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Committeemember Williams-Preston asked, And what is the process like for that? We have no <br /> requests for proposals so is it basically some people you know that have been recommended? <br /> Mr. Mueller replied, We usually ask for quotes from a few places and proposals. We have talked <br /> to Pam Meyer about those. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston followed up, At the time we spoke, it seemed like you <br /> were leaning toward and had made a decision on Volk. <br /> Ms. Meyer replied, When I spoke with them, I didn't have a whole lot of details. When you <br /> speak with people going through this process, you will not have your exact details until you are <br /> closer to actually contracting with someone. I spoke about the one hundred (100)houses in five <br /> hundred (500) days project, about the impact areas and numbers. The basic difference between <br /> Volk and Mr. Murdock's firm is the fieldwork. Mr. Murdock would do more data analysis and <br /> not as much fieldwork. Mr. Murdock has also never worked in South Bend before, but Volk has <br /> worked in South Bend twice. Because of their connection to the neighborhoods that were <br /> established in one (1) of their studies and the preliminary research already done, that makes Volk <br /> a little bit more favorable. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston stated, With that specific project, we are targeting a market <br /> that is a majority of people that fill the gap between the poverty line and those with more means. <br /> Volk has done work previously in South Bend with the downtown market study and we had a <br /> chance to look at that. There were some concerns with their target market and methodology, <br /> specifically that they were only targeting households with$50,000 incomes. I know some <br /> families that were chosen make less than that so I have some concerns about how we are <br /> choosing the markets. As we are investing taxpayer dollars into a market study, I think we need <br /> to be very clear that whoever is doing the market study has the ability to connect with people <br /> who live in those markets. It is something we haven't done well as a City in the past. <br /> Mr. Mueller stated, We are happy to work with you to get language like that in the contract, <br /> when we get to that point in the process. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, I would recommend the Administration work closely with the <br /> specific District Representative to make sure the concerns are addressed moving forward for a <br /> positive outcome. She then encouraged the Councilmembers to submit concerns and suggestions, <br /> in writing,to Mr. Mueller moving forward. <br /> Councilmember Broden asked, How would this differ from other housing market studies that <br /> have been done by the private market? <br /> Mr. Mueller replied, The parameters are different and more broad. The `missing middle' is also <br /> at the forefront, that is those in-between the single-family detached houses and the high-rise <br /> apartments. <br /> Committee Chair White then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor <br /> of or in opposition to the legislation. <br /> 6 <br />