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MBE/WBE UTILIZATION BOARD 1sT Meeting—November 10, 2011 Minutes South Bend City Councilmember Tim Rouse, the primary sponsor of the local ordinance creating the MBE/WBE Board, chaired and opened the Board's first meeting. Councilmember Rouse briefly recounted the background behind his initiative to reinvigorate the city's commitment to minority business. In 1987, the City Council passed a bill intending to "address equal opportunity for minorities and women with regard to employment and bidding for city contracts." Rouse noted that only one Councilmember, that being John Voorde dissented. Voorde said at the time, while the intent was laudable, it contained no enforcement mechanism, predicting it would languish on a shelf somewhere. Rouse saw to it that Bill No. 86-10,passed unanimously by the earlier this year, corrects that deficiency. It is aimed to maximize opportunities for minorities and women in South Bend by facilitating networking, outreach, communication, education, training, internal accountability and employment opportunities for qualified MBE and WBE. Its enforcement mechanism is designed to be pro-active, fair and reasonable. Councilmember Rouse then directed everyone's attention to the agenda he provided for all attending. (See attached) With Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Farrand's assistance, Councilmember Rouse walked through the definitions, duties, responsibilities, and other particular, found in the current bill. (Ordinance No. 1008 1-11) It was noted the bill should be amended to include (DBE—disabled business enterprises) to bring it into compliance with state and federal law. Rouse also noted Section 14-5-9 of the bill creating the position of Diversity Compliance Officer needed to be completed in that it is yet to be determined whether it would be a consultant, new staff position or a current city employee. Rouse then recognized the Mayor who said he hoped the Board would be more than a number counter; but also work to assist start-ups as well as current qualified businesses. Rouse asked the Mayor to direct the Director of Purchasing, Phil Custard to make available the power-point presentation he developed in response to the ordinance entitled the Diversity Development Program. Board Member Jeff Rea asked for a copy of the city's current practices and procedures. Two dates were suggested for the next meeting, Thursday, November 17, 2011 or Tuesday, November 22, 2011. For public notice posting(Open Door Law) it was determined Tuesday,November 22, 2011 was the likely choice. The City Clerk's Office was to send notification.