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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 Common Council Standing Committees 2026 COMMON COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES (Rev. 06-02-2026) COMMUNITY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Oversees the various activities of the Department of Community Investment. This Committee reviews all real and personal tax abatement requests and works closely with the Business Development Team. Karen L. White, Chairperson Sheila Niezgodski, Member Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Vice-Chairperson Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Member Thomas Gryp, Citizen Member Kevin Upton, Citizen Member COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Oversees the various activities of the Engagement and Economic Empowerment, Neighborhood Development, and Community Resources Teams within the City’s Department of CI and is charged with facilitating partnerships and ongoing communications with other public and private entities operating within the City. Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Chairperson Dr. Heidi Beidinger, Member Karen L. White, Vice-Chairperson Sheila Niezgodski, Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Member Alice Pickens, Citizen Member COUNCIL RULES COMMITTEE Oversees the regulations governing the overall operation of the Common Council, as well as all matters of public trust. Its duties are set forth in detail in Section 2-10.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Canneth Lee, Member Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Member Sheila Niezgodski, Member HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Oversees the various activities performed by the Fire and Police Departments, EMS, Department of Code Enforcement, ordinance violations, and related health and public safety matters. Rachel Tomas Morgan, Chairperson Dr. Heidi Beidinger, Member Sharon McBride, Vice-Chairperson Dr. Oliver Davis, Member Sheila Niezgodski, Member Brittney Erp, Citizen Member Savino Rivera Jr., Citizen Member INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE - Innovation Oversees the various activities of the City’s Department of Innovation, which includes the Divisions of Information Technology and 311 so that the City of South Bend remains competitive and on the cutting edge of developments in this area. Reviewing and proposing upgrades to computer systems and web sites, developing availability and access to GIS data and related technologies are just some of its many activities. Rachel Tomas Morgan, Chairperson Dr. Heidi Beidinger, Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Vice-Chairperson Dr. Oliver Davis, Member Sharon McBride, Member Maria Gibbs, Citizen Member Joshua Walters, Citizen Member PARC COMMITTEE- Venues, Parks, and Arts (Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment) Oversees the various activities of the Century Center, College Football Hall of Fame, Four Winds Stadium, Morris Performing Arts Center, Studebaker National Museum, South Bend Regional Museum of Art, Potawatomi Zoo, My SB Trails, DTSB relations, and the many recreational and leisure activities offered by the Department of Venues Parks and Arts. Sharon L. McBride, Chairperson Ophelia Gooden-Rogers, Member Karen L. White, Vice-Chairperson Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Member Frances Schmuhl, Citizen Member Aaron Nichols, Citizen Member PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Oversees the activities performed by the Department of Administration and Finance, and reviews all proposed salaries, budgets, appropriations, and other fiscal matters, as well as personnel policies, health benefits and related matters. Sheila Niezgodski, Chairperson Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Member Karen L. White, Vice-Chairperson Rachel Tomas Morgan, Member Caz Margenau, Citizen Member PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION COMMITTEE Oversees the various activities performed by the Building Department, the Department of Public Works and related public works and property vacation issues. Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Chairperson Dr. Heidi Beidinger, Member Sheila Niezgodski, Vice-Chairperson Dr. Oliver Davis, Member Abel Gonzalez, Citizen Member RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE Oversees the various activities and issues related to neighborhood development and enhancement. Karen L. White, Chairperson Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Member Sheila Niezgodski, Vice-Chairperson Sharon McBride, Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Member Angela Smith, Citizen Member Jessie Whitaker, Citizen Member UTILITIES COMMITTEE Oversees the activities of all enterprise entities including but not limited to the Bureau of Waterworks, Bureau of Sewers, and all related matters. Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Chairperson Sheila Niezgodski, Member Rachel Tomas Morgan, Vice-Chairperson Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Member Dr. Oliver Davis, Member Sharon McBride, Member Joseph Mayer, Citizen Member Doris McEwen, Citizen Member ZONING AND ANNEXATION COMMITTEE Oversees the activities related to the Board of Zoning Appeals, recommendations from the Area Plan Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission, as well as all related matters addressing annexation and zoning. Dr. Oliver Davis, Chairperson Dr. Heidi Beidinger, Member Rachel Tomas Morgan, Vice-Chairperson Karen L. White, Member Kesha Farlow, Citizen Member Stacey Odom, Citizen Member ________________ SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES Reviews the minutes prepared by the Office of the City Clerk of the regular, special, and informal meetings of the Common Council and makes a recommendation on their approval/modification to the Council. Rachel Tomas Morgan, Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Member 2026 COMMON COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES (Rev.06-02-2026) CANNETH LEE, 1st District Council Member President Council Rules Committee, Member OPHELIA GOODEN-RODGERS, 2nd District Council Member Committee of the Whole, Chairperson Community Relations Committee, Chairperson Public Works & Property Vacation Committee, Chairperson Community Investment Committee, Vice-Chairperson Council Rules Committee, Member PARC Committee, Member Personnel & Finance Committee, Member Residential Neighborhoods Committee, Member Utilities Committee, Member SHARON L. MCBRIDE, 3rd District Council Member PARC Committee, Chairperson Health & Public Safety Committee, Vice-Chairperson Information & Technology Committee, Member Residential Neighborhoods Committee, Member Utilities Committee, Member HEIDI BEIDINGER, 4th District Council Member Community Relations Committee, Member Health & Public Safety Committee, Member Information & Technology Committee, Member Public Works & Property Vacation Committee, Member Zoning & Annexation Committee, Member SHERRY BOLDEN-SIMPSON, 5th District Council Member Utilities Committee, Chairperson Community Relations Committee, Member Information & Technology Committee, Vice-Chairperson Community Investment Committee, Member PARC Committee, Member Residential Neighborhoods Committee, Member Sub-Committee on Minutes, Member SHEILA NIEZGODSKI, 6th District Council Member Vice-President Personnel & Finance Committee, Chairperson Community Relations Committee, Member Community Investment Committee, Member Council Rules Committee, Member Health & Public Safety Committee, Member Public Works & Property Vacation, Vice-Chairperson Utilities Committee, Member Residential Neighborhoods Committee, Vice-Chairperson DR. OLIVER DAVIS, AT LARGE Council Member Zoning & Annexation Committee, Chairperson Health & Public Safety Committee, Member Information & Technology Committee, Member Utilities Committee, Member Public Works & Property Vacation Committee, Member RACHEL TOMAS MORGAN, AT LARGE Council Member Health & Public Safety Committee, Chairperson Personnel & Finance Committee, Member Information & Technology Committee, Chairperson Utilities, Vice-Chairperson Zoning & Annexation Committee, Vice-Chairperson Sub-Committee on Minutes, Member KAREN L. WHITE, AT LARGE Council Member Residential Neighborhoods Committee, Chairperson Community Relations Committee, Vice-Chairperson Community Investment Committee, Chairperson PARC Committee, Vice-Chairperson Personnel & Finance Committee, Vice-Chairperson Zoning & Annexation Committee, Member