Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force — Portland, ME
Date: 2017-06-26

1. Agenda 6/26/2017

 Documents:

 AGENDA JUNE 26 2017.PDF

2. Council Order Creating The Task Force

 Documents:

 173-A.PDF

3. Historical Information Submitted By Herb Adams

 Documents:

 MLK H_ADAMS_ARTICLES.PDF
 STREETS_HISTORICAL_FIGURES.PDF

1. Agenda 6/26/2017

 Documents:

 AGENDA JUNE 26 2017.PDF

2. Council Order Creating The Task Force

 Documents:

 173-A.PDF

3. Historical Information Submitted By Herb Adams

 Documents:

 MLK H_ADAMS_ARTICLES.PDF
 STREETS_HISTORICAL_FIGURES.PDF
 City of Portland
 Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force
 June 26, 2017
 4:00 PM
 Room 24

 AGENDA

1. Welcome and introductions
2. Review scope of the Task Force as defined in Order 173
3. Discuss whether the Bayside Trail remains a good candidate location to
 recognize Dr. King
4. Review the list of streets submitted by Herb Adams
5. Adjourn
 Order 173-A-16/17
 Motion to suspend the rules and take up a non-agenda item: 9-0 on 3/27/2017
 Passage: 9-0 on March 27, 2017 Effective 4/6/2017
ETHAN K. STRIMLING (MAYOR) DAVID H. BRENERMAN (5)
BELINDA S. RAY (1) CITY OF PORTLAND JILL C. DUSON (A/L)
SPENCER R. THIBODEAU (2) IN THE CITY COUNCIL PIOUS ALI (A/L)
BRIAN E. BATSON (3) NICHOLAS M. MAVODONES, JR (A/L)
JUSTIN COSTA (4)




 AMENDMENT TO ORDER 173-16/17
 RE: NUMBER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING TASK FORCE MEMBERS TO 9 AND
 ADDITION TO CHARGE OF THE TASK FORCE


 WHEREAS, the life of Dr. Martin Luther King shines like a beacon of justice through the years
 that have followed his death, showing the world a way forward in the midst of
 racial strife; and

 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Portland wishes to find a way to honor the life and
 legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King in the City of Portland, perhaps by renaming a
 street,a park or public place in his honor;

 THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED, that the Dr. Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force is
 hereby established to consider how the life and legacy of the Civil Rights Leader
 Dr. Martin Luther King may be best acknowledged and recognized, in the form of
 renaming a street, park or similarly situated public space, by the City of Portland;
 and

 BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that nine members including one City Councilor as chair shall
 be appointed to the Dr. Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force by the Mayor
 which as per the City Charter may be overridden by six votes of the City Council;
 and

 BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Dr. Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force shall
 report back to City Council’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee within
 60 days of being appointed or at the latest by June 1, 2017 with a
 recommendation, which must be approved by said Sustainability and
 Transportation Committee and presented to the City Council by August 31, 2017;
 however, the Task Force may request extension by the City Council of both dates,
 which request, if reasonable, shall not be denied; and

 BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Dr. Martin Luther King Recognition Task Force will
 terminate on December 31, 2017 unless its term is extended by order of the City
 Council, however the Task Force may request extension by the City Council of
 the termination date, which request, if reasonable, shall not be denied.

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.