Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force — Portland, ME
Date: 2017-07-10

1. Agenda 7/10/2017


 AGENDA

 1. Welcome and introductions
 2. Review and approve minutes from June 9 & June 26
 3. Travel to Amethyst Lot
 4. Return to Room 209 – review map of City and discuss other options for naming
 5. Adjourn


 Documents:

 AGENDA JULY 10 2017.PDF

2. Minutes From June 9 & June 26

 Documents:

 MLK TF MINUTES 6 9 2017.PDF
 MLK TF MINUTES 6 26 2017.PDF

1. Agenda 7/10/2017


 AGENDA

 1. Welcome and introductions
 2. Review and approve minutes from June 9 & June 26
 3. Travel to Amethyst Lot
 4. Return to Room 209 – review map of City and discuss other options for naming
 5. Adjourn


 Documents:

 AGENDA JULY 10 2017.PDF

2. Minutes From June 9 & June 26

 Documents:

 MLK TF MINUTES 6 9 2017.PDF
 MLK TF MINUTES 6 26 2017.PDF
 City of Portland
 Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force
 July 10, 2017
 3:30 PM
 Room 209

 AGENDA

1. Welcome and introductions
2. Review and approve minutes from June 9 & June 26
3. Travel to Amethyst Lot
4. Return to Room 209 – review map of City and discuss other options for naming
5. Adjourn
 Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force

 June 9, 2017

 Minutes



Members Present: Councilor Ali, Danielle Conway, Dawud Ummah, Daniel Minter via phone

Staff present: Troy Moon

Public: George Rheault



Welcome and introductions

Councilor Ali welcomed everyone. Mentioned that the City had a previous Task Force,
recommendations not acted on, not sure why. This group has a more limited scope, but he's
willing to look at different scenarios. He’s also looking for opportunities to recognize other
prominent African Americans such as Mr. Talbot and Mr. Shepherd.

Review minutes from 6/2

All in favor of minutes as drafted

Review recommendations from previous task force

Dawud: There was interest in a King Center, maybe there is a way to collaborate with private
donors. There was some concern that the trail alone may not be significant enough

Danielle – Part of Dr. King’s legacy includes workers rights, workforce development. Is there a
way to connect that to the development going on there?

Dawud – The revious committee had begun discussing raising money. Seems like there may be
interest in the community about MLK center, see if there are people who want to work on it.
There was opposition to renaming Baxter Boulevard, but there was interest in the park (Bayside)

Councilor Ali – has been looking the African American Center in DC – identify place where we
want it to happen – maybe a new committee to raise money to implement a significant project.

Dawud – previous committee had not prepared to raise money – didn’t have anything to match
any possible donors.

Councilor Ali – can start with a big idea and work from there. What can we do that will bring in
more people?
Dawud – people may be in a better position to raise funds now that we were in 2008.

Troy – mentioned that there is a fund associated with the Bayside Trail that may be available to
help fund some recognition that involved improvements on the trail.

Councilor Ali – Asked to learn more and see how much money might be available.

Councilor Ali – Asks Daniel if he recalled why the previous recommendations weren’t
implemented.

Daniel – Art benches stalled. Funding for one bench at a time. One call for artwork that went
out. Some responses came in but the project stalled because it was difficult to get the money
for a number of art projects. There was a budget that was only for one set of benches but the
project called for a number of them. The expense was out of proportion. The designs were
obscure and didn’t seem associated with Dr. King. The call for art was not clear enough.
Perhaps some push back on designating the benches to Dr. King instead of just one art work or
memorial for one location.

Councilor Ali – Where was this coming from?

Daniel – From the community in general. The one area designated for the memorial wasn’t
clearly specified. There wasn’t a full process to talk about how it was determined

Danielle – We would need more people in the room to make a decision about whether this is
appropriate. Activities would bring more people

Dawud – remembers that there would be a statue with benches, for more of a reflective area.

Daniel – calls never went out

Danielle – Updating this requires more public comment.

Councilor Ali – we can take many directions – such as the original task force recommendation.
We want to work on it, or we can work on it on their own.

Danielle – maybe ask for Sustainability and Transportation Committee to comment on this, see
about working on it.

Dawud – At last meeting of previous committee there were break outs. It came down to the
trail because it came down to money.

Danielle – Can we bring neighborhood influence, get input on the original concept?

Councilor Ali – Probably possible to broaden the conversation. This is an Important task that
may need more time based on what we think we need. We also need to be mindful of the time
invested by the volunteer committee members.

Danielle – re: the RFP – can’t tell from the original report who was involved with the call for art,
MECA or others?
Councilor Ali – Do we want to reach out to the previous task force to get involved again.

Danielle – there are people involved in the art community who may be interested in donating
art – maybe people at MECA or PMA would be interested. We need to take our time and do this
right.

Daniel – Was just at PMA and saw a new sculpture that was just donated by a private individual.

Councilor Ali – Staff should reach out to people involved previously plus new groups that may be
want to involved such as neighborhood orgs. Would like to bring in voices soon. Will meet with
Councilor Thibodeau to discuss the need to bring people in. Global Shapers is one group to get
involved.

Troy – Expansion would be beyond the scope of what the task force was asked to do. Suggests
Councilor Ali speak with Councilor Thibodeau.

Councilor Ali - Hold off on contacting anyone until he speaks with Councilor Thibodeau.

Daniel – in the material do we have the 2008 information from Portland Oregon? Renaming a
street with markers along the length of it. Northeast Martin Luther King Gateway. A way of
going over some of the things that have been done before.



Adjourned at 5:00 PM
 Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force

 June 9, 2017




Members Present: Matt Suslovic, Merita McKenzie, Blanca Santiago, Regina Phillips, Dawud
Ummah

Staff present: Troy Moon

Public: George Rheult

Welcome and introductions

Councilor Ali welcomed everyone.



Review minutes from 6/9

Quorum not present until later in the meeting. Did not return to review.

Review scope of work as defined in Order 173

Councilor Ali – reviewed the Council Order. Recommends we focus on the task identified in the
order to identify a place to name after Dr. King. He is interested in recommending that the
Council create a subsequent group to continue efforts to recognize other individuals and
perhaps expand efforts to recognize Dr. King.

Regina – perhaps there should be somoe criteria for recognizing an individual?

Matt – regarding criteria, this could be an ideal time to set the precedent for how to move
forward.

Councilor Ali – Asks Troy to with Corp Counsel to see if there are any criteria.

Blanca – It seems like there may be some straight forward approaches. If we stick to the order
we can get it done. Expanding it may make it a protracted process. Some places such as
Longfellow Park have significant namesakes. Congress Square may work.

Regina – In 2008 they were developing Bayside Trail – thought it would be nice to have an park
with statue of Dr. King along the trail. Then decided to an RFP for some art but then kind of
disbanded. Not interested in fundraising at this time. If there is a process the City should be
able to find money to implement . She doesn’t feel the need to add more people to the
committee.
Merita – Likes the idea to get something done. Do the work and then continue the committee.
It would be nice to finish and then move on.

Councilor Ali – Continue with 2008 recommendation for Bayside Trail or consider other spots.
Would like to name something very visible. How many people will see it?

Merita – not sure the trail is the best place at this time.

Councilr Ali recognizes member of the public -- George Rheault – who suggests the Amethyst
Lot where there is a new park proposed – would be a good location. Points out that Maine was
connected with the West Indies slave trade, the park is where the wharves used to be. Might be
an opportunity to connect with history

Merita – the Abysinian meeting house and freedom trail are there. Makes sense.

Regina – Would like to see a map of the City. When the 2008 committee met the trail was not
yet developed but there were hopes.

Merita – Is the Amethyst lot the same situation, something off the beaten track that may not
happen?

George Rheault (member of the public) – lots of construction happening now. That is why the
City is supporting a park. Likelihood of the park being built is high..

Merita – It is an active place, people feel safe there.

Dawud – Should be on the undeveloped side to bring attention to the poor. Is looking for a
discussion of King’s work and how it would have an impact on the City.

Councilor Ali – charge is to figure out a place to name after King. The S&T committee can
accept recommendation or not. 2008 property is on the table, we are looking at other locations,
too.

Regina – parking lot things – criteria, how to continue our work. Looking at the list presented by
Herb, not clear from visiting the streets that they are named after the individuals. Maybe there
should be a marker to identify

Councilor Ali – maybe look at this in future work. Recap what we agreed on:

Possibilities include: Congress Square, Bayside Trail as referred to in 2008 site, Amethyst Lot.
Bring a map for the next meeting

Merita – there must be other places we haven’t thougt of. The visibility of the Amethyst Lot is
high. People have a reason to go there.

Dawud – if there were a kiosk or some attraction that might attract people. Expressed
concerned about the development on the waterfront

Merita – is very interested in the waterfront park to preserve public access.
Dawud – Once there was a proposal to have rental bikes on the trail to attract more activitiy.
On the Bayside Trail there would be a need to invest money. The Amethyst Lot is ready to go
because of the recent investment.

Matt – Thinking that it would be helpful to do some homework. Pick would the top three
reasons to select a space to recognize and individual .

Councilor Ali – Can we meet at the Amethyst Lot – also bring flip chart and markers. Would like
to have the meeting begin at 3:30, on the waterfront

Adjourn.

Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force

 July 10, 2017




Members Present: Matt Suslovic, Blanca Santiago, Regina Philips, Daniel Minter

Staff present: Troy Moon

Public: George Rheault

Councilor Ali welcomed everyone and introductions.

Review and approve minutes: Minutes of June 9 and June 26 meetings approved with one
amendment. The minutes for the June 26 meeting were incorrectly dated as June 9.

The group travelled by van to the Amethyst Lot. Upon arrival everyone reviewed a plan showing
the design of the proposed Portland Landing. Troy explained the proposed elements to the
members of the Task Force. All members present felt that developing the park presents an
opportunity to recognize Dr. King through naming a plaza or another element after him. The
group requested the Bill Needelman, Waterfront Coordinator, attend the next meeting to
provide more details about the proposed park and about other development happening in the
area.

The group returned to City Hall and adjourned the meeting