Human Relations Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Human Relations Commission October 5, 2017 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a Meeting on October 5, 2017 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Lisa King, Norden Gilbert, Ellingsworth Webb, and Joe Gastiger. Members absent at roll call were: Robert Williams, and Maurice Bailey. The following City staff members were present: Management Analyst Aaron Stevens. Notes were taken by Analyst Stevens. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS The agenda was approved. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public participation occurred. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the September 5, 2017 meeting were approved. E. OLD BUSINESS a. Strategic Plan Chair Apperson began the Old Business section of the meeting by reiterating that the City had requested the HRC to review the activities being planned for FY 17 in regards to the 2025 Strategic Plan. Chair Apperson stated that the City is interested in the HRC’s reaction to these plans and where the HRC may be involved. The HRC began discussion using the FY 17 Goals and Strategies section excerpted from the 2025 Strategic Plan. Commissioner Webb entered in to the discussion a document titled “2017 Diversity Holidays”. Commissioner Webb discussed the importance of understanding various holidays recognized by people of a wide range of ethnicities. Commissioner King suggested the City should include a statement of acceptance of diverse holidays publically,  Human Relations Commission Meeting September 6, 2017 Page 2 of 4 and possibly on the City website. Commissioner King suggested that the HRC should issue a recommendation to the City Council that the City should maintain a written statement on the City Website’s public community information page/GATV that publically recognizes and acknowledges the holidays, celebrations, and commemorations observed by the members of our diverse community. Commissioner King suggested that the City research the possibility of referencing the Diversity Best Practices organization that publishes a list of diversity holidays. An example of this list was handed out. Commissioner’s Webb and King suggested that the City could possibly include the “Diversity Holidays” document on the HRC webpage on the City website. The Commission approved a motion to issue a recommendation to the City to maintain a written statement on the City Website’s public community information page/GATV which states the following “The City of DeKalb publically recognizes and acknowledges the holidays, celebrations, and commemorations observed by the members of our diverse community”. The commissioners also discussed the possibility of listing the particular diversity holidays, celebrations, and commemorations included in such a document as the “Diversity Holidays” below the above heading. Commissioner Gastiger also suggested that a resolution should be considered for officially declaring the City of DeKalb a welcoming City, or Sanctuary City, to further embrace the various ethnicities and cultures in DeKalb, as well as people from outside of the community. Commissioner Webb stated that he believes the City should support the act of becoming an official Sanctuary City. Commissioner Gastiger handed out several documents from different groups that talk about communities being welcoming and supporting sanctuary for undocumented people. One document, Solidarity & Sanctuary in DeKalb describes the local initiatives that support sanctuary and are affiliated with the Welcoming Western Counties Solidarity & Sanctuary Coalition. Another handout was a flyer, “All are Welcome Here” produced by the Main Street Alliance whose members own businesses and are encouraged to post these flyers at their stores. The commission discussed distributing these flyers to our local businesses and will ask the Chamber of Commerce about their willingness to distribute this flyer. Commissioner Webb suggested that the HRC should support furtherance of activities supporting items 3 and 3a underneath the Vision of a Sense of Place of the FY 17 Strategic Plan which are the following: 3. Bridge NIU and the City, whenever feasible to create a mutually beneficial environment. a. “Identify opportunities to visually and programmatically link NIU and the City. Chair Apperson mentioned the NIU Diversity Dialogue Committee as an example of linking the City and NIU by having representation from the HRC as members of this group.  Human Relations Commission Meeting October 5, 2017 Page 3 of 4 With several activities in the plan mentioning or needing community involvement in order to be accomplished (Vision of a Sense of Place, 1b; Vision of Community Vitality & a Vibrant Downtown, 4c; and Vision of Inclusiveness, 1 & 2) Chair Apperson suggested that, if the City thought helpful, the HRC could provide a list of names and contact information that could represent the diverse voices needed to be included in community discussions initiated by the City. The Commission unanimously consented on the need for the City to go out into the community where diverse members of the community population congregate. The City’s planning efforts should always aim to include diverse members of the community through engagement in the areas where diverse members of the community can be reached in person. All commissioners unanimously agreed that Strategy 1, along with Goals 1a, and 1b under Vision of Inclusiveness are vital to City operations. HRC unanimously reaffirmed its recommendation to City Council to budget for the completion of the Diversity workshops for all City employees in FY2018. Chair Apperson will work with staff liaison Aaron Stevens, to communicate these reactions to the City staff. F. NEW BUSINESS a. AGN Revitalization Plan The commissioners discussed the makeup of the Annie Glidden North (AGN) Plan Task Force. The experience and relevant projects worked on by the consulting firm for the project, Camiros, were also discussed. The limitations of the Opens Meeting Act as they pertain to the attendance of members of commissions was discussed. Commissioner Webb suggested that City leadership or Camiros should have a discussion with the owners of Suburban Apartments to have residents of these apartments be included in project communications. Commissioner Webb stated that, while the Suburban Apartment buildings are not within DeKalb corporate boundaries, the plans for AGN will affect these student residents. Commissioner King stated that the City should include the DeKalb Township in the AGN Revitalization Plan project, if they have not been incorporated into the project already, due to their ownership of certain roads in the AGN.  Human Relations Commission Meeting September 6, 2017 Page 4 of 4 Chair Apperson stated that the Aug. 9, 2017 memorandum to the City Council regarding the AGN Revitalization Plan is a good comprehensive explanation of the scope of the project. Chair Apperson recommended that if any HRC member wants a more concise review of the AGN plan this is probably the best document to look over. At the close of the meeting, Chair Apperson distributed LIHEAP flyers to the commission that were sent to the HRC at the City Hall postal address. G. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. ___________________________________________________________________ AARON STEVENS, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on: November 9, 2017