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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting — November 10, 2014 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />A. Public Hearings <br />(5) continued... <br />Mr. Ford: Send us an e -mail. We'd love to know your plans for the property. <br />Mr. Darnell O'Neal: I just had one question that's been bugging me. Why do you all need <br />to know whether a person's black or white? That's been bugging me. I want to go home, so <br />I'm hoping somebody here knows. <br />Mr. Ford: It has nothing to do with redevelopment. I think it's a state law for public <br />meetings. It has nothing to do with this process at all. It's a state requirement for any public <br />meetings. If you go to the Board of Public Works, I believe also the Common Council, the <br />signing sheets are the same. <br />Mr. O'Neal: I guess what I'm saying is a person has to put his address where he stayed. <br />And then you ask was he white or black. To me that creates a whole problem that South <br />Bend does not need. <br />Mr. Ford: I could not agree with you more. This is a state requirement. I'm distraught that <br />they are asking for that information. <br />Unidentified speaker: If it's a state requirement and you are working for the city, I think it's <br />your obligation to understand why that state requirement is in place, so you can effectively <br />answer that question when a citizen asks it. It would behoove you to find out why that is <br />formed. <br />Mr. Ford: That's a great point. Paul, do you have any insight on this? <br />Mr. Paul Singleton: No, I'm not aware of the reason, but I'll be more than happy to research <br />it. <br />Mr. Ford: Sorry, a team member just reminded me, apparently the impetus behind it is to <br />ensure minority participation in meetings. So, the state, do they audit it? <br />Mr. Jitin Kain: They just require us to keep records. <br />Mr. Ford: They require us to keep records to ensure that a broad sector of the community <br />was contacted and participated in the meeting. <br />Unidentified speaker: So, on the form, where it asks whether you are Female (not Male) or <br />Disabled. Why does that matter? <br />17 <br />