02-27-19 Joint Health and Public Safety and Utilities

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK be missed because there isn't a strong constituency speaking out about public transit in South Bend. Equity and getting people out of their cars are both served by that, so don't forget about transit. That's a curve that's really worth bending for the City. Thank you very much. Becca Love, 915 Corby Blvd., stated, I'm here to talk about active transportation. In the context of both MACOG and South Bend we heard about cycling infrastructure, the most common pushback to that solution for our area of the country is that it is simply too cold and too snowy for four(4) season cycling. My helmet and I are here to comment on that. As I rode here tonight I saw at least three (3) other cyclists. The biggest barrier to four (4) season cycling in our area is not temperature, it is infrastructure choices, and that means that the City's choices can make a difference. Cycling not only reduces carbon emissions, it also reduces other pollutants that lead to us having some of the worst air in the country, and it also helps fight the obesity related health crisis. So, cycling can provide three (3) public health solutions for the price of one (1) which I think is really great. South Bend is flat and compact, which means we could be really great for cycling, and as we move toward looking at these various solutions to echo the gentleman earlier, we need to consider what we can do not only to get people out recreationally cycling, but to get them to replace car trips with bike trips for work and errands and so forth. Thank you. Ellen Marks, 2205 Topsfield Road, stated, I want to also thank you for holding this meeting and the meeting last week. I'm to thank all of the kids who are here really making a difference in the community that they not only live in but that they will have responsibility for going forward. We have been kicking the can down the road on climate change for a long time and we have run out of road. It's so important that cities like South Bend are really stepping up and taking the lead and setting an example for the rest of the country. I was so impressed by what I heard here today. I think that, increasingly, people are recognizing that climate change is a real and imminent threat to everything that we value, not just to our planet but to our health, our community wellbeing, our safety, our agriculture, every aspect of who we are and how we live is affected by this. I think that the City is making great strides. So, I just wanted to come and say thank you for pushing this forward. We do need legislation to encourage and guide people in terms of making better choices and to help them fund making better choices. Especially in communities that may be struggling more in terms of being able to make the kind of difference they would like to make. Thank you all. Aleah Appling, 113 Cavanaugh Hall, stated,This past summer I had the wonderful opportunity of being an intern at Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem,and I spent most of my summer on High Street on the Southeast side of South Bend. I came today because I have many friends that are in the room. I've had the wonderful opportunity to work with a lot of the people who are here to share with you the passion behind this project. One(1)of the great things about being a part of Bowman Creek was seeing how many people are invested locally to find solutions to mitigate problems when it comes to climate change. I've had the opportunity to work with Good Shepard and their raingardens. I've also actively worked on affordable housing, and that also goes along with sustainable housing. That's how you make those things affordable. We've also worked with stormwater management. These are all really pivotal projects that have not only involved students from many of the different universities here in South Bend,but people who are really dedicated to their home and making it a better place. I think one (1) of the best things to see here is that you have a room full of people with many different ages and many different backgrounds,that are here with the same goal. I know that all the projects that Bowman Creek has worked on have been in collaboration with the City. So, we know that you are here to support us and to help facilitate EXCELLENCE j ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 23