but if what you're seeing in the small blue dots

[34:46] are periods of construction and rehabilitation

[34:49] for aquatic facilities, what you see with the green dots

[34:53] are closures.

[34:54] So, in more recent years, unfortunately we've been experiencing closure.

[35:00] Members in the aquatic system. And some of that is just coming through the age of our system. Our newest pool was constructed over 15 years ago. And our indoor pool offerings are over 50 years old. Each aquatic facility does have a building component to it, waiting pools or splash pads have controls that are within usually an indoor space. Obviously our indoor pools are buildings of their own right.

[35:28] And so water parks have accompanying comfort stations and other elements.

[35:33] All of these assets are aging in place, and we haven't had too much new investment towards those.

[35:41] I think everyone is aware of the lifeguard challenges that have really been present since COVID,

[35:47] but we've worked so hard to rebound and build those staffing numbers.

[35:51] I think we've done a great job, but we have had a change in our system offerings.

[35:57] we've had to make some difficult decisions on closures and the role of a lifeguard is changing.

[36:04] Not only do we ask them to maintain swim safety but we also have challenges with behavioral

[36:09] issues on pull decks and the job is quite challenging. We see another system-wide challenge

[36:16] in facility utilization through looking at the attendance numbers we can see that obviously not

[36:22] things are equal, you really can't compare a cool water's water park to a local waiting pool as far as attendance numbers.

[36:30] But we see trends that there are more popular and less popular pool sites.

[36:35] And when we're looking at the entire system, we've tried to scrutinize where changes could be made to benefit the entirety of the aquatic system.

[36:46] And then obviously community needs and priorities is something that we've tried to always

[36:51] have present as the study has been taken.

[36:55] We've heard from the public that they want access to these sites.

[37:00] They do see that the county is the provider of recreational swim assets within public parks.

[37:06] And so we have used that information to determine the appropriate level of investment and

[37:12] service area coverage should be met by Milwaukee County.

[37:20] So one of the things that we did throughout our study was look at these different types

[37:25] of aquatic facilities that you have from the water parks, the deep sorting pools, the deep

[37:30] wells, the splash pads, and the waiting pools, and assign pretty standard drive time

[37:36] radiuses of the areas that those facilities serve.

[37:41] And so the next couple of slides you'll see here the splash pads and the waiting pools

[37:45] have about a five-minute drive-time radius and you can see the splash pads on the left there

[37:52] and the purple color are mainly centralized in the northern part of the county, the waiting

[38:00] pools, starting the north and get to the central southeast and south west, but the central

[38:07] south is left a little bit open. We look at the water parks with cool waters and

[38:16] sholes and Pelican curve and those have roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive time and

[38:21] so you can see that the majority of the county is within the drive time radiuses of

[38:27] one of those three types of facilities. They're the ones that have a zero depth

[38:34] and water slides, and so they just have a larger appeal and drive time range for residents.

[38:42] And then we have the older pools.

[38:45] We looked at, so we said not only the Milwaukee County facilities, but also those that are

[38:52] not run by Milwaukee County, but that are within the county.

[38:55] And so all of those facilities we would see having roughly about a 10-minute drive time,

[39:01] you can see it on the right, the existing pools, the Milwaukee County owns and operates

[39:09] and drive time based on that 10-minute coverage.

[39:13] So with that, this is that it gets us to a place where we look at not only the outdoor,

[39:18] but also the indoor facilities and pretty good coverage actually between the two indoor pools

[39:26] that the county operates when you cover that with the other area indoor facilities, there's definitely

[39:34] good access for county residents for indoor aquatics. And when you look at the entire system

[39:43] in coverage as a whole, when you think about the splash pads, the waiting pools, the swimming pools,

[39:51] the water parks, the indoor pools, as well as the other non Milwaukee county providers.

[39:56] There is relatively good coverage when all of those...

[40:00] Our place together in terms of residents in a rocky county having reasonable drive time access to these different types of aquatic facilities.

[40:14] One of the other big aspects of our study was looking at the overall cost to operate the facilities, and then also the revenue that those facilities bring in.

[40:25] We have a comparison chart.

[40:27] Peer on the left is the outdoor pool revenue

[40:30] and expenses the revenue being in orange,

[40:33] and then the expenses being in the blue historically,

[40:38] as you all know, Aquatics is a subsidized endeavor

[40:42] for most municipalities.

[40:44] And so we would expect to see a subsidy on these facilities.

[40:47] You'll also notice the ones that do not have any revenue

[40:51] associated with them are ones that have been closed for sometimes a year and

[40:58] alternating year or some have been closed since the summer of 2019 and

[41:02] there are a lot of parks side. I think one of the things that you'll notice

[41:06] obviously is that cool waters is by far the most popular facility within the

[41:11] system generating over 50,000 visits close to half a million dollars in

[41:16] revenue, but one of the other things is so mentioned in terms of increasing expenses.

[41:23] The expenses to operate coolwaters have increased pretty dramatically over the past several

[41:27] years between the cost of chemicals, cost of repairs, and then wage increases for lifeguard staff.

[41:35] And so this has also been a huge part of our study just to look at the overall operation of the facility,

[41:41] not just utilization, but then also the revenue and expenses for each facility.

[41:49] And so what we did is use 2023 is essentially a representative year, because of the way that

[41:57] the closures have happened since 2019 and even a little bit before that we did find that

[42:04] it was hard to get a full representative sample by looking at maybe an eight year pattern

[42:10] because not every pool was open for all those eight years.

[42:13] So we took 2023 as a representative sample and looked at again all of those different facility

[42:21] types.

[42:22] The total expenses were about 2.7 million with revenue hitting about 800,000 for the

[42:30] aquatic system as a whole.

[42:33] And that incorporates lifeguard staff, repair and maintenance, as well as all aspects of

[42:41] operation, pool chemicals, operating supplies, all those different categories.

[42:48] As mentioned, we did include a public engagement as part of this study effort.

[42:53] It was over several months, many months, and it took a variety of formats.

[43:00] We held open houses across the county in the different regions.

[43:04] We also attended what we call intercept events, which are events that are already happening.

[43:09] we're perhaps we would reach folks that we're going to attend an open house to talk about

[43:14] aquatics. We went to the zoo for instance. We attended Juneteenth and we engaged with people

[43:20] to ask them to take our survey. Our survey had over 4,000 responses and did include people who

[43:27] both used the pool system as well as people who did not and we found this information to be really

[43:34] We engaged in three languages, English, Spanish and Mong, and we pulled that data together and we found some certain themes throughout those findings.

[43:46] Essentially, people have a positive perception of fees.

[43:52] They voiced that they would be in favor of fee increases if it meant reinvestment in aquatics.

[43:57] People appreciated the recreational aspect of the pool system,

[44:01] And many people said that they use it for heat relief in the summer months.

[44:06] They prioritized the importance of swim safety, and they understood that accessibility means that there are a variety of options for them across the county system.

[44:17] They may not have known which pool was owned by Milwaukee County, but they knew the pool that they used most frequently.

[44:24] We also heard things that we could improve on ways to expand accessibility.

[44:29] So this doesn't just mean which sites are open, but also how long those hours are available and how long pools are staffed for things like night swim

[44:39] We heard obviously when we showed them an imagery of new trends in recreation and new types of slides and things like that everyone was interested in that

[44:49] especially the kids wanted to try some of those newer aquatic features and

[44:54] we also heard that we could improve communication letting people know what is open

[44:58] where it is and how it can be.

[45:01] And this is just a snapshot of a few of those questions and the kinds of information we received.

[45:07] We wanted to know how people reach our aquatic facilities and what we heard largely was that people are driving.

[45:13] They're driving their own personal vehicle. They may be carpooling, but they're arriving by car to most of the aquatic sites that Milwaukee County controls.

[45:23] Walking was a distant second.

[45:26] We also wanted to understand why people may not be using the pool system that we have.

[45:32] And what we heard were a combination of things, including that a facility they once used had been closed during the year that we were engaging with them in 2023.

[45:43] Or we also heard that they did not have barriers that just chose to use other aquatic facilities during the time that they were using outdoor recreation.

[45:52] although we did also include our indoor pools which of course operate year-round.

[46:00] This is also a snapshot in time. I'm sure you're aware not all of these facilities have been open

[46:06] at the same time, but when we're engaging with people who are taking our survey, we find their responses

[46:12] informative even if they haven't visited the pools in quite some time. So we wanted to measure

[46:18] facility usage for all of these options. What we see here are a theme that the most popular

[46:26] facilities also experience repeat visitors. People will continue to use the sites that they

[46:32] enjoy the most and they are going back to those larger pool sites like coal waters,

[46:39] which, of course, is operated by a third party, and then as it pertains to waiting pools and splash pads, we see that attendance is in different scales of numbers, but we can see that some of the offerings in our regional parks, which have more amenities and more draw more people visiting those sites, we see higher attendance numbers.

[47:01] Note that our waiting pools and splash pads do not have fees associated with them, but the indoor and deep wall pools do.

[47:12] And one of the facility types that we took a lot of time looking at analyzing was the waiting pools and particular their utilization.

[47:22] And what we find across the country is we work with other communities, is that waiting

[47:29] pools are more of an aging aquatic component, there's nobody that is building waiting pools

[47:36] today.

[47:37] Most of the time we do find that the heat relief factor for recreational amenity, if it's

[47:44] not going to be a pool, it's going to be a splash pad, which you all have already started

[47:48] phasing in over the past numerous years, but what we did find in terms of the waiting

[47:54] pools is that some of these, you know, have less than ten people a day, some less than 25

[48:00] people a day over the course of the summer and so their utilization was fairly low when you compare

[48:07] it to the pools and the system or some of the other splash pads.

[48:13] What the other item that we look at is that the waiting pool does not allow for any type of aquatic

[48:19] programming,

[48:22] it does not, it's primarily, primarily function is going to be heat relief, which

[48:27] can also be accomplished with a splash pad, and that is something that typically comes with

[48:34] more operational efficiency as opposed to the waiting pools, and also there would be some upgrades

[48:42] is it would be needed for the waiting pools, and so we looked at some of the waiting pools

[48:48] had already had a renovation, and so we would see those thing on longer than the ones that

[48:53] are needing an innovation that those would be taken offline.

[48:58] And we see a couple of trends of thermally aquatic industry.

[49:02] The first is going to be regional facilities that maybe have an indoor and an outdoor component

[49:09] And when we look at the outdoor aquatics, we see facilities like cool waters and shows

[49:18] being built and being more popular that have a large zero depth entry, they have water

[49:22] sides, they have children's designated children's areas.

[49:28] And so some of the challenges with utilization of the existing older pools is that their

[49:33] water depth starts at three and a half to four feet and so it's just not an attractive place

[49:37] for young children because they can't be in the water and supervised or without being held

[49:43] by a parent.

[49:44] So there's some of the things that we also looked at in terms of comparing your system,

[49:49] to modern trends.

[49:51] And we have seen again the rise of the splash pads.

[49:54] Some we would classify as more of a destination splash pad and so this would have

[50:00] A little bit longer drive time than some of the more neighborhood splash pads, but it has some of the elements that you might see at a aquatic facility with a place structure in sprays, shade, perimeter seating.

[50:15] But we have seen that these are a popular amenity that don't require as much staff and

[50:22] don't require as much water and so we can be a valid amenity and essentially take the

[50:28] place of the waiting pools in terms of heat relief and just recreational aquatic value.

[50:38] There are also other agencies and levels of government that offer aquatics in Milwaukee

[50:45] county and these are three just three of the projects we are aware of that are happening right

[50:51] now they're in various stages of development the Oak Creek Franklin school district broke

[50:56] ground on two pools the village of Fox Point is in the midst of fundraising for the pool

[51:02] concept that you see in the center of the screen and Milwaukee wreck is beginning planning and

[51:09] development of a north side recreation site that will include an aquatic

[51:13] feature.

[51:17] And so as we looked at the overall recommendations, we've been meeting with

[51:21] Sir and Hoteem weekly for almost the past year now as we go through the system,

[51:29] the condition, the finances, and what the vision would be for the future.

[51:35] We looked at those different categories that we talked about.

[51:38] Continuing operating cool waters and shows as they are two of your most popular facilities

[51:45] look at reimbursement in Pelican Cove, we came to a benchmark of around 7,500 visits

[51:53] as looking at a pool as more utilized over less utilization and so we would say that some of those

[52:08] close or they could be transferred to a private operator similar to how it works right now

[52:16] with Tosa Poole and Hoyt Park. On the way in Poole, as I mentioned with the renovation,

[52:21] I didn't apply that budget threshold for capital investment, the ones that have been renovated

[52:26] on the mechanical side that those could stay online longer and then phase out the ones with low

[52:34] utilization, and then on the splash pads, continue operating the ones that you have and then

[52:39] plan for areas of the county to build new runs, and as well as maybe bring the destination

[52:47] splash pads to certain parts of the county.

[52:53] And so as we look at that, we would recommend that there is reinvestment in the existing water

[52:59] parks that there would be fewer of the older-style deporal pools, fewer later pools, but more

[53:07] splash pads that have additional amenities to help increase their utilization. And then, and hence

[53:15] the programming of the existing indoor pools, is you all look to what the future of aquatic

[53:21] solar tier in the county. So those recommendations have been used as we put together our

[53:28] capital requests for 2026. And I'm just showing a snapshot of the five year outlay. I know that the budget is being determined to this fall, but I just wanted to clarify that.

[53:39] We have obviously we have knowledge of what the aquatic study has included and so based on those thematic recommendations by aquatic categories.

[53:48] We've made specific project requests in line with those recommendations.

[53:54] and this is the end of our presentation but I just want to close and seeing that obviously we're

[54:00] happy to take any questions at this time but Aquatics is a subsidy that the Park System and Milwaukee

[54:09] County offers. We are not anticipating that Aquatics will be Gulf revenue right for us someday.

[54:17] We acknowledge that that is something that we offer as a service area and we do have a commitment

[54:22] into that into the future.

[54:25] The question is finding that sustainable size

[54:27] so that we reach a point in which we can open the entirety

[54:30] of our aquatic system, not make hard choices

[54:33] about opening enclosures and face these challenges,

[54:37] but reach the right size for what is sustainable

[54:40] from a walkie county on multiple levels,

[54:43] including financial resources, staffing,

[54:46] and the infrastructure that's required to run aquatics.

[54:50] Thanks, thank you very much for a complete report. Members of the committee, I think

[54:55] supervisor Eckblatt has his hand up first. Supervisor Eckblatt, the floor is yours.

[55:00] Thank you so much for your chairman, and thanks for this presentation. You know, there are three waiting pools in District 4 and seeing them be able to be open for the last two years has been really amazing because they really activate the spaces and typical New and Salem Park especially.

[55:19] I guess one of the challenges in terms of utilization is that this waiting pools are only open. I believe if 72 degrees are warmer is that correct?

[55:33] I want to get you the right answer.

[55:38] Good morning, Peter B. Director of Operations and

[55:41] Shield Trade. Supervisor Ecuador, you are correct. We do have conditions where we don't

[55:46] open if it's 72 degrees or cooler. I will say I'll see you then. If you just look

[55:52] at a calendar, when we open and when we close the 65 days for the season, this year the

[55:58] most splash pads were opened with 56 days, so there were nine days of rain or weather

[56:03] with that prevent-induced opening.

[56:06] Thank you very much for that quick report, Mr.

[56:12] I guess a quick question would be

[56:14] what a splash pad increase the opportunity's

[56:19] visualization.

[56:21] I would do greater latitude to be open versus a waiting pool.

[56:25] Achievement supervisors, I do anticipate the answer

[56:28] would be equal or more availability.

[56:32] Some of our waiting pools actually many required draining and refilling every night, and so that is all different in the operations of a splash pad.

[56:41] Additionally, the requirement for an attendant splash pad is different.

[56:45] So we wouldn't have to have that schedule dependent on some of those weather conditions and the splash pad could run when people are there to use it.

[56:57] Other questions?

[56:58] Thank you, Chair, and thank you for that in-depth report, and I appreciate it, the ability

[57:08] to look at it a little bit in advance, and also the contextualization of what Milwaukee

[57:16] County Parks is doing along in the regional planning of other areas.

[57:21] My particular district doesn't have any aquatic facilities, so I think it's really good

[57:25] compare. I just also wanted to share that I appreciated the high level overview of the historical

[57:32] funding as well. Part of what has informed my framework for thinking about this is a book

[57:40] by Heather McGee called the sum of us, as you am, where there's specifically a chapter about how racism

[57:47] drained the pool. So I would also just say that if other people want to familiarize themselves

[57:52] of some of the historical circumstances around investments in aquatics, there's also an American

[57:59] medical association article from December of 2021 called what public swimming pools teach us about

[58:07] racism's cost by Timothy Smith. So I just think that can offer some really interesting perspective

[58:14] on the health impacts of aquatics in the community as well. So thank you.

[58:20] Thank you.

[58:21] Thank you very much.

[58:22] Very much supervisor kind of.

[58:24] I also have familiar with both those articles you cite in, it's very, I think they're

[58:28] excellent articles.

[58:29] Supervisor Martinez.

[58:30] Thank you very much.

[58:32] I'm very surprised.

[58:33] Thank you very much for this presentation, by the way.

[58:35] I'm very surprised to see Jackson Park pool renewal planning in here for $180,000.

[58:41] Now, if, I mean, I don't want to sidetrack this presentation or anything, but I was under

[58:48] impression that that pool was never gonna be reopened because of what it would take to get

[58:54] it because what I understood is that it has to be gutted completely from the bottom up because

[58:59] of the chlorine was linking into the lagoon. So I'm just surprised to see it here because we had already

[59:07] like started talking with like other community members about re utilizing that pool into like

[59:14] something else like a skate park or something like that. So is this something that's going to be used for it?

[59:21] I mean, is there like are we ready to take on completely gutting and rebuilding like a pool like Jackson Park?

[59:32] Chair, if I made Supervisors, that's an excellent point and it could just be poor naming of that project.

[59:39] It's because this study was coming to you after the preparation of the 2026 Capital Request,

[59:46] Jackson Pool Renewal was used as a generalized name for our project as you're also aware

[59:52] and the MST is committed funding to Jackson Park and certain percentage of that is directed

[59:58] towards Aquatics.

[1:00:00] Would be our plan and as it relates to the capital outlay that a destination splash pad would be built in lieu of the pool that exists there because of the challenges it has with the existing infrastructure.

[1:00:14] And so that has a smaller footprint, a different amount of infrastructure required and would allow the balance of the site to be rethought as well.

[1:00:23] It's also more efficient for us to operate and staff.

[1:00:28] So, thank you for that.

[1:00:31] So, is this splash pad that you're thinking of in that same area or is it going to be

[1:00:36] somewhere else in a park or we're not sure of that yet?

[1:00:39] Chair, supervisors, I do anticipate that we would want to make the connection near the existing

[1:00:44] utilities, but we would use a design phase, which is what you're seeing there to solidify

[1:00:49] that and make sure that it's the right site that's available to the neighborhood in this

[1:00:54] regional park, we would likely have it somewhere in that vicinity and just personally I wouldn't

[1:00:59] want to impact the mature woods for the installation of the splash pad, but we would want

[1:01:05] it to be something that's accessible as soon as possible to bring something back online for

[1:01:10] the neighborhood that has had their pool closed for quite a while.

[1:01:13] Okay, I just want to be clear on that because that's been one of the second most contentious

[1:01:19] of pieces of, in my district specifically, Jackson Park pool being the only deep, well pool that

[1:01:26] we have in the 12 district. So when I see something like that, you know, it's like if we're going

[1:01:31] to go in 180,000, that's going to be something that I'm going to start really pushing on in the future.

[1:01:39] I mean, given that we have what we have, but, well, that's just the planning. Yeah. That's

[1:01:48] the cost of actually constructing. Yeah, that's what it means. And these are, this is just the

[1:01:55] next to what five year of capital olive for their quadics, not golf courses, not every other

[1:02:02] park project, playgrounds and that. So just because you see this, doesn't that mean they wish

[1:02:07] it performed that, you know, let's say in 2027, or you're going to have some of these for 2026,

[1:02:13] because we're already kind of down in the path of 2026 and none of these were in there.

[1:02:18] And then planning, like we sat there during CIC.

[1:02:21] And director Laymer is like, if we take a look at these planning projects, we took them out

[1:02:27] certain other projects because then the big ticket item is down the road.

[1:02:31] We came and do the projects that we got planned now.

[1:02:36] So I mean like that's the challenge.

[1:02:38] This is up against everything else.

[1:02:41] No, yeah. I understand that part. What I'm trying to say is like this is, it just kind of makes me light up a little bit.

[1:02:49] You know, you see something for Jackson Park, Jackson Park pool renewal, I just wanted to make sure that I'm understanding it correctly.

[1:02:57] So I appreciate, I appreciate your explanation.

[1:02:59] Yeah, Chair Supervisor, I will say I feel confident that the Jackson Project will happen because of the committed MMSD funds.

[1:03:06] It's just that the magnitude of the available funds will impact the scope of the project we undertake.

[1:03:12] That said, MMSD has already made a commitment to fund Aquatics in Jackson.

[1:03:19] But the deep water pool, they have a deep water pool on Jackson right now, and that will be removed as part of this planning is that.

[1:03:26] Chair Supervisor, that is the recommendation.

[1:03:28] It would be one of several destination splash pad sites that you saw the image which includes the run-out slides and other amenities

[1:03:36] that make for a longer stay for users and a wider range of ages being drawn to the facility.

[1:03:46] Other questions from committee members? Supervisor Cags Jones. And then to Supervisor Martin.

[1:03:54] Actually, Supervisor Martin. And then, Supervisor Cags Jones. Sorry.

[1:04:01] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Supervisor Cows Jones. I appreciate it.

[1:04:06] point of special privilege. I would like to be excused for the remainder of the meeting.

[1:04:14] Absolutely, and all the best. Thank you. Supervisor Cagge Jones.

[1:04:21] He was such an earthquake question in regards to the report. That was presented.

[1:04:28] I couldn't hear exactly if there were hours of operation that's Professor Eggblad asked about

[1:04:37] regards to the splash pets.

[1:04:41] If he didn't ask about hours of operation, that was going to be my question.

[1:04:45] I didn't want to ask the same question twice.

[1:04:49] A chair supervisor, I believe you're right. The hours were mentioned.

[1:04:53] The Archbishop or excuse me, our waiting pools operate in the middle of the day.

[1:04:57] I just know as a parent it's usually between 10 and 2.

[1:05:00] I think that that has remained pretty consistent. 11-4 is the conversion of midday openings.

[1:05:12] Okay, so quick question. Do you believe that the data that was collected could possibly be affected as far as not necessarily reach in the sufficient amount of hours or numbers needed to keep the splashcat open?

[1:05:29] do you think that those numbers were lower because of the hours of operation?

[1:05:36] To our supervisors, I would definitely be open to that possibility.

[1:05:40] I think as we evaluate where we're dedicating our trade staff operations staff and aquatic staff,

[1:05:46] we would be able to look at what we're staffing and when.

[1:05:51] I know ours have been a point of concern for all the pool types, including the waiters.

[1:05:57] You know, even the water parks people have wanted to see extended hours that requires the staffing and operation to support that kind of opening.

[1:06:07] So the way we manage operate and open our facilities would also be a consideration that we would take under advisement through this 20 year study.

[1:06:17] Thank you.

[1:06:20] All right. Other members from the committee? Other supervisors?

[1:06:25] Supervisor Logs, and you got your hand up before our Supervisor Sky, Capriola.

[1:06:40] Welcome, Supervisor Logs.

[1:06:42] Thank you, committee.

[1:06:43] Thank you, Chairman.

[1:06:46] Supervisor Logs in District 9, proud home of Health Corner's pool.

[1:06:51] I'm sure you can all hear the joy right now from Health Corner's area residents.

[1:06:56] as they have gone past the pool and noticed that it was filled,

[1:07:00] approximately a week ago, with anticipation that maybe

[1:07:04] something's happening.

[1:07:06] So I just want to share that when we have the open

[1:07:09] house event to share with a community,

[1:07:12] what they thought of the pool and what they want to do,

[1:07:15] that place was packed.

[1:07:18] They showed they want their community pool.

[1:07:21] So I don't know if you listen to that,

[1:07:23] As you said, you were at the events.

[1:07:25] We heard no feedback.

[1:07:27] I do know that you have the paper on all the tables

[1:07:30] and the residents signed their comments.

[1:07:33] They were so excited that they are finally being

[1:07:35] listened to by the Parks Committee

[1:07:37] and by the Milwaukee Parks Department.

[1:07:40] So I just want to reiterate that they want their pool.

[1:07:44] I see all the recommendations.

[1:07:47] I know one of the failures of our pools

[1:07:49] has been maintenance of other items in Milwaukee County.

[1:07:52] We need deferred maintenance, we need to set up a system to keep everything going so we don't have to think of closing

[1:08:00] Not only pools, but other facilities like the like the

[1:08:04] Domes and what happened with that. So that is something we all a supervisors need to put it put in our notes for future for the future for other

[1:08:15] a very important facilities in Milwaukee County.

[1:08:20] So my local community is not going to give up.

[1:08:23] So as many of you are aware, probably within the next week I can make an announcement

[1:08:29] that one of the groups in health corners will be working with Milwaukee County

[1:08:34] to do a lease at the pavilion of the pool.

