04-11-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 11, 2011 th Mr. Gary King, 730 N. Hill Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he lives in the 4 District, an area where there is a lot that needs to be done. He stated that with the passage of this bill it will help to make that happen. He stated that he would like to see more help go out to those businesses that need helping in filling out the paperwork to get those bids for jobs. Mr. King stated that this would help with the capacity issue that Ms. Wolfson stated earlier and get more businesses involved in the bidding process and widen the selection of bidders and keep the money local. Mr. Paul Black, 18330 Greenleaf Lane, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is definitely in favor of passage of this bill. He stated that through the Salvation Army Kroc Center Project was introduced as a minority business owner and has three contracts today because of that project. He stated that there are people out there that don’t want handouts they are looking for work. He stated that he has been in this community for 21 years and until the Kroc Center Project was never awarded a bid contract. He stated that it was through Lee Byers, of Byers Consulting that he was able to get the work. He stated that he is 100% behind this bill and hoped that the Council would be as well. There was no one wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. thanked the Council for their support of this bill. He especially thanked Councilmember Timothy Rouse and Lee Byers from Byers Consulting for their time and energy that went into this bill. He stated that this bill was sorely needed. He stated that the prior bill did not have enough teeth in it to enforce properly and this bill would allow for that enforcement. So that the minorities of the City of South Bend will have the opportunity to bid on jobs and take care of their families. He stated that he is very surprised that the Kroc Center was the main project that got this bill going. He stated because there are at least five or six community centers already on the west side of the city. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. advised that he is in full support of this bill and looks forward to the jobs that will be available to make this community vital again. Councilmember White stated that she is proud to be one of the sponsors of Substitute Bill No. 86-10. She stated that this will be a great step forward for the City of South Bend. She stated that there were some questions proposed at the Community and Economic Development Committee meeting as well as questions proposed this evening that she would like to address in two weeks through the Community and Economic Development Committee, under the chair of Councilmember Timothy Rouse. She would like t review those issues and concerns and to make sure that they are as transparent as possible through communication between the Council and the Community as well. Through this process they will begin to finalize Bill No. 86-10, she noted that today is just the beginning. She stated that she would like for everyone to be proud of the bill so that it will allow for full participation from the minority owned businesses and women owned businesses. Councilmember White reiterated that she is proud to be one of the sponsors of this bill. Councilmember Rouse deferred to Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand to read into the record amendments that came before the CED Committee Meeting this afternoon. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand stated that in the continued spirit of cooperation with the Administration of the City of South Bend she would like to Council to consider the following amendments. The first would appear on page 6 Section 14.5 paragraph (e) (5) strike out “Human Rights Office of the” and add Department of Administration and Finance. This in light of discussion with Chief Deputy City Attorney Aladean DeRose and Human Rights Director Lonnie Douglas to delete those words in three places on page 6 and also on page 12 Sec. 14.5-12 paragraph (b) Councilmember Puzzello made a motion to accept the amendment. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion. The motion carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 6