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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK Mr. Giger continued, They've been combined. Okay. And there's two (2) separate budgets, right? Between the two (2)? Committee Chair White confirmed,Yes Mr. Giger followed up, Okay. So yeah, I just think there's more work to be done on both sides, to be honest with you. But just given everything that Christina Brooks talked about, trauma, lack of inclusion on the economic side, education issues, I mean $546,000 is not enough. So, I think we need to really think about making their budget larger or increasing it more. And also, I think we need better metrics, right? Like we said we want to increase our rates by four to five percent (4% -5%),but by what industry? I know Joe Shabazz has been very vocal about the fact that when you look at what contracts went to minorities,more often than not we've seen them for low level work. Like there was some plumbing work years ago that was the only contract given out one (1) year for$54,000. Can we find out if we are increasing it by type of work or area of work? For example, Public Works projects in terms of like construction. What would a four to five percent (4% - 5%) increase look like for minority contracting? And then, how do we expect to go about making sure that we hit that number? For a long time, it's been either at one percent(1%) or under, so four or five percent(4%- 5%), I don't think that's a really good metric,but I understand that we're starting from basically nothing. So, I think in order for us to see that trend upward over time,we need way more employees to be in her office to work. Peter Stone, 1228 Quigley Place, stated, Good evening. I'm a member of the Northeast Neighborhood Center Board and a business owner.And I'm here to speak a little bit about Christina Brooks' challenges and hard work and I don't want to minimize any of the challenges that she has. I'm familiar with the Prosperity Now study that was completed two (2) years ago in September. I'm hoping studies continue and perhaps there'll be a more recent diversity study. I think Christina's work needs to be encouraged and I think that additional funding should definitely-be made available,too. I'm also a supporter of the Business Development Center at 809 Lincoln Way West. As a business owner, I encourage small businesses and I definitely feel that sometimes we look at exciting tech businesses and more glamorous businesses, but the community needs to recognize that small businesses in neighborhoods create jobs and make those neighborhoods more viable, more secure and certainly more livable. I would just conclude with what Ms. Brooks mentioned when she said, "The goal of diversity and inclusion is truly community wellness."That's something that you are responsible to help us with financially. I appreciate your evening. Thank you very much. Brian James, 143 South Falcon Street stated, Hello. The only thing I want to say is like a question. I got a nonprofit business myself and I want to know if it's possible to make it visible for us to have more resources for us to know what we can do with the nonprofit. Because technically they're saying I've got to pay them six hundred dollars ($600) or some to become a 501c. That's all I got to say. Gladys Muhammad, 808 North Ironwood Drive, stated, Hello. You know, I was excited a couple of years ago when the City started looking at the Wealth and Disparity study in South Bend. It's something that we kind of already know but when you have the evidence and the data there, then we really know. Although we haven't heard the results from it yet, I hope that we will be hearing them soon and I hope that if there's something that we need to implement to reduce some of the EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY i 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 ww.southbendin.gov 26