Human Relations Commission

Community Outreach Subcommittee: HRC Minutes Meeting #17 (Community Outreach Subcommittee Meeting #3) Wednesday, March 29, 2023 / 6 PM ACC Police Department – 385 Fairview St, Athens, GA ACCGov Staff in Attendance: 1. Dr. Remy Epps (she/her) - Inclusion Officer, Inclusion Office 2. Gino Cyrus (he/him) - Marketing & Outreach Analyst, Inclusion Office HRC Members in attendance: 1. Julita Sanders (she/her) 2. Jayivey Brown (she/they) 3. Danielle Gillmer (she/her) 4. Tameka Curry (she/her) HRC Members not in attendance: 5. Sharon McDaniel-Miller (she/her) Non-Members who were in attendance: 1. Broderick Flanigan (he/him) - [P.O. Box 295 Athens, GA] 2. Kent Kilpatrick (he/him) Minutes Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. • Chairwoman Sanders made a motion to approve the 3-15-23 Community Outreach subcommittee minutes. Danielle made a motion to approve. Tameka seconded. The minutes were approved. • Chair called for public comment. • A summary of Broderick’s public comment: • Broderick stated his name and address. Although Broderick said he wasn’t prepared to speak tonight, he decided to share his thoughts. He said his comments weren’t directed towards the Human Relations Commission, considering this is a newly formed body. Broderick said that his comments will be more directed towards leadership within ACC Government and the Director of Leisure Services, without speaking ill of those who served on those roles last year. Broderick said former Leisure Services Director Melinda Cochran and former Inclusion Officer Selah Gardiner weren’t prepared to handle the logistics of the Juneteenth celebration alone. Broderick was involved with last year’s Juneteenth celebration as a neighborhood leader, which is a role that requires him to promote civic engagement in the zone he lives in and increase the economic mobility of residents, especially since there is a high poverty rate in this community. Broderick said that inclusion isn’t just about social inclusion, it’s about Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com  economic inclusion as well. Broderick stated that a lot of the people signing up as Juneteenth vendors had never done business with ACC Gov prior to. Thus, Broderick said there should’ve been more staff assigned to assist. Broderick said that he knows some people in finance were assisting Melinda and Selah, but he still believes more staff should’ve been of assistance to handle the logistical burden. Broderick said historically a lot of African-Americans aren’t used to doing business on that level. Broderick said that he saw this an opportunity for minority business to become a part of a process that they are usually not involved in. In hopes that the HRC could answer, Broderick asked the following questions: • How much money is spent on the Fourth of July celebration each year in comparison to the Juneteenth event? • How much staff and/or government appointed boards are involved in the planning process in comparison to the Juneteenth event? • How long do they start to prepare for that annual Fourth of July event that the city hosts? How long do they start to prepare for fireworks? • How many vendors of color are paid to be a part of the Fourth of July celebrations? Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com  • Broderick doesn’t believe there is enough equity between the Fourth of July and Juneteenth events. He said that one event is seen as a shining moment in history, while the other seems to be more geared as only important to the Black population. He said that both events are supposed to be celebrations of freedom, but yet the Juneteenth celebration seems to not be taken as seriously. Broderick suggested bringing people together in an inclusive way to find solutions. • Chair made a motion to the agenda, giving Kent Kilpatrick the opportunity to explain what happened at prior Juneteenth celebrations. • Kent agreed with Broderick that both celebrations should be celebrated similarly. Kent said he has been with the ACC Gov since 1987. Kent stated that the Fourth of July celebration built up over the years, meaning the popularity and demand from the community for this event grew. Kent stated that the Fourth of July didn’t start where it is now (budget, # of activities). Kent said Juneteenth is in its infancy, but hopes it has a similar growth pattern as the Fourth of July. • Kent said Fourth of July has a budget of $38,000. He then stated that this year’s Fourth of July budget is even higher because one of the firework shells hit a worker in the back of the head last year. This mishap made last year’s 25-minute Fourth of July show an 8- minute show. Kent said that the budget is slightly higher this year to make up for last year’s 8-minute show (which has been mentioned in the public media). The refund that Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com  Leisure Services expects is on behalf of the unused 2022 fireworks, which were not used because of the accident that occurred. • Kent said they only have one vendor for the Fourth of July event, which is the fireworks company. Kent then stated they also have a local porter company as a vendor. Kent said years ago there used to be a variety of food and band vendors at their Fourth of July event. • Kent said that