Human Relations Commission

Regular Meeting

DeKalb, IL · December 11, 2018

Minutes

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Human Relations Commission December 11, 2018 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a Meeting on December 11, 2018 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Lisa King, Maurice Bailey, David Barrow, Norden Gilbert. Members absent at roll call were: Joe Gastiger and Robert Williams. The following City staff members were present: Interim City Manager Raymond Munch. Notes were taken by Raymond Munch. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS The agenda was approved with an amendment to add an update on the City Manager search process to New Business. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public participation occurred. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the October 2, 2018 meeting were approved. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. AGN Revitalization Plan Update Munch provided an updated on the AGN Revitalization Plan to the members. The AGN Plan received the approval of City Council on November 26, 2018. Now that the Plan has been approved, it is likely that discussion will focus on the creation of a community development corporation (CDC) or similar entity to oversee revitalization efforts in the AGN area. The City is already implementing the Plan with regard to evaluating projects and seeking grants. The City has already been informed of a potential award of grant funds through Jeff Keicher’s office that will be earmarked for a community food hub project being spearheaded by Dan Kenney and the DeKalb County Community Gardens. Discussion ensued. 2. Cultural Diversity Training Munch updated members on the proposed FY2019 budget. Due to fiscal constraints, funding for additional cultural diversity training is not included in the FY2019 budget. Discussion ensued. Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Apperson updated members on his efforts to identify potential sources of grant funding that may be used by the City to continue with the cultural diversity training program. Apperson noted that his initial research has included looking at both public and private grant sources. Grants appear to be difficult to come by for this specific purpose; however, there may be potential to seek funding through broader programmatic efforts related to the AGN Plan. Discussion ensued. Barrow mentioned that it may be worthwhile for the City to talk with its liability insurance carrier to determine if this type of training program could have a positive effect on rates. Thus, savings could be used to fund the program. King emphasized the importance for police officers to receive cultural diversity training. She suggested the City contact NIU Police and inquiry to what end their officers receive this type of training. It was suggested that the City and NIU might partner in this effort. 3. Western Counties Organization Update Apperson provided a brief update on work being done by Welcoming Western Counties; specifically, the organizations efforts related to the District 428 residency litigation. Apperson also announced that he received an invite to Welcoming Western Counties holiday party, indicating that all members were invited to attend. 4. Re-Entry of Ex-Offenders Apperson provided a news article from the December 3, 2018 edition of the Daily Chronicle that discussed the First Step Act, a bill aimed at prison reform. No further update. 5. Local Sports and Concussions No update. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Manager Search Process Munch provided an update on the City Manager search. In total, 50 people applied for the positions. City Council narrowed the candidate pool to six applicants, whom they interviewed on December 6. On December 7, three of the six candidates were interviewed by panels consisting of community members, department heads, and union and non-union employees. City Council has identified the preferred candidate and an announcement is forthcoming. It is anticipated the City Council will vote on an appointment December 18, 2018. Gilbert asked Munch to what end diversity was considered during the search process. Munch indicated that he was part of the team that formulated interview questions, and the interviews included specific questions aimed at assessing each candidates level of experience working in communities with diverse stakeholders. Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 3 of 3 F. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at: 7:50 p.m. _____________________________________ RAYMOND MUNCH, Interim City Manager Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on: January 8, 2019

