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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK collaboration between himself and James Summers and Christina with the CUC. I can tell you firsthand that I've been over there as a consumer lender and as a business lender. I see the work that they're doing, and I just implore you to properly fund her program so that she can continue the work that she's doing over there. Committee Chair White stated, Thank you. Again, I would like to thank the presenters who presented their budgets. I do know that from the Council perspective that we have listened and that we have taken notes and that we will be responding, as well. We'll be inviting Mrs. Brooks back to give the Council an opportunity to ask questions, as well. We thank you, our audience, for coming and for all the questions. And again, I want to assure you that we are very open. We understand and we support inclusion and diversity. We understand how it impacts our neighborhoods and that we ourselves, we've had a series of meetings to really go out into the community and to listen to our residents so that information will be forthcoming as well. I would like to thank the Council Members for being here. Councilmember McBride stated, I do want to make a comment. I see Mr. Giger is gone but to follow-up on one(1)of his statements,I am one(1)who is pleased to see the minority of businesses and contractors and I want to make sure that we take action now and hold contractors accountable because it does not make sense that we don't have minority contractors, even if they're not subcontractors, they should be general contractors but you have all these multi-million dollar jobs and we need to make sure that there is some accountability that minorities are getting, whether it's a percentage of jobs or whatever, so that's one(1)of the things that I am wanting to make sure that we do is have inclusion with the development projects, for one (1). And for two (2), increasing that number for minority businesses because there is a lot of development that we can do and there are a lot of barriers that you have to cross in order to flourish in this City and in the market. So, I think you wanted me to say publicly that I support. Councilmember Dr. Davis stated, I would also like to just say that, Mr. White, you brought it up regarding the Douglass Plan. There's media all over the City on a regular basis talking to us throughout the community and many of us have been interviewed, and it's a challenge to promote the Douglass Plan when people, nationally, already know they have these numbers that we have had less than one percent (1%) in many years here in the City of South Bend. And when people attest to what you are doing, what you can do for the country they look back at what you have already done in terms of your own home City. And to be able to advocate for a positive change nationally when we're looking at less than two or one percent(2%- 1%)in the City of South Bend, on a long-term basis, it's been a challenge and that needs to be corrected now. And I think for the Administration, it will definitely send a positive message, not only because of our Mayor's life, but it's really beyond the Mayor.We have to live here beyond the campaign and beyond everything else. This is our home and it's embarrassing and I'm glad you're here to help us to wipe out this embarrassment and that we can move forward because the Douglass Plan needs to start here in South Bend more than any other place. Thank you. Committeemember Broden stated, This is the best work plan that I have seen and that's not to say anything about anybody else's budget. But this is comprehensive, it's multifaceted, it's smart, it's sorely needed, it's woefully underfunded, woefully, woefully underfunded, and way overdue. It has great potential and opportunities to expand our partnerships but more importantly to expedite our economic impact and human impact, and I think it gets at the root of so many of our challenges as a community. So, I've used the word pencil sharpening before. This is an awesome plan and if EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend.Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 30