HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-2023 Joint MinutesOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
D AWN M.J ONES, CITY CLERK
JOINT INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY AND
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
October 3rd , 2023 3:30 P.M.
Committee Members Present:
Citizen Member:
Citizen Member Absent:
Others Present:
Presenters:
Agenda:
Rachel Tomas Morgan, Vice-Chair Lori
Hamann*, Canneth Lee*, Henry Davis, Jr*, Eli
Wax*, Troy Warner*
Maria Gibbs*, Tom Kurzhal*
Kaine Kanczuzewski
Dawn Jones, Bob Palmer, Shayla Kimbrough, Victoria
Trujillo*, Lisa Slomka*, Kelsey Lange, Denise Reidl, Caleb
Bauer*, Adjia Sambe*, Ophelia Rodgers, Members of IT
Denise Riedl, Eric Glavich, Arny Paul , Patrick McGuire
Updates on Business Assistance Support, Grants, and
Programs
Members marked with an asterik (*) are present digitally
Full audio dialogue of the meeting is available using the link below:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/0/fol/3 71002/Row 1.aspx
Committee Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan formally opened the meeting. At the meeting,
there was discussion about how Department of Community Investment (DCI) and the South Bend
Police Department (SBPD) will collaborate to launch programs towards aiding small businesses.
Additionally, the Vibrant Places Grant program and two additional DCI-affiliated programs were
discussed. The presenters were Denise Reidl, Chief Innovation Officer of the City of South Bend
with offices on the 12th floor of the County-City Building, and Eric Glavich, Director of Growth
and Opportunity, Department of Community Investments, with offices on the 14th floor of the
building. Some topics of discussion during the presentation included Digital Equity Support,
Business Security Grants, and more. The presentation was introduced by Reidl, then passed to
Glavich to continue.
Councilmember Henry Davis sought clarification on the allocation of American Recovery
Act dollars during a committee presentation. He expressed concern about the balance between
private and public interests, suggesting a lack of regulations for diverse distribution of funds. In
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response, Glavich clarified that demographic questions aren't considered in the decision-making
process. Amy Paul from DCI, with offices located on the 14th floor of the County-City Building,
provided additional details, mentioning the establishment of two lending funds for distributing
payments to individuals on behalf of government assistance programs.
Paul gave details on the City's efforts to offer small company developers coaching in order
to help them improve their local communities. These efforts include the creation of the company
security program, Neighborhood Evolution, which was established to provide grant money to
small company applicants in need of assistance. This program will work in partnership with tfue
Build South Bend program.
Patrick McGuire, Technology Equity Manager at the Technology Resource Center (1165
Franklin St. # I 00), presented information on the Digital Equity Support program. The program
aims to help small businesses access digital pathways for sustainability. The government has
allocated $15,000 for the program, with expectations of future expansion.
The programs aim to help entrepreneurs expand their digital knowledge and skills, with a focus on
reaching minorities and small business owners. Patrick McGuire presented these goals, concluding
his portion and inviting questions. Reidl provided closing comments as a follow-up to the
committee.
After further discussion and questions, Ms. Reidl addressed the Council's concerns and
provided clarification on presentation topics. No members of the public spoke during the meeting,
prompting Chairperson Tomas Morgan to close the meeting.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:31 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
~· 'v ) . r .,..,y,
Rachel Tomas Morgan, Committee Chair
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