The committee heard extensive testimony supporting an order to designate the northeast corner of Redfield Street as "Jerry J. Bell Corner," a recognition supporters said would preserve the legacy of a 96‑year‑old veteran, gardener and neighborhood organizer.

An aldermember introduced the order by summarizing Bell's life: he was born in 1929, moved to New Haven in 1956, served in the U.S. military and later coordinated the Redfield community garden for more than three decades. The aldermember told the committee Bell had worked in housing efforts, promoted voter registration, taught art and music and maintained advocacy correspondence with members of Congress.

The committee read a letter from Pastor Kim Vance and then heard from more than a dozen supporters. Vilma Bell described Bell's work turning a former dumping site into a flourishing community garden that feeds and engages local residents. "Mister Bell works hard every single year," she said, noting he remained active at age 96.

Other speakers — including musicians, longtime neighbors, and former civic organizers — described Bell's mentorship, cultural programming and leadership in urban homesteading, housing rehabilitation and youth programs. Michael Mills of Rhythm from the Heart praised Bell's cultural contributions; Tomas Reyes and Anthony Dawson recounted collaboration on city housing and block‑association work dating to the 1970s.

Committee members expressed support during discussion, noting Bell’s veteran status and long record of neighborhood service. The committee moved item 2 forward for the next procedural reading; members suggested additional ways to preserve oral histories and recommended possible partnerships with local cultural institutions to document honorees' stories.

The transcript records no ordinance language or funding tied to the naming; the committee's action at the meeting was to advance the order to subsequent readings.