04-25-2022 Common Council Meeting Minutes (Signed)

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REGULAR MEETING April 25, 2022 horrible history behind it. We're talking about black people. It's great to celebrate the end of slavery but it should be coupled and celebrated if we can see a brighter day within the African American community with affordable housing, better schools. A school being closed that is predominantly black on the west side of South Bend. The work ahead of us is not done. We are still fighting the same battles. Put a spotlight on things. If we are going to celebrate than let it be for the actual win of a better quality of life here in South Bend. We have the ability as elected official leaders of this city. Thank you for the bill but the number speaks for themselves. There were three (3) murders last week, all were black. The school in talks of being closed is a Black school. Anguish is usually colored in black. We can celebrate but we have a tremendous amount of work to do. President McBride speaks in support of the bill and emulates Latorya Greene's comments as well. I've been a part of the activities for Juneteenth for over twenty (20) years and grew up at the Charles Black Center. I've been very active and familiar with the activities and church services out there as well as other activities. I'm excited about the mayor bringing this bill in front of us for acknowledging it as an official holiday. We have struggled for a long time and still have a lot of struggles. Any step that we have made, especially acknowledging that African American community and allowing us to know have it as a celebration, paid day off because I know for years, we've been taking it and eating a benefit time. We now have an opportunity to celebrate it and have it taken off without city employees having to use that day for their personal time to celebrate. Thank you for representing the mayor's office and bringing this bill in front of us. Councilmember Lee states that I am grateful for this being a paid holiday for city employers. The county has fourteen (14) the city has ten (10). In 1863 Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves but wasn't until June 1865 soldiers went on June 19 in Texas and declared twenty-five thousand (25,000) enslaved people freed that day. That is where the celebration is. South bend does a great job celebrating the history and the heritage. I am very much in support of us receiving this holiday. As Latorya Greene said, it's not a day off, it's a day on. It's a great way for everybody to engage in the conversation and look at where we've come from and where we need to go and work together so that we can continue to make this a better nation. I am very much in support of this. Councilmember Lee continues, I will now entertain a motion regarding to Bill No. 181822. Councilmember White motions that Bill No. 18-22 be sent to full council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Henry seconded. Councilmember Lee responds with a motion and second. Clerk jones please roll call. Clerk Jones responds with nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Lee responds Bill No. 181822 will be sent to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Lee requests for a committee report from Building 12-22 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY NORTH ALLEY BETWEEN NORTH MEADE ST AND NORTH KALEY ST FROM WEST KELLER ST TO MARQUETTE BLVD. Councilmember Lee requests a committee report from building. Clerk Jones states second reading of Bill N. 12-22. Committee Chair Niezgodski responds with the bill that was given to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. E