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®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Councilmember Davis interjected, In terms of one (1) of the reasons, whether its AIM or the <br /> League of Cities, with us having more hotels here, I know a lot of times we look upon the <br /> Administration staff to help push having those conferences here,but is there any way that we,too, <br /> can join in? Is there anything we can do to have more of those? <br /> President Scott replied, We are open to all ideas. If you have ideas, throw them our way. <br /> Councilmember Davis stated, What are we, I mean, I'll talk to you about what we can have. To go <br /> to Indianapolis and Evansville and all the other places,it's not in our schedule all the time. It would <br /> be nice for them to travel here. <br /> Committeemember Voorde stated, This won't be politically popular but I think it is time we <br /> consider a significant adjustment and raise for Council Member salaries such as $3,000 or$5,000 <br /> annually. I haven't talked to anyone about this but it is just my idea. <br /> President Scott stated, We have until October 31St,2018 to bring that up. I think everybody knows <br /> my stance. I am doing this for the service to my City. I vote down pay raise every year and I will <br /> do it again, I think it should have been capped at whatever I came in at and never change. That is <br /> my personal opinion and I know people have other opinions. I don't want to do it for the money <br /> and we should do it for the service. <br /> Committee Chair White then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to make comment <br /> on the presentations. There were none. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, I would like to thank the Administration as well as the Common <br /> Council for your commitment to the budget process and for your input in terms of the priorities. <br /> Again, as we continue to have our budget hearings, every question you have is important, every <br /> response is important as well. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston stated, One (1) thing I would like to really make note of is <br /> that in 2016 the mayor signed that Diversity and Inclusion Executive Order. I want to say that in <br /> reviewing the budget this year, looking at the past, looking at what we are planning to do, I am <br /> really quite impressed because I really see a lot here. A lot of time we write these things down and <br /> they are just words on paper. But I have to say, over the last three (3) years, we can really see, in <br /> our budget,where we are living up to the things we said in that Executive Order. We talked about <br /> investing in residents so that all people can thrive. We talked about bringing into the whole those <br /> people underserved by government. This Administration and this Council has really lived up to <br /> that in so many ways and it is reflected so much in our budget. From the new division of DCI to <br /> the home repair pilot,the community surveys,the racial wealth divide gap,expanding the TIF into <br /> the neighborhood area, I think I can truly say, when I talk to my residents, that the City has been <br /> listening. I am proud, when we talk about that designation as a high performing race-conscious <br /> City, I think we have truly earned that. I just want to acknowledge all the work the City <br /> Administration has been doing and all the listening they do about investing in neighborhoods and <br /> people. I want you to know that since my washer and dryer broke and I've been going to the <br /> Laundromat,I tell you,I would do that forever because people talk to me and I have people coming <br /> up and shaking my hand and thanking me. I want you to know that my constituents thank you and <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1227W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.91731 T M 574.235.5567 I www.southbendin.gov <br /> 13 <br />