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Community and Economic Development Committee <br /> August 26, 2002 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Council Member Pfeifer suggested that the City Administration and Council should be will to <br /> discuss and debate this information and then collectively determine the top four (4) or five (5) <br /> priorities and agree to commit the budget to achieving them. <br /> Mr. Hunt stated that this process should aim to developing a tool about addressing priorities so that <br /> a workable plan could be developed. <br /> Mr. Magliozzi noted that the proposed comprehensive plan does not go as far as it should have <br /> with regard to addressing specific community needs, and that is why a City Plan process is <br /> underway. <br /> Dr. Varner stated that identifying trends is not that difficult a process. He suggested that the City <br /> should focus on what is causing the trends and tie dollars to addressing them. Dr. Varner noted <br /> for example that there is a perception about the South Bend Community School System by real <br /> estate agents which is definitely affecting our city. <br /> Ms. Gonzalez inquired whether Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame have been <br /> contacted, since they do studies for communities. <br /> Mr. Hunt stated that he envisions that there will be 50-60 meetings throughout the City and that <br /> they would be open to the public. <br /> George Adler stated that the information in the first report provided to the Council is a beginning <br /> and that he would be willing to provide more inciteful information. He said it is important to <br /> develop a process and a procedure which fits within the proposed comprehensive plan. Analysis <br /> of housing and what are the residences of choice, poverty, etc would be the type of analysis that <br /> will be given to the Council. <br /> Council Member White suggested that the City Administration provided a page and one-half of <br /> bullet points with regard to the 2003 Civil City Budget and how those dollars will be addressing <br /> the trends addressed in the census data. She further suggested that the City should also develop <br /> priorities based on receiving no new money from the State of Indiana, in light of the state budget <br /> problems. That information should then be discussed so that trends and forecast can be made. <br /> She suggested that the discussions also focus on what type of community we are now and what <br /> type of community do we want to become. What are the steps that the City must take in order to <br /> achieve our objectives. Service trends within the county must also be studied in order to develop a <br /> proper framework for action. <br /> Council Member King suggested that key principles be developed. He suggested that key <br /> assignments then be directly tied to those principles in order to develop a strong and liveable <br /> community. He stressed that we must know what our fundamental principles are in order to move <br /> forward. <br /> Council Member Kirsits inquired whether the Administration would be receptive to receiving <br /> additional written questions. Mr. Magliozzi stated that he would. <br /> Council Member White noted that the Department of Community and Economic Development has <br /> requested time at each Monday Council meeting to provide updates to the Council. It was also <br /> suggested that a written history of the major changes which have occurred in the City in the past <br />