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Home My WebLink About03-01-17 Community Relations O�Sp[J TFI U d W PFACE a 1865 OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEMAH FOWLER,CITY CLERK COMMUNITY RELATIONS MARCH 1, 2017 6:00 P.M. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Committee Members Present: Regina Williams-Preston, Randy Kelly (late), LaQuita Hughes* Committee Members Absent: Gavin Ferlic, Karen White *- Denotes citizen member not yet sworn in Other Council Present: None Other Council Absent: Dr. David Varner, John Voorde, Jo M. Broden, Oliver Davis, Tim Scott Others Present: Kareemah Fowler, Graham Sparks, James Mueller Agenda: Organizational Meeting Committee Chair Regina Williams-Preston called the Community Relations Committee Organizational meeting to order at meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. She stated, The Community Relations Committee is charged with enhancing communication and developing working partnerships throughout the city,particularly with other public and private entities operating within the city. We had six (6)public meetings last year and focused on race relations primarily, and particularly the relationship between police and community. We also changed the City flag. Committee Vice-Chair Randy Kelly arrived at the meeting. Committee Chair Williams-Preston continued, It would be a nice thing to see if we could do some more promotion on the account of having a new flag. Maybe we need to get more `I Love South Bend' paraphernalia in businesses downtown. At the end of last year,there were some recommendations on where to move forward. One recommendation was to update the Code to talk about the purpose of the Community Relations Committee. Questions have been raised by other Council members regarding how many committees exist and the possible overlap of responsibility. There are a lot of parallels between committees and it's important to see how they can work together. How can downtown become less segregated and how can the downtown draw more people to its venues? 455 County-City Building-227 W.Jefferson Boulevard•South Bend,Indiana 46601 Phone 574-235-9221 •Fax 574-235-9173•TDD 574-235-5567•www.SouthBendIN.gov JENNIFER M.COFFMAN ALKEYNA M.ALDRIDGE JOSEPH MOLNAR CHIEF DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK OPERATIONS Andrew Duncan, P.O. Box 1144, stated, It's more of an economic barrier than a racial barrier, but I know those both coincide with one another. I go to Brew Werks and Chicory but there aren't a lot of things downtown for those that do not have expendable income. To address inclusivity, we also have to address the economics of it. If people don't have expendable income, they aren't going anywhere. Committee Chair Williams-Preston stated, I whole heartedly agree. I know I said earlier that we need to work on race relations,particularly with the police. But with regard to people coming downtown, I agree that plays a giant part. Mr. Duncan replied, In our neighborhood, seeing police officers on foot would help the relationship. It may seem antiquated but it makes it more comfortable to approach and speak to a police officer. Committee Chair Williams-Preston stated, It would help if we saw these cops as human beings. We have to have intentional conversations because I think that would help with understanding one another. Mr. Duncan stated, People are people and at the end of the day,people can be reasoned with. We need to reach a common ground because we are more similar than people like to admit to. Committeemember Randy Kelly stated, Seeing someone like a police officer in jeans and a t- shirt, it's instances like that when people get more comfortable with one another and get to know more about each other. The Police Department is focusing on community-oriented policing. Committee Chair Williams-Preston stated, There has also been discussion about a citizens review board. In 2014 there was a resolution passed to study the possibility of that, but there hasn't been much action on it. If the community is calling for that, how can we engage and what does that look like? James Mueller, Chief of Staff to the Mayor, stated, A lot of responsibility and power lies with the Board of Public safety, appointed by the Mayor. They get to decide the discipline and can actually override the Chief. If we were to change that, it is in State Law and that would need to be changed. And no one wants to be the `bad guy.' The Chief recommends a discipline but then the Board doesn't want to enact that. We have had a Citizen's Advisory Committee where they act as that balancing third party to hold accountable the decision-making of the Board of Public Safety. We would also have to find a right and left side to the discipline. For example, if a random officer were to do something, what does the discipline look like? Committeemember Kelly stated, I really see this discussion as being the exact task this committee is charged with. This is really about these kinds of issues that impact how we all get along. Of course there is some overlap,but the nuts and bolts of getting down on the street and getting people together is what I think this committee is charged with. Mr. Mueller stated, We are also going to release on the website the Open Data for police as part of the White House initiative very soon. It has three (3)key metrics of data like use of force 2 incidents and trainings attended. So for instance in the Franklin Case, there will now be hyperlinks to the crucial public court documents. I also know that there exists training for stress management. We were also thinking about doing something artistic with cops and kids as a sort of stress reliever. Committee Chair Williams-Preston stated, I think that is a great idea. We also have to look at the older kids too and how to engage them whether it be artistic or not. Moving along, I also wanted to look into the Community of Technical Education program and working with those students. They could help repair homes and sidewalks. Also, we could possibly work with Habitat for Humanity. We are also looking at a traffic control plan to approach the speeding that happens through neighborhoods. Lastly, on March 8t'at 6:00 p.m. at Monroe Circle Community Center we will be meeting with a family that owns many convenience stores and having the discussion of how they affect the community and the nearby neighborhood residents. Mr. Duncan stated, I think this is a big issue. I live in a neighborhood that has one of these stores and many of my neighbors do not like it because of the behavior it attracts. It started as a gas station but now there is a lot more going on there and we don't want it. They need to reach out to the neighbors before they move into these neighborhoods. Committee Chair Williams-Preston stated, In terms of action steps, today we mentioned the Citizen Advisory Board that should be talked about more at the next meeting. The Community Relations Committee will meet the first Wednesday of every month, at 6:00 p.m. I also wanted to point out the GVI presentation that happened at the Health and Public Safety Committee. Mr. Mueller stated,Understanding the new administration at the federal level, we are focusing on maintaining the inclusivity in our community. We don't have to be titled a Sanctuary City to operate as such. With no other business to discuss, Committee Chair Williams-Preston adjourned the Community Relations Committee Organizational meeting at 7:04 p.m. ectfully ubmitted, Re ina Williams-Pres on, Chairperson