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oi CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Bernie Macenbird, 905 Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN stated, I am the President of the Near <br /> Northwest Neighborhood Organization and a lot of the projects you are discussing are positively <br /> affecting our area. So, thank you for all of that. I did want to speak regarding impact on our <br /> organization.We are a relativity smart group of people,but we didn't necessarily have the tools to <br /> run our neighborhood. Some of the exposure came from getting involved and growing our <br /> organization from seven (7) to thirty (30) people. The other side of that too, we ran a successful <br /> Diversity and Inclusion workshop in August at the Civil Rights Heritage Center. It was very <br /> expensive, and it cost us $2,000 to do. I applied for a grant to make this possible and this has <br /> benefited our organization deeply as we look at Diversity & Inclusion issues. We are the potluck <br /> people, we knock on doors and this gives us the opportunity to connect with other residents. We <br /> are grateful for the support in helping us to do our job better. <br /> Barbara Sutton, 528 Ostemo Place, South Bend, IN stated, I am the President of the Northshore <br /> Triangle Neighborhood Association. I just want to mention the tremendous support that the NRC <br /> has given us over the years and during our leadership transition. They are helping us plan and <br /> trying to help us build a stronger neighborhood. The quarterly round table meeting has been very <br /> helpful in helping us build relationships with other neighborhoods.And it's given us opportunities <br /> with the City to work through some of our issues. Strong neighborhoods are safer neighborhoods. <br /> Sharon Banicki stated, Moving those position to IT, but don't they bill you back when those <br /> services are used, so you're just doing a shelf gate? <br /> Mr.Mueller replied,We are clarifying the proper reporting structure,but yes County-wise yes,the <br /> cost is still working. <br /> Ms. Banicki interjected, So you are not really saving any money in your budget? <br /> Mr. Mueller interjected, It didn't say that, it had the cost that we're going away with and the <br /> allocation coming back. <br /> Ms. Banicki stated, You have FUSE down here as an accomplishment, but there's no support for <br /> the housing now. What's being done to put it in a successful plan and what's being guided? <br /> Pam Meyers interjected, I can send you a full report. <br /> Ms. Banicki stated, You have an Engagement Specialist, what can they do better than the NRC <br /> right now? Do you think this would be better than reinventing the wheel? <br /> Mr. Mueller stated, We are not replacing the NRC. The approaches that we have when we go to <br /> outside entities are can we leverage the dollars or can they bring things that we don't have. The <br /> City has funded the NRC at $25,000. We boosted it this year with the hope of getting outside <br /> money to help leverage. So,if you look at the overall budget,the City covers ninety-percent (90%) <br /> of the budget. We can hire a staff person and have all the administrative functions, figuring out <br /> health insurance and all those pieces of an organization. We have asked for that bump in <br /> programing help with capital expenses and increased programing. Our thought was if it brought in <br /> more programing, there would be more opportunity for fundraising, so we can get into our own <br /> sustaining. We are not getting rid of the NRC, we are still funding it at a historic level, which is <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1227 W Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011p 574235.92211f f574.235.91731 TTD 574.235.55671 www.southbend in.gov <br /> 7 <br />