the government requires vendors to be under contract. Kent reminded everyone that it was a catastrophe trying to get vendors to comply with ACC’s contractual rules. • Kent said that the $20,000 budget for Juneteenth was a Mayor and Commission decision. • Kent said 7 to 8 years ago commissioners requested for an event East Athens, which $20,000 was allocated to. Kent said that four years ago a commissioner asked why we aren’t putting on a West Athens event. He said $20,000 was then put into that West Athens event proposed. Thus, when Juneteenth came along they put the same amount into it. • Kent recommended that the HRC has the opportunity to prove to Mayor and Commission that Juneteenth should grow bigger than it is now (via surveys, high attendance). • Chair reminded the body that Juneteenth materials are needed for where the HRC will be tabled at Hot Corner festival. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Chair shared a list of Hot Corner Festival expenses. Chair said they need to decide which costs HRC will cover. Chair said they need to determine this recommendation and bring it to the April 4th Special Called meeting. • Epps recommended the body keep in mind the procurement process (how long it takes, if contracts are involved). • In sake of time this year, Chair recommended that the HRC assists the Hot Corner festival with expenses that don’t require a contract. • Tameka suggested to contract directly with Homer Wilson. Kent stated that time is running out and that the paperwork process is strenuous. Kent noted that the office that completes the contracts are an office of three people, and two positions are vacant right now. • Kent said that he possibly owes an apology for not clarifying that the HRC should probably partner with a Juneteenth event, which wasn’t clearly expressed at the 3-1-23 Community Outreach subcommittee meeting. Kent said Hot Corner is not a Juneteenth event, but it is an opportunity to do something Juneteenth related at that event. • Danielle asked about the amount of funds are allocated to preferred vendors within ACC Gov. Kent said there are several thousands of dollars available. Kent said if the body finds out who they want to work with then Leisure services then he can see if they are already set up in the procurement process. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Chair proposed that the HRC attend the Hot Corner event with Juneteenth paraphernalia and information about the Juneteenth celebration. Danielle and Tameka agreed. • Epps asked if the Juneteenth celebration Chair just mentioned would be a new event or streamlining to an existing event. Epps cautioned the body that there isn’t much time left to create a new event. • Tameka asked how the body can find a list of current Juneteenth events that already exist in the community. • Kent said most of what happens in the community regarding Juneteenth happens through the local churches. Kent suggested that the HRC put out a survey about how Juneteenth can be celebrated in the future. • Chair stated that she heard back from Fred Smith regarding Black History Bowl, which will be in honor of Juneteenth. • Danielle listed all the events the HRC will be at: o Pride (June 3rd) o Community Awards at Morton Theatre (June 8th) o Hot Corner (June 10th) o Possibly supporting a Juneteenth celebration? (June 19th) • Danielle summarized that HRC needs to find out who is already hosting events and find out how to partner. Tameka suggested reaching out to neighborhood leaders. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Epps recommended that this committee collaborate with Juneteenth events that are already well established. • Tameka asked if remaining funds can be allocated to next year. Kent said no. • Epps said the body should look for equitable ways to support Juneteenth. Meaning, if you support Juneteenth one way then the body would have to support another groups’ event the same way. • Kent recommended that the HRC ask the local events for a short synopsis of the history of their events, a typical crowd size, and their budget. Danielle said those are questions that would be perfect to ask the neighborhood leaders. • Danielle asked where the budget for Pride funding comes from. Chair responded Inclusion budget. Danielle asked for the exact amount in that budget. Epps said she doesn’t have that information at the moment but will get back with her. • Epps asked what the HRC is going to do specifically at the Hot Corner festival. Chair stated tabling the event, while having stuff related to the Juneteenth available to distribute. • Danielle asked if we’re funding the Morton theatre event. Kent said he will waive the government rate that’s required, which will end up being an inexpensive overall cost for HRC. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Epps stated that an estimate of how much money the Community Outreach subcommittee wants to allocate should be shared with the main body. The body agreed with that. • Chair suggested $5,000. Tameka stated okay. Danielle stated that it seems arbitrary. • No announcements made. • Chair made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Danielle seconded. Chair asked if everyone was in favor. All were in favor. • The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com