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Date: December 1, 2015
To: The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: Council Member Karen L. White, Community Relations Chairperson
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:
Council Member at Large Karen L. White, Chairperson
Council Member at Large Gavin Ferlic, Vice-Chairperson
Council Member at Large Derek D. Dieter, Member
3`d District Council Member Valerie Schey, Member
Citizen Member Gavin Seabe
Citizen Member Alfreda Gillespie
Meetings: Eleven (11) public meetings were held this year, with all Committee minutes being posted on
the Council's website. An Organizational Meeting was held where in addition to improving
communications — e specially with constituents and developing working partnerships, it was suggested
that there be an emphasis on the"Light Up South Bend" Street Lighting Initiative, as well as the stepping
up the curb and sidewalk program in residential neighborhoods.
2015Annual Report of the Community Relations Committee
November 24,2015
Page 2
2015 Committee Topics: Some of the topics which came before the Committee included:
• Resolution welcoming the Pokagon Band's proposed investment and development of
approximately 166 acres near State Road 23 in the southwest side
• Resolution recommending that public input be encouraged on the possibility of having an
additional street named in the city to honor the memory of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• A Committee meeting with invited guests St. Joseph County Assessor Rosemary Mandrici, St.
Joseph County Treasurer Mike Kruk, and Frank Agostino, attorney for the Property Tax Board of
Appeals to discuss the assessment process
• Preliminary discussions on the proposed ordinance sponsored by Council Member Henry Davis,
Jr. regarding a collaborative pilot initiative on homelessness
• Resolution recommending that the South Bend Community School Corporation Board of Trustees
not lower the standards for student-athletes in order to participate in interscholastic athletics and
after school activities
• Resolution encouraging public participation on the City of South Bend Flag Design Contest and
formalizing a process for formal approval
In 2016, it is recommended that among the Committee's "to do"list that the following items be included:
1. Updating the South Bend Municipal Code which addresses the overall purposes of the Community
Relations Committee.
2. 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 neighborhoods [exact calendar deadlines are being developed by the Legislative Research
Assistant so that these and other deadlines are being tracked with prior reminder notices being given of the each date
to the appropriate Department]
3. Continued involvement with the new City Flag design.
Thank you.
Respec submitted,
.urn. � 6
Coun it Member Karen L. White, Chairperson
Community Relations Committee