[1:08:39] And as we know when we work with different facilities like the boys and girls,

[1:08:44] They will help out and modernize these pavilions which is a benefit to Milwaukee County because they are doing the fundraising and paying to take care of these facilities.

[1:08:56] Next year, depending on what's going on right now, it helps corners pool.

[1:09:01] Like I did mentioned, they just filled the pool.

[1:09:04] They're going to be deciding we have a group of people within health corners that would like to take over leasing the pool.

[1:09:12] And just make note that years ago we did have this happen at one point and it did stop.

[1:09:19] I don't know why, but it's a lot of work to go behind this.

[1:09:24] So when this does come up, I hope I have support of the Park's Committee and the Park's Department.

[1:09:29] Thank you.

[1:09:31] Thank you very much, Supervisor Lodge.

[1:09:32] Thank you.

[1:09:33] How did your refill of the pool go the other day?

[1:09:36] Did you come up with an estimate how much the cost would be for the Hills corner pool?

[1:09:40] That's a good question. I'm waiting patiently because there's still, I don't know if they have the results yet.

[1:09:47] Supervisor, I mean, it's very nice. Good morning Peter, but I'd go back to our school trade and operation.

[1:09:54] We are currently exploring that now, testing that with our trade and aquatic staff. So details will be.

[1:10:01] Thank you. Thank you. Don't want to lose the community pool. Thank you. Good. Next up, supervisor, sky, capital, welcome to the committee.

[1:10:13] Thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee members. I am here to support efforts to keep an aquatic future at Washington Park. I hear a lot from residents in that area that they have desperately missed having a pool there.

[1:10:27] I'm very encouraged about the excitement that Parks Leadership has shared with me that they want to do something in Washington Park.

[1:10:35] I do want to encourage everyone on my board colleagues to keep the planning budget that's in the 2026 Capital Improvements Committee recommendations in the budget for 2026.

[1:10:49] I also want to support the idea of keeping some kind of swimming feature in the pool.

[1:10:56] This is an area that doesn't have a lot of access to a swimming feature.

[1:11:01] And I hear a lot from residents.

[1:11:04] How are our children going to learn how to swim if they don't have access to a pool?

[1:11:09] Does that mean it's a deep water pool or a deep well pool?

[1:11:12] I don't think it has to be.

[1:11:14] could it be a four-foot pool? I don't know all the, I don't know, Aquatics. Like, you probably

[1:11:18] know so much better than I do, you probably learned quite a bit, but I do know that residents

[1:11:24] and community leaders in the Washington Park area really want to see something that their

[1:11:29] kids can learn how to swim at. So I'm also really excited to work with neighborhood advocates,

[1:11:35] private partnerships, to build something in Washington Park in the next few years that

[1:11:41] But we'll be truly an asset to the neighborhood and also be something that draws people in not only from around Milwaukee County but from surrounding counties as well.

[1:11:51] So thank you very much.

[1:11:53] Thank you.

[1:11:55] Other committee members.

[1:11:57] Other nine committee members.

[1:12:00] Supervisor Martin.

[1:12:05] So this

[1:12:11] is a motion.

[1:12:12] This is an action item.

[1:12:15] No, this is not.

[1:12:16] Let's say number five.

[1:12:19] We can move.

[1:12:20] We can move adoption.

[1:12:22] Let me make a move for adoption.

[1:12:24] All right.

[1:12:24] There's been a motion for adoption of the aquatic study.

[1:12:28] I have some questions.

[1:12:30] Question.

[1:12:32] I get to start with waiting pools in general.

[1:12:35] And I guess the history of waiting pools.

[1:12:38] Were the purpose of waiting pools when they were first designed?

[1:12:42] Was the purpose to get kids into swimming?

[1:12:44] was it to encourage kids to learn how to swim small children and then they would go on for swimming

[1:12:48] lessons in the future. Was that what the original purpose, the waiting clothes when they were

[1:12:52] hit from a historical perspective? I guess I'm looking at, I don't think a parts department has

[1:12:56] that expertise but as our as our consultant. What's the answer to that? I think it was probably

[1:13:03] twofold. The first would be heat relief and the second one, the just a general introduction

[1:13:09] to water, though they are limited in their scope, just because of the depth, so that limited

[1:13:15] in what they can provide for swimming, but it would provide base-level introduction to

[1:13:21] water.

[1:13:22] So we never really designed to start encouraging swimming at our just more introduction, but

[1:13:28] not really get kids into swimming classes, beginner ones swimming classes and stuff, correct?

[1:13:33] I could see that it would encourage that, but those types of activities would not be able

[1:13:38] be held within the waiting pools. Is anyone building waiting pools anywhere in the

[1:13:43] country or is it completely gone?

[1:13:47] We, I have not run across in my work that systems are implementing and constructing new

[1:13:54] waiting pools. So it's all splash pads everywhere.

[1:13:58] Correct splash pads and family aquatic centers. And as splash pads do we have a temperature

[1:14:03] set at that? Could we do, we have 72 degrees for waiting pools? Is there a splash? Is there

[1:14:08] splash pad temperature? It's the same. So you won't turn it on unless it's 72 degrees

[1:14:13] out. And if it goes down during the course from 11 o'clock to 4 o'clock, do you then turn

[1:14:20] off the water at that point?

[1:14:23] Good morning, Peter. Good morning. Peter, go back to that

[1:14:28] evaporation, go to aid. Generally, that doesn't really happen very often normally the temperature

[1:14:33] just goes up. I mean, it's really a call like sometimes like, for example, Gordon might be a lot

[1:14:38] it's on the lake where, you know, there's seal bearings and it's more inland. There's not really at much lake

[1:14:45] of air. So, normally at the start of the day, we look at it, if it's going to be 72

[1:14:51] a higher, so, side by side, it's a call made by the operator.

[1:14:57] And it's at least a month of a salary employee.

[1:15:00] These just have one parks employee just turn the water on, and at the end of the day they turn it off. That's all that's needed pretty much for in terms of your workforce requirements.

[1:15:11] Yes, Chairman Supervisor, we these are way to attendants, so they do get paid a little bit less than other folks, but it's a pretty involved process, you know, they put aside a sweep off the glass and stuff, they fill the way that is.

[1:15:28] They're there all day, they have to be their presence and attendant.

[1:15:34] And I also think of it as workforce development.

[1:15:36] We have some real good portendants there.

[1:15:38] We really have a little recruit for getting involved with life code.

[1:15:43] Because there's a good presence.

[1:15:43] A lot of these great employees have.

[1:15:46] And so I view it as a pipeline.

[1:15:48] Can you be 16 years old and watch the supply spread?

[1:15:51] Yes.

[1:15:51] You have to be 16 year old to do that.

[1:15:55] Thank you.

[1:15:56] Thank you.

[1:15:56] Another question I have is, kind of going on, we heard the theme that Supervisor

[1:16:02] will kind of brought up and was followed up with, I think, Supervisor Capriela, the skill

[1:16:08] sets.

[1:16:10] And where do we, I mean, this is a larger question, I guess the consulting can comment

[1:16:14] on this.

[1:16:15] But what role does Milwaukee County have to play in the development of swimming skills for

[1:16:24] population that in terms of a minority population that African Americans and Hispanic individuals

[1:16:31] in two thirds of that population, as adults, do not know how to save themselves in a swimming

[1:16:36] pool or in any water environment. What role does Milwaukee County and I guess, as a consultant

[1:16:44] who looks at all these areas, what role does government serve in, especially our county because

[1:16:50] been contracted with our county. What world do we play and teach in those skill sets?

[1:16:57] Yes, great question. I would say that the primary focus of Milwaukee County Aquatics

[1:17:06] that we came to see through this study was the role of a recreational aquatic provider.

[1:17:12] But within that is the subset of Aquatics programming, both on the fitness side as well as the

[1:17:19] instructional side and so these facilities can offer swimming lessons and aquatic programs

[1:17:29] whether it's introduction to water safety or full swimming lessons. Some of the areas

[1:17:36] were also being covered by the Milwaukee County public schools who are offering swimming lessons

[1:17:42] at their pools as well, and so we really see it as an initiative between all of the municipal

[1:17:51] providers that have aquatic facilities to be able to offer that core offering of aquatic,

[1:17:55] especially because of the historical disparities in access to water, but then also being

[1:18:05] community that is on the lake and wanting kids to be able to have basic water safety knowledge

[1:18:11] if not swimming skills before, they reach the age of 13 is usually the age where if a child

[1:18:18] does not learn to swim by the age of 13 and they probably will not learn to swim at all.

[1:18:23] And so it's critical to get them introduced to the water, but I think that the outdoor

[1:18:27] aquatics plays a key role in that because it does get children in the water and interested in

[1:18:33] swimming and so then they can go on to taking swimming lessons as well once they've been introduced

[1:18:37] to the water.

[1:18:39] Another follow-up question is the issue of deep water pools and the deep well pools.

[1:18:44] Is this, you know, when I grew up on my Milwaukee native group born and raised in Milwaukee, and, you know, we went to Madison.

[1:18:53] We went to Madison's pool, deep water pool, rode my bike there, all the kids in the neighborhood went there.

[1:18:59] Went to Dineen, went to Montgomery, we swam everywhere in the northwest side, and they're all gone.

[1:19:07] They're just wiped out. Is this happening all over the country? Is it just, are we the only

[1:19:11] county as, you know, we were short on money? Is this, is just a standard, just wiped out of

[1:19:17] deep water pools? What's happening nationwide?

[1:19:20] We definitely see that there has been a consolidation of the number of aquatic facilities that

[1:19:27] large municipalities are trying to operate to keep

[1:19:34] COSLO higher sustainability in terms of financials with their within their system.

[1:19:41] And the old and OPA standard was that neighborhood pool, one pool for every 10 to 20,000 residents.

[1:19:49] Now that standard is anywhere from one to 50 to one to 100, I think the mean are the average

[1:19:54] within the National Recreation and Parks Association's surveys is about one pool.

[1:20:00] For every 40,000 residents, but we are definitely working with other communities. We've worked with the city of Dallas, Texas, for the past 10 years now, and they have 10 new aquatic facilities, but they still have nine of their older aging facilities that have similar attendance and utilization patterns that you all do, where you have maybe less than 2 to 3, 2 to 3,000 total visits over the course of an 80 day season in the summer.

[1:20:29] And so they're getting less than 20 to 25 visits

[1:20:32] and so they're working to try to figure out,

[1:20:35] do we take those offline?

[1:20:37] Do we consolidate with a more regional?

[1:20:40] And I've had similar experiences with the survey results

[1:20:43] that you all have that the majority of people are driving

[1:20:47] and not walking or biking.

[1:20:48] And so it's a little bit easier to consolidate.

[1:20:51] But we'd definitely find that the older model of one pool

[1:20:57] and every area is definitely being taken offline

[1:21:02] and it's being replaced by more regional facilities.

[1:21:07] And the other thing I think very striking in this report

[1:21:10] is the issue of noise pool.

[1:21:13] With the attendance, the drop after COVID is so dramatic,

[1:21:16] we're putting so much money into this pool to maintain it

[1:21:20] for so few visitors.

[1:21:25] I just don't know how much longer we can continue this, and I think that noise will probably

[1:21:29] be on the chopping block.

[1:21:31] I mean, realistically, I know it's something that the supervisor and the district would

[1:21:36] love to keep it, but at the same time, I think we have to face reality here, and if you

[1:21:43] have a pool that is causing so much for so little that's gained, I think that we have

[1:21:50] potentially close it and I'm making a public statement on this, but I think that noise

[1:21:56] pool days are in the numbered, unless people come out, unless people start attending,

[1:22:02] we just can't pay for things, when nobody shows up, when we have people showing up for other

[1:22:06] pools and other parts of the park and using it. So we have to use our resources most wisely.

[1:22:14] So just putting it on the, bring it up and making an item for this discussion.

[1:22:20] Because it's, it's going to be a big discussion and big item.

[1:22:23] We've invested a huge amount of money on it by the same time, sometimes when you're

[1:22:27] making a bad investment and it's going bad on the stock market, you've got to cut your losses.

[1:22:32] And I think we might have to cut our losses on noise.

[1:22:35] So, but thank you very much for the support.

[1:22:37] Any other comments from committee members?

[1:22:40] I do have a public comment card from an Adrian Spencer who would like to speak for information

[1:22:48] only.

[1:22:51] Adrian, come on up.

[1:22:53] I feel like to introduce yourself and welcome to the committee.

[1:22:59] Good afternoon.

[1:23:00] Chairman, my name is Adrian Spencer.

[1:23:02] I live in midtown.

[1:23:04] I've worked on Washington Park.

[1:23:06] I am the Deputy Director for the Division of Washington Park.

[1:23:08] And I want to speak on behalf of the community of Washington Park, which I've been serving for the last three years.

[1:23:17] I'm currently in the community organizing perspective of going out knocking on doors, talking to residents over the last three years.

[1:23:24] We talk to more than 400 residents in one year, just to really get a sense of what people want to see have happened in Washington Park.

[1:23:32] And one of the things that I'll tell you is that the number of questions that we get from residents that are both

[1:23:38] North and East of Washington Park is what is happening with our bill in the living act open.

[1:23:45] That is the number one question that we give from residents is now.

[1:23:49] It is a climate topic amongst residents and North that are in the Washington Park neighborhood.

[1:23:56] We at Wooden Rising also are very interested in supporting the efforts to understand one from the community perspective.

[1:24:04] How can we bring a water feature that will allow for swimming, double allow for recreation, double allow for different types of exercise and health benefits to the community.

[1:24:17] We're interested in helping to understand from the community. How can we keep that in Washington Park?

[1:24:23] If you look at the area around Washington Park,

[1:24:28] residents are driving to other water features.

[1:24:31] We have to go nine miles, probably not quite not,

[1:24:35] but more like four miles, east to shorts,

[1:24:39] or probably nine miles west to Greenfield,

[1:24:43] in order to proper, I'm getting water.

[1:24:46] There's been a systematic the investment in Washington Park,

[1:24:49] which is why one of the reasons why the numbers are down

[1:24:52] at that park or had been down prior to a closing.

[1:24:55] If I, as a mother, and I have had to make this decision

[1:24:58] have to decide, shh.

[1:25:00] Good I go to Washington Park, which is the work rule in this flashback, or should I go and take my kit to

[1:25:05] greenfield, which has all of the bills and whistles, obviously I'm going to pay to go there and

[1:25:11] take that extra drive and those refreshments. So we as a community are hoping that you all will consider

[1:25:18] funding the exploratory process so that we can see what the actions are to Washington Park and we as a community

[1:25:24] are interested in helping to fundraise or to help get the word out in the community and to

[1:25:30] help build pipelines that get kids into that part. One, fund folks that are a part of

[1:25:34] community and two young folks that could help to employ that could be employed at that part

[1:25:40] to help manage. So if you ever please take into consideration that if Washington Park remains close

[1:25:48] to your point earlier, it is one of nine parts that have been closed in the last 20 years all

[1:25:54] north side. So that is a disservice to this community and we will ask that you will consider

[1:25:59] funding Washington part. Thank you. One last comment, when will the waiting pools be over?

[1:26:08] In Milwaukee, when will the waiting pool history of Milwaukee County be over? Do we have a date

[1:26:13] certain or date that you'd like to shoot for? Sure, supervisors. No, we don't have a date certain

[1:26:18] as George mentioned, we would consider the operational efficiency in any waiting pool site if we

[1:26:25] recently invested it if it has a high attendance number that matters. So this is a 20-year planning

[1:26:32] horizon and so I would say 20 years would be the end date for carrying out some of these categorical

[1:26:39] recommendations. But that said and related to the comment we just received, each project would

[1:26:46] its own endeavor, and so public engagement related to each planning phase can be anticipated

[1:26:52] and we commit to that. This is kind of setting the trajectory for where we're heading,

[1:26:58] so that we can make our requests accordingly.

[1:27:02] Thank you very much, Mr. Thompson. Any further questions?

[1:27:06] Seeing none, we have a motion and a floor for approval of the aquatic study. The summons you

[1:27:11] to call the roll. On the motion by Supervisor Martinez that item number five be

[1:27:16] recommended for adoption Supervisor Taylor District 17, Cogs Jones,

[1:27:23] Martinez.

[1:27:25] Aye. F-blad. Aye. O'Connor. Aye. Mr. Chairman. Aye. Six eyes, zero nose.

[1:27:32] The motion prevails. Thank you very much.

[1:27:43] Supervisor.

[1:27:46] Go for it. Yeah, you thought it in here.

[1:27:51] Before we set up the next part of the agenda, basically the way I structured the agenda today for the Parks Committee was that I wanted to get some of the easier items out of the way first.

[1:28:02] And then we were going to take up some more of the big items at the end.

[1:28:06] So we're going to set up the start with some of the bigger items now.

[1:28:12] And the sevens, if you'd like to announce item number six.

[1:28:16] Item 6, 2025 adopted budget amendment 6 from the Executive Director of Parks requesting authorization

[1:28:23] to enter into a lease agreement and a development agreement between Milwaukee County Parks

[1:28:28] and the Milwaukee Domes Alliance to support the revitalization of the Mitchell Park Domes.

[1:28:34] This item has also been referred to the Committee on Finance.

[1:28:38] Mr. Terentino, if you like to start, I may introduce yourself again.

[1:28:41] Good morning, Mr. Chair and Supervisors, Jim Tarantino, Deputy Director for Milwaukee County Parks.

[1:28:47] I'm joined in the room today by representatives from the Milwaukee Domes Alliance.

[1:28:52] We also have Corporation Council on the call.

[1:28:57] A extensive amount of work has gone into flushing out the lease and development agreements

[1:29:01] to enable this project to happen.

[1:29:03] What we're presenting to you today, what's included in this file,

[1:29:07] There is relatively little new information, this is a continuation of conversations that were

[1:29:14] started in fall of 2024, implemented through a budget amendment in the 2025 budget, and

[1:29:20] then the file that we brought to you in the last cycle in July contained exactly the same

[1:29:26] high-level terms that are included in this file today.

[1:29:29] We just added a higher level of detail and specificity.

[1:29:33] That's needed for a long-term agreements like this.

[1:29:38] I have a quick slide show.

[1:29:40] A lot of the information in this slide show is for the record,

[1:29:43] just to have this as part of the file.

[1:29:45] I'm not going to read all of the information contained within it,

[1:29:49] but if something jumps out, feel free to stop me,

[1:29:51] and I can go into greater detail.

[1:29:53] So we are seeking County Board approval of the lease

[1:29:55] and the development agreement that will enable this project to occur.

[1:29:58] This was one of the...

[1:30:00] contingencies of the approval for the county commitment, the financial commitment that was lent in the July cycle.

[1:30:07] And one of the big high-level benefits and purposes of this project, not just to see the improvements of her and the investment happen.

[1:30:16] At the Mitchell Park domes, it is also to transfer the obligations the expenses off of the county's balance sheet to a third party.

[1:30:25] And that really does, that really is consistent with the theme that we need to form and foster

[1:30:31] public-private partnerships to be able to sustain county park services.

[1:30:36] Here are some of the benefits of the Domesary Imagine Project, reducing the operating

[1:30:39] expenses, all of the day-to-day obligations through the lease agreement, which shift from

[1:30:44] Milwaukee County to Milwaukee Domes Alliance, we're able to leverage private funding,

[1:30:49] The $30 million county investment nets an $84 million private investment to enable the $114 million

[1:30:57] capital project to occur.

[1:31:00] The 25 budget amendment 06, the reason I'm bringing this up here is to point out that it

[1:31:06] did specifically ask for the creation of a long-term lease to place at the time the

[1:31:11] friends of the domes now Milwaukee Domes Alliance in charge of the operations of the facility.

[1:31:16] The structure of this deal is that the development agreement occurs first.

[1:31:20] There is a period of time between now and when the Milwaukee Domes Alliance closes on the first phase,

[1:31:26] the most important part of that being raising the matching funds to enable the first phase to occur,

[1:31:32] where the development agreement would govern.

[1:31:34] During that period of time, our existing operating agreement with Milwaukee Domes Alliance,

[1:31:38] or friends of the Domes continues to take precedent in terms of day-to-day operations,

[1:31:43] But the development agreement would, in addition to governing the construction of the

[1:31:47] improvements, how the rehabilitation of the historic structure would go, items like plan

[1:31:52] approval, proof of financing, those details that go into any development agreement.

[1:31:57] It also outlines the specific requirements of this transaction that are needed to move forward.

[1:32:02] And then when closing on the first phase occurs or just prior to it, the new lease agreement

[1:32:08] would be entered into and be the governing document.

[1:32:13] First, major detail of the development agreement it outlines the release of county funding

[1:32:17] that we've described in the July cycle when we presented the county commitment, meaning

[1:32:21] the matching funds that are required from the Milwaukee Domes Alliance.

[1:32:26] The timing and how that occurs, how that's funded in future capital budgets, as well as

[1:32:31] describing the financial structure of the project from the development side of things.

[1:32:36] Meaning the historic tax credits, the capital campaign, pledges and contributions,

[1:32:40] how all of that is audited on our end, as well as the tax credit financing state, city, and other sources that go into the development.

[1:32:50] This is the phasing of the project. One new piece of information is the outside date of completing, or should say, beginning each of these phases.

[1:33:01] We anticipate the first phase being the show dome, the additional improvements to the lobby space and some of the shared mechanical systems in the facility

[1:33:10] The estimated start date was spring twenty twenty seven, but we've established a no later than date of the end of twenty twenty eight

[1:33:17] For that to occur that forty eight million dollar project includes twelve point nine million in county capital funding

[1:33:24] resulting in a $35 million match from the Milwaukee domes alliance and then the other phases would occur sequentially that the desert dome and the other improvements in phase one be would occur after

[1:33:38] completion of one A and we've established a no later than date on those two future phases as 2034, but we would estimate the start date happening in this sequential order here

[1:33:48] Phase two is the construction of a new education event and visitor center space which I'll show in

[1:33:54] the location of that that's generally the new facility that's being planned south of the existing

[1:33:59] domes, which would occur after the completion of phases one A, B, and C.

[1:34:05] This is the county commitment based on essentially a pro-ratabases of the cost of each phase.

[1:34:10] So phase one A is 12.9 million, one B, 8.4, one C, 8.8.

[1:34:15] We do have the county's goals for targeted business enterprise participation in the development

[1:34:21] agreement of 25% for construction, 17 for professional services.

[1:34:26] The development agreement outlines the phasing and the plan to review process, so Milwaukee

[1:34:30] County will still review the plans.

[1:34:34] Even though it's substantially being built according to National Park Service standards to

[1:34:39] be able to get the historic tax credits, we are still involved with the plan to review

[1:34:43] process, it also outlines the reporting requirement to Milwaukee County based on the results

[1:34:49] of the capital campaign. This earlier slide from July showing how the county capital financing

[1:34:56] could flow to each one of the phases, resulting in that 30 million.

[1:35:00] Over six years. And here's the phases of this is a new image from since July that shows the phases that the phasing itself is entirely consistent, but the image is new, showing where phase 1 is, essentially, show dome, plus other improvements with the cafe, the little sprouts area, and lobby enhancements, phase 1, be being the desert dome, education center improvements, once seeing the tropical dome.

[1:35:25] Once all of that is complete and we have, the project is moved successfully through those first three phases, then we're contemplating beginning phase two, which is a future phase entirely separate from the development agreement that we have here other than the lease agreement which is included by reference, would allow for phase two to be constructed in the former sunken gardens area.

[1:35:52] Just for the record this includes more of those details, this is also in attachments to the development agreement that lists all of the different specific improvements in each one of those phases and also phase two.

[1:36:04] The lease agreement, again the lease agreement wouldn't take effect until just prior to closing on the transaction.

[1:36:13] So the development agreement governs along with the existing operating agreement until we hit all of those contingencies to start the construction of the project

[1:36:21] After which the long-term lease agreement a new long-term lease agreement would govern the operations of the domes and it would essentially

[1:36:28] The basic structure is Milwaukee County retains ownership. It's still a public facility of the building and the grounds

[1:36:34] But Milwaukee domes alliance assumes all day-to-day responsibilities of operating that facility for 99 years

[1:36:42] This is the structure that is consistent with the message given to us by the board and all discussions that we've had along the way related to the county commitment, continuing to

[1:36:57] Milwaukee County continuing to own the land, so it's still a public facility public access is guaranteed.

[1:37:02] Public purposes are established.

[1:37:04] We also have a few trailing agreements which we have to work through between now and closing one is the greenhouse lease.

[1:37:10] So the entire facility would be leased to the Milwaukee Domes Alliance.

[1:37:13] We know that we need to use the greenhouse space to continue to perform plant care.

[1:37:17] It's also the base of operations for our horticulture division.

[1:37:20] So we need to enter into another separate agreement where we lease back or operate the

[1:37:25] greenhouse as long-term.

[1:37:27] Plant collection, this is just the uniqueness of this project that we have thousands of plants

[1:37:33] in that facility that would essentially be leased to the Milwaukee Domes Alliance.

[1:37:36] so we need to work through a plant collection, lease agreement,

[1:37:41] Milwaukee Domes Alliance still responsible for all capital

[1:37:43] and day-to-day maintenance of the facility.

