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REGULAR MEETING May 23, 2022 <br />Councilmember Davis inquired about violence being addressed in the city. <br />Councilmember Lee stated to think of ways to engage community to get perspectives on what <br />drives violence, and asked Council to think about various ways we are dealing with the violence <br />in the city through city projects. <br />Councilmember Davis requested for an update on city projects that target and reduce violence. <br />Councilmember Lee stated updates are under the Health and Public Safety Committee. <br />Vice President Sheila Niezgodski made comment for members to email requests to <br />Councilmember Eli Wax. <br />PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR <br />Joseph Shabazz, 316 Martin Luther King Blvd. stated the library cost forty million (40,000,000) <br />dollars however, there were no minority contractors and only one female contractor. The <br />downtown library sent a list of contractors but what efforts were made for minority inclusion. <br />Shabazz stated incomplete applications should be rejected and the office of diversity and inclusion <br />should include municipal codes for minority contractors. <br />Dawn Jones, City Clerk, offices located on the 4`h floor of the County City Building, appreciated <br />the resolution on mental awareness. Clerk Jones stated that we cannot talk about violence without <br />talking about mental health. Postpartum, poverty, and the pandemic are all instances that increase <br />mental health disorders. Clerk Jones suggested to create a crisis team that address mental health <br />and put resources and efforts into mental health. <br />Councilmember Henry Davis Jr., 5117 Idlewood Dr. South Bend, IN 46619, agreed with Joseph <br />Shabazz and the neglect of policies that affect minorities. Councilmember Davis stated there are <br />no numbers representing minorities and no one is addressing the law. When money is not going <br />back into the area it produces an increase of violence. Councilmember Davis stated he is looking <br />to have a discussion through a committee structure. <br />Vice President Sheila Niezgodski adjourns meeting. <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />