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®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Elder Plump proceeded in prayer. <br /> Committee Chair White stated,Hopefully all of you have received copies of the July 18th minutes, <br /> if not let me know and we can make sure. I did forward those on to the Council Members but also <br /> to the leadership of the Alliance. I would wish to thank the Council and Clerk's Office for really <br /> making sure that we had a comprehensive overview of that meeting which was on July 18th of this <br /> year. Thirteen (13) pages of minutes that hopefully reflected not only the scope of our <br /> conversations but also some of the recommendations that you individually but also collectively <br /> shared with us during the meeting at that time. I want to restate those priorities. The purpose of <br /> this meeting is to really continue the conversations as they pertain to these priorities. The other <br /> concerns that you might have, I ask that you work with your president on those concerns that you <br /> shared. Our purpose today and purpose of the committee is to really address those priorities, to <br /> develop strategies by which we collectively can work together to frame a plan,but also to enhance <br /> communication and ensure that you have the information that you need to look at these priorities. <br /> I am not saying the other concerns are not important, but we want to make the best use of the time <br /> that we have and the focus that we have from the committee perspective. I am going to go back <br /> and share those five(5)priorities,the first of which dealt with the Charles Black Recreation Center. <br /> It was very clear to us that you collectively and individually had some concerns in regards to what <br /> is happening with the timeframe completion of the Charles Black Center. Who's at the table? <br /> Who's not at the table? And what should that look like as you move very closely to the grand <br /> opening of the Charles Black Center. The second(2nd)part you shared was in terms of programing <br /> for the Center. What type of program should be at the Center and there were some concerns that <br /> were raised in regards to looking at programing that moved past a soft skill. Also, looking at skill <br /> development for job creation and apprenticeship, and preparing our students so that they can <br /> compete effectively as they continue their education and beyond. The third(3rd)one(1) dealt with <br /> the infrastructure and Smart Streets and I am happy to say that at the last budget hearing the Public <br /> Works Department did submit their budget for this upcoming 2019 year. In that budget, I shared <br /> this with all of you at the last meeting that the completion of the Smart Streets between Falcon and <br /> Kentucky is in the budget, bids will go out for the design, and what that will look like, and <br /> hopefully the weather will hold out for a completion date of Spring 2019. That was one (1)of your <br /> priorities and that will be completed, and we are asking also that of the Administration as they <br /> continue to move towards completion beyond the design. The communication is that you would <br /> be aware of what's going to happen and when streets are going to be closed. Of your five (5) <br /> priorities, I feel very confident that priority will be addressed. <br /> Committee Chair White also stated, Any Councilmember can chime in at any time. The fourth <br /> (4th) one (1) was to create a plan that creates open store fronts for black businesses within and on <br /> Western Ave, but also beyond. You know, how can we and what should we be doing to create <br /> businesses that reflect the rich diversity that we have in our community. So business creation and <br /> we did share with you that James Summers is opening up a business on Lincoln Way to really <br /> work with small businesses and to help them to begin to look at what that looks like from a <br /> marketing perspective, fiscal plan development, strategies, so that is a work in progress, but we <br /> need to be at the table as well. An abatement program for home investment, so these are the five <br /> (5) priorities that the Alliance,that you, yourself have identified and brought to the Council, and <br /> we as a committee but most importantly as a Council are working with you and the Administration <br /> to ensure that these priorities, that they are clearly articulated, that we work to develop strategies, <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD 574.235.5567 I www.southbendin.gov <br /> 2 <br />