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Special Meeting June 7, 2005 should also be confident in standing up saying that these thoughts were wrong. No one stood up on the Council after the members were selected and said that it was not diverse enough. We do have to deal with perceptions and acceptance within the community. People do have their opinions for whatever reason – we just have to be upfront when dealing with them. She believes that a real effort was made with this group. Ms. Brot said that regarding the International District, we have one started. She had spoken with a developer that was also a plan commissioner ten years ago, that noted that they were speaking about the concept of an International District back then. She thinks the idea of working in the community is excellent. She believes that is what she and Mr. Wagner were getting at in regards to residential infill board; having a step where the developers really had to meet with the residents. It doesn’t mean everybody will agree, but maybe we can come to more acceptance. She certainly agrees that Mr. Ollendorff’s ideas on working to decrease tensions is wonderful and thinks it should be done. In the meantime, she thinks we have started something that could bring in a lot more tourist dollars and economic development. We need to encourage public engagement regarding this issue certainly, but in terms of an economic recommendation, the International District, both in the Plan and the ABEP report, she believes it a great idea. She would love for the Council to agree to this concept. Mr. Sharpe asked how Ms. Brot defined an International District. Ms. Brot replied that this would be the concept of increasing economic opportunity by encouraging different ethnic stores and restaurants. Mr. Sharpe asked her if she thinks that this means just Oriental. Ms. Brot said that she meant Jamaican, African, African-American, Mexican; she would like to see it not just Asian. Mayor Adams said that it is now predominantly Asian. Ms. Brot agreed, but when we use the term International, we need to take in a more diverse range of ethnic groups than just Asian. Mr. Wagner said that many items under Section B are in there. The ones that aren’t are nine and ten. Ms. Welsch said that two wasn’t in there, but she believes that two and ten should be tied together. Mr. Wagner and Ms. Brot agreed. Ms. Brot read a lot about mixed use, but she felt this concept should be double checked for inclusion in the Plan. Ms. Welsch would like to add the concepts of distributed parking to the offstreet parking concept on number four. Mr. Wagner agreed. Mr. Ollendorff questioned number 7, architectural standards for signage/facades/points, because he feels that the only problems will come if you attempt to dictate details. He thinks a general inclusion would be fine. It was pointed out to Mr. Ollendorff that this item was already included in the Plan and didn’t need any further discussion. Mayor Adams, on points of entry, brought back the community criticism of the International District and remembered that at one point, there was a suggestion that a point of entry sign be installed that said, Chinatown. When this part of the community hears International District, they aren’t hearing this, they are hearing Chinatown. He heard Page 12