03-28-11 Council Agenda & Packet

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Bill No. -I1 Ordinance No. AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOU'T'H BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING SECTION 2 -59 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODL' ADDRESSING THE SOUTH BEND ADVISORY COMMISSION ON BLACK MALES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT In 1998, the South Bend Common Council passed Ordinance No. 8878 -98 which created a 25- member South Bend Commission on African - American Males. It was charged with creating "practical proposals and workable remedies in the areas of employment, education, health and criminal justice to reduce the problems which African. - American males face ": The South Bend Commission on African - American Males was also charged with working closely with the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males which was created by the Indiana General Assembly in 1993. Unfortunately, the local Commission has met on a very limited basis. Part of the problem was that the membership number proved to be too large. A quorum problem resulted both of the Commission and its various committees. The following ordinance is aimed at stream- lining the 1998 ordinance, so that it can be more effective. It also sets forth specific duties and responsibilities so that it has the opportunity to work closely with the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. This ordinance is believed to be in the best interests of the City of South Bend. 9�Q, e, lfe "PF Orwafta by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: SECTION I. Section 2 -59 of the South Bend Municipal Code is amended to read as follows: Sec. 2 -59. The South Bend Advisor Commission ore A ' Black Males. (a) Legislative findings; ' (1) The Common Council of the City of South Bend acknowledges that if a segment of our residents and community are not doing well, that this affects the overall well-being of our entire community.. ' The 1992 Final Report of the Indiana General Assembly's Interim Study Committee set forth statistical information Black males in America addressing among other things the effects of poverty, violence, and drug abuse resulting in homicides, arrests, prison population, higher death rates, and overall survival. In 1993, the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males recommended legislative remedies to address such critical social problems [Indiana Code § 12- 13 -12 -1, etseq.]