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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK at other aspects of raising rates and changing some of the rules. So, we would be more simple and simply ask for this rate increase surcharge for a customer assistance program. We would execute a Memorandum of Understanding with REAL Services. We would do some outreach. What we do now is we can probably rely pretty heavily on REAL Services to help us with outreach. Every year, they do a mailer for their programs. So, their mailer could have information about their new program. And of course, whenever someone comes in to sign up for energy assistance, they can be handed our brochure and our information about our program. We anticipate, if all of that goes well,we could deploy as soon and as early as next year. With the IURC approval,we see ourselves a year from now ready to start up in the 2020 heating season. Committee Chair Teshka stated, Thank you for your hard work on this. I know a lot times that folks don't realize that administrative and backend work after throwing out an idea and saying hey, we need to do this, is a lot. Tracking that down, you did a fantastic job. Committee Chair Teshka then opened the floor to Committee and Council Members. Committeemember Sharon L. McBride stated, I definitely want to say thank you. You guys really took a lot of time and thought. You had a lot of ongoing and consistent meetings and a lot of hard work with a lot of people at the table. I appreciate the entire process that we stopped and worked together. You guys did a fabulous job of taking it a step further and having a lot of different people at the table to make sure it was a soft blow, if you will. To me, the increase is necessary, but we need to make sure we have everyone's input in a very thought-provoking meeting. So, great presentation and I am a lot more comfortable than I was initially last year. I think it's amazing and I'm excited. Committeemember Regina Williams-Preston stated, So we are looking to do the ordinance on August 12t. Fantastic. Again, I want to thank you. Again, I know, it was a hard thing earlier this year because there was a lot of push back. I know I was one (1). Just again, thank you for all your hard work and the Committee Members coming back and doing what we said we were going to do. The people in District Two (2)thank you. Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, Is REAL Services tied into the CAN network? Or the agencies shooting information to each other? It's kind of like a one(1)-stop shop. I present myself to REAL Services or to the United Way or St. Margaret's House, and then basically a profile is developed and that is a shared network across social service agencies. I think that would be important. Dr. Boyles replied, I don't know. Councilmember Broden continued, It serves as almost a cross-check, too. Where ever they enter, they can get chased to, you know, if the contract goes to REAL Services, you have a history. Some agencies are very good at being a part of that network, and some aren't. The connectivity across all service agencies would be important. Then my other comment is the application process at REAL Services, at least two (2) years ago it was heavily reliant on having to show up at their location and have a considerable amount of documentation. So, I suggest an easier application and interview process. I've been standing in lines and advocating for other families at their doorway. I guess I'm getting to the capacity. I want to make sure they can actually handle it, and I know it is very seasonal-dependent because of the timeframe you mentioned. But, the application process EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221,f 574.235.9173 I I D574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 5