Human Relations Commission

MINUTES MEETING OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION CITY OF DEKALB August 4, 2015 The Human Relations Commission (HRC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 in the Ellwood Conference Room of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. I. ROLL CALL The following members of the Human Relations Commission were present: Chair Larry Apperson, Norden Gilbert, Lisa King, Ellingsworth Webb and Cameron Zelaya. Absent: Joe Gastiger and Robert Williams. Also present were: Management Analyst Lauren Stott, City Attorney Dean Frieders and Deputy City Clerk Julie Abraham. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Gilbert requested a change to the July 7, 2015 minutes. Corrected sentence will read: “At this time the HRC is addressing the recommendations brought to the HRC, specifically Chapter 18.11.” A motion to approve the revised minutes was made by Mr. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Zelaya. Motion carried on voice vote. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Apperson requested to change the order of the agenda to move Old Business items B, C and D before A. Mr. Gilbert requested the addition of “Community Conversations” under Old Business. A motion to approve the revised agenda was made by Mr. Webb and seconded by Mr. Gilbert. Motion carried on voice vote. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Promotion of Diversity Programming Mr. Webb provided an overview of previous discussions. Mr. Webb will send Deputy City Clerk Abraham information he has obtained regarding Diversity Planning who will then forward it to HRC members. Human Relations Commission August 4, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Gilbert mentioned the HRC previously communicated with schools regarding diversity and he encouraged the HRC to start it again. This item will be added to the next HRC agenda. Mr. Zelaya attended the Privilege, Power & Difference Book Study held by the DeKalb Universalist Utilitarian Fellowship Church and shared information and answered questions from members. B. Update Municipal Code to Include New Mission Statement 1. Review Draft of Ordinance Amending Section 49.01 City Attorney Frieders provided an overview of the changes to the ordinance. He also stated the Landlord Tenant Handbook is being revised and should be completed by the end of this year. Chair Apperson thanked City Attorney Frieders for attending the meeting and for the work he has done on the ordinance. Review and discussion of the ordinance ensued. Mr. Zelaya inquired as to why Chapter 1.22 does not contain the complete listing of discrimination terminology similar to 49.01 (a). City Attorney Frieders stated it can be changed. The HRC decided they would like to change Chapter 1.22 to include the full listing of discrimination terminology. A motion to include the above change and endorse the ordinance as presented was made by Mr. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Webb. Motion carried on voice vote. C. Update on Municipal Code Recommendations for Non-Discrimination Statement 1. Review Draft of Ordinance Amending Section 1.22 Discussion on this item is included under Old Business, B., of the agenda. D. Updated Municipal Code to Include Service Animal Recommendations 1. Review Draft of Ordinance Amending Sections 10.11, 10.16, 18.11, 18.22, 55.09 and 58.06. Discussion on this item is included under Old Business, B., of the agenda. 2. Review Commonly Asked Questions About Service Animals in Places of Business. No discussion was held.  Human Relations Commission August 4, 2015 Page 3 of 3 E. Discussion and Review of Models for Re-Entry of Ex-Offenders Mr. Webb distributed information and spoke about the work he has done to date and asked members to advise of interest in assisting him with this project. F. Community Member Recognition Mr. Webb distributed information regarding Greenville, North Carolina HRC awards and asked members to bring ideas/suggestions to the next meeting. G. Website Recommendations Update Management Analyst Stott stated she is awaiting recommendations for the HRC landing page. Discussion will take place at the next meeting. H. HRC Brochure Mr. Webb asked for an update on the HRC brochure. Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Gastiger have not had the opportunity to discuss recommendations. Discussion will take place at the next meeting. I. Community Conversations Mr. Gilbert stated he attended a Community Conversations meeting and is concerned about the lack of diversity of those in attendance. Mr. Webb provided information regarding the vast and wide efforts put forth to reach citizens. IV. NEW BUSINESS Chair Apperson stated there is a possibility he will not be able to attend the September 1, 2015 meeting. Discussion ensued and members decided to move the next meeting to September 8, 2015. V. CITIZEN INPUT Steve Kapitan stated his concerns on certain areas of the website and that he is interested in sharing information he has regarding re-entry of ex-offenders. VI. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Zelaya. Motion carried on voice vote. Chair Apperson declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. JULIE ABRAHAM, DEPUTY CITY CLERK Approved by Human Relations Commission Date: September 8, 2015