05-14-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 14, 2012 Women Business Enterprise Diversity Development Programs.” The 9-member Minority/Women Business Enterprise Utilization Board were respectively appointed by the Council and the Mayor as of October 19, 2011. The MBE/WBE held their first meeting on November 10, 2011. Since the Board Members were appointed the Board has held twelve (12) meetings to date with each lasting approximately 2-3 hours; a round table discussion at the Natatorium on March 21, 2012 which provided an opportunity for input from the community and businesses; and participated in the “Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises Division of Northern Indiana Resource Fair” held at Saint Mary’s College on March 15, 2012, which was sponsored by the State of Indiana’s Department of Administration. Mr. Fitts advised that an update was provided to the Community and Economic Development Committee and input from the Council was requested prior to the Request for Proposals (RFP) being advertised by the Board of Public Works. A total of four (4) responses to the RFP were received. Each response was reviewed, scored and ranked by the MBE/WBE Board based on all of the information provided by each party. The top two (2) candidates were interviewed. Based on these detailed procedures which were uniformly applied, the MBE/WBE Board recommends to the Common Council that a one-year contract be entered into with Trinal, Inc. to carry out the responsibilities of the Diversity Compliance Officer for the City of South Bend. Mr. Fitts noted that this process has been very detailed and the MBE/WBE Board Members have spent many, many hours volunteering their time and talents to reach this point. He thanked Janice Hall, Director of Human Resources, Gary Gilot, citizen volunteer; City Controller Mark Neal, Phil Custard, Purchasing Manager as well as past and present Council Members. He urged the Council to adopt this Resolution so we can move forward in carrying out the next step to see the City of South Bend implement the MBE/WBE Diversity Development Programs. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. Councilmember Henry Davis advised that he has two (2) caveats. He stated that he thought the Board should have it own legal counsel. He also thought that MBW/WBE meeting notices should be disseminated by the Clerk’s Office like any other public meeting notice. Councilmember White made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. BILLS - FIRST READING There were no bills for First Reading at this time. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Henry Davis would like an update on the status of the Alonzo Watson Bridge. He also stated that he walked with Councilmember Tim Scott and viewed the Beacon Heights Apartment Complex and listened to the concerns of the residence. Councilmember Davis stated that he has had discussions with members of the Chamber of Commerce regarding updating the Tax Abatement Ordinance. He stated that Don Inks, Director Economic Development, will have the tax abatement report filed on June th 15 and from there a series of CED Committee meetings will be set to review the ordinance. Councilmember Tim Scott reiterated that he toured the Beacon Heights Apartment Complex as well as the Courtyard Place Apartments; he stated that they listened to the residents concerns and need to revisit those issues. He stated that the property management as well as tenants need to cooperate to “raise the bar in South Bend.” 22