Human Relations Commission

Carbondale Human Relations Commission Minutes – July 10, 2023 Carbondale Civic Center - 5:00pm Commissioners Present: Anita Brown, Gerald Edwards, Roger Webb, Michelle Snyder, Stephanie Brown, Carmalita Cahill, Sherrica Hunt, Roy Mazuchowski Commissioners (Excused): Mary Hamilton, Carla Childs Commissioners (Unexcused): Guest Present: Mary O’Hara, Jen Lampkins, Jacob Bowers SIU-C Dept. of Public Safety Representative: None Study Circles Staff: Sarah Heyer Staff Present: Deputy Chief Matthew Dunning and Commission Liaison Courtney Beverly CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:06p.m. by Chair Stephanie Brown. MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Roy Mazuchowski and seconded by Commissioner Anita Brown to approve the minutes from the May 1, 2023 meeting. Motion carried. All Voted Aye. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Anita Brown announced the Food Security Summit, which will be held on Tuesday September 12th located at John A. Logan beginning at 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Commissioner Cahill announced that the Carbondale Warming Center are hosting a fundraiser at Blue Sky Vineyard on July 29th beginning at 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chair Brown announced that Turley Park is now open to the public and additional equipment will be added to the park. OLD BUSINESS None to Report NEW BUSINESS Chair Brown read an email from the City of Carbondale Diversity Equity & Inclusion Coordinator Sharonda Cawthon, in which she inquired about having a Commissioner participating to be one of two volunteers to be the LGBTQ+ Liaison for the City of Carbondale. Sharonda Cawthon will attend the Human Relations Commission meeting on August 7th to discuss the City of Carbondale LGBTQ+ Liaison position. Chair Brown discussed Commissioner Mazuchowski suggestion about the Human Relations Commission having a table during the SIUC Welcome Back Week in August. The Commissioners discussed the Human Relations Commission Annual Retreat, which is schedule for September 11th. ISSUES None to Report Public Education/Presentation None to Report Public Forums/Events None to Report PUBLIC COMMENTS Jacob Bowers introduced and mentioned that he applied for the SIU Student Representative position with the Human Relations Commission. COMMISSION COMMENTS Chair Brown mentioned updating the Report from Community Groups and Agencies during the Annual Retreat. PROCESS ASSESSMENT Sparrow Coalition Report Commissioner Webb announced that the Sparrow Coalition meeting will be held on July 11, 2023 beginning at 9 a.m. through Zoom. If anyone is interested in attending the meeting, please contact Roger Webb at rowebb@hotmail.com or sparrowcarbondale@gmail.com. Non-Violent Carbondale Project Report None to Report Neighborhood Action Group Report Sarah Heyer mentioned that the Neighborhood Action Group met on July 5th and the meeting minutes were emailed. The meeting included discussion about the SIU Gun Violence Needs Assessment Report and the Human Relations Commission Annual Retreat. Mary O’Hara discussed several opportunities to develop social spaces for leadership development for the community. Mary O’Hara also discussed the Duties and Functions of the Human Relations Commission, SIUC Gun Violence Needs Assessment Report, Being an Advisory Body to the City Council, Carbondale Codes, Carbondale Vision 2025, Creating a Diversity Action Plan for City Operations, Commission’s Recommendations, the Five on Five Program and Carbondale’s NAACP. Commissioner Hunt left the meeting at 5:26 p.m. Racial Justice Coalition None to Report Race Unity Group None to Report Carbondale United None to Report NAACP None to Report Black Chamber of Commerce of Southern Illinois None to Report The Survivor Empowerment Center None to Report Law Enforcement Deputy Chief Dunning mentioned that the month of June had one online complaint, which is an administrative review. The complaint was investigated and cleared. Deputy Chief Dunning recognized several Police Officers on a retail theft in Carbondale and mentioned there were no complaints for the month of May. Deputy Chief Dunning mentioned that the summer youth camp that was collaborated with the Carbondale Police Department and Illinois State Police was very success. Items for City Council None To Report ADJOURNMENT Next meeting – August 7, 2023. There being no further business, Chair Brown closed the meeting to adjourn. Meeting adjourned Recorded by Courtney Beverly