Human Relations Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION December 6, 2016 The Human Relations Commission held a Meeting on December 6, 2016 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Maurice Bailey, Joe Gastiger, Norden Gilbert, Lisa King and Ellingsworth Webb. New Commissioner Maurice Bailey introduced himself to the other Commissioners. Commissioner Bailey indicated that he came to DeKalb for the first time in 1991. He said he has previously worked at Del Monte, Nestle and Lowe’s in the community. He said he earned his GED from Kishwaukee College and moved on to work and attend Northern Illinois University (NIU). He is seeking his degree in sociology from NIU. The other Commissioners welcomed Commissioner Bailey to the group. The following City staff members were present: Management Analyst Lauren Stott. Notes were taken by Analyst Stott. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS Commissioner Gastiger said he would like to add a new item to the agenda. He said he would like the Commissioners to consider steps to serve as a sanctuary for people in need following the presidential election of Donald Trump. Commissioner Gilbert said he would like to add “Chapter 49 Updates” to old business. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Gilbert noted an error on page three of the October 2016 minutes document. The Commissioners approved the October 2016 meeting minutes. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public participation occurred. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. Review of Draft HRC Brochure Regular Meeting December 6, 2016 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Gilbert said he had previously discussed adding an FAQ section but he believes the brochure serves the desired purpose as-is, without any additions. The Commissioners discussed the imagery on the brochure. Several Commissioners asked whether the photos are an accurate depiction of what the HRC is attempting to portray. Commissioner Webb indicated that he would like to show the acronym “HRC” so the group could become more commonly known by that title. Commissioner Webb said he would like the content to be reversed, so the complaint language is on the back of the brochure, and the positive information about the HRC is in the middle of the brochure. He also said he would like to see the leaves photo to be replaced with a different image. Chair Apperson said he would like to see language added referencing Chapter 49, which includes the full description of the HRC. He also said he would like to see a reference to the City of DeKalb website. Commissioner Bailey recommended using some corn imagery instead of the other pictures. Commissioner Webb presented some alterations to the brochure that he had developed. The Commissioners discussed replacing some of the imagery with pictures of diverse groups of people. Chair Apperson said he would like City Attorney Dean Frieders to review the phone numbers and technical information in the brochure before it is distributed. Analyst Stott indicated that Management Intern Emily Tipps will make updates to the brochure based on the feedback from the HRC members. 2. FY17 City Budget Update Chair Apperson provided an overview of the City’s budget process. Analyst Stott indicated that City staff was preparing a draft budget proposal and is making budgetary considerations that may affect the status of the HRC’s recommended cultural competency training. Chair Apperson indicated that he is displeased that the training would be delayed into FY2018 if the budget does not include funding for this item. He also said that he researched four years of the budget expenditures and found that a considerable amount of training dollars are left over at the end of each year. Chair Apperson said he discussed this concern with the City Treasurer and is wondering why there is such a significant amount of money left over at the end of each year. He said he believes the HRC must get word to the Mayor, Council and City Manager that the cultural competency  training is a critical need that will help advance the City toward its DeKalb 2025 Strategic Plan goals. Chair Apperson said his recommendation would be a letter to the Mayor, Council and City Manager to emphasize the importance of the training. Commissioner Webb said it is important to emphasize the community’s needs as well as the inclusion of this item in the Strategic Plan. The Commissioners discussed the item and how to present their advocacy for the training to the Mayor, Council and/or staff. Commissioner King said she does not believe the training is considered more important than funding for any social service agencies, but that it should be considered a priority opportunity for the City. Chair Apperson said he would work to approach the City Manager to advocate for the training to be conducted in FY2017. Commissioner Bailey said he believes it is critical for the training to be given to City staff to assist the community in moving forward. 3. Ex-Offender Re-Entry Update Commissioner Webb indicated that a change in the DeKalb County State’s Attorney should be discussed in relation to the ex-offender program consideration. Commissioner Webb provided a recap of the ex-offender re-entry for the benefit of Commissioner Bailey. He said he isn’t sure of the ability for the new State’s Attorney to take on a new program. Commissioner Webb said he would provide updates as available, and said that Keith Knazze of Transitional Alternatives would be available to speak with the new State’s Attorney at some point. 4. Chapter 49 Updates Analyst Stott indicated that no further progress had been made to identify discrepancies in Chapter 49 of the Municipal Code, but that she would follow up with Attorney Frieders to determine whether unauthorized changes have been made. Commissioner Gilbert indicated that Attorney Frieders is invited to reach out to him directly to discuss changes to Chapter 49. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Sanctuary City Discussion Regular Meeting December 6, 2016 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Gastiger provided an overview of sanctuary cities and how they serve diverse and in-need populations. He indicated that a number of communities throughout the country have identified themselves as sanctuary communities, and that Cities in Illinois such as Chicago, Champaign County and Urbana have named themselves sanctuary communities. The purpose of being named a sanctuary community is to ensure that City representatives will not assist with immigration investigations or arrests or report immigration status. Commissioners discussed the need to involve Police Chief Lowery in the discussion regarding sanctuary community status, and how sanctuary status would benefit DeKalb. Chair Apperson requested Commissioner Gastiger contact other sanctuary cities in Illinois. Commissioner Bailey said that while DeKalb is a small town with small-town values, a sanctuary city status will require people that are willing and open for it to be embraced. He asked how the status of punishment for various crimes should be considered in conjunction with sanctuary city status, so that all community members can be served in the best way. Commissioner Bailey indicated that the punishment system has changed from the way it was when he was younger, and that it is damaging to the youth of the DeKalb community and other communities. He said it is important for the HRC to penetrate the small-town nature of DeKalb. Commissioner Bailey requested of the Commission to consider how the HRC might assist community members who are subject to the justice system in DeKalb and DeKalb County, and who would benefit from facilitation for re-joining the workforce, learning job skills, etc. Chair Apperson said he is encouraged by Commissioner Bailey’s motivations to join the HRC, and that he would share some pertinent information with the Commission that was included in the (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle for December 6, 2016. G. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________ LAUREN STOTT, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on January 3, 2017.