10-07-19 MBE/WBE - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember White stated, I would like for you to clearly outline what you are asking from the Board and the Council as we begin to look at this. Please include what the role of the board is, what the expectations are, the relationship with your office, and then also how this board supports the disparity study. We have done outreach in the past, but we need to know exactly what that is going to look like. Ms. Brooks replied, Yes. There will be a role for you. Once we roll this out, there will be a need for outreach, engagement and feedback from the community so that we know that we're doing what needs to be done to address whatever challenges or barriers that exist. There will be a lot of asks of this board. She continued, The two (2)programs mentioned are brand new programs. It is really important to get feedback from this body as soon as possible regarding what you would like to see regarding the program plans and the ordinance. Dr. Boyles stated, It would be interesting to see the data on determining the market for the race neutral economy. Boardmember Rea stated, As the leader of this, should we cast a broader net, hoping that not everyone else casts an isolationist strategy? This is so that our entrepreneurs that start up and are looking for work do not have similar barriers when they are looking outside. If nothing else, if it is St. Joseph County, making sure that our businesses have other opportunities to work in our County and our region, giving them the capacity to then fix it. Councilmember White asked, What is your timeframe as we move forward? Ms. Brooks replied, I will send out topics for you to discuss and submit notes and feedback, and I will make sure that I take some of the language from the ordinance itself. Then I can use that to work with City Legal. Councilmember White stated, Our attorney has to be at the table as well. Bob, have you been at the table? Mr. Palmer replied, Yes. Councilmember White stated, I read through it and most of it dealt with definitions. We need to define the expectations, our role, and the relationship. Who owns this ordinance? Who has authority, and what does that look like? To me, that is critical. Council President Scott suggested holding officer elections and completed the roll call. Boardmember Allen made a motion to nominate Karen White as the President. Councilmember Karen White explained that she is the Personnel and Finance Committee Chair, so she will be coming to all of the meetings,but she respectfully declined. Boardmember McClane stated, I would like to be President. Boardmember Rea made a motion to nominate Takesha McClane as President. Boardmember Allen seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven(7) ayes.