04-11-2022 Common Council Meeting Minutes (Signed)

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REGULAR MEETING April 11, 2022 in this plan. The goal should be to solve homelessness, not to win. Davis states the conversation around homelessness continues but the plan seems suspect. President McBride responds that she is on the homelessness task force and supports the report and the low barrier crisis center. McBride supports the efforts in moving forward with efforts supporting homelessness. Any further questions are to be directed to President Sharon McBride and/or Jordan Gathers. UPDATE: COMMUTERS TRUST TEAM — DENISE RIEDEL, DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY Denise Riedel, Chief Innovation Officer for the City of South Bend, offices located on the 121h floor states the program originated in 2018 over barriers to employment. Riedel stated the Bloomberg Philanthropies created the Mayor's Challenge; to solve a systematic problem that would have transferable solutions to other cities. Innovation was brought on by addressing challenges in transportation across the city. Lynn Wetzel, Executive Director of Commuters Trust, 1165 Franklin St from the Technology Resource Center. Wetzel reports that transportation and accessible childcare are an obstacle in employment and the city has participated in the Bloomberg Mayor's Challenge and won a one - million -dollar ($1,000,000.00) grant being one of the nine innovative winning ideas. Wetzel states the solution from the innovation idea was to test transportation as a benefit package totaling over ten thousand (10,000) rides, over six thousand (6,000) free bus rides, and over four thousand (4,000) free or discounted Lyft and Uber rides for the community. Commuters Trust hopes to continue to provide fully subsidized rides through the CNPP program, providing a gas card program for assistance with car repairs, as well as gas in addition to car loans through On the Road Lending. The goal of the employer sponsored program is to make it easy, increase productivity, and decrease absences and stress. The Workforce Development Program's goal is to boost new hires and trainee numbers for partnered workforce development agencies. The goal for the Community Nonprofit Partner program is to increase self-sufficiency. Community Agencies are helping families settle in the community. Wetzel reports that Commuters Trust partnered with Notre Dame to study program impacts on absenteeism, childcare, transportation, and quality of life. The transportation Security Index promotes self -reporting questions every thirty (30) days. Councilmember Lori Hamann inquires on the connection between the bus passes provided in the homeless program and the rides provided by the program. Denise Riedel responds that she thinks this is a separate program but will confirm. Councilmember Hamann inquires about the study and if the results are being provided to Maycog and Transpo. Denise Riedel confines that both entities are on the Commuters Trust board. Councilmember Canneth Lee supports the impact on the lives that have benefited from the program. Lee asks if there are plans for expansion of the program. Denise Riedel responds that Commuters Trust is transferring from a pilot philanthropic phase to an operational phase engaging with partners. Councilmember Lee supports the program's benefits for the residents in the community. President Sharon McBride supports the program and the path to sustainability. Councilmember Troy Warner inquires of the overall benefit of the program and if it can expand to all employers. Lynn Wetzel states the cost is split between Commuters Trust and the employer as well as the resident paying a copay for the rides. Employers were offered an eight (8) week no cost trial to evaluate the program as well as Commuters Trust offering webinars. Wetzel urges residents to reach out for program assistance. Most employers that participate in the program have converted to partners of Commuters Trust. 4