Agenda

AGENDA Human Relations Commission Meeting Location: Executive Conference Room (Second Floor) City Hall, 200 South Fourth Street December 11, 2018 6:30 p.m. A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda – Additions/Deletions C. Approval of Minutes – October 2, 2018 D. Public Participation E. Old Business 1. AGN Revitalization Update 2. City Cultural Diversity Training a. FY19 Budget Process b. Grant Funding Update 3. Western Counties Org. Update 4. Re-entry of Ex-offenders 5. Local Sports and Concussions Update F. New Business G. Adjournment For questions regarding this agenda, please contact Raymond Munch at 815-748-2392 or raymond.munch@cityofdekalb.com MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Human Relations Commission October 2, 2018 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a Meeting on October 2, 2018 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:31p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Lisa King, Maurice Bailey, David Barrow, Joe Gastiger, Norden Gilbert. Members absent at roll call were: Robert Williams. 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 with the amendment to move the Diversity Training item up to the beginning of the meeting. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public participation occurred. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the September 4, 2018 meeting were approved. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. AGN Revitalization Plan Update F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Diversity Training Feedback – Dr. James Cohen a. City Training b. District 428 Diversity Plan and Stakeholder’s Perception of the City Chair Apperson opened the discussion stating that the only feedback received from the diversity training completed was that the staff who participated in the training provided positive feedback to City administrators. Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes October 2, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Dr. James Cohen provided an overview of the training that he and his partner completed for City staff in 2017. Dr. James Cohen stated that conducting a 3-hour training one time is not sufficient and is not what should be done. Cohen stated that a proper training is 32 hours long and so that the full history and context of the training can be completed. Cohen stated that this is based on research which is clear on this matter. Gilbert and Gastiger stated that they are frustrated with the City because the diversity training was not executed the way they originally proposed it and there has not been follow through. Cohen stated that he is very pleased with the progress that he is making with the School District and that he is coordinating with several school district administrators that are totally onboard with the diversity training curriculum and implementation. Cohen recommended that groups of people should be selected to sit with him in his training on a routine basis that is aimed to reach all City staff of a period of time and is reoccurring. Cohen recommended that the training should be done for departments together and that police and fire should be put in a separate training cohort altogether that is more longitudinal. Barrow stated that one way to sell this program is to provide examples of negative outcomes that occur as a result of racial insensitivity. Gilbert stated that the priority for training should be on Police and Fire because they have the most interactions with the community. Apperson stated that the City did cost out what it would cost for Police and Fire to complete a training including overtime cost which equated to approximately $70,000 (estimate). Bailey stated that this issue is much bigger in actuality and goes beyond diversity training for staff. Dr. Cohen stated that there are examples of City’s paying out very large sums for lawsuits that can potentially be avoided if training in diversity is provided. Dr. Cohen stated that the School District used Title 1 monies for diversity training/curriculum. Ellingsworth Webb stated that there are federal grants and other grants available for training. Dr. Cohens stated that the Joyce foundation could potentially be a source of funding for training. Barrow stated that the City could potentially investigate if the City’s liability insurance holder would be interested in providing funding for diversity training. Apperson stated that he believed the entire training Dr. Cohen conducted for City staff was $3,500.00. Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes October 2, 2018 Page 3 of 3 Gilbert raised the question where do we go now and Apperson stated that grant opportunities and strategize on other potential solutions. Cohen stated that the Macarthur Foundation has funded this type of work and may be a possible way to form a joint collaboration grant between NIU and the City. Cohen stated that he has a point of contact from the Macarthur foundation that could potentially help create proposal for funding for a joint collaboration training program for NIU, the School District, and the City. Barrow asked what could be done to present this concept/idea to local taxing body representatives. King stated that the Police Department could tap into training funds to fund diversity training. King asked about the potential for DeKalb County Community Foundation as a source for funding. The HRC collectively determined that a meeting to present the need for diversity training to representatives from the School District, NIU and the City. Chair Apperson will begin searching for possible grants and then contact the School District and NIU. Dr. Cohen stated the lesson to be learned from the success that has evolved in the School District is that if there is perseverance and collaboration, implementing a proper diversity training/curriculum for the City, and other community partners is definitely possible. 2. Youth Outlook’s 20th Anniversary Gala Apperson explained that Youth Outlook is a support organization for youth LBTQ in the community. Apperson stated that the Mayor has asked for the HRC to draft a proclamation regarding the organization that can be read at a City Council meeting. Apperson has drafted such a proclamation that Joe Gastiger has reviewed and it has been sent to the Mayor for his review. F. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at: 7:55 p.m. _____________________________________ AARON STEVENS, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on: