Human Relations Commission

Blue Springs Human Relations Commission May 19, 2015 6:30pm East Conference Room of City Hall 903 W Main Blue Springs, MO 64015 Attendance: Jane Bowerman- Recording Secretary Gino Bueno-member Kynette Campbell- new member Antoine Jennings- new member Chief Wayne McCoy- City Liaison Absent: Lewis Jones-Chair Lori Ross-Vice Chairman Josie White- Student Representative Called to order 6:30 pm 1. Welcome to our new commissioners! We are so excited that you are willing to serve our city. Thank you! (Chief McCoy) 2. Introductions : Kynette Campbell. Lived in Blue spring for 20 years. Two ch ildren, a son in Texas, and a special needs daughter that lives at home She wants to be a part of the commission to make Blue Springs a more diverse place- on many levels 3. Antoine Jennings: Blue Springs resident 4 years-wife has been in BS 11 years-re located from Nashville- degrees from Michigan, working on an additional degree, 3 children, one with special needs-autism, daughter graduating from Blue Springs South this week. 4. Mayor approached Mr. Jennings to serve- diversity needed in our community- we need to have open dialogue- bring dialogue to this city, he is happy to be on the commission- to serve the city. Looking forward to learning a lot. 5. Chief McCoy: didn't have issues that would need this commission, but part of our job is to educate the community. We are not an authoritative body- involved in med iation with community members- training in mediation, Chairman Jones went to full day of mediation training. Had our first case, Dr. Ngomsi is on retainer. 6. Will wait to approve the minutes of March's minutes when we have a quorum 7. Lori Moon is another member that will be new to our commission-she is out of town tonight. 8. Introductions: Jane Bowerman- resident of Blue Springs for the past 29 years- 4th grade teacher at William Bryant Elementary School. She and her husband both serve on commissions- husband Grant is a former councilman. She wants to give back to the community and serve the people Gino Bueno: came to Blue Springs because of the schools. Worked with people with special needs- plays music- involved with community- youth jam-trying to get the youth involved- children involved in the school district- getting a community center soon, Latino population growing- large population in BS now. Cultural differences-lack of knowledge- excited about our commission . Hard to get programs going- we are in the infancy stage- putting together our logo, motto, we need to get out there and educate the community. Chief Wayne McCoy- leading BS police department for: 13 years- recruited national search- fell in love with the community- 2 boys, 2 girls, 2 grandchildren. - 9. 10% minority, 20% female in department 10. Needs to have a sounding board for people who are uncomfortable with coming to the police department. 11. Sees the HRC to educate the community about diversity-help the quality of life/relationship between community and police department 12. Shows support- passed a sales tax for renovation-no sunset clause-funding will not go away- community extremely supportive 13. Chief would like new members to go through the Citizens Police Academy (CPA)- highly encouraged to attend the academy 14. New police building finished this fall- about 400 graduates CPA- waiting list- HRC members would have priority 15. Building dedication- issued challenge coins-May 2nd_ Chief gave commissioners a coin. 16. Complete annual report-Chief McCoy passed the report out 17. Important issues- page 4 in 2014 annual report- almost 40,000 calls- had to arrest 1,469 persons Total number of persons arrested for UCR Partl offenses= 559 Only one complaint of improper force Page 17 important to HRC-citizen complaints 18. New program in Blue Springs-Step ladder: Chief contacted Urban Rangers- involved with young men- goal- good citizenship- summer paid job- give them citizenship training- looking at these men for jobs as dispatchers, jailors- internship with BS police department-Step Ladder program- new in Blue Springs Eventual hiring in our community-also looking at a program for young women, as well Antoine volunteered to help Chief McCoy with this program  19. Black population has grown in Blue Springs-community needs to see diversity in police department that reflects the population 20. Police officers do not have to live in Blue Springs, but must live within a 30 minute response time. 21. Gino Bueno- Update on Taste of Blue Springs Festival : One idea the commission agreed on was a festival Date scheduled: October 4th_ Sunday- Vesper Hall and shelter Get in after 12:30- set up- festival 3-5? Vesper Hall- tables for city services- Community Services League- churches welcome to participate Local restaurants will be invited to participate Music groups will participate as well HRC is recruiting volunteers to help plan and implement the festival hrc@bluespringsgov.com 22. Meet every third Tuesday at city hall- meetings last about an hour and a half 23. Logo for HRC- contest online- narrowed down to three logos Will vote soon on logo-may need to call a special meeting to vote 24. Next meeting: Tuesday, June 16th 6:30 at City Hall 25. July 21st meeting- photo of group Meeting adjourned at 7:53 pm Respectfully submitted- Jane Bowerman, Recording Secretary Approved by Chair, iJJ.J}kIt .~~ J , May 24, 2015