Human Relations Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION June 6, 2017 The Human Relations Commission held a Meeting on June 6, 2017 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, Norden Gilbert, Lisa King and Ellingsworth Webb. The following elected officials were present: Mayor Jerry Smith. The following City staff members were present: Management Analyst Lauren Stott. Notes were taken by Analyst Stott. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS The agenda was approved. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the May 2, 2017 meeting were approved with the correction of adding Commissioner Gastiger to the list of attendees. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION During the public participation portion of the meeting, Chair Apperson led a discussion of the history and mission of the HRC for the Mayor’ educational benefit. Chair Apperson indicated that the Commission’s primary focus was, upon its creation, the adjudication of civil rights complaints. Commissioner Gastiger described that the Commission formerly fell into awkward situations as the adjudicator of civil rights issues, and it was determined that the body should not be the primary adjudicator of those issues. Chair Apperson indicated that, although the HRC is no longer the primary adjudicator of civil rights issues, members will still refer complaints to the appropriate party. Chair Apperson provided background on the Commission’s role during the consideration Regular Meeting June 6, 2017 Page 2 of 5 of an assembly ordinance in 2016 that was controversial among some NIU students and community activists. Chair Apperson provided a brief summary of the Commission’s role in the recent City staff cultural competency meeting. Commissioner King indicated that, in the past, many times the Commission was able to address issues at a quicker rate than other adjudicating bodies. Chair Apperson indicated that the new HRC brochure is meant to provide a background and summary of all the current duties and responsibilities of the HRC. Chair Apperson reported to the Mayor that the budget for the cultural competency training had been at risk in the past and that he is hopeful that City leadership will prioritize that item moving forward. Mayor Smith thanked the Commissioners for serving on the HRC as volunteers. He noted that he has visited a total of eight of the 14 Committee/Commission/Boards of the City. Mayor Smith indicated that, although he would not attend all of the HRC meetings, he is open to assisting the HRC in any efforts brought forth. Mayor Smith indicated that the breadth of issues affecting the City is wide, but that he is looking forward to addressing the issues during his term as Mayor. Mayor Smith reported that the City Council spent three hours to discuss the City’s STEAM Learning Center project, and that he heard very positive feedback from the Council members regarding that meeting. Mayor Smith asked whether the four Commissioners with expiring terms are interested in continuing with an additional term as HRC members. Commissioners King and Gilbert and Chair Apperson all indicated that they would like to serve an additional term. Mayor Smith indicated he would reach out to Commissioner Williams to learn whether he is interested in serving an additional term. Commissioner Bailey asked whether Mayor Smith is aware of any development on the north side of town. Mayor Smith indicated that he is not aware of any specific projects, but that the City is working on a potential study for the Annie Glidden North corridor of the City. He said that a meeting scheduled to discuss that project has been postponed but will be rescheduled. Commissioner Bailey said he joined the HRC because he wants to make a difference in the  community, and that there are issues facing the community that need attention from groups such as the HRC. He indicated that he is specifically concerned about the issues facing the North Annie Glidden Road area of town. E. OLD BUSINESS a. Cultural Competency Training Update Stott provided a summary of the cultural competency training provided to City staff. She indicated that, from an employee perspective, she viewed the training as very positive and effective. She provided an overview of the training session, which included three separate hours of discussion on: knowing oneself, the meaning of one’s action and practical application of the concepts. Stott indicated that the feedback from City staff was very positive. Commissioner Gilbert asked whether there was any negative feedback on the training. Stott indicated that the most common feedback received was that the training was not long enough and that more time and budget dollars should be allotted. b. HRC Brochure Chair Apperson initiated a discussion regarding the distribution of the brochure to various locations around the community. Stott indicated that she will provide HRC brochures to the Police and Fire chiefs. Commissioners volunteered to distribute to other places. Chair Apperson asked Commissioner Bailey to ask whether the HRC could distribute brochures to NIU for distribution to various residence halls and other campus buildings. Stott indicated that she would make copies of the brochure for the Commissioners to pick up at City Hall for distribution. Stott indicated she would work with City staff to work on a press release regarding the HRC brochure. Chair Apperson instructed the Commissioners to retrieve the brochures from City Hall when they are prepared. Regular Meeting June 6, 2017 Page 4 of 5 c. Chapter 49 Municipal Code Review Commissioner Gilbert indicated he was comfortable removing the Chapter 49 Municipal Code Review from the HRC agendas moving forward. d. Sanctuary City Updates Commissioner Gastiger said he is concerned about the members of the DeKalb community who are concerned about their safety and security due to issues like racial profiling and immigration. He said there are populations of people in DeKalb and elsewhere whose concerns about immigration status prompt them to second-guess approaching Police for assistance with issues. Commissioner Gastiger said that he is heartened by the DeKalb Police and other Police in DeKalb County, who have indicated their intention to not persecute people in the community based solely on their immigration status. e. Ex-Offender Re-Entry Updates Commissioner Webb provided updates on the research regarding ex-offender re-entry, and also provided some materials on the topic. Commissioner Webb said that the state with the most advanced programming for ex- offender re-entry is Georgia, and that Georgia is a good starting point for learning about the potential for community engagement on this topic. Chair Apperson said that it is important for the Commission to recognize that this is an issue that faces the DeKalb community, despite the fact that community members might not know anyone who is coming out of a jail sentence and in need of reintegration into the society. Commissioner Bailey spoke about the benefits of the training programs in the community that assist individuals with career planning needs. He said that one of the most helpful programs was forced to close due to budget cuts. Chair Apperson said that Kishwaukee College provides career planning resources. Commissioner Webb indicated that Goodwill provides resources as well. Mayor Smith said he believes many of the unemployment resources have been transferred to Kishwaukee College. The Commissioners discussed the challenges of reaching Kishwaukee College for people without cars.  Mayor Smith indicated that DSATS is working on an integrated transportation plan. F. NEW BUSINESS a. Meeting Schedule Chair Apperson requested for the Commission to indicate whether they would like to move the July 4 meeting to July 11. b. Strategic Plan Involvement Stott provided a summary of a concept for the HRC to consider, which would require the HRC to review the Strategic Plan yearly activity priorities and determine if there were any priorities within the plan with which the HRC could assist. The Commissioners indicated that they would prefer to cancel the July meeting in favor of spending time to review the Strategic Plan priorities. The Commissioners agreed to meet next on August 1. Stott indicated that she would send out the Strategic Plan priorities document to the HRC for their review. G. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________ LAUREN STOTT, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on September 5, 2017.