Human Relations Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Human Relations Commission May 7, 2019 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a regular meeting on May 7, 2019, in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Lisa King, David Barrow, Norden Gilbert. Members absent at roll call were: Robert Williams, Joe Gastiger The following elected officials were present: Mayor Jerry Smith. The following City staff members were present: Assistant City Manager Raymond Munch, Management Intern Walker Steinke. Notes were taken by Walker Steinke. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS The agenda was approved. Motion by Norden Gilbert, seconded by Lisa King. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Four members of the public were present for the meeting to address their concerns with the Hunter Properties situation. One of those members of the public was a member of the press. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the March 5, 2019 meeting were approved. Motion by Norden Gilbert, seconded by David Barrow. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. AGN Updates Larry got an update from Dan Kenney and spoke to that. This was regarding the project goals that Dan has spoken about previously in the AGN Neighborhood. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Hunter Properties Tenant Association Update Holly, a student from NIU who has been working with tenants from Hunter Properties, spoke about the presentation that she gave the previous day and how she has tenants from Hunter Properties that have been working with her. She also spoke to how this originally started as a part of the Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan. She talked about Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes March 5, 2019 Page 2 of 3 gaining support from tenants to address the problems that are currently present in Hunter Properties throughout the City of DeKalb. Members of the Commission has questions of her about the response from Management regarding the concerns that have been raised, and Holly said that there have been some fixes and cleanup done by Hunter Properties. Holly spoke to how she is unsure what the City is doing currently but believes that something could be going on to collect the fines that have been placed on Hunter Properties. The Mayor spoke that there needs to be a continued presence of tenants to keep pressure on the Management of Hunter Properties. He also spoke that the Human Relations Commission could suggest to the City Council to act further on this situation. Ray addressed the progress that the City has made so far. Member of the Commission continued to suggest ideas on how the City could leverage resources to assist the Tenants and what still needs to be done to make progress. 2. Census Update from Staff Ray spoke to the Census coming up in 2020 and its importance to the City of DeKalb. He stated that the numbers recorded during the Census greatly impact potential tax revenues that the City can receive from the State of Illinois. He also spoke about how the changing demographics with students at Northern Illinois University could impact the complete count. He spoke to the political factors that could impact the census process in the County. He also mentioned how the City will rely heavily on third party organizations to assist in getting the word out. Members of the Commission asked questions to staff regarding the Census and what the City knows and will be doing to assist in the process. Ray also spoke to how there could be a financial component from the City to help market the Census. The Mayor spoke to how the Census will be opening a field office in the City in the coming months. 3. Future Agenda Items Larry opened the floor to future agenda items including talks about Sanctuary City Status for the City of DeKalb. Larry also brought up the issue of concussions in the youth sporting world and if there would be a continued effort to address that in the Commission. Larry also asked about the Website Refresh. F. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Motion by Norden Gilbert, seconded by Lisa King. _____________________________________________ Walker Steinke, Management Intern  Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 3 of 3 Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on: June 4, 2019