[1:37:45] We did also create a maintenance reserve fund of half a million dollars

[1:37:49] and the term of this would, the terms of the transfer

[1:37:54] of obligations would begin following construction

[1:37:57] of the show dome phase of the project.

[1:38:00] Which is when all building maintenance and operations

[1:38:02] transfers to MDA.

[1:38:05] I mentioned earlier the phase two lease would occur after completing one A, one B, and one C.

[1:38:11] All revenue, including pricing and missions control, shifts from Milwaukee County to Milwaukee Dome's Alliance,

[1:38:18] and we have an annual report requirement to Milwaukee County with a county board requirement of once every five years.

[1:38:26] This would be the least premises. This is the footprint that was submitted and approved as part of part one of the National Register listing

[1:38:33] of the historic site, which includes the circle drive, the parking lot, all of that is the least premises before phase two is considered.

[1:38:45] And so that is, I am joined by Chris Spieldiefenbach and representatives from the Milwaukee Domes Alliance and the Alexander company who are here who can help answer any questions you have.

[1:38:55] But again, just the the ask which is entirely consistent with, you know, the approval we got from the board in July was the lease and development agreement following that county commitment.

[1:39:10] Welcome.

[1:39:15] Hello.

[1:39:15] I'm Chris to be a different box CEO of Milwaukee Jones Alliance.

[1:39:19] I would like to thank the chairman and county supervisors for having us here today.

[1:39:25] And then I'm Jonathan Beck, a development project manager with the Alexander company.

[1:39:30] Thank you.

[1:39:32] I

[1:39:34] think we're just here to answer any questions if you want to open it up to committee members.

[1:39:38] We go right to the supervisor who is led the charge from day one.

[1:39:42] Supervisor Martin has.

[1:39:44] Thank you very much Chair Wasserman.

[1:39:46] Thank you very much for the presentation.

[1:39:49] Okay.

[1:39:49] So I want to make sure here that we're going to be successful with this project.

[1:39:56] This much is possible.

[1:39:58] And I think we all know.

[1:40:00] All that reporting is going to be paramount to that success, because what's going on is that we do have the, in the, in the, in the, in the, in the contract agreement, we have the specific reports on.

[1:40:17] The content is contribution on at each checkpoint, you know, each year and everything but the thing is that

[1:40:24] Have we been I don't know if I haven't seen it or anything, but

[1:40:29] What like the expectations for the Milwaukee domes aligns to reach like their fundraising goals and everything?

[1:40:34] I think it's important that we are able to

[1:40:38] Report that out in order like I say to for this project to be successful now

[1:40:42] There was a question that Sean Rowland wanted me to ask

[1:40:46] How often is the county board in the general public going to receive updates on the progress of the fundraising?

[1:40:54] And why isn't that more explicitly delineated, delineated in the agreement?

[1:41:00] Mr. Chair, Supervisors, I can speak to it's in the agreement and I'm sure Chris can speak to her expectations,

[1:41:07] but we do have a quarterly reporting requirement in the development agreement related to the project financing updates,

[1:41:12] which is on the bottom of page 20, section 4, believe it's d2. Quarterly reporting requirements

[1:41:25] to us and then we have pretty strong pledge auditing requirement before we actually reach

[1:41:32] closing to go through the financial, the fundraising aspect of this project. So I think that

[1:41:39] is hopefully pretty well spelled out there and then we have the annual reporting requirement back

[1:41:44] county boards. Okay, so yeah, I mean, yeah, we we have the quarterly reporting and I think that's

[1:41:50] an important but will are we just going to rely then on the quarterly reporting them for for that or we

[1:41:56] going to be updated more are we going to be updated sooner than that. Chair and supervisors, I that is

[1:42:07] what the agreement says. I think that that's a pretty substantial, you know, once every three months

[1:42:13] have that reporting requirement back to us we expect this to be a two or three year process before

[1:42:19] hitting that phase one a closing. So you know that's 12 to 18 check ends between now and then

[1:42:25] I think that's that's what we propose and what we'd like to stick to. Great. I'm I'm I'm

[1:42:31] I'm fine with that you know I just want to make sure that we're as explicit as possible as we can

[1:42:40] so you know could to show. I want to follow up with that question that Supervisor Martinez says so this

[1:42:47] will be a discussion in front of our for in front of my committee. So you will get quarterly reports to

[1:42:54] this committee not only to do the parks department but to our committee directly. Is that how it's written

[1:42:59] in the lease?

[1:43:04] Is that your understanding Supervisor Martinez? Chair and Supervisors, I don't believe

[1:43:11] that that would be our expectation that we would be providing a quarterly fundraising update

[1:43:16] to this committee. That's more or less between our office and the office of the comptroller,

[1:43:21] having that requirement that MDA shared their fundraising progress with the county,

[1:43:26] but that's not necessarily a quarterly update on this agenda. What we anticipated was an annual update

[1:43:32] and then once every five years after the project is completed, a county board update,

[1:43:39] That's how it's outlined in the agreement.

[1:43:43] Sure.

[1:43:44] All right.

[1:43:45] Yeah.

[1:43:45] So that's what I was asking about.

[1:43:46] Then the fundraising goal and the fundraising benchmarks that we're going to be hit.

[1:43:51] That's going to be reported annually and not quarterly.

[1:43:57] Okay.

[1:43:58] I respond to that.

[1:44:00] So of course, as you guys know, you know, we are committed to being transparent.

[1:44:07] And as transparent as we can be, the challenge is, of course, with a capital campaign.

[1:44:11] that our fundraising council asks us to not be quite as transparent about exactly where we are,

[1:44:19] because it can be, it can impede donor motivation. So what ends up happening is if, you know,

[1:44:27] and I just met with actually a donor the other day who said, you know, he's really excited about the

[1:44:31] possibility of kind of finishing out our campaign for that first phase, the showdom phase.

[1:44:37] And so, you know, it's asking me to keep him up to date on when they get close to the end.

[1:44:42] But, you know, there is donors are motivated by, you know, various aspects of a campaign.

[1:44:49] And so, for us to be required to publicly release that information, it could just impede our ability to be successful.

[1:44:58] And I just want us...

[1:45:00] To ensure that we're protecting that safeguarding that to whatever degree possible. However, we are 100% committed to sharing that information with the county so that they have the information they need.

[1:45:15] And to whatever degree we can, again, giving us the ability to run a fundraising campaign. I mean, that's really what we're asking for.

[1:45:28] And if we were to be in a situation where we were having to give you guys quarterly updates

[1:45:33] on exactly where we are, I think that would really restrict that.

[1:45:37] So again, wanting full transparency, and I know with the chairman I've talked to you about

[1:45:42] this, that 100% one-on-one conversations with supervisors giving you an update is just fine.

[1:45:50] It's more about releasing it to the public.

[1:45:54] And, you know, thank you, thank you for that information, it's just, you know, and

[1:45:59] supervisor while I did bring up a good point, you know, it's a, if fundraising metrics

[1:46:05] aren't being hit, we should be aware of it because, you know, we should be able to react

[1:46:10] to it, like, and be able to figure something out, if it's not, if we're not hitting the benchmarks

[1:46:18] you're not in the Vetchmark says like in the fundraising scheme. So yeah

[1:46:27] that's that's

[1:46:29] that's what I got right because like you know you know like I say I just wanted to be

[1:46:33] I want to be able to tread this in a in a certain way where we are going to see it

[1:46:38] through to the end and we're going to be able to really make it happen so thank you very much

[1:46:46] Supervisor Martinez, we're going to go supervisor Taylor,

[1:46:49] the supervisor of Connor.

[1:46:51] So thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[1:46:51] So this is exactly what we heard from the museum,

[1:46:55] the public museum about not getting all this information out there.

[1:46:59] It's going to hurt your fundraising and that.

[1:47:04] But like $30 million in taxpayer dollars is what you're asking for.

[1:47:09] And we had this debate at CIC and whether or not

[1:47:14] to give you, you know, put 5 million towards the domes, not knowing where you're at and

[1:47:22] having that money potentially just sit there while we have other projects mounting up behind

[1:47:27] us.

[1:47:28] We've heard about pools.

[1:47:29] We're going to hear about it.

[1:47:30] I mean, there's a just unlimited amount of projects that need to be done and it's I almost

[1:47:35] feel like you're blindly asking us trust us, you know, put 5 million and then next you're

[1:47:41] another five million, did you want to have one-on-one conversations? That's not very transparent.

[1:47:49] Okay, so I don't, but at the same time I don't want it, I don't think we should do anything

[1:47:53] try to harm the fundraising, but it doesn't feel very good to me. And I, you know,

[1:48:02] would want to really know where you're at, you know, a year from now. Well, like years from now,

[1:48:09] And that's why I think we had to go with this year,

[1:48:13] kept the 5 million in, so the next year, we went up to do 10,

[1:48:16] but we really do, we will need to know,

[1:48:19] because I'm not going to blindly give a nerf 5,

[1:48:21] at least in the first and the first.

[1:48:25] I just don't, it's just from the optics of,

[1:48:29] we're not going to share information,

[1:48:30] but we'll talk to you one-on-one.

[1:48:34] Well, what month are we planning to show,

[1:48:39] where we're at. So I think part of what we can do because we're breaking this project into

[1:48:47] these three discrete phases. And so the fundraising goal for the first phase that showed

[1:48:55] them phase. So phase one A as deputy director had mentioned. So the fundraising goal for that

[1:49:02] is, you know, 14 to 19 million, you know, it's, it's a combination of both private philanthropy

[1:49:10] as well as some other public funding. And so what we're looking to do is that, you know,

[1:49:16] with our closing that we have for that phase, we have to have raised, like the condition

[1:49:22] as we have to have raised all of them, the rest of the funding for that almost 50 million

[1:49:27] for us to be able to move forward for us to have that closing and to start construction.

[1:49:33] So, you know, I would say a year from now, we're going to be have a very solid understanding of where we are,

[1:49:39] and we can talk about the where we are toward that phase without sharing the full amount,

[1:49:45] so we have a goal of 35 million dollars for the entire project,

[1:49:49] but we don't have to talk about that piece of it at that moment in time,

[1:49:53] because it's really because we're having these discrete phases, we can look out where we are with that showdom thing.

[1:50:00] Does that make sense?

[1:50:01] Mr. Chair and Supervisors, can I just add it?

[1:50:06] I think we're trying to balance public transparency with what a public-private partnership actually looks like, in effect, which is,

[1:50:15] having a private fundraising phase of a capital project that we're not used to.

[1:50:24] and otherwise are entirely based on, you know, being a public sector entity.

[1:50:28] We are partnering to create this quasi-public, non-profit entity to operate the domes.

[1:50:35] So what the balance between public transparency and the success of the fundraising project

[1:50:42] is probably somewhere in the middle than what we're used to.

[1:50:46] I will just point out a couple of things that the county's investment is protected because

[1:50:50] these are reimbursable expenses.

[1:50:53] So no county funding is actually released to the project

[1:50:56] until all of the contingencies are met.

[1:50:58] Once the project actually occurs,

[1:51:01] what we're trying to do between now and then

[1:51:02] is set money aside in the capital budget.

[1:51:04] So that's there to be reimbursed against.

[1:51:08] But I think if I can interpret having

[1:51:11] set gone through CIC this past August,

[1:51:14] there just is such a lack of capital resources

[1:51:17] in every budget that projects don't get done while we set that money aside, and so if I'm

[1:51:23] in your seat, I'd want to know that it's all worth it, that setting the money aside is going

[1:51:28] to actually add up to a successful project. So to that end, we as a department can, we know the

[1:51:34] timeline, we know that by July, everybody needs to have their capital budgets in and we need to

[1:51:39] know in July of 26 and every year thereafter, maybe even June, but this project is on track.

[1:51:45] So that's a level of reporting that we as a public entity as a department of the county

[1:51:50] can certainly commit to providing that.

[1:51:52] That's just different than sharing the individual pledge reporting on the fundraising side

[1:51:58] of the project, which will be coming to us in the Controllers Office anyway, if that helps

[1:52:02] to meet in the middle of, yep.

[1:52:06] Well, I think ideally we would want to get an update before CIC meets in August next year.

[1:52:17] I mean like in July if that's possible, July next year for that updating into if that's possible.

[1:52:26] Yeah, it's possible.

[1:52:29] I June of every year will provide a status report.

[1:52:32] I'd also like to make a motion to approve.

[1:52:35] All right.

[1:52:36] The motion is made.

[1:52:41] Anybody else would like to talk?

[1:52:43] Supervisor.

[1:52:44] Oh, I'm sorry.

[1:52:45] Supervisor.

[1:52:45] Kind of arpages.

[1:52:47] Thank you, Chair.

[1:52:49] And thanks to my colleague who raised the question about

[1:52:53] the consistency with what's happening at Milwaukee Public Museum.

[1:52:57] I think as this committee in particular is facing the

[1:53:02] accessioning of a lot of our cultural institutions, we're going to be faced with this reporting

[1:53:08] issue again and again. So I do appreciate the delicacy of, because I have worked in

[1:53:15] capital fundraising campaigns before, and as Deputy Director, Terent, you know, pointed out

[1:53:21] this is a bit of a hybrid situation with these public private partnerships. So I think, you know,

[1:53:28] we as a committee are trying to do our due diligence around the transparency that's required

[1:53:32] by a governmental agency, but also respecting the, you know, sort of industry standards

[1:53:42] of public or private fundraising.

[1:53:45] So I appreciate that we will be getting annual information, especially prior to important

[1:53:54] decision-making with our capital improvements budget.

[1:53:57] So I think what is most important is that

[1:54:01] They're appointing aligns with our budgeting and decision-making timing, so thank you.

[1:54:10] Other members,

[1:54:14] I share some of the concerns that transparency issues are being brought up,

[1:54:19] and I think of all days to bring it up. The people behind you are looking at me and certain

[1:54:25] there are three people who are really looking at me more than others besides yourselves in the front

[1:54:30] I'm going to point out the three organizations.

[1:54:34] There is the Milwaukee Public Museum.

[1:54:37] There's the Charles Alice.

[1:54:39] And there's the Villa Terrace Museums.

[1:54:42] I'm listening to every word you said very carefully in this entire conversation.

[1:54:46] And they're listening to it for several reasons.

[1:54:48] Each one of them is facing the same question that you're faced right now.

[1:54:53] And I don't, I think one thing that I think this committee really believes in is equity.

[1:55:00] Any quality and we don't want to have different standards for different groups that are requesting money, really in very similar situations.

[1:55:08] I think a one-to-year reporting is too little, point blank too little.

[1:55:14] This quarterly may be too much, maybe it is, so a moderation may be six months, but I think we need to know information.

[1:55:22] And I think the general public is definitely interested.

[1:55:26] Each of the other three groups that are behind you right now are faced with question after

[1:55:30] question.

[1:55:31] Some more than others.

[1:55:33] One of them I received a stack of postcards and documents and this person is going to

[1:55:40] have to kind of respond because there are questions about transparency, but transparency will

[1:55:44] be something that we really require.

[1:55:48] I appreciate talking to me, I appreciate talking to my other committee members, but public

[1:55:52] transparency is something essential, but once a year is just not enough, so it might

[1:55:58] be in the report once a year, but we need to have more information than just once a year

[1:56:02] basis.

[1:56:05] Especially what makes years even different than the three people behind you is that

[1:56:10] you're talking about years in development, and that brings up my next question as well.

[1:56:16] I didn't see a specific time chart, but phase one A and one B and one C, what were the years that these are supposed to be started by?

[1:56:27] Mr. Tarantino, you were going over those things?

[1:56:33] Yes, phase one A and Tarantino, the S made it start date was spring of 27, but we have in the agreement it occurring no later than the end of 28.

[1:56:43] Okay, and then sequentially it'd be one year or two years

[1:56:49] a second periods of time after that for each phase.

[1:56:52] So we pushed phase one B and one C to start no later than 2034,

[1:56:57] baking in some flexibility on that.

[1:57:00] The completion of the first phase being potentially the most complex.

[1:57:06] So one A, spring 27, no later than 28,

[1:57:09] one B29, no later than 2034, same with one C, no later than 2034.

[1:57:17] And if that number is breached, what happens?

[1:57:20] We have a process describing the development agreement on assessing where the project is at and deciding if it can be,

[1:57:28] if those timelines can be extended or not, but Milwaukee County owned certain rights to decide, you know,

[1:57:34] We're not going to lend indefinite extensions to what we need to understand where the is the short coming on the fundraising side is it on a complexity with the plan review or something like that.

[1:57:46] So we have the ability to adjust that date, but not indefinitely who's the granger of those extensions I

[1:58:00] want to be able to go through the agreements and look at these answers and

[1:58:14] if corporation councils on the line who's I'm sure they've kind of

[1:58:19] I don't want to put Mr. Tarantino in spite of the corporation council if you could jump in there. We'd appreciate it.

[1:58:27] Good afternoon. Chairperson members of the committee.

[1:58:32] Thank you William Davidson Deputy Corporation Council.

[1:58:35] I'm joined also with Attorney Rebecca Midditch. She is in attorney with Hush Blackwell with whom we partner to draft much of the agreement.

[1:58:43] One thing I can say for certain is that MDA is well aware, as it was part of many of our discussions, it is baked into both of the agreements, the development and the lease agreement, that any funding commitment on the county side is subject to continuing appropriations by this board by this committee.

[1:59:04] And so if at any time the board and the county generally did not feel that the project was making the progress consistent with the agreement, that would be one lever that the board could certainly pull to redirect funding going forward.

[1:59:24] But we were very clear that it is that continued appropriation authority that drives really everything in this project.

[1:59:33] So are you saying specifically the board would be the grantor of the extensions if there's questions?

[1:59:41] If there's problems with dates that are breached?

[1:59:46] Sure person, it is not baked into the agreement in that way.

[1:59:50] What I'm saying is that the board certainly has the ultimate authority to slow or stop the project all together based upon your appropriating authority.

[2:00:00] Would the, if the, let's say the parks department is granting the extension with the parks department have to extend knowledge of that extension, the grant to the parks committee or to the board.

[2:00:16] I believe that would be a substantial modification to the agreements, I think that that would require additional board approval. Yes.

[2:00:25] But it's not specifically written in the language that you and Hushwell Blackwell has come up with.

[2:00:31] It is not, I believe it is left to Milwaukee County, generally speaking, which, of course, includes the parks,

[2:00:39] making the recommendation to the spotty and the spotty than approving.

[2:00:44] All right.

[2:00:48] Thank you.

[2:00:49] Supervisor Taylor?

[2:00:50] Well, now it would be the time to get this right.

[2:00:52] We're going into an agreement that we're going to spend 30 million dollars.

[2:00:56] I think if there's questions in, you know, we need to get the answers, like black and white, not any gray area, you know, I'm thinking about some of the chairman said before, you know, this was, I mean, the dome is everybody knows the domes, everybody, and we, and you guys put on the heat, we got all these emails from the people say, and save the dome, save the dome, save the dome, all very public, very public, save the dome, save the dome, save the dome, and now it's like, well, the transparency is almost back to awful.

[2:01:25] little bit on the fun raising. I still have that problem. I'm not asking about who's given the money.

[2:01:30] I want to know how much is there. It's not about the who. It's about the how much.

[2:01:35] And if there's extensions, that should come to this body because I could tell you that if for some

[2:01:42] reason, there are issues and you have this is five years down the road and now there is the thought

[2:01:49] of holding off on another $5 million dollars. Why would you not turn up the heat again? Why would you

[2:01:53] have people, please email us all saying, give us the money, give us the, of course you would.

[2:02:00] Of course you would. So it's like you're picking and choosing when you want to go public

[2:02:05] and what you want to keep from the public. And that's how I look at it. But at the same time,

[2:02:10] I think the board's will is that we do want this project to move forward. We are strongly

[2:02:15] support of this but and we trust you Krista and you know that you're going to make this

[2:02:25] happen and our corporation council and the legal agreement says it's a huge project but the

[2:02:31] issue of transparency on fundraiser when it comes to money people want to know where it's going

[2:02:37] how it's being spent how it's being raised but in the same time we and if I didn't say this before

[2:02:43] We want you to be successful.

[2:02:46] We understand, we've worked with Dr. Zelensky, we've worked with the other two museums.

[2:02:52] We want everyone to be successful in fundraising and fundraising is not the expertise of this board.

[2:02:57] Maybe supervisor or counter has a level that we don't have because what she's done previously.

[2:03:03] We want you to be successful, but there is a community interest that needs to be addressed.

[2:03:07] And so, that's, that's I think we're at, so, and it would be nice to have in the least a specific part of it that says that, you know, substantial changes,

[2:03:20] the of, you know, breaching of dates is reportable to the county board.

[2:03:26] I think language like that, and at least would be very helpful. I don't see a downside for anybody involved in a very general fashion.

[2:03:34] Do you have any, do you have any quality with that or concerns?

[2:03:40] No, I do not. And if you don't mind, I would like to just, please,

[2:03:44] respond to Supervisor Taylor.

[2:03:46] I will say that one of the things we committed to from the very beginning is that we

[2:03:49] would not come back and ask for additional funding.

[2:03:52] And that is, we're 100% still committed to that.

[2:03:56] So I understand that that has not always happened when it comes to the Board of

[2:04:01] and that you, you know, face some challenges in the past with that.

[2:04:06] But certainly, that is still 100% our expectation.

[2:04:10] And I would not have any issue with having, you know,

[2:04:13] that is more a, I think, deputy director,

[2:04:17] Tantino's response would be valuable, but, you know, for me,

[2:04:21] I have no issue with that coming back to the committee

[2:04:24] and the Board of Supervisors for Review and Approval.

[2:04:28] I think we're committing to at least annual reporting back on all aspects of this project,

[2:04:36] which would include any potential timeline changes, as well as the fundraising updates.

[2:04:43] So that is totally fine.

[2:04:45] The way that the actual structure of the development agreement is, is that as Corp Council

[2:04:50] David's in pointed out, is that the county ultimately has holds a purse strings on future

[2:04:54] capital investments.

[2:04:55] And so, if there's any aberration, any sign of this project is not...

[2:05:00] On track, that would be part of the discussion at that time. But ultimately, we want us to, as you said, we want

[2:05:08] to see this first phase be successful. And the way that it's structured with timeline changes is the second

[2:05:14] phase and the third phase cannot begin, cannot until phase one, a, is complete, one, b, is completely

[2:05:20] because we're trying to, in reverse, incentivize the, the systematic completion of each one of

[2:05:26] these phases, and having that financial oversight of each one, which is not just our department,

[2:05:32] it's also the office of the controller and others at the county.

[2:05:36] Corporation Council, is there any way at this point that we could have in the least-screen,

[2:05:41] a modification with two points being given a specific passage stating that if breaches

[2:05:49] occurred any granting of the extension would be brought to the committee or to the board.

[2:05:58] And a second phase, a second, at least, change would be that the first lease agreement

[2:06:04] informational report would be done in one year, but subsequent ones would be done in a semi-annual

[2:06:10] basis of every six months.

[2:06:14] Could we have that added to the lease and would parties be interested in agreeing with that?

[2:06:20] I don't mean to put you out of spot, but is there any really concerns with something like that in the lease?

[2:06:26] No concerns here.

[2:06:28] And I would say chairperson, none from my perspective either.

[2:06:31] I do think that because any of these changes that we're discussing would be material,

[2:06:37] we would be coming to the board anyway.

[2:06:39] So, just memorializing that I think would be perfectly acceptable and MDA has already now indicated they would agree.

[2:06:51] I think the personal basis, I think my district and I think on behalf of this parks committee,

[2:06:58] I think it would be much more acceptable to the general public.

[2:07:01] Supervisor Martinez, this is your district.

[2:07:04] What are your thoughts?

[2:07:05] That sounds good to me.

[2:07:07] If you're all willing to go with that, then I'm willing to go with it as well.

[2:07:10] I think a supervisor, kind of, you've had fundraising experience, any concerns from your perspective?

[2:07:17] Well, I guess I was just sort of wondering if we should at a future Parks Committee have something on the agenda, a presentation by a fundraising professional who can speak to their best practices that might also help put our minds at ease as to what is typically done in these circumstances.

[2:07:35] And if there are any examples of working with government as well outside of Milwaukee County maybe they can provide us some examples.

[2:07:45] So we can find what's happening in other places too because of the sort of dual reporting protocols of government and private fundraising.

[2:07:57] I think that's great idea. I think we should put that in the agenda in a future meeting.

[2:08:01] I think for one quick question before I ask for before we go for approval, signage naming rights.

[2:08:10] What does the least say about naming rights?

[2:08:15] Chair and supervisors, MDA has the right to sell naming rights to portions of the property as part of the fundraising of this project with county's consent.

[2:08:25] And that's a portion, and if there's a naming right for the entire domes, could they change the

[2:08:31] for Mitchell domes to blank blank domes?

[2:08:38] Well, F naming rights.

[2:08:42] So, this is on page 10 of the lease agreement.

[2:08:47] Corporation call, so you can jump in there too.

[2:08:49] Chairperson, thank you.

[2:08:51] So yes, Deputy Director Tarantino is identified on page 10, where we discuss naming rights.

