Human Relations Commission

Minutes Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 6:30 p.m. Journagan Family Community Room Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building 1100 SW Smith Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015 Attendance: Marjorie Major – Chairman Susan Stokenbury – Commissioner Jane Bowerman – Commissioner Shawnna Squire – Commissioner Jim Snyder – Staff Liaison Tammy Kunkel – Staff Liaison Approval of minutes from August 21, 2018 – minutes approved unanimously. Visitor recognition: No visitors present. Old Business: 1. Fall Fun Fest – Review and Observation: Marjorie Major, Gino Bueno and Jane Bowerman walked through the crowd distributing informational flyers and candy. Captain Snyder said that he has been advised that a booth is required to hand out flyers. He will confirm this information for next year. Participating in next year’s parade with a float was discussed. 2. Helping Residents Connect Fair: Vendors will be contacted to confirm attendance at the fair on November 4. Marjorie Major will contact Harvest Baptist Church, Blue Springs Fieldhouse and Rainbow Center. Jane Bowerman will contact Benton House, Blue River Community College, Blue Springs Parks & Rec, Crossroads, Jags United and Wildcats United. Susan Stokenbury will contact Community Services League, St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital. Susan will also contact Commissioner Gino Bueno to ask that he Contact Wee Buss, KC Drum Tribe, Electrical Workers Minority Council and Blue Springs Theater. Shawnna Squire will contact ROTC, South Sidesteppers at BSSHS, Girl Scout Troop, Action Martial Arts, Community America Bank, Reece Nichols and ReMax. Captain Snyder will see if the DARE car, VIPS and CERT team would be able to attend. Each member should contact their vendors by September 28 and results reported to Susan Stokenbury by October 8. Susan will then report to Captain Snyder so that he may send an email to members listing the vendors that have agreed to attend. Having the vendors display flyers prior to the event advertising the fair was discussed. 3. National Night Out Against Crime (October 2): HRC will have a table at the event to distribute flyers and candy. Marjorie Major and Jane Bowerman will be there all evening and Shawnna Squire will attend from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 4. Student Rep: Quin Evans (BSHS) has not yet taken the oath. Marjorie Major is looking into this as well as filling the remaining position for a student from BSSHS. 5. SPIRIT Council update: Chairman Marjorie Major reported that they are working on proposals for a Resource Life Center for Blue Springs residents and ordinances limiting predatory businesses. Having signs made was discussed. Jane Bowerman has old signs that could hold new printed signs. Jane also advised that Doug Shrout owns land along 7 Highway and could possibly give permission for signs to be placed there. Marjorie Major suggested making a design to take to Kent Edmondson to print but it was determined that Kent no longer has his printing business. Office Depot was suggested to print signs. New Business: 1. New HRC Vice Chair: Billy Washington has resigned as Vice Chairman. Marjorie Major advised that she spoke with Chief Muenz and a current commissioner will be allowed to fill this position. Susan Stokenbury accepted and the nomination will be sent through the proper chain of approval. There are still two commissioner vacancies. Marjorie Major has spoken to Willie Baker (not for profit minister) and he is submitting an application for the position. A woman from the Chapel Ridge event was also interested and had stated that she would complete an application online. 2. Human Rights Conference attendance: Marjorie Major reported that the conference is usually held in early November and is an all-day event. Last year the meeting was in Columbia. Marjorie will find out where this year’s meeting will be. 3. MLK Celebration planning: Marjorie Major will contact Blue Springs Christian Church. 4. Budget: Marjorie Major advised that she has spoken to Chief Muenz regarding the budget. Captain Snyder stated that the HRC budget is $5000. Roundtable: 1. HRC group pictures will be taken at a later date. Members should wear their HRC shirts. 2. HRC will be doing basically the same events each year as outlined on the Calendar of Events. Susan Stokenbury mentioned moving the Helping Residents Connect Fair to a different month. Shawnna Squire asked about the possibility of adding an event providing more diversity. An ethnic food festival was suggested. Members will be thinking of additional ideas. 3. Susan Stokenbury asked how often mediation and diversity training is offered as the HRC can provide this service to residents. Captain Snyder advised that the training is offered every 1 to 2 years. The next scheduled meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. Adjournment: 8:08 p.m.