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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 25, 2016 <br />such a different design it would never be mistaken for this star on the proposed flag. She still <br />expressed hope that the star not represent six (6) Council districts but rather represent something <br />else someone could come up with and it should be easy to come up with the six (6) things South <br />Bend excels at. <br />Councilmember Gavin Ferlic gave the rebuttal. He expressed the design of the star is to <br />symbolize a number of different things among them ethnic diversity and unity. He understands <br />not everyone thinks the flag is perfect and that is just part of the process when doing something <br />like this with so many different voices being heard. What is inspiring is the way the community <br />has responded to this design and this process. <br />Councilmember Karen White thanked everyone for their participation as she knows it has been a <br />long process. She wished before the flag had been publicly shared the Council could have had a <br />different type of discussion but she is excited to see how well the public has embraced the flag. It <br />speaks to a lot of energy and passion in this community and the star represents different things to <br />different individuals. She stated she supports the flag but it was unfortunate that they had to <br />delay the discussion. <br />Councilmember Gavin Ferlic thanked everyone for coming out to support the flag and this great <br />process. <br />Councilmember John Voorde stated he too is in support of the process and the flag. <br />Councilmember Dr. David Varner thanked everyone who was involved as well. He stated he <br />agrees not everyone will agree with the design and he has a personal objection to the use of the <br />six - pointed star. If the best the city can do is a six - pointed star representing the six (6) Council <br />districts then the City really missed on symbolism desperately. He stated he does not meant to be <br />critical but if this is going to be a flag imbued with symbolism then the red star is woefully short. <br />He stated he would like to see it rethought a bit but he has been impressed by the reaction it has <br />had so far. He does not plan on supporting it but not because he does not appreciate everyone's <br />efforts. <br />Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked if it is possible to amend the existing resolution before the <br />Council to get at the ideas put forth tonight in terms of rethinking the symbol behind the six <br />districts. Maybe we could get at a different symbolism for the same symbol. She stated she does <br />not know where the idea for six (6) districts comes from but there has to be a better idea. <br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand responded any bill can be amended on the floor <br />with specific language. <br />Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated she is just thinking of posterity and if it goes into the City <br />Code with that language then it is final about what the star means. <br />Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated it is very important to adopt the design, people are not <br />necessarily going to read the City Code as we heard from a number of people today about what <br />the star means to them. He stated he does welcome the opportunity to continue discussions after <br />passage about more language regarding what the star means. <br />Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston asked if they could change more than just the language <br />and change the design itself at this meeting. <br />Council Attorney Cekanski - Farrand stated as with everything in a bill, anything in the proposed <br />ordinance is subject to amendment. <br />Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked if the sponsors of the bill would be supportive of an <br />amendment and further conversation about what the symbolism of the star means. <br />Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated continuing the discussion is fine but it is important to pass <br />the design. <br />Councilmember Randy Kelly echoed everyone's comments who spoke about what a wonderful <br />process this was, the reaction and involvement of the City was remarkable. He stated he <br />appreciated Ms. Puzello coming and her comments. Art is open to interpretation and he does not <br />think we need to say what anything represents as that young man came and said the star <br />