[2:08:56] I can tell this body that this was a discussion that the parties had a couple of occasions

[2:09:03] and for renaming potentially the entire dome facility, that is kind of treated differently

[2:09:10] than renaming perhaps the entrance hallway or the the Ancillary room. And we did that specifically

[2:09:18] because the parties recognized that that is a very significant consideration that the county would

[2:09:24] have great interest in, I can tell you that any of these naming rights being proposed by MDA

[2:09:32] potentially in the future and none have been so far would be subject to the county's reasonable

[2:09:38] rejection of the proposals. So we have the ability to push back if we, you know, one of the

[2:09:45] examples we've talked about is we won't be renaming anything the Walkishot County Mitchell Park

[2:09:50] So, for example, we would be able to reasonably reject something to that effect if it were proposed.

[2:09:58] So, we have the right to read.

[2:10:00] Jack, full naming rights of the whole institution, and for parts of the parts of the building itself.

[2:10:07] Correct. Yes.

[2:10:09] Okay. And the notice period is a significant difference. I believe that 60 days versus 30 days,

[2:10:14] that MDA is required to provide written notice for the county to consider whether to accept

[2:10:19] or reject the proposed naming rights.

[2:10:21] For 30 days, 60 days would be for small one or 30 days first.

[2:10:26] Correct, 30 days for a smaller piece and 60 days for the whole property.

[2:10:33] All right, so if somebody on behalf of Supervisor Martinez wanted to name the domes,

[2:10:39] the Juan Miguel Martinez domes and wanted to commit $10 million. We have 60 days to review that

[2:10:46] correct? I suspect that we would not reasonably reject that. I suspect that would be the will of the body.

[2:10:58] Here's what I'd like to propose at this time.

[2:11:01] We have a motion to approve this agreement, but I think in terms of legislation, could we have this least be brought up as a substitute amendment?

[2:11:13] We'll use the current vehicle as a, we'll move to approve this current vehicle.

[2:11:17] have a substitute lease agreement come up before the full county board and substitute that it will be a substitute amendment with the two lease changes in it.

[2:11:28] And that could be written up. The lease changes would be one year fundraising a month announcement.

[2:11:34] One year fundraising reporting to our board and then the subsequent years would be semi-annual.

[2:11:41] And the second part was what was the second part I just brought about earlier.

[2:11:47] It's chairperson.

[2:11:49] Excited.

[2:11:50] Excited thank you.

[2:11:51] Excited.

[2:11:52] Didn't have the chance to write that down.

[2:11:54] Chairperson, and if I could just clarify, I believe there was some discussion

[2:11:58] about one year from now potentially providing an update to this body.

[2:12:02] There was also a discussion earlier of as soon as June or July of next year kind of

[2:12:07] advance of click committee meetings and that sort of thing.

[2:12:11] Does the body have a preference?

[2:12:14] It has to be before that.

[2:12:15] one year mark, it has to be before CIC, yes, so be before August.

[2:12:23] Thank you.

[2:12:24] Okay, we have those two changes.

[2:12:26] I think you guys need them, so you guys can do the planning.

[2:12:30] Yeah, so everybody's on board.

[2:12:32] All right, oh, super, it's okay.

[2:12:35] Oh, yeah, my question is, if we, if we do that,

[2:12:38] is that going to delay any of your processes or deadlines?

[2:12:43] Oh, should I?

[2:12:47] I, I'm checking with Alex and her company, nothing from on your side. No, I think it's, it's just fine.

[2:12:55] I think thank you for asking. Yeah, I think the key things supervisor counters using this is a vehicle so we don't do any delay at all.

[2:13:02] And when we pass it, we'll have everything done in the same timeline that it was before us today.

[2:13:08] Supervisor at but your hand up.

[2:13:11] Thank you very much. Mr. Chair, thanks for watching the committee and thanks for this presentation.

[2:13:15] And we obviously all want the domes to be totally successful in the entirety of this project.

[2:13:21] But I think another reason to report more frequently is that the phase approach and one of the great things about how this deal was constructed,

[2:13:30] is that if at any point it makes sense for us to change our commitment and just go with phase one or phase one be,

[2:13:37] we can only make that decision with the adequate information.

[2:13:41] So that's all I would add. Thank you very much.

[2:13:44] Thank you very much, Supervisor Arcline. Any further comments?

[2:13:47] Discussions? All right, I think we're at the point of taking a vote.

[2:13:52] Another vote on the domes, but really moving the thing forward.

[2:13:55] Miss Evans.

[2:13:58] On the motion by Supervisor Martinez,

[2:14:00] that item number six, be recommended for adoption,

[2:14:03] Supervisor Taylor District 17.

[2:14:06] Cogs Jones.

[2:14:11] If you could repeat that,

[2:14:12] Supervisor Cogs Jones, we didn't hear you.

[2:14:16] move.

[2:14:19] Got it.

[2:14:20] Thank you.

[2:14:20] Martinez.

[2:14:23] Ed Blad.

[2:14:24] Hi.

[2:14:25] O'Connor.

[2:14:26] Hi.

[2:14:27] Mr. Chairman.

[2:14:28] Six eyes.

[2:14:29] Zero knows the motion prevails.

[2:14:31] All right.

[2:14:31] Congratulations.

[2:14:32] Thank you very much.

[2:14:34] All

[2:14:36] right.

[2:14:36] Since the time of 11, 18s gone on and we're two hours and 18 minutes have gone past, I think we should take a, let's just take a five minute quick break, get up and hopefully we can start going.

[2:14:48] And everybody's here, and I know everybody wants to move forward, but let's get together, I do love in 25, we'll call the meeting in the session again.

[2:14:57] All right, plus everybody can eat.

[2:15:00] It's some of the superiors you can eat.

[2:15:33] All right, so dates is all for the last thing here, all right, so chat, ballman,

[2:15:45] our two communities, item number seven, so we are very quick.

[2:15:56] Oh, just real quickly.

[2:15:57] I

[2:16:10] don't know if I can do it.

[2:16:13] I didn't know where you came from.

[2:16:15] Well, the jolly can see it.

[2:16:16] I just want to know where you're going.

[2:16:17] I just want to see it.

[2:16:19] Yeah.

[2:16:19] I want to touch the end.

[2:16:20] I can't do it.

[2:16:22] Because it's not enough.

[2:16:23] Because he is.

[2:16:24] I think it's one size, this ball.

[2:16:27] Thank you.

[2:16:27] Yeah.

[2:16:29] I think it should go down.

[2:16:30] I think it should go down.

[2:16:31] Can I do it?

[2:16:31] Can I do it for you?

[2:16:33] No, it's different.

[2:16:34] I'm just just one.

[2:16:35] I think it should go down.

[2:16:36] The reaction time.

[2:16:38] Yeah, but that means.

[2:16:51] The

[2:17:55] Parks and Culture Committee is now back from recess for sort of businesses to call

[2:18:00] the role.

[2:18:00] Make sure we have a quorum.

[2:18:02] Miss Evans.

[2:18:06] Supervisors Taylor District 17.

[2:18:08] Here.

[2:18:11] Martin.

[2:18:12] Excused.

[2:18:15] Cogs Jones.

[2:18:19] My Tinas, Eplat,

[2:18:25] O'Connor, Mr. Chairman, there are six members present to appearing virtually

[2:18:33] we have a quorum.

[2:18:34] All right.

[2:18:35] If you could have announced item number seven.

[2:18:44] Item seven from the Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks, requesting approval of

[2:18:48] twenty twenty five fund for the arts camp pack

[2:18:51] allocations was to fair and clear

[2:18:55] low-chair supervisors Jim Tarantino deputy director from the mill walk

[2:18:58] e-county parks

[2:18:59] uh... what's before you is uh... approval of the slate of grants to be awarded

[2:19:04] from the fund for the arts on it just start by giving a little bit of history

[2:19:08] and defining terms so camp pack

[2:19:10] was an acronym meeting the cultural artistic musical programming advisory council

[2:19:15] that's an advisory council of the county board and to the county board with

[2:19:18] members approved by the county board and the fund for the arts is a non-departmental

[2:19:24] organization 1975 is the org number included in the budget Milwaukee County Parks.

[2:19:30] Our role is administering the grant application process and staffing meetings and presenting

[2:19:36] this file which is something we've done for a few years back in 2019 and prior there

[2:19:41] was a private consultant who managed this process and was paid a fee to manage the fund

[2:19:47] for the arts grant receive and distribution process.

[2:19:53] The county board by amendment, I believe in the 2020 budget,

[2:19:56] assign that role to the Parks Department as a means of funding.

[2:20:00] The summer concert series, our role in the arts, the performing arts, is fairly limited, and it has been implementing

[2:20:10] campus policies and reporting back here on the results of their meetings. So, all that said, there was a funding formula that was proposed during 2020, that changed the distribution of funds.

[2:20:25] From what it was previously that was related to the two programs of matching grant program and a community cultural event program.

[2:20:33] The Kampak group decided for various reasons to go to a more equal distribution of funding and in doing so.

[2:20:44] wanted to reduce the impact that would have on organization, so there was a three-year period

[2:20:50] of transitioning from the old funding structure to the new one. And 2024 in December, I presented

[2:20:56] to the 2024 slate of recommendations. This funding formula is identical, which is take the full

[2:21:03] pot of funding in the fund for the arts, divide it by the total number of qualified applicants,

[2:21:08] and give an equal distribution to all of the applicants.

[2:21:12] Our staff does that applications.

[2:21:15] We make sure that all the requirements are being met as far as financial reporting, the

[2:21:21] minimum number of cultural events in the community that are free and open to the public.

[2:21:26] And we run the application.

[2:21:27] So this year we wanted to get a little bit ahead and not present something in December.

[2:21:32] So here we are after running the application process, all of July.

[2:21:36] So July 7th through August 1st, we had the application open on the county's website.

[2:21:41] We received 48 applications this year.

[2:21:44] All of the organizations are listed, but of note is that the fund for the arts was reduced

[2:21:48] in the 2025 budget where it was previously $407,825.

[2:21:55] The 2025 approved budget, reduced the total fund for the arts to $307,825.

[2:22:02] So, it's just a math problem, as far as the new funding formula goes, we had 48 applications,

[2:22:09] so that distribution to each one of the qualified applicants is $6,413.

[2:22:16] This has generated some pushback that I think we're all aware of.

[2:22:21] Some folks that had received more funding under the previous regime, the funding regime,

[2:22:29] Disappointed that there's a declining amount of support through the fund for the arts and I think I

[2:22:36] You know carry a message from the camppack group that they're trying to do what they can to support the performing arts in this community

[2:22:42] That camppack group is comprised of working artists and people that are in this field who no one wants to see declining support for the arts in the 25 budget

[2:22:50] I was asked to answer some questions

[2:22:52] in October of 2024, and I think it was Supervisor Blinsky who asked for a written report

[2:22:58] on the status of public funding for the arts in general.

[2:23:02] And I provided that and the state of public funding for the arts is abysmal.

[2:23:07] I think Wisconsin is 50th out of 50 states, our public sector, whether it's cities, counties

[2:23:13] or the state, we are last or close to it and providing that public sector support for

[2:23:19] arts, and that is a problem. But I would, as it relates to the fund for the arts in Milwaukee

[2:23:27] County's budget, I would argue we're doing the best we can. The Kampak group is doing

[2:23:31] the best it can with declining support and having conversations about what is continued to

[2:23:36] declining support look like. Right now we're trying to provide equal distribution to be fair

[2:23:41] to all of the 48 groups that are qualified this year. Still trying to see that number of applicants

[2:23:47] grow we had I think three more than we had last year so wanting to see more groups get

[2:23:51] funded from this increasingly smaller and smaller pot of funding but also a recognition

[2:23:56] that we can't do it alone. Obviously no one is entirely reliant on a grant of $6,413 for

[2:24:04] their annual operations. This is meant to achieve the goal of having free publicly accessible

[2:24:10] performing arts events during the course of the year. So with that $100,000 reduction the

[2:24:15] impact group is trying to do their best to provide support to all of these groups.

[2:24:21] And with that, it's an unfortunate choice, but we are asking for the county board support

[2:24:27] and approval of this slate on behalf of that advisory council.

[2:24:32] All right.

[2:24:32] Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and to you, no?

[2:24:35] Members of the committee,

[2:24:38] Supervisor O'Connor.

[2:24:41] Thank you, Chair.

[2:24:41] Thank you for that report.

[2:24:42] I agree with you the state of arts funding is the bismal being 50th in my opinion is not acceptable.

[2:24:51] Arts contribute a lot to our well-being and quality of life here in Wisconsin.

[2:24:57] So I received almost 40 emails.

[2:25:00] Members, which were pretty much unhappy with what the campaign recommendations are for total amounts

[2:25:10] in the county budgeting.

[2:25:14] So I will be voting no, just to raise awareness on this situation. I would

[2:25:19] like to see more focus on this from our government relations and from the administration. I don't

[2:25:28] there's anyone here to speak to where this lands in our request to the state, but because

[2:25:36] I feel that we should be doing more around support for the arts, I will be voting no today.

[2:25:44] Other questions? Supervisor Eckbach.

[2:25:51] Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to hear you, I see one of the consequences of a no-go today.

[2:25:55] Do we have the option of passing this and then maybe finding more room in the budget if there is

[2:26:03] surprise here in the next eight weeks. What are the really options before us? Mr. Tarotimig would

[2:26:10] you like to respond to that? Yeah, I could just speak to our role in the process is, you know,

[2:26:14] we're in communication with these groups. We've told them the timeline. We've, we've told them.

[2:26:18] We've communicated that camp pack meets in early August in the county board meets in September.

[2:26:23] And so if this is all approved, we'll be cutting 48 checks to these organizations in October.

[2:26:29] So that's something that, as organizations, they, when say, reliant on, but their expectation

[2:26:35] is that some grant funding would be coming in October, so I need delays would obviously

[2:26:40] push that out, be a disappointment.

[2:26:44] I, you know, a principled vote against this and the status of arts funding I understand, but

[2:26:52] we have a pragmatic issue of this fund for the arts as an annual appropriation.

[2:26:56] if we don't distribute it, it doesn't go anywhere, it doesn't accrue to any public benefit,

[2:27:01] it doesn't get in the hands of the arts organization. So that's why we're recommending approval

[2:27:07] of this today to get that money out in the community, while we do need to have bigger picture,

[2:27:12] longer-term conversations about the status of public arts funding.

[2:27:20] Mr. Chairman, as the follow-up.

[2:27:22] Sir, please go ahead.

[2:27:23] Supervisor.

[2:27:25] Thanks.

[2:27:25] Director Antino.

[2:27:26] Am I incorrect that these grants used to be $10,000?

[2:27:31] I don't know why that.

[2:27:33] That number was in my head.

[2:27:35] Chair and supervisors attached to this file.

[2:27:39] The three year history.

[2:27:40] This is something we did.

[2:27:41] Historically done so you can see the flow of funding.

[2:27:45] So last year it was $9,269.

[2:27:49] that's because the pot of funding was $100,000 larger.

[2:27:53] So it was 407, 825, it's now 307, 825.

[2:27:57] In addition, we had three more qualified applicants this year

[2:28:03] than we had last year.

[2:28:04] So the distribution is just smaller.

[2:28:06] The year prior to that was the last year of the transition

[2:28:10] from the old funding formula to this one,

[2:28:13] where generally speaking some organizations

[2:28:15] that had been receiving upwards of 50 to 80,000 out of this pot where transition downward

[2:28:24] to, we could see the attachment for yourself, but 30,000 and then the remainder got $10,125,

[2:28:31] which again is a factor of having less applicants and more money in those prior years.

[2:28:36] Thank you very much, Ray. I'm, which is technical hopefully that number up.

[2:28:40] So obviously, if we pass this, we'll have the option of augmenting it

[2:28:44] In the budget, if we do find some crumbs, I'm not saying that that's a certainty, but that would be an option we have in front of us.

[2:28:54] All right.

[2:28:55] Superversa Taylor?

[2:28:56] Well, so, in a way, we could take some of these applications and just give them nothing and give some organizations more than others.

[2:29:05] Correct? We could give some zero.

[2:29:06] We don't have to say yes to half of these if you didn't want to, right?

[2:29:09] Is that mean when you guys, how are the decisions made?

[2:29:11] Anybody that applies?

[2:29:12] are going to, here's the pot of money, $307,000 we're going to divide it by the number of

[2:29:17] applicants.

[2:29:17] If next year there's another six applicants, this pot's just going to get smaller and smaller.

[2:29:22] That's essentially, it's like, no one's losing, we're going to give everybody something.

[2:29:27] Is that what the kind of decisions were going on?

[2:29:30] Yeah, essentially, it turns supervisors, there's, there's been discussions for the last

[2:29:35] five years about how small of a pot of funding this is and trying to do the most good with

[2:29:40] small pot of money as it's shrinking is really difficult. We had an old funding formula that

[2:29:48] valued the size of an organization's budget. So if you had a larger budget,

[2:29:52] you received a higher allocation. And there were some really direct conversations about how

[2:29:57] inequitable that was, that larger organization.

[2:30:00] We're seeing more funding, smaller organizations remain small by receiving less funding. So there are no perfect solutions here, but what the camppack group had tried to do was broadcast three or four years ahead of any transition that this was coming.

[2:30:14] Having a graduated system downwards. Ultimately, this file is, you know, before you today, you've got the whole list of qualified applicants and the amount that they'd be getting in the resolution.

[2:30:27] Because ultimately it is up to you to vote on you know what that grant funding would be the advisory council exists to advise you in that in that vote

[2:30:35] I remember those conversations about the size of the organization and the bigger organizations get more money

[2:30:40] I remember that and then there is people of unhappy with that system now

[2:30:43] There's people unhappy with this system and yeah, we're 50 out of 50 lucky county cannot solve that problem

[2:30:49] Okay, so that's like we've talked about this before the for some reason the status

[2:30:53] Wisconsin does not value that all right and they've made decisions all the elective

[2:30:58] officials are public and Democrats have made the decision in Madison that we

[2:31:02] have other priorities and ours is at the very bottom that's what the state of

[2:31:07] Wisconsin has determined there's nothing that Milwaukee County can do now

[2:31:11] fighting crumbs don't you think I mean I'm just waiting for this operating budget

[2:31:15] where we're going to have all these amendments of trying to help this

[2:31:17] organization or this organization or fund this program who an affordable housing

[2:31:22] here. I mean, I've seen it every year. So now we're going to remember, well, what about

[2:31:27] camp pack? Let's try to find some more money for them. Then, what are you, where are you taking

[2:31:31] it from? We have pools on the agenda. We, today, we have the domes on the agenda, with it. We

[2:31:36] are using it. It's, there's not enough money to go around. So no different than Madison,

[2:31:42] every one of us are going to have to rank our priorities. I know where my sit in this cultural area.

[2:31:47] we've seen my votes, all right?

[2:31:49] So I just think that we can vote no,

[2:31:52] we can be symbolic, but here's the system

[2:31:55] that we put in place, the administration's executing it.

[2:32:00] So what, we just out of symbol, we vote no.

[2:32:03] And then no one gets to money,

[2:32:04] we just went hold it over until next year,

[2:32:06] we do a new formula that's half the people

[2:32:10] aren't gonna like.

[2:32:12] I don't know.

[2:32:13] I mean, I'm not gonna vote no on this

[2:32:14] because I think we've already made a commitment

[2:32:16] that this is how we're going to operate, but in the future, if you want to create a

[2:32:20] company with a brand new system for 20, 20, 20, what's 6, 27, or for 27, yeah, if you want to

[2:32:29] do that, that's fine. But then if you think you're going to add more money to that pot, where

[2:32:35] are you taking it from? Seniors, parks? Where? Supervisor, Connor? Thank you, Chair. Yeah, I was just

[2:32:44] I'm wondering if there was anyone here from Campac just to express their viewpoint of the challenges?

[2:32:51] Is there anyone from Campac?

[2:32:54] Yes, not.

[2:32:59] I guess here's where I'd like to go.

[2:33:01] We have three people who would like to come to before and testify about these, about this campac allocation,

[2:33:08] and I think I'd like to call on those three, and then we can hear from the general public,

[2:33:12] and then I'll have some comments after this.

[2:33:14] The first one up is Chad Balman from the Milwaukee Rep Theater.

[2:33:19] He would like to speak against, following will be Sarah Nelson from Imagine Milwaukee.

[2:33:27] He's going to speak against.

[2:33:29] And then we have Christine Hojnaki from Imagine Milwaukee who's also going to be speaking against.

[2:33:36] So, you're up first Mr. Balman.

[2:33:38] Feel it to introduce yourself in your title.

[2:34:00] It's also important for us to use and that 1,100,000 will want to be on the rest of us.

[2:34:05] Excuse me, Mr. Chair.

[2:34:07] I'm sorry, we cannot hear.

[2:34:09] I mean, like, oh, yeah, there you go.

[2:34:10] Could you apologies?

[2:34:12] If you could repeat yourself.

[2:34:13] Yes, I am Chad Bowling.

[2:34:15] Ellen and Joe Chicago executive director of Milwaukee Repetory Theatre.

[2:34:18] And I am here to speak today on behalf of Milwaukee Rep.

[2:34:22] Our Board of Trustees and the more than 100,000 Milwaukee County residents that we serve

[2:34:26] to ask that you vote no on the Camp Act allocations, which include a 31% cut in our county funding.

[2:34:34] In the immediate aftermath of the global pandemic, which closed our theaters, Milwaukee County approved a change to the Camp Act funding formula as you just heard,

[2:34:42] resulting in an 83% reduction in Milwaukee reps funding.

[2:34:46] Now, they have said that that is related to the size of organization. I would actually argue it's related to the number of Milwaukee County residents that we serve.

[2:34:54] Today, the system that you have gives an equal grant, whether we are serving one, Milwaukee County.

[2:35:00] For more than 100,000 Milwaukee County residents, as in which we do. Just three weeks ago, a thousand-year flood destroyed our production facility, causing $8 million in damages.

[2:35:13] I'd like to thank each of you for your outreach and pledges of support, in particular for the county executive who visited and assessed the damage alongside the supervisor, roll and pledging their assistance.

[2:35:23] Given the circumstances, it was very deeply troubling to me to be notified by Chairwoman

[2:35:29] Nicholson's office on Thursday that there was a plan before this committee that would

[2:35:33] cut Milwaukee reps allocation by an additional 31% on top of the 83% reduction we

[2:35:39] had already endured.

[2:35:40] The reason why supervisor O'Connor received 40 emails plus was we started notifying and talking

[2:35:46] to the constituents in which we serve and which you also serve as well.

[2:35:50] Milwaukee Rep is Wisconsin's largest performing outdoor organization serving 300,000 people annually the majority of which are county residents.

[2:35:59] We also provide our education in more than 20,000 students each year, including sustained partnerships with more than 30 MPS schools each of which are in your districts.

[2:36:09] Despite receiving no dedicated public funding from the city or county,

[2:36:12] Milwaukee Rap has invested $80 million in Milwaukee County through the creation of the Associated Bank Theater Center,

[2:36:19] projected to generate $40 million of annual economic activity locally.

[2:36:24] We've also demonstrated our deep commitment to serving all Wisconsinites,

[2:36:28] only earning the governor's award for diversity and tourism, the first meeting was constant to ever do so.

[2:36:35] Milwaukee Rap has weathered multiple existential threats in this decade.

[2:36:38] Many of you understand the importance in this community, many of you I've had personal conversations with.

[2:36:43] But now we need action.

[2:36:45] We ask you to reject this proposal, allocation, and restore Milwaukee Rups County funding.

[2:36:51] Without your support, our ability to continue to live, will be greatly diminished.

[2:36:55] And I would just also like to say, it's not just the state that is 50th.

[2:36:59] Milwaukee County is the last and the worst of the 60 largest DMAs in the country.

[2:37:04] and the city of Milwaukee is the worst of the 60 largest cities so this is a

[2:37:09] responsibility for the city of Milwaukee the county of Milwaukee and the

[2:37:13] state of Wisconsin and I would be happy to give any of you the number of people

[2:37:17] that we serve in your district every single year.

[2:37:22] Questions for Mr. Bowman?

[2:37:26] Thank you very much. Thank you.

[2:37:28] I would like to get those numbers that he suggested the amount of

[2:37:38] folks of the, um, that participated in their program from the 13 district.

[2:37:44] Absolutely.

[2:37:45] I'll do that as well as the schools that we serve as well.

[2:37:48] Thank you.

[2:37:49] Great.

[2:37:50] Next up is Sarah Nelson from Immort, Mayor of Milwaukee.

[2:37:55] You feel like to introduce yourself and your title, come on up.

[2:38:06] Welcome.

[2:38:07] Thanks very much.

[2:38:08] My name is Sarah Nelson.

[2:38:10] I am the engagement director at ImagineMKE and, uh,

[2:38:13] But following me will be the Executive Director, Christine Honaki.

[2:38:18] We're both speaking on behalf of a Medgen MKE, and of course I'm speaking for myself as a citizen.

[2:38:24] Much of my opinion has been stated, and I'm very grateful to you,

[2:38:28] a supervisor, O'Connor, for your position, on the value statement that the county can make as a part of its budget.

[2:38:35] Budgets are not simply practical. They are, in fact, value statements.

