09-27-04 Community Relations Committee

Home Browse Search

Community cRe ionl (2ommitt The September 27, 2004 meeting of the Community Relations Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Charlotte D. Pfeifer at 5:02 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Coleman and White; Citizen Member Susan Karim and her children, City Clerk John Voorde, Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Rita Kopola,Don Inks,and Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Pfeifer noted that the meeting was called to receive updates from two (2) entities which either have Council representation and/or receive city funds, namely the African-American Males organization and the Business Development Corporation. Two organizations would be heard in committee on the 2nd and 4th Mondays in alphabetical order. She then introduced a new citizen member Susan Karim. Council Member Pfeifer noted that she sponsored the ordinance which created the Commission on African-American Males. She then passed out an 8-page handout which she summarized. She noted that Council Member Kelly served on the initial Commission, however it has not met since 2000. She noted that South Bend has many social service agencies and that Black men are attached to their churches. She does not have answers as to why the Commission has not caught on like it has in other communities like Indianapolis, but is willing to try one more time. They have no budget and no youth appointments. She has no desire to dissolve the Commission at this time. Don Inks then made a presentation on the Business Development Corporation and provided a copy of their 2003 annual report(copy attached). They have been operating as a low profile group since 1982. They average helping to create approximately 100 jobs per year. They are paying on loan balances and have a strong fiduciary responsibility. In response to a question from Council Member Pfeifer,Mr. Inks noted that the Council does not have any appointments to the BDC. She inquired about how diverse the group is to which Mr. Inks stated that they try to be inclusive. Council Member Pfeifer thanked Mr. Inks for his presentation and then adjourned the 5:18 committee meeting a t 5:1 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 1� Y Council Member Charlotte D.Pfeifer, Chairperson Community Relations Committee KCF:kmf Attachments