HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Relations Committee Annual ReportRegina Williams Preston
2nd District Council Member
Community Relations, Chairperson
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KAREEMIAH FOWLER
CITY CLERK, SOUTH SEND, IN
To: South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: Council Member Regina Williams Preston, Community Relations Committee
Chairperson
Date: December 21, 2016
2016 Annual Report of the Community Relations Committee
Dear Common Councilmembers:
As required by § 2 -10(i) of the South Bend Municipal Code, I am filing this Annual Report as the
Chairperson of the Council's Community Relations Committee.
Duties: The Community Relations Committee is charged with "enhancing communications and
developing working partnerships throughout the City" and in particular with "other public and private
entities operating within the City."
Members: There were four (4) Council Members and two (2) citizen member this year serving on
the Committee, namely:
1. Council Member Regina Williams- Preston, Chairperson
2. Council Member Randy Kelly, Vice - Chairperson
3. Council Member Gavin Ferlic, Member
4. Council Member Karen L. White, Member
5. Citizen Member Jorden Giger
6. Citizen Member Laquita Hughes
Meetings: Six (6) public meetings were held this year, with all Committee minutes being posted on
the Council's website.
2016 Committee Topics: Some of the topics which came before the Committee included:
0 Kick-Off meeting focusing on defining the overall purpose of the Committee which
the committee finds to be grounded in improving relationships at all levels within
227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Rm. 441 Office: (574) 235 -9321 FAX: (574) 235 -5575
County -City Building South Bend, IN Voicemail: (574) 235 -5983 TDD: (574) 235 -5567
46601-1830
Regina Williams Preston
2nd District Council Member
Community Relations, Chairperson
neighborhoods and helping struggling neighborhood associations to flourish. The
Committee also defined race relations as a point of focus.
• Coquillard Park Installation
• Final Passage of the new City Flag Ordinance
• Establishing a City Flag Retirement Ceremony
• Support of Statewide Redistricting Reform
• Police, Community and Race Relations
In 2017, it is recommended that among the Committee's "to do" list that the following items be
included:
• Updating the South Bend Municipal Code which addresses the overall purposes of the
Community Relations Committee.
• Monitoring and discussing reports which are to be sent to this Committee, pursuant to
the City Code on furthering relationships with the South Bend Community Schools
and addressing parking issues in residential
• Continued involvement in the improvement of local Community and Police relations
as it relates to race, specifically.
• Council Artwork Community Engagement Projects
• Further collaboration with Code Enforcement in terms of bridging the gap between
neighbors and the department
• Neighborhood Association Gathering/Conference on what works for neighborhoods
Respectfully Submitted,
Council Mem er Regina Williams Preston, Chairperson
Community Relations Committee
227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Rm. 441 Office: (574) 235 -9321 FAX: (574) 235 -5575
County-City Building South Bend, IN Voicemail: (574) 235 -5983 TDD: (574) 235 -5567
46601 -1830