[2:38:39] Public funding for the arts holds the potential to increase tourism,

[2:38:42] retain arts students and attract artists to our region. But when we see those numbers decrease,

[2:38:48] Milwaukee County looks like a less inspiring place, a place that doesn't value the significant

[2:38:54] contributions of its arts community. Arts nonprofits provide as Shad stated tens of thousands

[2:39:00] of educational hours to our youth. They generate over $330 million in economic impact, and that was

[2:39:07] a number stated in 2022 that number has grown through activities that drop people out of

[2:39:12] homes to spend at hotels, restaurants, child care and beyond, while simultaneously improving

[2:39:18] the quality of life for our citizens.

[2:39:20] Our arts nonprofits provide all of this and yet are expected to compete for private philanthropic

[2:39:25] dollars that cannot sustain a thriving sector alone.

[2:39:29] I urge this committee to consider the substantial benefits to our region provided by the

[2:39:34] organizations that qualify for compact funding and to engage with ImagineMKE's convening

[2:39:39] where we are convening the community to look at creative solutions to finding funding for greater increased public funding that is.

[2:39:51] Public funding doesn't solve any organization's budgetary needs, but it does provide important operational dollars that help keep the lights on and signal.

[2:40:00] That our region is proud of its talent and cares about the quality of life for all of us, so thank you for your consideration in this challenging decision.

[2:40:10] Thank you very much. Supervisor Cogs. Jones, do you have a question?

[2:40:15] No, I do not chair.

[2:40:17] All right. Just saw your hand up with that.

[2:40:19] Oh, let me put it down. I didn't know.

[2:40:22] Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Next up is Christine Hujnaki, apologize that I'm saying you're

[2:40:33] welcome if you can introduce yourself.

[2:40:44] All right. I'm Christine Hujnaki. I am the Executive Director at ImagineMKE.

[2:40:50] Thank you, Chairman and county supervisors for the opportunity to speak here today. Can you hear me?

[2:40:57] Yes. Okay. So you are familiar, imagine MKE because we are a pretty young organization,

[2:41:04] just about six years old. We advocate to advance and drive Milwaukee's Arts and Culture

[2:41:09] sector forward and support a creative vibrant thriving cultural Milwaukee landscape.

[2:41:17] I'm here today also because of the 25% reduction in public investment for the Arts and

[2:41:23] organizations and ask for you to restore this critical funding and urge no additional cuts.

[2:41:33] As previously stated, private philanthropy cannot continue to carry the burden of sustaining

[2:41:38] arts and culture. It's not this group's responsibility, but we are last in funding in all areas.

[2:41:46] the walkie continues to rank the lowest in the nation in public funding at the city county and state levels.

[2:41:54] However, even though that is so, the arts drive 334 million in economic activity.

[2:42:03] We are the only sector that has the multiplier effect, meaning when you go participate in arts and culture,

[2:42:10] you're driving revenue to other areas of business, be that restaurants, gas, parking, hotels,

[2:42:17] retail establishments.

[2:42:20] Not only that, we drive tourism, social well-being, mental wellness, we reduce crime by keeping

[2:42:27] our cities busy, keeping our children active and educate youth.

[2:42:33] As the convener for the art sector, a part of our role as ImagineMKE, we are leading a strategic

[2:42:39] accession to address many of the things that you heard here in the room today, we don't have

[2:42:44] the answer.

[2:42:45] There was a public policy forum report, Curtain Time Dunn that was released last year, and

[2:42:50] you can look at the one in prior years that say the same thing that we have, we have a

[2:42:55] serious problem that's going to catch up with us.

[2:42:59] So we have invited funders, civic leaders, and arts, and cultural organizations to develop

[2:43:05] a collected vision and roadmap for a sustainable future and I encourage a representative from

[2:43:13] the county to participate in this larger discussion. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions for

[2:43:20] committee members? Supervisor Eckbach, you have your hand up.

[2:43:26] Mr. Chair, I'm just curious

[2:43:27] of any of the organizations listed who are expecting this check to hit an October, our president

[2:43:36] to speak to it, whether optimist theater or the Valley Company or any of the other organizations

[2:43:42] who are expecting this funding are present to speak.

[2:43:45] I don't have anybody else on the who's filled out a blue card to speak at this time.

[2:43:50] I believe that, oh, if I could, Chairman, excuse me, there, I believe there was some

[2:43:57] submissions online and

[2:44:04] we'll check into that.

[2:44:06] Okay.

[2:44:08] Thank you.

[2:44:08] It will be added to the file.

[2:44:10] Supervisor Act Black.

[2:44:13] All right.

[2:44:13] Thank you very much.

[2:44:14] Thank you.

[2:44:15] Thank you.

[2:44:15] All right.

[2:44:16] Today we have before us.

[2:44:18] We don't have a motion to floor, but I want to frame the argument and frame the issue that

[2:44:22] we have before us in decision that our committee has to make.

[2:44:27] There are two issues here.

[2:44:28] One issue is a larger issue where we're 50th of the nation, we have no money, we can't do anything about it today.

[2:44:38] We don't have any authority of this, this is a legislative issue, we don't have authority.

[2:44:43] There's private donors, I mean it's on and on, it's not an issue that we can face.

[2:44:48] The issue that's before us today is a very simple issue.

[2:44:50] is an issue of $307,000, and the allocation of that amount of money, and how do we make that allocation?

[2:44:59] I think...

[2:45:00] Clearly, one of the things when I joined the board is equality does not equal equity. There's a big difference between the two.

[2:45:09] So, whenever it says everything's equal, that's great, but it's equitable, and that's the real issue.

[2:45:15] I don't think the current allegations are equitable. From the phone calls I've received, from the emails I've received, and from the conversation I've received, people do not like this.

[2:45:25] and the morarchy rep of all things during this time of crisis of a flood there is really

[2:45:33] wrecked an institution in the morarchy area with an eight million dollar loss.

[2:45:39] This allocation today, if we go through it, is not equitable, it's just not fair.

[2:45:45] So my ideas are to also vote for rejection today,

[2:45:52] and I can't move that as a chair, but I would

[2:45:54] for rejection today but then at the same time the issue of allocation how we allocate is really

[2:46:01] the question and how this should be done. Now last year's committee I sat right here we also brought

[2:46:08] up that we did not like the allocations. We do not like the current everything is equal everything

[2:46:12] is just going to get there jack. It's just not fair. So I like to move I would like to have somebody

[2:46:18] move for rejection today, have camp act, re-look at the allocations, look at it from a different

[2:46:24] perspective of what really is benefiting in the community. If they do not want to move forward,

[2:46:30] I think finance could do it, because three of my three members right here are in finance. Have

[2:46:36] finance going to do it, or have it come back and have it, like a special session of the

[2:46:40] parks committee to discuss allocations to different groups and overall allocation. So I'm opening

[2:46:47] that up as suggestions, but I think at this time I would really want to move to reject, because

[2:46:52] I just don't think it's fair. Supervisor Martinez, I move to reject. There's now a motion for

[2:46:58] rejection of this current allocation plan for the discussion.

[2:47:06] Supervisor O'Connor.

[2:47:07] I guess I would just like to express my disappointment that no one from the Campack board is here

[2:47:13] sort of explain the thinking we did have this discussion last year also and looking at the

[2:47:21] list of recipient organizations they do very greatly in services delivered. So that point

[2:47:30] did land with me from Director Bowman. So I guess if we could have perhaps some kind of

[2:47:43] That's all, thank you.

[2:47:45] I think at this time, we'll have, we have a motion, this part of the discussion, the motion

[2:47:51] of rejection.

[2:47:53] I think I will have contact with CAMPAC.

[2:47:56] I will also contact with you individually, not, of course, in a group meeting, but to see

[2:48:01] how we want to move forward.

[2:48:03] And if the Parks Committee has to come in for a special emergency meeting before the budget

[2:48:07] or leaving it for finance to have them make the specific allocations, we can, or let's see

[2:48:12] campaign comes up, but the campaign wants to come back to us with a new allocation, hearing

[2:48:18] what our concerns are. I think we all like to hear it. Yes. Supervisor Taylor.

[2:48:22] Well, that's all fine. Good. Okay. Let's just say we reject this and then it goes to the board

[2:48:27] and rejects it at the board. So now we have nothing in September. What mechanism sends it to the

[2:48:33] finance committee during the budget? I mean, what mechanism is it? Where are you getting that from?

[2:48:38] Okay, what is if there's rejection to Director Tarantino or maybe Guy, exactly as a director, Guy Smith, what happens next or maybe I need corporation council to tell me what is the what happens next.

[2:48:53] Well, Chair, it's supervisors. I don't believe this item was referred to finance, it's just referred to this committee.

[2:48:59] So that is something to address if you want to hear it at finance committee.

[2:49:04] It's just another process for that.

[2:49:07] I could tell you just that the campaign group is not expecting that to happen.

[2:49:11] They are not prepared to revise a funding formula.

[2:49:17] From their side of things, this revised funding formula was presented in January 2021, and we were given a three year transition period.

[2:49:27] So, you know, we're in the fourth year of it, they're hoping to get these grants out the door to these organizations.

[2:49:33] I feel a certain sense of obligation to advocate for the smaller organizations to say, yes, some of them are expecting this funding.

[2:49:41] The Summer Concert Series in Washington Park, for example, has concluded those artists have been paid, and that organization is expecting this money to be reimbursed to pay for the Summer Concerts, so people are making decisions throughout the calendar year expecting our fund for the arts revenue to come in if you're delaying.

[2:50:00] Hang it, there's no certainty of where it goes from here. If we resummit a different file in the December cycle, I can't, I'm just a representative trying to be the go between between the advisory council and you all, but I don't know how they would react to a rejection here.

[2:50:15] So that's my point. I mean we can it can be rejected, but I think the next time it comes before us would be December

[2:50:22] There's no mechanism to send it to the finance what committee during the budget so then that can't happen

[2:50:27] So then you're going to do nothing in what's it's we're gonna expect camp act to just

[2:50:32] redo a formula that they've ready you know said that was laid out over a three-year period

[2:50:37] I don't I don't I don't I don't I don't know that that's the way to go on this if we don't like the formula

[2:50:43] Which I'm hearing that you know people didn't like the old one now. They don't like this one

[2:50:48] I don't see another hundred two hundred thousand dollars get added into the next budget

[2:50:54] And even if you basically took what 47 organizations and gave it mean it's 307 is what you're asking for

[2:51:00] Is that Milwaukee rep ones what's it strip everybody out and get all three oh seven?

[2:51:06] No, you don't have to dress that

[2:51:08] Okay, so what what what what what okay, all right, what do you want?

[2:51:17] Mr. Chair, can we have speakers come to the testimony table for the record?

[2:51:22] Yes, exactly.

[2:51:23] Mr. Obama, if you'd like to come up and answer that question.

[2:51:28] Yes, I think there's two things that Milwaukee rep wants.

[2:51:31] One is we don't want to be dead last as a county in this country when it comes to public funding for the arts.

[2:51:38] What we've heard now is, and listen, I don't want to be in your position because it's a very difficult position.

[2:51:41] But I just want to point out that one of the things that we heard earlier today was that we're looking at a $180,000 expenditure

[2:51:47] on a pool study in one district and that is 60% of the entire camp pack budget.

[2:51:53] I just want to put that in and I'm not saying that pools are, you know, I don't want to get down that argument,

[2:51:58] but that's the place that you guys are talking about being just having to choose one over the other.

[2:52:02] What Milwaukee Rap wants to do is we want funding for the arts to be restored to where it was,

[2:52:08] and we want an equitable funding formula to Chairman Wasserman's point.

[2:52:12] Right, and the point that I'll make up is that we have priorities in this county and just like the state of Wisconsin

[2:52:18] It is it's not the top. It's it's not and if you want to change if this if this board wants to change it and

[2:52:24] Starts many more on on the cultural and the arts then where are you gonna take it from?

[2:52:29] Where are you gonna take it from?

[2:52:30] I don't think we're gonna take it from it. I only use the same number at this point. This is the reality is

[2:52:35] $300,000. I think I think we reject today. It goes back to camp act camp act can hear this argument that's being made

[2:52:42] And different groups of go to campback, let them go to campback like campback makes it

[2:52:47] to, you know, have a decision made by what groups are actually saying to them, knowing

[2:52:51] that we don't want a one-size-fits-all policy, come back into the December cycle.

[2:53:00] I think, you know, let campback do the job, they're using a, it's cookie cutter system

[2:53:04] just doesn't work.

[2:53:05] Let the groups go to campback, let them make a decision, come back in December.

[2:53:10] I think that's the most equitable way we can go at this point.

[2:53:12] for the discussion?

[2:53:17] Seeing none?

[2:53:18] Ms. Evans, you'd like to call the roll.

[2:53:21] Mr. Chair.

[2:53:22] Go ahead.

[2:53:25] Supervisor Akelet has hand up and I'll go up, Chair.

[2:53:27] I'm supervisor Akelet.

[2:53:30] Then you would want to Mr. Chair.

[2:53:31] I think the part that I don't struggle with is wanting more.

[2:53:34] It's funding.

[2:53:35] The part that I don't struggle with is wanting more funding to the rep.

[2:53:38] They do a lot of work.

[2:53:39] I think the arguments will make that they serve more people.

[2:53:42] The part that I struggle with here is the consequence of squeezing small organizations

[2:53:47] is an operational expenditure who are counting on this money and told that it's coming in and

[2:53:54] budget it for it. If we want more money as a board, we want to prioritize this, then we will

[2:53:59] have the opportunity to maybe in the budgeting process, or it's kind of a hoosest to do that,

[2:54:06] if we want a different allocation formula from Kampak, we should have told them three years ago,

[2:54:13] and maybe we can make that ask them moving forward.

[2:54:17] I'm fine with all of that.

[2:54:19] What I'm not okay with is squeezing these small arts organizations

[2:54:24] who have been told to count on this funding,

[2:54:26] who've been budgeting for it.

[2:54:28] And then we just simply don't cut the check

[2:54:31] and we leave them behind dry.

[2:54:32] If we want more money for the rep,

[2:54:34] it would just be going find it.

[2:54:36] But squeezing small organizations

[2:54:38] is just where I struggle with this, thank you.

[2:54:41] understood. Supervisor Connor. Yeah, so I would agree that my

[2:54:45] concern is also that we have already approved with the

[2:54:48] camp pack funding formula was in previous meetings. And so this is

[2:54:52] really just the distribution and while my vote was meant to illuminate

[2:54:59] this.

[2:55:00] It's difficult. I am concerned about what has been signed from upshining here. Thank you.

[2:55:07] You know, I think at the end of the day, we're elected officials. And people are coming to us to make decisions.

[2:55:12] And this is where it's a tough decision. We don't have unlimited resources. I would love. And if somebody on finance or somebody on the board, we'd like to take, you know, come up with additional money.

[2:55:24] in the finance committee and allocated to camp pack that we can then look at this

[2:55:30] things again in our December cycle that would be great but if they don't

[2:55:34] want to we have to make it we have to make an allocation on this money and

[2:55:39] nobody we government promises things but they didn't really get you 100% going to

[2:55:43] get this check the six that nobody no group should have thought they were 100%

[2:55:48] going to get this camp pack check but I think do we want to move forward with this

[2:55:52] or do we want to reject it and let Kampak decide?

[2:55:55] Well, let's just also not forget that during last year's budget for the 2025 budget,

[2:56:00] the administration brought down $100,000 less in that line of them.

[2:56:04] I mean, it went from 407 to 307.

[2:56:07] The board, you Nancy voted for the budget.

[2:56:10] All right, we did that knowing there was a 100,000 less.

[2:56:13] And there is nothing that you can do at finance and just like give them a 100,000,

[2:56:17] unless you want to bring in a resolution, not a contingency to do it that way.

[2:56:21] No, well exactly. So this is the this is the amount of money. $307,000 period. All right. We we would reject this fine. I'm not going to vote to reject it

[2:56:31] But if that's what this the will of this committee is it still goes to the board. We can have this debate there. All right, but then if it if it ends up being rejected then can't pack what they have a formula that they're following that they basically said they were going to because we didn't like the old method.

[2:56:46] And so now we're saying today, we don't like this method.

[2:56:51] So what they're supposed to just change it and just say, well, you know,

[2:56:53] these other organizations, these five new ones that are three new ones that applied.

[2:56:59] I mean, Jack's right, like these small organizations are counting on,

[2:57:02] and I guess the bigger organizations, they need it too.

[2:57:06] But we are not going to solve the cultural and arts problem in the state of Wisconsin,

[2:57:10] and whether we're the last in, as a big county in the United States, it is what it is.

[2:57:16] But that's, we all have those decisions to make and what's a priority and mine is sure not in this category.

[2:57:22] Well, mine is supporting organizations and sometimes when there's a crisis going on,

[2:57:27] we have to reallocate and we have to look at things differently.

[2:57:30] And that all small groups, we can't support everybody and everyone's not equal.

[2:57:36] We have to be equitable.

[2:57:38] So, for the discussion, we should take the vote.

[2:57:42] Let's have the vote.

[2:57:44] Mr. Evans, can you explain it?

[2:57:48] The next financial will be, if we move to reject, we are rejecting the current allocation

[2:57:55] and administration of the amounts to the different groups in the current form.

[2:58:00] It would then go back to Campack, Campack would then re-allocate or make a new recommendation

[2:58:06] based on the testimony that they heard today by both committee members and from the public.

[2:58:11] And then they would come back to us in the December with an allocation at that time.

[2:58:16] It could be the same allocation though.

[2:58:18] The allocation amount will be unchanged, but it could be the same amount we could deal with

[2:58:23] that at that point.

[2:58:24] Supervisor Connor.

[2:58:26] Thank you, Chair.

[2:58:27] A point of clarification.

[2:58:29] So if we vote to reject, that doesn't mean that on a full board day, that wouldn't necessarily

[2:58:35] be rejected by the entire board.

[2:58:37] That's just our recommendation for a board day.

[2:58:40] Correct.

[2:58:40] We'll be a big discussion on board day of course. Yes. Thank you. All right. Let's call for the vote.

[2:58:48] On the motion by supervisor Martinez that item number seven be recommended for rejection. Supervisor Taylor district 17.

[2:58:56] No. Cog stones.

[2:59:01] Martinez.

[2:59:03] Eclat. No. Oh, Connor. Hi. Mr. Chairman. Hi.

[2:59:12] for us to know the motion for veils.

[2:59:16] Thank you very much.

[2:59:21] Next item.

[2:59:22] I'm sorry, Mr. Chair.

[2:59:25] Thank you.

[2:59:26] Before you start the next meeting,

[2:59:29] I'd like to ask the big excuse for the remaining of the meeting.

[2:59:33] Absolutely.

[2:59:34] I hope you're feeling well because your voice,

[2:59:35] I don't know if it's just a speaker system or if you're sick.

[2:59:39] Oh, is this the voice?

[2:59:42] Listen, save your voice, your excuse.

[2:59:45] Thank you.

[2:59:46] All right.

[2:59:48] Next item, Ms. Evans.

[2:59:52] Item 8 from the Economic Development Director

[2:59:54] Department of Administrative Services,

[2:59:56] providing an update on the disposition of the Charles Alice Art Museum and Collection.

[3:00:00] This item is informational only unless otherwise directed by the committee.

[3:00:05] All right.

[3:00:09] We're saying as a transition of parks department is all leaving at this time.

[3:00:14] We're moving on to our last phase. All right.

[3:00:18] If you'd like to introduce yourselves and your title, we look forward to hearing from you.

[3:00:27] Thank you chair supervisors, Erica Gobley with the Department of Administrative Services Economic Development and the Project Manager

[3:00:34] And then I have with me today the President of the Board of the Charles Alice Art Museum and the new Executive Director if you want to introduce yourselves

[3:00:49] Yes, can you hear me?

[3:00:51] Yes, we can.

[3:00:52] Sorry, this is like a song

[3:00:53] Again, the morning, Marquilla Ellison, board chair for the Charles Dallas Art Museum, and...

[3:01:02] I'm Bill Wood, the new ED of the Charles Dallas Art Museum. Nice to meet you.

[3:01:08] Nice to meet you.

[3:01:10] I think we have an easier item today. It's informational, but I am very pleased to report.

[3:01:18] As you know, in December 2024, we, the county board approved a term sheet that will lead

[3:01:25] to the eventual separation, led to the separation of the Charles Alice Art Museum and the

[3:01:30] Villa Terrace, decorative arts museum, and gave a way forward to make them independent from

[3:01:35] the county.

[3:01:36] In the July cycle, we did an updated report and at that time the committee asked that we

[3:01:42] to come back to report on the progress of the Charles L.S. Art Museum.

[3:01:48] So I'm pleased to say that they are meeting milestones and even exceeding them.

[3:01:55] They met the August 31st deadline, which was just this past Sunday.

[3:02:01] They've hired an executive director.

[3:02:05] They've secured more than eight active board members.

[3:02:08] They've provided the revised business plan operating in the preliminary capital improvement plan and reporting is all there.

[3:02:19] So I wanted to give the president of the board an opportunity to tell you about all of the new things that are happening at the Charles Alice Art Museum and update you on their progress.

[3:02:32] It's so exciting. We're looking forward to your testimony today.

[3:02:39] Thank you. Chairman Wasserman and members of the committee.

[3:02:43] Thank you for being here today.

[3:02:45] I'm excited to share some positive updates on the Charles Atlas Art Museum.

[3:02:50] Over the past three months, we made some strong progress in governance, leadership, fundraising, planning and community engagement.

[3:02:57] Positioning the museum for a long time, long-term sustainability.

[3:03:01] We remain on track to meet the county's year-end benchmarks with clear advances in board development and public engagement.

[3:03:08] Our Board and Interim Executive Director are committed to carrying this moment some

[3:03:13] forward as we prepare for acquisition of property by the end of the year.

[3:03:21] Again, Bill is here with us today. We have new executive leadership. We are pleased to

[3:03:25] announce the selection of Dr. Bill Wood as our Interim Executive Director. He brings

[3:03:30] more than 25 years of experience in museum leadership, collections to worship, and community

[3:03:35] engagement. He will help guide us to our both financial stability and cultural relevance.

[3:03:41] Bill, did you want to say anything?

[3:03:45] Just very briefly.

[3:03:49] This has been an eye-opener. This morning, I've been here since 930.

[3:03:55] We all know the circumstances under which we're meeting and the kinds of challenges the cultural

[3:03:59] institutions are facing, especially right here in Milwaukee. And I'm all in to do my best

[3:04:07] to ensure the vitality and future of the Alice Museum.

[3:04:14] Thank you, Bill.

[3:04:15] I also want to point out, we do have a few board members

[3:04:18] that are part of the virtual meeting,

[3:04:22] but also Thomas Fran, who's also a board member

[3:04:25] and our legal counsel here in case any other questions may come up.

[3:04:30] So just to go through some of those details,

[3:04:32] the Erica shared, our board composition since Spring,

[3:04:36] we have now grown to nine active members.

[3:04:38] You see in the county's venture mark by the end of this month of eight, we have recent

[3:04:43] additions that bring expertise in communications, economics, environmental, and non-profit

[3:04:48] law and fundraising.

[3:04:50] We continue to vet new candidates with backgrounds in fundraising, banking, art appraisal,

[3:04:55] and while also anticipating the feeling of county appointed members as outlined in our

[3:04:59] Bye-bye.

[3:05:01] As far as revenue generating,

[3:05:07] we have successfully achieved our $100,000 revenue goal. And so that was supposed to be met by the end of the year. And here we are, September 1st, able to bring this good news to you. This goal has been met through grants, individual gifts, membership, rentals, gift shop, and events. We are also preparing for a fall fundraiser. He went on September of Apologies on Sunday, November 2nd with the Fulton Chamber Players.

[3:05:34] Governance Planning and Partnership, CABT has strengthened its governance framework with new board agreements, policies, future committee structures, and we are updating our three year business plan, focusing on financial projections, our revenue growth and grant calendar, all these things were also submitted with that August 31st submission as well.

[3:05:55] We're excited to reactivate our rentals.

[3:05:58] The museum has entertained a few different things.

[3:06:02] The program has updated pricing and structure to ensure both sustainability and alignment with our mission.

[3:06:09] We recently confirmed a wedding-booking tied to the Alice Chomber's legacy,

[3:06:13] underscoring how historic site continues to resonate with the community.

[3:06:17] We are also in active discussions with piano arts, North American Composition,

[3:06:22] to host their upcoming competition in May.

[3:06:25] The Alice's Great Hall has a shoebox room design,

[3:06:29] nationally enhancing the clarity

[3:06:30] and creates a warm enveloping sound quality

[3:06:33] that performers and audiences value,

[3:06:36] which is one of many reasons why the child's Alice

[3:06:40] is a gem that should be supported.

[3:06:43] In support of this reactivated program,

[3:06:45] our liquor license has been renewed

[3:06:47] and we have higher dedicated events

[3:06:49] adapt to ensure exceptional guest experiences.

[3:06:54] From January to August, the Charles Alice has had over 1,200 visitors across emissions,

[3:07:00] programming, and rentals.

[3:07:02] We are grateful for the county's continued partnership and warmly invite everyone to join us

[3:07:07] for our upcoming events, which include on Thursday, September 4th, the opening reception

[3:07:12] for Human Condition, a community exhibition around the study of the body.

[3:07:16] Of course, like many museums, we'll be participating in doors open later this month, and we'll love to have you come and check out a few exhibitions before they close.

[3:07:26] In closing, the Charles Alice Art Museum is entering a new era of stability and growth.

[3:07:34] We're clear with clear progress and leadership fundraising, more development and community engagement.

