HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-16 Community RelationsCOMMUNITY RELATIONS APRIL 11, 2016 4:05 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Regina Williams- Preston and Karen White
Absent: Gavin Ferlic and Randy Kelly
Other Council Present: John Voorde, Tim Scott, Jo M. Broden, David Varner, and
Oliver Davis
Others Present: Kareemah Fowler, Alkeyna Aldridge, Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand, Adriana Rodriguez
Agenda: Bill No. 04 -16 — City Flag Ordinance
Bill No. 16 -23 — Supporting Fence Installation at
Coquillard Park
Chairperson Regina Williams- Preston called the meeting to order mentioning only two members
of the committee were present. The committee did not have quorum and could not vote on any
agenda items.
Bill No. 16 -23 — Supporting Fence Installation at Coquillard Park
Chairperson Williams- Preston went on to discuss that Bill No. 16 -23 was requested to be
withdrawn from the record. She went on to explain that the committee did not have authority to
vote due to not having a quorum. The full council would vote on striking the bill from the record
during Committee of the Whole.
Bill No. 07 -16 — City Flag Ordinance
Chairperson Williams- Preston introduced the City Flag ordinance and explained that a request to
continue was filed.
Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand informed Council that the request to continue until
April 25th was necessary to offer more time to the administration, per the rules of the current
resolution, to retire the old City Flag.
Chairperson Williams- Preston opened the discussion up to the public regarding the City Flag.
There were none present to speak in favor of the bill.
Gary King, 730 N. Hill Street came forward to speak in opposition of the bill. He went on to
discuss the stipulations of the flag design contest. Mr. King believes that not all of the design
stipulations were met. Particularly, the themes of ethnic heritage and innovation. Mr. King
argued that although the six - pointed star might be meant to symbolize innovation, it more so
resembles the star on the Chicago flag and symbols that are associated with the City of Chicago.
He submitted proposals for an alternate design for the City Flag to the City Clerk's Office. He
reminded the Council that they had the authority to disapprove the design in consideration of all
of the original design contest stipulations, especially, innovation and ethnic diversity. He went
on to discuss his design choices for his flag submission.
Chairperson Williams - Preston thanked Mr. King and directed the conversation back to Council.
Councilmember Oliver Davis agreed with Mr. King's comments and appreciated the fact that his
design encompassed the winning design and added design elements to encompass diversity and
innovation. He reminded Council that we are not Chicago and thanked Mr. King for his
comments.
Councilmember David Varner added comments regarding his concern of the red star noting the
historic symbolism of a red star is related to communism. Dr. Varner went on to state he doesn't
believe that symbolism is representation of our City's culture and it could be better represented
by another symbol with six points. He also thought the City's emphasis on sustainability and
green - living were omitted by the current proposed flag design. Councilman Varner agrees that
diversity is also an important theme. He concluded with thoughts regarding his discomfort with
the red star as a representation for South Bend.
Chairperson Williams- Preston addressed the Council for more questions or concerns. There
were none.
In light of no quorum, Chairperson Williams- Preston continued Bill No. 07 -16 until the April
25' meeting, and adjourned the Community Relations Committee at 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
4
Preston, Chairperson