03-29-16 Community Relations - Laserfiche WebLink

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS MARCH 29, 2016 5:13 P.M. Committee Members Present: Regina Williams- Preston, Gavin Ferlic, Randy Kelly, Karen White, Laquita Hughes Other Council Present: John Voorde, Jo M. Broden, Oliver Davis, Tim Scott Others Present: Alkeyna Aldridge, Joseph Molnar, Adriana Rodriguez Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand Agenda: Kick -Off Meeting Chairperson Regina Williams- Preston called the meeting to order with one item on the agenda. She introduced Laquita Hughes as the citizen member for the Community Relations Committee. Chairperson Williams- Preston went over the annual report and the highlights from the year for the Committee. They held eleven (11) public meetings in total and focused on "Light up South Bend ", enhancing the sidewalk programs, welcoming the Pokagon Band regarding investment and development which we are seeing the fruits of that labor now, the Street Naming Committee which is moving along, and Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. began talks regarding a pilot initiative on homelessness. This Committee also proposed that South Bend Schools not lower the GPA for students in sports even though that did pass. Also, this is the Committee which the new flag design resolution came from and that worked out well. Some suggestions for 2016 from this Committee were updating the South Bend Municipal Code to address the purposes of the Committee. Councilmember Karen White explained this was to provide a clear definition for the overall focal point of the Committee. The Committee was responding to resolutions from the Councilmembers that were not really in line with the overall purpose of the Committee. The duties as of now are enhancing communication and developing working partnerships within the city particularly with public and private entities. Councilmember White stated having a clearer definition of the duties of the Committee would be helpful. Councilmember Williams- Preston asked if any of the Committee or Council members had any ideas or proposals for where this Committee put its resources and time this year. Councilmember White stated she wants to see the Council as a whole and this Committee focus on communication at all levels with the neighborhoods and to really have a strategic direction for our neighborhoods. She stated trying to help neighborhood associations flourish because some are struggling and there are resources that the Council possess to help those neighborhoods. Councilmember John Voorde asked about the neighborhood walking tours and if they were helpful last year. Councilmember White responded yes they were very helpful, the Councilmembers learned a lot just by walking through the neighborhoods and listening to the residents and their concerns and ideas.