[3:07:40] We remain committed to guiding the allies through a transition from county operated property to an independent nonprofit.

[3:07:48] This update and our August 31st submission affirmed that we are on track for full independence by the end of the year,

[3:07:56] ensuring preservation of the historic home and collection while building a sustainable future.

[3:08:02] Thank you.

[3:08:03] Thank you. Congratulations.

[3:08:07] committee members, questions,

[3:08:10] Supervisor O'Connor.

[3:08:12] Thank you chair.

[3:08:12] Thanks for the report.

[3:08:14] Congratulations.

[3:08:14] I'm meeting your fundraising goals and building

[3:08:16] Edward and congratulations on your new position as the

[3:08:20] ED.

[3:08:22] Could you send us those dates for the Thursday event

[3:08:25] and a times and also for the November second

[3:08:29] fundraiser that be awesome?

[3:08:31] And then I did read with interest your letter on the

[3:08:34] relationship to the museum for the wedding booking. Could you elaborate on that again?

[3:08:38] It sounded like it was employees or something.

[3:08:42] My apologies. So the couple who have been very patient with this full process

[3:08:47] want to get married at the museum. The groom to be comes from a long line of people who worked

[3:08:54] at the Alice Charmers facility. So we're just noting that connection to the legacy.

[3:08:59] So I believe he said his grandfather, great-grandfather, both worked at the facility.

[3:09:06] Thank you. Can I ask a follow-up question, please? Thank you.

[3:09:09] And I know there was some discussion previously about the name of the institution, the

[3:09:13] official 501C3 designation. Has that changed at all?

[3:09:18] So I believe that's been addressed at the last few committee hearings, and we worked with

[3:09:22] Erica to make sure it was understood. The official business name is still CABT museums,

[3:09:27] public facing we just say Charles Alice Art Museums and the intention is to file a

[3:09:33] DBA by the end of the year.

[3:09:38] Other committee members?

[3:09:43] I have a blue card here. I

[3:09:45] don't know if or realize would you like to testify today or would you? Yes, all right.

[3:09:49] I have a blue card from Barbara Villes if you'd like to come up. Did you have Doug Rose

[3:09:54] We'll come in up together.

[3:09:57] We'll come in up.

[3:10:00] Okay,

[3:10:03] may I exist a quick question? Our digital comments read as well, or how does that work?

[3:10:09] No, no, no, no.

[3:10:22] Okay.

[3:10:24] Let me say this again, even though my voice carries.

[3:10:29] Barbara Velaz is speaking that we have a Villa Terrace Museum in Gardens.

[3:10:35] I am on the board on the leadership team and the Principal Fundraiser and my leader here.

[3:10:44] Good afternoon.

[3:10:45] I appreciate the time.

[3:10:47] I'll try to be relatively quick.

[3:10:49] It's very good news that we heard to some extent and we appreciate it.

[3:10:53] And we wish the Charles Alice the best, but I want to be very pragmatic.

[3:10:56] I know this is an informational session, but we don't have another opportunity before perhaps there

[3:11:01] is a development agreement and a lease agreement with the Alice.

[3:11:04] And as these two are intertwined for a long time decades, and the transition to make them

[3:11:10] separate has involved the Veleterus and my focus is entirely on the Veleterus.

[3:11:15] I think there is some positive that has just been heard, but there is some negative as well

[3:11:19] as far as the Veleterus.

[3:11:20] One, there was $30,000 due pursuant to a term sheet that was due in January and has not

[3:11:26] and seen or heard, that stemmed from $130,000 compromise in us handling the weddings going forward.

[3:11:35] Those were deposits for those weddings, so that is something I didn't hear about that

[3:11:39] I do think should be addressed if nothing else in the declaration agreement.

[3:11:45] We do have necessary cooperation with Ms. Leska talk about further regarding a lot of gifts

[3:11:51] donations that were made to the Velaterus that are now needing Charles Alice's group to address

[3:11:58] so that they can be properly given to the Velaterus, Abis Heller, Will, amongst others.

[3:12:03] So that is of concern.

[3:12:05] I have reached out to Marquaila Ellison and Thomas Fren in that regard.

[3:12:10] My hope is that we do get that cooperation.

[3:12:13] It hasn't happened yet, but they've been busy.

[3:12:15] I understand, but our hope is for that.

[3:12:17] I'm a little shocked by the Velatera's name still being used, changing it is extremely

[3:12:22] easy Mr. Friend would know that. I think that should happen quickly. And finally, I've

[3:12:27] heard information perhaps it's a rumor that if, and hopefully this doesn't happen,

[3:12:33] but if something were to happen where the Charles Alice collection could not be properly kept

[3:12:37] by Charles Alice, that they would potentially do a peace meal or somewhere, God knows

[3:12:42] where. When we submitted RFI as a accommodation, literally to this board and others in the community,

[3:12:51] our organization, which I think is doing extremely well and is very capable, is ready

[3:12:56] willing and able to take over that collection if it were to occur. So I'm asking for three

[3:13:00] things very pragmatically. Before any agreement is signed, lease agreement or development

[3:13:06] agreement, that let's make sure that name just changed right away. Let's make sure that we

[3:13:10] have their cooperation for the gifts to the Villa.

[3:13:14] Let's make sure that we at least get the compromise 30,000 sooner

[3:13:17] rather than later.

[3:13:18] This year, 40 next year.

[3:13:20] This 30,000 this year and 40,000 next year,

[3:13:22] which has been agreed upon, and that heaven forbid,

[3:13:26] but if something were to happen where the Alice collection

[3:13:28] is not able to remain intact at the Alice,

[3:13:32] that as we have offered up, and our board

[3:13:34] has made a resolution a long time ago,

[3:13:37] we're ready, willing and able to take it over.

[3:13:38] And that shouldn't be allowed to be anything but in writing in a development agreement and

[3:13:44] a lease agreement that if that eventuality were to happen, we would be in the position

[3:13:50] to take it over as intact and to remain in the county.

[3:13:54] So those are the things we're looking for very pragmatically.

[3:13:56] We wish the Alice best.

[3:13:58] This is my one chance before a development agreement release agreement is entered into

[3:14:02] with the Alice.

[3:14:02] I want to make sure those things are addressed.

[3:14:05] We appreciate that.

[3:14:06] At this point, I want to call up Erica Gobley because she is the person kind of doing these

[3:14:11] negotiations.

[3:14:12] Let's have her respond to this and Alexa have her just publicly, she's going to have those

[3:14:18] concerns.

[3:14:18] So, Erica, if you could come up.

[3:14:21] Can I remain here?

[3:14:23] Because, sure, you could remain there.

[3:14:25] Okay.

[3:14:28] Thank you, Chair.

[3:14:29] Supervisors.

[3:14:31] So, the $30,000, and I've seen the communications between the two organizations.

[3:14:37] And the Charles Alessar Museum, they are just waiting for the finishing of the signing

[3:14:44] of the operating agreement, as you know, our signing process can take a few weeks.

[3:14:49] As soon as that's signed, they are going to cut the check for the $30,000 and Mr.

[3:14:55] front is communicated. His asked I believe for the ACH information.

[3:15:01] From the Villa Terras Museum in Gardens. And they said the $40,000 will not be an issue come January. It's just that they wanted to make sure that there were agreements in place with the county before they started releasing those funds.

[3:15:17] And then the name change, we addressed, they are going by Charles Alice Art Museum,

[3:15:27] they have certain priorities, they will get that done by the end of the year, and I think it's just all of the paperwork that goes with changing the name on everything else, but they are being known as the Charles Alice Art Museum only.

[3:15:42] the money in the GMF fund, that is not under the county's purview.

[3:15:52] The Charles Alice

[3:15:53] Art Museum, their board is very aware of the fact that that money is for the militaries.

[3:16:00] But it's under their organization. I think you'd have to ask them directly if there's

[3:16:06] way to transfer it. But as far as I know, the military just needs to ask for funding with specific

[3:16:13] documentation and the money would be released. The last piece is so what was negotiated in the

[3:16:25] term sheet was that if the Charles Ellis Art Museum did not take transfer of the Charles Ellis

[3:16:33] art museum and collection, that the friends of villitarus, now villitarus, museum and gardens.

[3:16:42] I would be willing to step up if the county asked to take the house and the collection.

[3:16:49] And that was to give the county an option that didn't, that would take the entire collection.

[3:16:55] And we would not have to deal with the house either.

[3:17:00] What they're talking about now is once it's transferred to the Charles Ellis Art Museum Board, the nonprofit,

[3:17:10] that if they should fail in the future, that the villagerous museum and gardens would have the,

[3:17:19] what we talked about at the right of first refusal, if there was, because I explained the first option is that,

[3:17:26] another nonprofit organization was willing to take on the house and collection and keep them

[3:17:31] together. That is the first option under the will. The will lays out like how the collection

[3:17:37] should be dealt with. They wanted Sarah Alice wanted to stay together. So that would be the first

[3:17:43] option. I am not an expert in curating arts, storage. So what I've heard is that there's questions

[3:17:55] of whether the villeterus would be the appropriate place. By people that know a lot more about art

[3:18:01] and collections and storage than I do, I feel that the Charles Ellis Art Museum has the experience

[3:18:10] and knowledge to make the right decision for the collection if they should fail. And one of the

[3:18:16] options under the will is that they really should consider any organization that's willing to take

[3:18:22] the whole collection. That's the, so it's keep the collection and houses first option. Any

[3:18:28] organization that would be willing to take on the entire collection is the second option

[3:18:33] and then peace-meaning it under the will is the last option. Keeping it in the community and then

[3:18:39] further out if you have to. So the Villa Terrace Museum in Guards should be seriously considered but

[3:18:45] At this point, you know, I've talked to the Charles Alice and they aren't ready to commit

[3:18:54] to the Villeterra's Museum in Gardens being having the right-of-first refusal without knowing

[3:19:01] that it's the correct place for the collection.

[3:19:07] There's been a lot of different points brought up and I'm a person who does one thing at

[3:19:12] time before you move forward. Can't get surgery done unless you make your opening and

[3:19:17] session. So it's like the doctor talking here. So it's two one thing I

[3:19:20] time. Let's talk about the first issue. $30,000. Is it $30,000? Am I getting a commitment from

[3:19:28] Charles Ayles giving a $30,000 check in two weeks to the villagers?

[3:19:38] Can I say something about

[3:19:39] that $30,000 as well because I was involved at the ground floor. Mr. Ken was not.

[3:19:45] Well, let me see if I can first speak and then we'll look at it.

[3:19:49] $30,000 only comes as a commitment from the contribution agreement, which we have not been successful in getting the count.

[3:20:00] We need to sign. As the chairman, I'm sure the supervisors know any verbal agreement with the county

[3:20:08] isn't worth the paper. It's printed on, because it can't buy on the county. When we get the contribution

[3:20:18] an agreement signed, which commits the county to give us $12,000 this year. We can turn

[3:20:28] over to $30,000. It's in the checking account. Number two, we are fiduciaries under

[3:20:39] chapter 12 of those sconson statutes. What Velaterus has asked us to do is just

[3:20:47] Well, you nearly turn over the $300,000 that we have in

[3:20:56] a Greater Milwaukee Foundation Funds.

[3:21:00] Our answer is they don't own the building yet.

[3:21:04] The county owns it if they give us a contract

[3:21:09] where they are spending money on the building.

[3:21:14] We can pay that contract,

[3:21:20] but what they best for is just write us a check, we got all this work to do well.

[3:21:30] The thing is, we have a fiduciary duty specifically under Section 1211 of the Statutes to control this money.

[3:21:41] And the money is designated for work at the Villa Terrace.

[3:21:48] Now, we turned over over a half a million dollar wedding business to them without compensation.

[3:21:59] In 2024, that wedding business had over a $200,000 cash flow, which Villa Terrace is now getting.

[3:22:11] That money also helped support Charles Dallas, which they object to.

[3:22:18] They also have $800,000 in a savings account according to the last 90, so there should

[3:22:27] be no problem with them having operating funds, which is what this $30,000 was told to us

[3:22:37] out when it was agreed to and they have this 200 grand of cash flow.

[3:22:50] So they can start

[3:22:51] to work with the money they do have and we will reimburse them for the actual work, which

[3:23:00] complies with the two restrictions that we have on this grandma walkie phone.

[3:23:07] I want to interrupt your Mr. Dr. Friend.

[3:23:12] Mr. Friend.

[3:23:14] Okay, Mr. Friend.

[3:23:16] First of all, looks at worth the $30,000.

[3:23:19] And you're coming at the, you know,

[3:23:21] the Colonies promises only as good as a paper.

[3:23:24] I do take on bridge that.

[3:23:26] That's not this board.

[3:23:30] And my colleagues on the super on the board are very honest.

[3:23:35] hardworking citizens who serve the public well and as public citizens we're not going to

[3:23:43] I won't take I won't take that as an insult but we could easily take that as an

[3:23:47] insult because we really are very innocent and we're truthful on how we do

[3:23:50] business now so I'm just going to give you a quick comment on that but when you

[3:23:54] can somewhat insult to us well I knew but that's what the Supreme Court said in

[3:24:00] a bunch of cases.

[3:24:02] Well, I'm a lawyer.

[3:24:03] OK, you're a lawyer.

[3:24:04] And I guess we're also citizens.

[3:24:06] And we work hard to serve on this body.

[3:24:08] And we give our time and effort

[3:24:10] at the rate of a reimbursement is not much.

[3:24:13] So I want to make that quick clarity,

[3:24:15] and we will not take insult on that.

[3:24:17] Second thing is, the $30,000 is very specific.

[3:24:21] The $30,000 is that you're going to give,

[3:24:26] because it's going to be two weeks, right?

[3:24:28] So, as soon as I get the sign contribution.

[3:24:32] And Eric, Eric, go play, is it about to come, is it sign, is it sign?

[3:24:36] Yes, we only have two more signatures before the county executive in the final corporation council signature.

[3:24:45] And then, Ms. Allison will sign, and it will be complete, so it should be less than two weeks.

[3:24:50] Okay, so we have a guarantee that $30,000 is going to be transferred back to $30,000.

[3:24:55] You know, there's a second 40 thousand dollars. Is it am I correct or is that yes?

[3:25:00] It's a $40,000 that's doing $26, and that that should not be a problem.

[3:25:08] So that we're getting a guarantee that $40,000 could be transferred over that.

[3:25:12] So that's working, I'll find out, too.

[3:25:16] Now, the two other things, we'll just talk about the money.

[3:25:20] There's $300,000 that amount, when will that be transferred to Erica?

[3:25:26] And I do want to make you a correction.

[3:25:30] I don't think you have to worry about their budget anymore.

[3:25:33] Their budget is their budget, your budget is your budget.

[3:25:36] So even if they have 100,500,500,000 million dollars,

[3:25:39] it doesn't matter to you anymore.

[3:25:41] I mean, you say it like this, and I don't mean to be so direct,

[3:25:43] but that's not the business of Charles Alessanymore.

[3:25:48] Because I do think it's important to correct

[3:25:49] because we want to separate the groups or separate institutions.

[3:25:53] And what we are saying is this money was given to the CABT organization with specific

[3:26:06] restrictions on it. Those restrictions broadly are to use the money for work at

[3:26:16] a terrace. All we are asking for is to pay the money directly for these improvements and

[3:26:27] instead of turning it over and the greater Milwaukee foundation is an agreement with this opinion

[3:26:35] that we shouldn't just turn the money over but we should pay it. So what you're saying specifically

[3:26:42] is you want to pay the contractors directly? Yes. No, that's not what he said. He said he

[3:26:48] wants to have it. I speak to this because this is not correct in for me. Okay. Okay, we have to

[3:26:55] hear this. Okay. You can speak to this, but Erica Gobley is the arbitrator. I'm doing something to do

[3:27:01] with this particular.

[3:27:04] Okay. The county has no per view or control over the greater more

[3:27:12] foundation money, please, which is what I want to speak to. Okay, okay, there are three funds at the

[3:27:20] Great of how is that the Great of Milwaukee Foundation invested by the Great of Milwaukee Foundation

[3:27:25] that were created by the organization CABT, okay, Charles Alice Villeteris.

[3:27:37] However, those three funds, one has over has more than $350,000 in it, another has more

[3:27:47] than $100,000 in it, and another has about 12 to 15,000 in it.

[3:27:55] Those three funds were all clearly earmarked for Billitarus.

[3:28:01] Clearly, there is no controversy about whether or not it was for Billitarus purposes or not.

[3:28:11] However, it was in fact created and deposited by the organization CABT.

[3:28:21] Child's Alice should have absolutely no control over any money that is clearly

[3:28:29] earmarked for Villa Terrace.

[3:28:32] All we request, and I have a meeting with the Greater Bomaki Foundation on Monday, September

[3:28:39] 8, is that the Organization CABT, clearly, report to the Greater Mowaki Foundation

[3:28:50] that they effectively no longer exist, or that they effectively absolutely no longer have

[3:29:01] any input or control over money, earmarked, bequested, bequeathed, or donated to

[3:29:10] Villeterus, and for Villeterus purposes.

[3:29:13] Let us work with greater Milwaukee Foundation to function within their protocols and parameters.

[3:29:23] Charles Alice has no business in that conversation anymore.

[3:29:27] That is what we need help from you on because we have asked this repeatedly.

[3:29:33] And for whatever reason it hasn't happened.

[3:29:36] One other thing on this 30,000 and 40,000,

[3:29:41] this is from $150,000 that the Charles Alice kept

[3:29:49] from deposits made by people who had booked events

[3:29:55] to be held at Villa Terrace.

[3:29:58] They are not giving us any gift.

[3:30:00] What we are doing is we compromised with them on the term sheet that Erica Gubley and Celia Benton negotiated with us that we said, okay, give us 70. Give us 30 this year in January of 2025, which we have not yet received, and that money should have been held in escrow. It should have nothing to do with the county giving you money.

[3:30:27] This is money that they collected from deposits,

[3:30:32] of brides and whatever, and whomever wanted to have events at Villeterres.

[3:30:38] That money should have been always in their checking account,

[3:30:42] and it should have been given to us in January.

[3:30:45] So they are in a rears.

[3:30:48] We have purposely tried to be patient.

[3:30:51] We have tried to negotiate with Ms. Ellison.

[3:30:54] We have tried to negotiate with a attorney friend.

[3:30:58] We have tried to negotiate with Claudia Egan,

[3:31:01] who is a former president.

[3:31:04] Can you please just get these two things done?

[3:31:06] And then we will not ever have a problem.

[3:31:10] I think we're going to get the $30,000.

[3:31:14] I'm getting guaranteed within two weeks.

[3:31:16] We'll have the signatures on it.

[3:31:17] Then you're going to get the $30,000.

[3:31:19] You're going to get the $40,000 because it's

[3:31:21] be by the end of your eye, because, you know, handshake, I guess, you're in the back of it.

[3:31:26] It's going to be done.

[3:31:27] Now, ask for a $300,000, what is your response when Bob Woodblas says that you're $300,000,

[3:31:35] the $300,000 and the greater Milwaukee, where's the problem?

[3:31:39] Yeah.

[3:31:40] It's a lot more.

[3:31:40] Thank you so much.

[3:31:41] One, the number goes up every committee here and we have.

[3:31:45] So, just want to note that in this performance today, I am excited that you're

[3:31:51] the friends group is going to meet with GMF to be told the same things. I just want to

[3:31:58] of day some of the things Tom is said we don't want to pay for what they're getting done at the

[3:32:04] villa but we need receipts and contracts so that we can request the funds properly from GMF and that

[3:32:10] we will send them the funds to do as they please. That's how the restrictive funds are set up

[3:32:15] And so we're just honoring that commitment.

[3:32:18] The fund was created and given to CABT intentionally.

[3:32:23] We are not mismanaging funds.

[3:32:26] Those are all questions that be left to GMF, but we need proof, receipts, estimates in

[3:32:31] order to give us enough receipts to give to the GMF to give those funds.

[3:32:36] And so that's what we'll be transferred to them directly to use as needed.

[3:32:40] One second.

[3:32:41] Okay. Okay. One second.

[3:32:45] Erica Gobley or Sheila Benson, do you have any comments from our county's perspective in all

[3:32:50] this contract negotiation? Where is the county's position? Your position on this discussion right now?

[3:32:59] Do we have any role in this at all? Or what is, what is, because when this, when the breakup took place,

[3:33:05] how did the, what took place here? From the counties?

[3:33:09] So again, we are, the county has no control over these funds.

[3:33:15] I did during discussions ask if the fund early on because I knew the relationships

[3:33:21] been difficult, and we knew it was going to be a difficult break up between the two institutions.

[3:33:27] I did ask if the funds could just be transferred to the friends of the bill.

[3:33:32] I didn't ever really get an answer on that, but that's something that I just,

[3:33:38] I don't know, but the county doesn't have the ability to tell C-A-V-T to do this.

[3:33:46] And they've made it clear, they've also said that they are very willing to have maybe

[3:33:50] part of the communications that the Veleterious Museum and Gardens can send the communication

[3:33:57] with proper documentation, including me, to C-A-V-T, and that they will give the money as it

[3:34:06] should be as the fiduciary. They're like the trustee. They have to follow what the funds were

[3:34:13] given to them for and you know, do this with GMF. So it's transparent. They're willing to

[3:34:20] keep me in the process to make sure that these things get done. Haven't paid us. They old us money.

[3:34:28] Would you feel comfortable having that organization in charge of your money when they have not

[3:34:34] It's not mine, it's not mine, it's not yours, it's the bill.

[3:34:38] Okay, here's what I wanted to share.

[3:34:41] Here's your guide as a reporter information here.

[3:34:43] Supervisor Arquatt, we do like to.

[3:34:47] Thank you.

[3:34:47] I would just look for education on what this community's power is in this situation.

[3:34:52] This is an information only file.

[3:34:54] I would move to receive and place on file.

[3:34:58] I don't believe this is.

[3:35:00] Maybe I'm wrong. I don't leave this as a forum to litigate back and forth.

[3:35:05] You're right. We're right to pick that up. I was hoping to get it on the record because we have not had any success at all.

[3:35:14] And so wanted it on the record, we have purposely not resorted to legal to litigation or public outcry.

[3:35:24] We just want this on the record.

[3:35:26] We recognize that your power is limited, but we hope that perhaps you would have it as a

[3:35:32] caveat that they clean up their financial house before you would give them any more support.

[3:35:41] I think here's where it comes down to.

[3:35:43] This is not, and we do not have authority over the break up.

[3:35:47] This aspect of the breakup.

[3:35:48] The $30,000, the $40,000, yes we do.

[3:35:51] We have a role in that.

[3:35:54] In terms of the estate, and what happens with this state and the property and associated with

[3:36:01] culture, it's not for today's argument. Nothing we don't have to deal with the collection

[3:36:04] at all today. There's nothing pressing because things are moving forward with their organization.

[3:36:10] But in terms of the $300,000, I think the best thing to do is you work with Erica Gobley as an

[3:36:16] arbitrator, try to work with her, and if it doesn't work out, I think you're going to be in court.

[3:36:22] So, simple as that, go to court and I don't think it's the best way to go, but I think

[3:36:26] you go to court.

[3:36:27] It's what we tried to avoid.

[3:36:29] Exactly.

[3:36:29] It's what you wrote.

[3:36:30] Good, good.

[3:36:34] You'll get to decide whether you enter into a development agreement or a lease agreement.

[3:36:38] It was you feel comfortable with an organization that won't return my phone call that

[3:36:43] I sent an email and they say won't be with you right now that we say how about the $30,000

[3:36:46] back in January.

[3:36:47] And the response I get is we have to wait for the development agreement when it was

[3:36:51] wedding deposit money where we went forward this is in the time for a fight I agree

[3:36:56] but I want to let you know I do think you have the authority and this needs to be raised

[3:37:00] now because you're about to enter into a development agreement lease agreement work you will

[3:37:04] lose all control over all of this and there are going to be constituents who won't be happy.

[3:37:09] All right, I hear.

[3:37:11] Supervisor Taylor, I've been patient enough.

[3:37:13] I mean here's the thing I've been sitting here listening to this, the facial expressions,

[3:37:18] And the Shaken of the heads. I mean you guys cannot stand each other. It is so clear.

[3:37:24] So Erika is the saint on this to have to deal with both of you.

[3:37:28] You guys are, you know, I mean, I mean, I mean, seriously, both sides awful, awful.

[3:37:32] Okay. And I'm sitting here watching this.

[3:37:35] And I'm actually, like, please come in and hear Charles Atlas, actually they're doing certain things.

[3:37:41] They're movin' in the right direction. If you had told me three months ago I thought you guys would be dead in the water.

[3:37:45] The fact is they're actually working and trying to get somewhere this this is a this is

[3:37:51] of not just a bad divorce. It's a nightmare of a divorce, okay? And I mean like that's

[3:37:56] a little bit and just like if you want to go to court go to court do it. Do it. No exactly

[3:38:02] so so to understand I wouldn't take your colleague they're probably if I was in their shoes

[3:38:07] in vice versa. So I think Erica should just kind of be that neutral party trying to get

[3:38:12] done, she's coming to this county board, this committee trying to say, here's where we're

[3:38:17] at.

[3:38:17] There's going to be a future agreement, and I'm, of course, if I don't think they're

[3:38:21] going to build a pole up, why would I want to give them any money from what I can count.

[3:38:24] I made that clear over and over, but the fact that they actually are in the right direction,

[3:38:27] I make me feel good that they took it serious, okay?

[3:38:30] And yeah, get the damn name changed.

[3:38:32] Get it changed.

[3:38:34] All right.

[3:38:34] That's a burden.

[3:38:35] I mean, I can see shaking your head, nonstop.

[3:38:38] Oh, my God.

[3:38:38] Actually, I don't want to make you feel bad, but I happen to have them.

[3:38:42] Well, condition that condition my head makes you go. Okay, well, that's good to know. I apologize

[3:38:47] Servicants, Tony is what it's called, but it's just but the facial expressions are that's a whole nurse

[3:38:53] So yeah, so let's just let's just move on from this

[3:38:57] Keep plugging along Erica's there, Celia there, and hopefully we're not going to see you guys too many more times

[3:39:02] I would like to correct what I don't want to

[3:39:07] If you can do it quickly. Yes, the deposits one fact on

[3:39:12] because we had to take the time and trouble to sign these people up and we had to keep the facility

[3:39:22] going in preparation for the wedding. It was only 25%.

[3:39:26] We're fine with that. One quick question. The 59% you 59% percent secured on the loan. This specifically

[3:39:34] for Charles Allison question. I was just reading my notes it's 59% secured of the $100,000

[3:39:42] or well we got a major gift last week that put us over 100. Okay, so I just wanted to make sure

[3:39:51] that's. Yeah,

[3:39:54] that was a update from like a month or so ago. Sounds good. All right.

[3:40:00] I think I do want everyone to know and I think we're hearing this from my committee members. Is this name change? Can't wait till December 31st.

[3:40:08] I just, I know you have a lot of things on your plate. Go ahead.

[3:40:14] So of course, when you guys read that August 31st benchmark, where's small group? The capacity has just risen. This is definitely a topic, but it's something we have to take back to GMF.

[3:40:27] what are the issues in us changing the name,

[3:40:29] what does being the trustee of those funds?

[3:40:31] They're just a few other things we want to make sure

[3:40:33] are an alignment.

[3:40:35] If there, I will respond back to your email dug.

[3:40:37] If there is anywhere public facing

[3:40:39] where you fill is conflicted, it still says the ABC Museums,

[3:40:43] we can fix that.

[3:40:44] We want to care both organizations.

[3:40:47] So if there are any specific front facing issues,

[3:40:50] we don't mind making that adjustment issues,

[3:40:53] say Charles Alice, Art Museum, or the Alice.

[3:40:55] But until the end of the year, once we get the chance to review how this name change will affect our accounts and the other things that we have, we need the time.

[3:41:04] Okay. Just hear it from us. Every one of our members of our committee are saying very strongly and very clearly, the sooner you change, the better it is for everybody.

[3:41:15] And we're saying this in a nice way, because we want you to be associated clearly with Charles

[3:41:22] Alice, and we want them to be the Velotarist.

[3:41:26] So, but the sooner we make the change, I think everyone's going to be happier.

[3:41:30] So, is there anybody else who'd like to talk about this or we could, all right, there is

[3:41:38] a motion, a receive and place and file by Supervisor Eckblatt, it doesn't really change

[3:41:44] but one we call the role and any further discussion, seeing none, we're going to finish us,

[3:41:53] I think you guys have a game plan. I think they have a game plan, like it's just finish up,

[3:41:57] like skip those contracts, it could go a place, it could be an arbitrator. She's great,

[3:42:01] we all agree that we like her and that she's good at what she does. She has silly of back there,

[3:42:06] it's your back up work, like stay out of the courts, like stay out of the press, like move these

[3:42:11] museum's forward and looks all be winners. This happens is called the role. Thank you.

[3:42:17] On the motion by supervisor Eckblad that I don't number eight be recommended to be received and placed on file supervisor Taylor District 17. Mark. Excuse me.

[3:42:26] Cogs Jones. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. My Tina's. Hi.

[3:42:32] Eckblad. Hi. O'Connor. Hi. Mr. Chairman. Hi.

[3:42:37] five eyes zero nose the motion prevails all right congratulations to both

[3:42:42] organizations we wish you the best all right all right

[3:42:52] all right all right we just

[3:42:56] take a group let me just take us like 30 seconds clear the room and everyone

[3:43:07] On set off?

[3:43:10] I do.

[3:43:12] I do.

[3:43:13] I really do.

[3:43:26] Okay.

[3:43:27] All right.

[3:43:33] This evidence, I think, is time to read our last item on the agenda besides e-commerce.

[3:43:37] Item 9, from the Economic Development Director Department of Administrative Services,

[3:43:42] providing an informational report on the preservation of the Milwaukee County collection,

[3:43:46] and the disposition process for surplus property during the Milwaukee Public Museum transition.

[3:43:51] The item is informational only on the otherwise directed by the committee.

[3:43:56] Good afternoon, Chairman Supervisors.

[3:43:58] I am a sub-government director of Economic Development and the Department of Administrative Services.

[3:44:04] And I am an aircogable by a project manager in economic development Department of Administrative Services.

[3:44:11] And I am Ellen Sonsky. Sorry. My third is.

[3:44:15] everybody.

[3:44:18] President and CEO of the Milwaukee Public Museum.

[3:44:23] Welcome. I'm sorry that you're the last one today. I've been very gracious if you're

[3:44:28] why would you last? I wanted you to have like private space talking about this and

[3:44:34] you know our full attention. The other aspect as I've been reminded that I've always put

[3:44:40] MPM first at some of the other agendas. So, today we'll go last so we can be fair and be

[3:44:46] equitable and we'll remember this in the future when we move you up. So, with that,

[3:44:53] I'd love to have your statement today.

[3:44:55] Thank you, Chairman.

[3:44:57] We are here today to provide an overview of the disposition.

[3:45:00] Motion process for non-collection items during the Milwaukee Public Museum transition to a new museum, new location.

[3:45:08] The building is going up. The museum has met the criteria for a $45 million investment

[3:45:14] and our county collection will be preserved for future generations. This new museum is an act of preservation, stewardship and progress.

[3:45:25] Our immediate focus moving forward is on partnering with the museum on a transparent process for the disposition of non-collection items and on performing due diligence for the future of the existing museum once the museum has moved.

[3:45:42] We know that change can be difficult and we have managed all responsibilities with transparency and professionalism.

[3:45:50] Given this, I am highly concerned about the inaccurate statements that have been made on multiple occasions by members of the public.

[3:45:59] Here are the facts.

[3:46:00] The county owns and will continue to own the museum collection.

[3:46:06] Monkey Public Museum is conducting their move in accordance with the American Alliance of Museum's Accreditation Standards.

[3:46:14] Rocky County's legal agreement and governance approvals and professional museum standards continue to guide this process.

[3:46:25] There has been no change to county ownership of the collection and no violation of the 2013 lease, which brings us here today.

[3:46:34] In the spirit of transparency, I will hand it over to Erica to discuss the process for the disposition of non-collection items.

[3:46:43] Thank you, Director Benton.

[3:46:46] We have a PowerPoint.

[3:46:47] If it pleases a committee?

[3:47:10] If you've driven by a sixth and mechanically,

[3:47:12] you can see the progress on the new museum.

[3:47:16] The Museum of Nature and Culture of Wisconsin.

[3:47:18] This is a once in a generation opportunity,

[3:47:21] not just for Milwaukee, but for the entire state.

[3:47:24] The new building will allow the county's collections

[3:47:26] to be cared for properly,

[3:47:28] and to make sure this institution continues to serve future generations.

[3:47:36] The museum has always evolved to meet the communities, to meet the needs of the community and the times.

[3:47:43] It began in the late 1800s, and then eventually moved to its first location that was just for the collection,

[3:47:51] which we now know of as central library.

[3:47:54] And then to its current location, I don't know if we have a name for that one.

[3:48:00] just the Milwaukee Public Museum. And then it moved from under the city's

[3:48:06] purview to the county in 1976 to 1992. And in 1992, Milwaukee County

[3:48:13] entrusted the management of the collection to the Milwaukee Public

[3:48:17] Museum, the nonprofit that was created in 1992 and has cared for

[3:48:22] our collection for 32 years. I think they have done an excellent job.

[3:48:29] I know that my family loves going to the museum

[3:48:38] so why why the move we've talked about this many times

[3:48:43] but just quickly to go over these are pictures of the current state of the building. The current building

[3:48:50] bill beloved is outdated and unable to support modern museum needs. It has serious infrastructure

[3:48:57] challenges and extremely costly to maintain simply put the building is holding back the museum's

[3:49:02] potential. By moving, we'll ensure that our collections are preserved safely and that we can offer

[3:49:10] the museum can offer new and exciting experiences for visitors and it remains sustainable for

[3:49:15] decades to come. When complete, the county will no longer bear the substantial operational and

[3:49:22] capital costs associated with the current building, resulting in an annual operating savings of

[3:49:27] $2.5 million a year. We're talking finances, we know how much that means, and tens of millions in capital.

[3:49:36] The studies from 2015, 2016, 2018, all of the studies have pointed out the $100 million

[3:49:44] plus in deferred maintenance, needed updates, things that were needed in the near future.

[3:49:52] It's an expensive building to maintain.

[3:49:57] With that context in mind, I'd like to know.

[3:50:00] Invite President and CEO Ellen Sensky to share more about the detailed packing and moving and preservation process that will bring these collections safely into their new home.

[3:50:11] Thank you, and I know that it's been a long day, so I will try to keep this brief. If we move to the next slide, we have not, no, no, back one, there we go.

[3:50:27] This isn't the first time that we have moved the museum and this was just some pictures

[3:50:35] of moving when we were at the library and then moving across the street.

[3:50:40] Now of course we're moving a little bit further away and we would say that this is probably

[3:50:44] not the way we're going to move these collections on the back of a pickup.

[3:50:50] But one thing that we are doing too is we're moving far more of far many more collections than we had in the 1960s.

[3:51:01] Just as a reminder, the county collections are comprised of all of these different entities.

[3:51:08] So a million plus insects and invertebrates, 800,000 fossils, 300,000 plants, 800,000 vertebrates.

[3:51:17] And then about 220,000 cultural objects that come from around the world, another 280,000 historical items, and a half a million potchards, most of them from Syria, from the Teladidi site.

[3:51:35] So, what we are doing as we move, this is just to give you a scope on how we are planning this.

[3:51:43] So, as we look at the exhibits, we have already determined which of the collections that are on exhibit currently will go on exhibit in the new museum.

[3:51:52] And you can see the document sheet on the right of this slide, that document sheet is being done for every single one of those items.

[3:52:03] So that we can document what it will take to de-install them, what kind of conservation they need, and what it will take to pack, and then move them.

[3:52:14] So if you look at the Gilbert Island Warrior, which is going on exhibit in the new museum,

[3:52:23] that actually has six exhibit collection items on it.

[3:52:28] So each of those have been examined and assessed for their fragility for what it would take to

[3:52:36] pack them, and to DN Stahl, just this one object and packet, is over 40 hours of time.

[3:52:43] So this is the kind of assessment that we are doing for each of those collection items.

[3:52:51] We will also to de-install this exhibit means we have to take the glass out of this because

[3:52:58] it is impossible to remove that one mannequin with the materials on it through the tiny door

[3:53:08] that is how we access that exhibit.

[3:53:12] So we will have to be install the glass on this in order

[3:53:15] to take it out, which means we'll have to be

[3:53:18] install all of the collection items at that time.

[3:53:23] We are also working on packing up all of the collections

[3:53:29] that are behind the scenes.

[3:53:31] Today, we've packed over half a million specimens.

[3:53:33] that includes things from birds to ancient history potchards to some historical items.

[3:53:45] And of course, each of the collections has a different way of packing, and a different thing that we address.

[3:53:52] So, for birds, we can actually kind of surround them into the drawers that are in for history collections, if we move to the next.

[3:54:02] They actually require much more care, and so this is looking inside one of those crates that is packed.

[3:54:10] What we are doing for every one of the collection items is barcoding them, so that we can tie the information for the collection that is in the catalog to this object through that barcode.

[3:54:25] Each of them we have to, each of those objects we have to examine and figure out what is the exact way that we should pack it.

[3:54:32] What should we pack it with so that if we have some off-course guessing going on, it doesn't impact the others.

[3:54:39] So this is a monumental task.

[3:54:43] And what we have done is hired an additional 23 museum studies graduates who are helping us to do this.

[3:54:50] So we are employing a number of people in the museum world through this process.

[3:54:57] So that's just kind of a brief overview.

[3:55:00] So of the packing process for packing up this museum and moving it to the new museum.

[3:55:09] Thank you. I think monumental is the word for this move. If anyone's moved apartments, moved houses, you know how much work it is.

[3:55:19] And this is 400,000 square feet, 4 million objects of importance in the county collection.

[3:55:27] And I just want to go back to this one slide.

[3:55:31] So six items that were on display, 40 hours of staff time.

[3:55:37] That's why I'm saying today like this is about preservation of the county collection.

[3:55:43] Those items that belong to Milwaukee County and are being cared for by the Milwaukee

[3:55:49] Public Museum.

[3:55:50] And this is how much care they're putting into it and how much time it takes to move the

[3:55:55] artifacts and the the meaningful pieces in the county collection so that comes to brings

[3:56:03] us to collections collection items versus non collection items and it's been confusing for

[3:56:11] people but I want to try to try to ease that confusion by going through this

[3:56:21] and by actually

[3:56:22] looking at examples. So collection items are the artifacts, specimens, and objects that are

[3:56:29] part of Milwaukee County's permanent collection. They're carefully documented. I always say

[3:56:35] this word wrong, a session, a session, a session, a session and stewarded for the public

[3:56:40] good. They're the heart of the museum. They're what's traveled with when they were at central

[3:56:47] library and before that, this is everything that's been collected over 140 years.

[3:56:54] And these, they're the heart of museum, and they're going to be moving to the new facility.

[3:56:59] And I want to make that clear.

[3:57:01] The collection items are all moving either into storage or moving to the new museum.

[3:57:07] And the only exception would be those items that are so damaged that they might have to

[3:57:12] de-accession, which would be through the county collection policy that governs how the county's

[3:57:20] collection is taken care of and the museum would report to us about those items that aren't

[3:57:26] able to go with. Now we have non-collection items. These are the things that are the props,

[3:57:33] the scenic backdrops, the mannequins, display furniture, and other materials that help tell the

[3:57:39] stories, but are not themselves part of the county's collection. They put the collection on display.

[3:57:46] They tell the stories that our collection holds. These non-collection items are what we are focusing on today.

[3:57:54] So one of the examples is the Apothecary. The vast majority of items in the Apothecary are part of the Milwaukee County

[3:58:01] collection. And this will be a big move to the new museum. Some of them being stored and

[3:58:09] some of them on exhibit in the new museum.

[3:58:14] So now we have the candy store. Just to give examples

[3:58:17] of what this looks like. The highlighted items, if you see they're highlighted in blue,

[3:58:21] all part of the Milwaukee County collection.

[3:58:26] And then they said the blue perilous candy

[3:58:27] 10s will be on display in the hay market candy store in the new museum and these outlined

[3:58:33] and pink are non-collection items that are used to display the collection items so the

[3:58:40] wooden stand, the candy dots, bag of candy on the scale, candy cigarettes, those are the types

[3:58:46] of items that constitute non-collection items. More examples so you can imagine how much of

[3:58:54] there is throughout the museum. This is just a handful of pictures of fruits that are not

[3:59:00] part of the collection, and then all the plants throughout the museum that are used to display

[3:59:07] the collection, but are not part of the collection. These are non-collection items. And that's

[3:59:13] what we are talking about when we talk about the disposition plan today. Also the facades, the brick

[3:59:19] besides those are if it's attached to the building, it belongs to Milwaukee County.

[3:59:27] And there are some cases where it might be a part of the collection item like possibly a window or a door

[3:59:35] that are part of the collection and those would be moving with the museum either to storage or to the new museum.

[3:59:42] But most of the things that are fixed to the building still belong to Milwaukee County.

[3:59:49] So now we'll get into the disposition plan.

[3:59:54] What happens to the non-collection items that are not moving to the new museum or moving to storage?

[4:00:00] And I want to thank President and CEO, Ellen Sensky and all her staff. They have spent many hours working with the county, showing us the collections, explaining the exhibits and the props and walking through the museum, and I know that many county supervisors have also walked through the museum. This with this monumental move going out. They are always willing to take time to work with the county and make sure that they are completely transparent in this process.

[4:00:30] And that's what we're working with for the guiding principles.

[4:00:34] These Milwaukee Public Museum non-collection items.

[4:00:39] We're looking at guiding principles of transparency,

[4:00:42] public benefit, efficiency, and public safety.

[4:00:48] So this is the disposition priority.

[4:00:51] And the disposition plan is attached to this file,

[4:00:57] so with more details.

[4:00:58] MPM retains ownership of all personal property and that would be non-collection items not

[4:01:05] affixed to or integrated into the building structure and not part of the collection.

[4:01:11] They have the authority to sell lease transfer or otherwise dispose of such property in

[4:01:16] the best interest of the museum and this was part of the 1992 lease and it's part of the 2013

[4:01:23] least. This is not changed in 32 years. And the museum, even though it's under their

[4:01:29] purview, has worked closely with Milwaukee County to make sure that this is a

[4:01:33] transparent process and that the public is aware of what's going on with those

[4:01:37] non-collection items that won't be moving with the museum. So the first thing is

[4:01:42] of course, if the museum can use it, they are taking it. So repurposed by Milwaukee

[4:01:48] public museum into the new museum and possibly some in storage.

[4:02:00] Some of the things which we might use in the future in future exhibits will retain too.

[4:02:09] And then the next, we'll be the Milwaukee County Department.

[4:02:14] So again, keeping it in Milwaukee County for the public, if it all possible, those non-collection items.

[4:02:21] And Milwaukee County Parks has already reached out to talk about the process, so for opportunities to look at, you know, whether it could go to the domes or to other parks locations.

[4:02:33] Then museums and peer institutions, again, looking at the most public good, where can these things be viewed by the public?

[4:02:40] looking local, if it all possible, and then the national too.

[4:02:48] And then we will look at the Milwaukee Public Museum, we'll consider non-profits, 501C3s,

[4:02:56] educational institutions.

[4:02:59] And I'm sorry, with the museum and peer institutions that also includes the tribes.

[4:03:05] and includes such institutions as the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, tribal museums,

[4:03:12] America's Black Holocaust Museum, and others.

[4:03:16] And then after 501C3s, exhibit fabrication, traveling exhibit production companies,

[4:03:23] so those companies that go across the United States,

[4:03:27] and possibly internationally, and show exhibits throughout the country.

[4:03:32] And then, at the end, if there's things still remaining, there'll be a public offering.

[4:03:39] MPM will offer property and it could be through via public auction online platform sealed

[4:03:45] bid or other public process that's appropriate.

[4:03:48] Milwaukee County at that time may also offer fixtures, so this would be like the fixtures

[4:03:54] in the streets of old Milwaukee, by public auction online platform through a request for

[4:04:00] proposals are other public, public process.

[4:04:04] Public notice of sale details will be posted broadly

[4:04:06] and in compliance with any applicable rules.

[4:04:09] And then, at the end of that entire process,

[4:04:13] if there's anything left that no one has been interested in,

[4:04:18] then it would be final disposal.

[4:04:22] So, again, this is a very, very big move, monumental.

[4:04:27] So, the timelines approximate because we know building buildings

[4:04:31] don't always run on the same timeline that we expect them to and also packing and moving can

[4:04:36] take a long time. So we will plan on coming back in the first part of 2026 with a detailed

[4:04:45] timeline for the county board as detailed as we can to be at that time. Again to keep this process

[4:04:50] transparent and keep the county board in the public updated. We'll be doing tours with the Milwaukee

[4:04:56] public museum for eligible groups to hunt.

[4:05:00] Part to help to start planning for those items that wouldn't be going with Museum, that the county might be interested in or other museums in nonprofits.

[4:05:11] And then quarter four towards the end of 2027, and possibly beginning of 2028, public auction, after all of the other organizations have taken any non-collection items that they wanted.

[4:05:27] And then end of 2027, beginning of 2028, would be the final clean out.

[4:05:33] So public communication, Wacke Public Museum has tons of information on their website is always

[4:05:38] updating as to, you know, when items, collection items are being moved out and when exhibits

[4:05:44] are going to be closed and then we'll reopen, they're trying to keep things open as much

[4:05:49] as possible while continuing this process of protecting and preserving the collection items.

[4:05:54] There's an FAQ page, we'll have the county board file in March, and there'll be MPM website

[4:06:02] updates.

[4:06:03] So we will put everyone on notice of what this timeline is going to look like and make sure

[4:06:08] that everyone is aware of this process.

[4:06:12] And so here are some resources.

[4:06:14] And again, if it pleases the committee, there's a video on what's happening to the

[4:06:18] streets of old Milwaukee that I found extremely beneficial, and I'd like to share

[4:06:22] It's short two or three minutes.

[4:06:24] Sure.

[4:06:55] Oh, okay.

[4:06:56] Sorry.

[4:06:57] Sorry, hold for just one second.

[4:07:46] What do you have information?

[4:07:48] It's Chairman.

[4:07:49] Yes, Supervisor.

[4:07:50] Yes.

[4:07:51] Is the video that all about to show publicly available on our website some place?

[4:07:56] Yes, it is.

[4:07:56] It's available even now.

[4:08:16] New Museum will feature a new streets of Oklahoma.

[4:08:19] It's a big cloud at the moment.

[4:08:22] Is

[4:08:28] it playing online?

[4:08:31] Is it playing online?

[4:08:32] It's a whole sense to us that was sent to us all.

[4:08:35] Yeah, it is a lot of powerpoint.

[4:08:37] And this is how we can get it sent to us to share that be great, because it's really

[4:08:40] echo-ey for anyone watching.

[4:08:43] It's a possible Apollo.

[4:08:45] And this was publicly available now, too.

[4:08:48] The general public can view this right now.

[4:08:51] Yes.

[4:08:52] In fact, we've shared it on all of our social media channels.

[4:08:58] And just on our Facebook page alone,

[4:09:02] it has received over 400,000 views. It's been shared over a thousand times. It has had

[4:09:10] over 5,000 likes or loves and less than 200, you know, sad faces or angry faces. So it's really

[4:09:22] resonating with people as they really start to understand what the new Milwaukee exhibit will be.

[4:09:28] Five thousand to two hundred. That's wow. Very positive.

[4:09:33] All right. Sorry for interrupting.

[4:09:36] I think President C. E. O. L. and Setsky always says,

[4:09:40] Granny is coming with to the new museum.

[4:09:43] And I know my kids, even as one of them's an adult,

[4:09:47] will be excited to be able to go into the candy,

[4:09:50] the Haymarket candy store, and still buy the candies.

[4:09:54] Actually, I like it too. So I will be looking forward to that as well.

[4:09:58] So as we look ahead, it's important.

[4:10:00] We're important to remember the county's collection, the fossils, the artifacts, the specimens that define who we are, will all be preserved and moved to the new museum or into storage.

[4:10:14] And again, with the idea that there's going to be more rotating of the collection, we're going to see more of our county collection in the new museum.

[4:10:22] For the non-collection items, we've built a process that's transparent, thoughtful and

[4:10:27] designed to benefit the public whenever possible these pieces will be reused, repurposed,

[4:10:34] or given new life in ways that continue to serve education and the community.

[4:10:42] It's more about making sure that everything connected to this museum collection is handled

[4:10:47] with care and integrity as we prepare for the next chapter.

[4:10:50] The results will be a museum that honors our history meets the needs of today and inspires

[4:10:55] generations to come and we're available for any questions on this disposition process.

[4:11:01] That's good.

[4:11:02] Members of the committee, I'm going to turn the lights on.

[4:11:05] Supervisor Jack Eckblatt had his hand up first, so he's first to ask questions.

[4:11:10] Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

[4:11:12] I really appreciate the presentation.

[4:11:14] I did have one follow-up question about non-collection items.

[4:11:18] I received several emails from constituents who say that their families had donated artifacts to the Streets of Old Milwaukee, specifically a president says he thinks so much for being into our contact with being about this.

[4:11:28] I know that we have unfortunately played a little bit of a phone tag about this.

[4:11:33] Would just be grateful to no one.

[4:11:36] Is that accurate to the museums knowledge that there are actually family heirlooms as part of these artifacts?

[4:11:42] And two is their plan for this position of those.

[4:11:47] So, if they were accepted into the collection, they are part of the collection and they will move to the new museum.

[4:11:57] Like they were accepted into the collection.

[4:12:00] I mean, I know that there were also families who reached out about things like a loaf of bread,

[4:12:07] saying that their family, their grandmother had made the loaf of bread.

[4:12:12] That loaf of bread not likely accepted into the collection because it would have been baked and then

[4:12:18] shellacked and those have a very short shelf life and their, in fact, our number of families

[4:12:24] who have given bread and but they did hear you right over time.

[4:12:29] So if they are items that were given to the museum as part of the collection, they are part

[4:12:35] of the collection then going.

[4:12:40] Thank you.

[4:12:42] All right.

[4:12:42] Thank you very much.

[4:12:43] Supervisor.

[4:12:44] Excellent.

[4:12:44] Other members of the committee?

