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Home My WebLink About0 9-21-22_Open Session_Item 9_Thomas, Saniyyah_RedactedFrom:Saniyyah Thomas To:Public Comments Subject:Public Comment for 9/21/22 - Agenda Item 9 Date:Wednesday, September 21, 2022 3:56:58 PM Caution - This email originated from outside the City - Verify that the Email display name and Email address are consistent. - Use caution when opening attachments. Public Comment for 9/21/22 - Agenda Item 9 Dear City Council, Mayor and Staff, My name is Saniyyah, and I live, work, and enjoy events in the city of San Bernardino. I am a community member and a member with the Just San Bernardino Collaborative who is working to build a community-centered economy. I am writing to you today to address the city council and mayor in regard to agenda item 9: American Rescue Plan Act-Funded Small Business and NonProfit Training and Grant Program. I fully support where the funding is going. In regards to the 1 million for the Aspen Institute Initiatives I ask that the city staff and council ensure that: 1. Aspen Institutes Initiatives must be community driven from start to finish. 2. Community must have a place in the “nerve center”, this will ensure community input and support helps drive projects forward. 3. The city is transparent in the spending of the money and regularly publishes public budgets in relation to these programs. I would like to note that I hosted one of the Intentional Playbook Focus Groups through Just SB this past August, and I notice a lack of initiative ( from our city officials and Playbook consultants) to ensure outreach to the residents of SB for their involvement regarding their input and feedback on the project proposals. Thankfully, this initiative was taken on by JustSB ( and they continue) to ensure and voice the importance of transparency with SB residents of what the Investment Playbook is, what the proposals are, the infrastructural changes, and the impending impacts our community faces with the implementations of the proposed projects. I think our residents deserve and are given the opportunity to submit project proposals of their own, and have the ability to oppose or approve what projects come to fruition in their city.