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REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2020 <br /> Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana met at Nuner Fine <br /> Arts Academy, South Bend, IN on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was <br /> called to order by Council President Tim Scott and the Invocation (Councilmember Jake Teshka) <br /> and Pledge to the Flag were given. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: <br /> Tim Scott 1St District <br /> Henry Davis Jr. 2nd District <br /> Sharon L. McBride 3rd District <br /> Troy Warner 4th District <br /> Jake Teshka 5th District <br /> Sheila Niezgodski 6th District <br /> Rachel Tomas Morgan At-Large <br /> Lori K. Hamann At-Large <br /> Karen L. White At-Large <br /> OTHERS PRESENT: <br /> Dawn M. Jones City Clerk <br /> Bianca Tirado Chief Deputy Clerk <br /> Graham Sparks Deputy Clerk <br /> Lisa Horton Clerk Executive Assistant <br /> Gabriel Murei Ordinance Violations Bureau Clerk <br /> Bob Palmer Council Attorney <br /> OPENING STATEMENTS BY BOTH ENTITY PRESIDENTS <br /> South Bend Community School Corporation Board President John Anella thanked all for being at <br /> the meeting. He stressed the importance of strong schools and how a City's overall strength is <br /> dependent on the strength of the community's schools. He believes every child in the community, <br /> and country, deserves a quality education. He also believes there is a lot of energy to move the <br /> conversation and collaboration forward. <br /> South Bend Common Council President Tim Scott agreed with President Anella and his remarks. <br /> He believes all quality of life issues stem from the educational system within a community. He <br /> believes now is the time to put campaign talking points into action. He agrees with now being the <br /> time to have this joint meeting because of all the new energy on the respective bodies and with the <br /> respective bodies' Administrations. He thanked Vice President Karen White and Councilmember <br /> Troy Warner for pushing for the conversation. <br /> STATEMENTS MADE BY MAYOR JAMES MUELLER AND SUPERINTENDENT DR. <br /> TODD CUMMINGS <br /> Mayor James Mueller thanked the Council and the South Bend Community School Board for <br /> bringing together the conversation as well as all present at the meeting to take part of the <br /> conversation. He believes this conversation marks a beginning for a new way forward for both the <br /> City and the South Bend Community School Corporation. He mentioned South Bend's economic <br /> turn-around and noted the commonalities between that situation and the situation the South Bend <br /> Community School Corporation is in with respect to their unique challenges. He enumerated <br /> declining enrollment, teacher shortages, low graduation rates, disparate discipline and failing <br /> schools as some of those challenges. He believes the South Bend Community School Corporation <br /> is up to tackling those challenges and looks forward to the City helping where and how they can. <br /> He wants to establish a cradle-to-career ecosystem. He also called on community anchors to join <br /> in and help realize this vision, speaking specifically to the business communities,higher education <br /> communities and the trades. He believes it starts with honest dialogue and full transparency. He <br />