[4:12:46] Supervisor O'Connor.

[4:12:49] Thank you, Chairman.

[4:12:50] Thank you for the presentation.

[4:12:52] I know there were some opportunities for participation in seeing the packing up close or at least having it explained.

[4:13:00] Unfortunately, I had a conflict, so would love to be kept in the loop on any future opportunities.

[4:13:07] I think that's great to see it up close and personal, so I appreciate that.

[4:13:13] It was mentioned that the move is being done according to American Alliance on accreditation

[4:13:19] standards.

[4:13:22] So where, for the general public who's more curious about where those standards are,

[4:13:29] is that something like, do they have their own website and kind of, is that available

[4:13:34] to only museum members or with the general public be able to see those standards. And then the

[4:13:40] kind of second part of that is, does that organization, as part of the accreditation process,

[4:13:49] have any on-site presence throughout the year, whether it's through the move or do they do,

[4:13:56] you know, check-ins physically at different points or is it a matter of what is submitted to them

[4:14:02] to keep the organization in good standing.

[4:14:06] So the answer to the first question is yes, there is a website.

[4:14:12] The Alliance of American Museums or American Alliance of Museums,

[4:14:16] and you can go on and anybody can go on.

[4:14:20] There are parts of it that are restricted to members,

[4:14:24] but if you want to understand the accessioning

[4:14:26] and the accessioning process, that's on there.

[4:14:29] As far as the accreditation process, that's something you go through every 10 years, you submit all your paperwork and then they do a site visit.

[4:14:42] And so they don't check in in between those times.

[4:14:46] But we are following our, you know, that collections policy plan, which this board approved,

[4:14:55] That goes through that whole process and so we abide by that.

[4:15:00] That process is approved by the AM. And so during that accreditation process, they check and make sure that everything you're doing is on the up and up. And then you abide by it. And we are in accredited museum. We are not going to not abide by it. That is what we do as professionals.

[4:15:23] Thank you. Chair May I ask a follow up question?

[4:15:27] Okay. Thank you.

[4:15:29] So my understanding is that Milwaukee Public Museum is able to proudly claim the original

[4:15:36] Milwaukee style that has these really sort of expressive dioramas and settings for the object.

[4:15:42] So I heard an interesting argument be made that some of the non-collection items almost have achieved

[4:15:50] collection status because of their iconic settings. So have any items, or are any items

[4:15:57] under consideration for being added into the collection, even though previously they were considered

[4:16:03] sort of like non-collection items, because of their relevance to the development of the Milwaukee

[4:16:08] style. The Milwaukee style actually comes, we can claim that the acolydiorama, which is movable,

[4:16:18] Was the original Milwaukee style and so that is coming that was built in 1890 and so that actually has a cheese cheese

[4:16:29] That level

[4:16:30] Okay, so that will be coming

[4:16:34] Great, thank you, and then

[4:16:35] Sorry, I've just one more question in the sort of hierarchy of disposition

[4:16:42] Fabrication and traveling exhibits was above the general public auction

[4:16:49] on mine. However, those things will be disposed of, would any consideration be given to maybe

[4:16:55] flipping those two? In my mind, I guess the general public auction might keep things more

[4:17:00] local than having it go to a traveling exhibit. Again, if that's something as part of the

[4:17:06] accreditation process or how did that disposition hierarchy get established? Thanks.

[4:17:11] It was more so in keeping things in the public realm. And so those companies that travel exhibits

[4:17:18] they keep things in the private, I mean in the public realm, whereas an individual buying a piece of

[4:17:25] fruit ends up in their home and so it may end up locally, but it's not in the public, you know,

[4:17:32] for public consumption. Sure. Thank you very much.

[4:17:37] Are the other committee members?

[4:17:41] All right. Seeing none, we have members of the general public that

[4:17:45] like to make comments. I have three cards before us today. The first person who'll be going

[4:17:50] up will be, I think it's an L but it could be a C dot, Scott Bush. Is it L or is it C?

[4:18:01] Oh,

[4:18:01] he loved. Okay, he was going to speak against the next person up is Corey Houston, who's from

[4:18:09] Priser Moaquie.org, who will be speaking against. Mr. Houston, Florida shares. And what we're going

[4:18:15] We're going to have, I know it's true to make it to me guys, but we're going to do two minute sessions for different speakers so we'll have a timer.

[4:18:24] Thank you.

[4:18:26] I would say, I would say, against as a risk characterization of our intention here, two things can be true at the same time.

[4:18:38] The monumental task of moving the museum and the desire to preserve what is important to the community can be existed the same time.

[4:18:45] What's most interesting is that you're talking about the dioramas and we have about 140 unique dioramas, murals, taxidermy that is people love about the museum and we have no idea what is going to be happening to those, although it sounds like those would not be considered as part of the collections, which means they would not be moving over to the new museum.

[4:19:07] were. So if I'm not understanding that wrongly just based on that last comment, but the concern

[4:19:15] that we have is that the public is being kept out of the Milwaukee Public Museum. And I understand

[4:19:22] that there's efforts now to talk to show these slides, but the things we're talking about are

[4:19:31] these exhibits in the beautiful craftsmanship that the people of Milwaukee care very much about.

[4:19:36] And even if you have a website that had 5,000 likes and 200 smiley, 200 frowny emojis that's not how people are expressing their heartbreak about what is happening.

[4:19:50] We have been cut out of the process of what is happening to museum, not only because the items in the museum have been redefined.

[4:20:01] In the 2013 lease, there is articulated terms for them to very specifically make clear all of the things that are owned by Milwaukee County, the objects, the props, the exhibits.

[4:20:15] And now there's this term component which has been operating like a carve out, a carve out of ownership of what the Milwaukee community has paid for and is in and loves.

[4:20:26] and is now being defined as a non-component

[4:20:29] that is a personal property of MPM.

[4:20:33] So our concern is not necessarily that the museum isn't being handled carefully,

[4:20:39] but that the public is being cut out of what's happening.

[4:20:42] We would like to have a public oversight of the items we want in inventory

[4:20:46] of what's considered a collection versus a non-collection item.

[4:20:50] The public has paid for those items and they would like to have access to that information.

[4:20:55] And if we're not given access to that information, I am still reminded of the code by Thomas

[4:21:00] Soul that says, it is not about what is best, but who gets to decide what is best and the

[4:21:06] public have been cut out of this process.

[4:21:10] Thank you.

[4:21:10] Thank you very much.

[4:21:12] Mr. Houston.

[4:21:14] Of course, there could someone address some of the comments, I mean, we hear 2013, but I talked

[4:21:22] about 1992, that things haven't changed since 1992,

[4:21:26] and so I just want to understand that,

[4:21:28] because it's not my understanding.

[4:21:32] And I don't know what the pictures are that she has.

[4:21:36] These are what's currently in the museum.

[4:21:38] This is what we want to know.

[4:21:38] I can't know from Ray here, we'll be able to do it.

[4:21:40] You did me see the packet, but yes, it's just images of the museum.

[4:21:43] Beautiful, beautiful diorama, built in murals.

[4:21:47] Obviously, the murals are difficult.

[4:21:48] But it's the things that we love, what is happening with them, we are only told the collections will move over.

[4:21:57] We want to know what is, you know, we want information about this.

[4:22:02] We don't want to be told to trust the professionals.

[4:22:05] And it's not an aggressive, it's just, we want an impact on this.

[4:22:10] I mean, do we have answers to where specific things are going to go?

[4:22:13] like, I mean, any of those going over to the new museum

[4:22:16] and if not, what happens, you know,

[4:22:19] like if you take one picture, like, you know,

[4:22:21] you do it with the candy store and they're like,

[4:22:23] here's where things are, they're props

[4:22:25] and they're actual collections, like,

[4:22:27] when you look at those photos,

[4:22:29] what is something that either A is gonna go over,

[4:22:32] B, going to then follow that process of, you know,

[4:22:35] being sold or auctioned or put in storage

[4:22:38] Because if future use, I mean, can we get a little breakdown on something like that, or no?

[4:22:45] It's too difficult.

[4:22:46] Very creepy.

[4:22:47] I want to respond.

[4:22:48] It's a difficult question.

[4:22:49] I think it's a very difficult question to answer without going exhibit by exhibit, which

[4:22:55] is what the museum is doing to determine the collection items that are definitely moving.

[4:23:02] And so, like, for example, the taxidermied animals, I believe that some are in the collection.

[4:23:10] They're all collection animals.

[4:23:13] The Taxi-Dernit, Domi animals.

[4:23:16] There are lists online of the 4 million collection items.

[4:23:21] It's not all online because 140 years of collecting.

[4:23:26] A lot of it is in actual books that they're trying to digitize the entire 4 million items.

[4:23:33] But they don't have, like many of our institutions have a lot of staff.

[4:23:37] So it's a slow process to get it all digitized, but the county has always had the ability to audit the collection items and to go and take a look and see what collection items exist.

[4:23:49] We get the high value collection items listed for insurance purposes, but we have the ability to audit, but it would be very expensive and time consuming.

[4:24:00] So you there's that one slide that showed the military guy that you know the army guy or whatever and had five different

[4:24:07] Collections in there and that was like broken down really nice. I mean, are we are we are we gonna go through each one of these

[4:24:15] That are currently there and then can that mean make made public like you just made it one item in a slide show like if you took a picture of any of these

[4:24:23] These scenes that are beautiful on that can can that so then that's the answer that maybe they're looking for

[4:24:29] what's happening to each one of these, I followed their Facebook page, I see the fish and

[4:24:36] the different things that have been posted like, well what's going to happen to this?

[4:24:38] Well, I don't have that answer. I mean, and maybe we don't have that answer completely,

[4:24:43] but like, is something as simple as that? Here's our inventory of this actual part of the museum.

[4:24:51] Here's a picture. These five things are going, this is something that's going to eventually

[4:24:55] They asked if they're not in profit once it traveling museum once it like how

[4:25:00] So, how can we share that information because it's, I mean, is there a way to do that or not?

[4:25:08] I would have to ask the museum.

[4:25:10] We're doing it. We obviously clearly just did it and you showed us an example what you're doing.

[4:25:14] Well, you must have a hundred of those done already. So, can't they just go up and be displayed?

[4:25:20] You'll put online like you just did. That's a public record right now and that's slide. Why can't all the ones we've done so far? Can't we,

[4:25:27] We are in the process, so we've just started with the first gallery, there are five galleries.

[4:25:35] So this is going to be a long tedious process.

[4:25:38] In addition, there are objects that are in the collections that will be coming out on display.

[4:25:44] So what you're asking is, we can look at placing them on our website.

[4:25:51] and the thing that we don't want to do is the people who are moving the collections are also

[4:25:59] the same people who are planning exhibits. And so to add another additional task to their

[4:26:06] to their job may send them running. I mean, we're trying to keep a team together. That is

[4:26:14] working two jobs at once or even three jobs.

[4:26:19] So, but there is a lot on our future website.

[4:26:24] And we talk about what's going to be in the new,

[4:26:27] in the new exhibits.

[4:26:29] We don't give very detailed, like this in this and this,

[4:26:32] because we just don't have the time to do it.

[4:26:35] It's a big process.

[4:26:37] As Erica said early on, when you think about moving a house

[4:26:42] what that takes. And this is something where we can't just throw something in a box and move it.

[4:26:50] So, we are, and the other thing is that the dioramas are built in. They're part of your,

[4:26:58] you guys own them. The sides are built in. You own them. We have not reclassified anything.

[4:27:07] We have you saw the collection numbers on those. Those tell us what has been

[4:27:11] session. What is a collection item? We don't, we don't catalog into our collections things that

[4:27:19] we know in order to move it, we'd have to destroy it. We'd have to damage it. We don't do that.

[4:27:26] It would not be museum, meat museum standards. Museums don't access them there. They're exhibits.

[4:27:36] Do you mind if I respond?

[4:27:37] Because I've been sort of one of the main agitators about this, I would have to say, okay.

[4:27:43] The Facebook page has 9,600 members in it.

[4:27:47] So again, these is not the 200 frowny faces, it's a mischaracterization.

[4:27:52] People are keenly interested in what is uniquely the Milwaukee Public Museum.

[4:27:57] And so it is in your best interest to work with us, to keep people feeling that they

[4:28:02] have a voice in the museum.

[4:28:03] What if the public decides that the new museum doesn't reflect their values or their history?

[4:28:10] You're taking the, in the past you've made some concerning comments like nostalgia will not carry us forward.

[4:28:18] We're going to transform the museum according to cultural and political trends.

[4:28:24] We're going to, you are, you are going to not see the same museum that you have now.

[4:28:28] So, the public in the absence of information has been only been able to surmise what your intentions are to take these collections and transform what you believe should be brought into the future.

[4:28:43] And especially your comments about the history of Milwaukee. The history of Milwaukee is seven year period. Yes, but it represents the cultures that are here and people love that.

[4:28:52] you're saying that's not okay we need to make it 300 years and so you're changing and

[4:28:59] transferring what is the Milwaukee Public Museum the best alternative would be to have a true

[4:29:05] representative from the public alongside these efforts so that people can know that there's

[4:29:10] transparency transparency means openness it means that we have the information as well and I

[4:29:15] just would respectfully ask the board to advocate on behalf of the public because they care about

[4:29:22] happening and the answers you've given them this is obviously more information now but the

[4:29:26] answers that you've given him so far have not been thorough enough for them to know what's

[4:29:30] happening to their favorite exhibit. Okay go away. Do you want to? I'm just so it seems like we're talking

[4:29:38] about something different about like moving entire exhibits in their totality which is just not a

[4:29:45] reality it's not a possibility. The thing that the county has control over is the collection,

[4:29:51] The collection is being preserved and it's being moved either to the new museum or to storage where it will see more of the collection

[4:30:00] Action from this point forward. I'm not sure what else county can be responsible for. The exhibits are being designed. They're being designed around this election.

[4:30:15] And these collection items will be displayed. And there's been a public process going on for over 10 years. There was a public process in 2022 and the museum was designed and this deal was done.

[4:30:28] And we saw the design, it's part of the development agreement, which was adopted.

[4:30:35] So the public has been involved every step of the way.

[4:30:37] The museum has had a very public process inviting the public to talk about what they love about the current museum,

[4:30:45] what they want to see in the new museum.

[4:30:47] I'm not sure why you would not consider that a public process.

[4:30:51] And this is a discussion that was happening in 1992.

[4:30:54] I've been looking through the thousand-page file just to get an understanding of the history of these decisions.

[4:31:01] In 1992, this was a thought already, and then it was, you know, it takes a while to pursue this.

[4:31:08] Of the museum, the nonprofit, taking over completely, and still managing and displaying the collection,

[4:31:15] but the county moving out of it, because even then we knew that we don't have the financial,

[4:31:19] the county doesn't have the financial capacity to continue supporting all of our arts and

[4:31:26] culture. So I just I don't know how you can say this hasn't been a transparent process.

[4:31:34] And your county supervisors represent the county supervisors,

[4:31:38] represent the public in this process as well. And every meeting that has been requested,

[4:31:44] a public meeting, President and CEO Ellen Sensky has been willing to be there, or our staff

[4:31:50] have been willing to be there to talk about this publicly.

[4:31:54] We are, this is a very long process, it's very detailed.

[4:31:58] I don't think, as the county, we could ask the museum to do more than they're already doing

[4:32:03] in, as I said, 40 hours for six items of the collection.

[4:32:09] So they are doing as much as they can to put out as much information as possible to the

[4:32:13] public, I just don't know if we can ask them to do more, but this will, the Milwaukee County

[4:32:20] departments are going to be walking through and seeing what's available, you know, what won't

[4:32:25] be going to the museum or to, or to the storage facility. So, I just, I don't know what else

[4:32:35] we can do.

[4:32:39] I just wanted to make one another statement in that, you know, why the museum

[4:32:48] in the 60's, those seven years, I don't know. But there is a whole lot more to Milwaukee

[4:32:53] history. So in the new Milwaukee revealed, we'll talk about Solomon Juno and the founding

[4:33:00] of this city. We will talk about, um, increase lap and his involvement in actually helping

[4:33:09] to get the national weather service started across this country. We'll talk about the

[4:33:16] beer and why beer here in this region through the Schlitz Palm Garden. We will talk about

[4:33:24] about the dairy industry and we'll use the venue will be the frozen custard shop so we will

[4:33:32] be talking about much more of the history of Milwaukee so I don't know how that is that is

[4:33:41] not being true to the Milwaukee Public Museum it's sharing more of the history and you know

[4:33:48] you can go on to our website and look, we are updating it all the time.

[4:33:54] You just have to actually go to the website.

[4:33:58] Thank you.

[4:34:00] More questions, we also have more people that want to talk to you.

[4:34:03] So, next up is

[4:34:10] righto.

[4:34:13] So, I was going to go with a, it's going to be right off first and then I was going to do

[4:34:19] a read-all.

[4:34:20] So,

[4:34:28] you have two of this.

[4:34:29] I'll start here.

[4:34:30] I have really no plan to speak here.

[4:34:33] Do I, did I give my name properly?

[4:34:36] Yes.

[4:34:36] OK.

[4:34:37] I really hadn't.

[4:34:38] But I'm just typing stuff in the background as I'm listening.

[4:34:41] So these are going to be kind of just comments.

[4:34:46] But you know, it comes on in hard work.

[4:34:48] And those efforts, you guys even get a little pay.

[4:34:51] We aren't getting anything.

[4:34:53] And I worked eight hours on one video last night.

[4:34:56] This is not the, the merit doesn't come from how much effort you.

[4:35:02] And this is what the whole thing, the whole plan of diversion is. In 1992, they may have gotten private ownership of running the museum, but they didn't come in and destroy the streets of Milwaukee. The streets of Milwaukee and let's get this on the record is generational.

[4:35:19] It is something that every, it doesn't, it's no way he's like, I like the little bottle here.

[4:35:24] It's because it is a time capsule that works for a person to walk through it, it is immersive.

[4:35:30] You're in it, you don't know where he are and you come out through the European Village.

[4:35:33] He's meant something to a lot of people.

[4:35:36] They meant a lot to your kids, your grandkids, the kids of today.

[4:35:44] You go in there today, there's not like they're bumping around in there, they're enjoying it.

[4:35:48] So why the public would say, why the heck are you going to tear it apart and do electronic stuff

[4:35:52] and do the history of mankind in the same spot? Why would that resonate with the public?

[4:35:59] You know, she talks enough a lot about how much positive comments they make.

[4:36:06] Channel 58 ran a documentary. I mean, had a story last week with us.

[4:36:11] And the comments and read those comments because they're not our people and not their people,

[4:36:16] They're people and they're pretty not, it's not the way it sounds like everybody's happy about this.

[4:36:24] If you were a German fest, I can get maybe one person who thinks that we're all they think is we're dumb.

[4:36:31] I'm sorry I'm getting excited.

[4:36:34] What they think is this is a fatalistic thing we can't win.

[4:36:38] The power is too strong on the other side of the marketing.

[4:36:41] I'm sitting in a marketing meeting right now.

[4:36:44] Last week that the video that was on the right side with I think that was I'm not sure that was was that was put out a week ago

[4:36:52] Then this journalistic tour of the building then the good articles start coming out

[4:36:58] This is when I got in my head something's going to be happening at this meeting and they're trying to get

[4:37:04] Public to just before the holidays get them shoved away

[4:37:08] You can look it up and did a video on it not a very good one and

[4:37:13] And here we are in the day that you always do the ugly part of public policy, you do it

[4:37:20] on a day that the public isn't paying attention.

[4:37:23] And that's not a mistake.

[4:37:26] We have Native Americans who come to us and say, why can't I call them and ask about my head

[4:37:33] dress?

[4:37:34] My grandfather's head dress.

[4:37:36] I'm calling you because we can't get an answer.

[4:37:38] I don't know. I'm not allowed to offer to fix the power at no charge because I'm qualified to do it and at least for a year we'd have it running.

[4:37:50] They're not going to get anybody near it. You guys get to see this stuff. We don't get to see it.

[4:37:56] You guys are accommodated all the time because you're getting played.

[4:38:01] Now maybe you're not, but you're smart enough people to be cynical.

[4:38:04] that when I'm sitting up here, I have an agenda that I want to convince you of, they have an agenda that they want you to be convinced of.

[4:38:12] And to think that is just all perfect, is no, no, there is stuff going on behind there.

[4:38:18] The middle video, that was not shown.

[4:38:21] When you watch it, oh, oh.

[4:38:25] The middle video was released the day after the bean dropped.

[4:38:29] No public statement was made about this for Mortensen.

[4:38:33] No statement was made.

[4:38:34] Nobody, nobody, turn your foot head folks.

[4:38:37] I have a little fun with it with my video.

[4:38:39] But nonetheless, it is a irresponsible action,

[4:38:44] in which all this is to promote what they're going to decide.

[4:38:49] Talk about diorama.

[4:38:51] You were, Miss O'Connor, you asked about diorama.

[4:38:53] You were told about one little diorama.

[4:38:56] That was done in the 1800s, which would not qualify for the Milwaukee style.

[4:39:01] Let's ask a bigger question.

[4:39:03] What's going to happen to the bison hunt? Why are you stealing snakes off of it?

[4:39:08] Or whatever you want?

[4:39:10] And why is it that you did not contact the coronation to find out if they had any comments on it?

[4:39:18] This is the people who are more in love with the indigenous and making sure everything sensitive

[4:39:23] never call the crow. Now I'll tell you they've talked to the crow, that's because the crow

[4:39:29] talked to them because I personally contacted the coronation. So thank you. I'm so much.

[4:39:37] And I have my two minutes. You're overpass for. Support the museum. Sorry, I do

[4:39:42] All right, all right, all right, Brad Myers was here and he had to leave but he was going to speak against and we also have Liz Greedle.

[4:40:03] Do you guys know each other? All right. You have two mess.

[4:40:16] You can start. Your two mess starts right now.

[4:40:18] Dear supervisors, good afternoon. My name is Liz Riddle and I thank you for the opportunity to speak publicly about MPM Inc and our public museum.

[4:40:28] I was raised a Dallas girl growing up on 75th in Grant. I spent my summers at McCarty Park swimming.

[4:40:36] I lived there. This was a difficult agenda for me to sit through, no less for you.

[4:40:42] I've been to every one of the institutions that are around the agenda today.

[4:40:47] Cool waters the domes within the past year, the zoo.

[4:40:51] You have the, I'm apathetic, you have to decide who has and who has not in this, in your budgeting.

[4:41:00] With that, I hope my words don't seem harsh.

[4:41:03] Rather, I hope you, I hope to give them to you as a perspective and outside perspective, outside of government, corporations, developers, and expensive consultants.

[4:41:18] Dear supervisors.

[4:41:19] Your decisions today and in the days ahead will define your legacy.

[4:41:26] Under your oversight, the Milwaukee Public Museum, the world's largest, unisciplined public museum will cease to exist.

[4:41:35] Under your watch, historic, world-renowned exhibits and murals will be lost forever.

[4:41:42] You have given MPM ink authority to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.

[4:41:47] You have given MPM ink authority to decide what is a collection and what is a component.

[4:41:55] You have given MPM ink authority to choose what is a session and what is de-assession.

[4:42:01] As a result, immersive exhibits will be dismantled, picked over, auctioned off, perhaps thrown out 15 seconds.

[4:42:09] The pro-Bison hunt gone, European village gone, where was the transparency in this process?

[4:42:15] Not until recently did MPM in start to hint to the public in articles that these exhibits were not moving.

[4:42:24] No one has it appeared that this museum will be a privately owned building.

[4:42:30] I've spoke with hundreds and hundreds of people and no one knows that and I've not seen it in any news print or anything put out by mpm ink.

[4:42:39] You cite many reasons why it was impossible to save the current building and thus save our public museum.

[4:42:46] Perhaps the one reason you cite, you don't cite is the main reason how much that property was wanted for redevelopment.

[4:42:53] after all what's the value of our legacy compared to a new jail or apartments or a CVS store.

[4:43:01] I believe history may not be kind to you.

[4:43:05] Thank you.

[4:43:06] Thank you very much.

[4:43:09] Members of the committee, any questions, concerns?

[4:43:14] You don't see anybody online?

[4:43:15] All right.

[4:43:17] That ends the testimony today on this item.

[4:43:21] Next item, if you'd like to announce e-commence.

[4:43:30] Item 10, e-commence submitted to the Committee on Parks and Culture via the County Legislative Information Center.

[4:43:36] All right.

[4:43:37] Have there been any e-commence, Mr. Vice Chair?

[4:43:40] If there are any, there will be heads and files.

[4:43:44] Seeing none, one quick announcement for, in terms of our committee,

[4:43:48] The January 20th date for committee, which is on a Tuesday, and 9 o'clock will be moved to Thursday at 9 o'clock.

[4:43:56] I have a flight that's coming in late. I want to be there. So January 20th will be January 22nd.

[4:44:05] 9 a.m. it was updated in click and it's been publicly notified already.

[4:44:09] So be prepared for that one day change.

[4:44:11] And otherwise, is there a motion for adjournment?

[4:44:17] All of you for adjournment?

[4:44:18] Aye. All right. We're done.

Committee on Parks and Culture on 2025-09-02 9:00 AM - HYBRID MEETINGThis meeting will be held in Room 203-R, and will be live-streamed on the County Legislative Information Center: https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

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