Human Relations Commission

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Human Relations Commission June 4, 2019 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a regular meeting on June 4, 2019, in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Joe Gastiger, Norden Gilbert, David Barrow. Members absent at roll call were: Robert Williams, Lisa King 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 Joe Gastiger. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No members of the public were present. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the May 7, 2019 meeting were approved. Motion by Norden Gilbert, seconded by David Barrow. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. AGN Updates Larry talked about how the most recent AGN meeting came to the conclusion of wanting to form a nonprofit to address issues in the neighborhood, this also included finding the financial support for the neighborhood’s goals. Larry mentioned that there were some members of the financial profession in attendance that gave words of encouragement to the direction that the AGN group was moving in. Larry also talked about how subcommittees were in the works to garner more discussion and support for the organization. Other members of the commission asked questions about who was in attendance of the event. 2. Landlord/Tenant Proclamation Larry spoke about how Mayor Jerry Smith had suggested that the Commission could address concerns by creating a proclamation that the City Council could adopt. The Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes June 4, 2019 Page 2 of 3 proclamation would address general concerns in the City regarding Landlord and Tenant relations. Larry then handed out a draft proclamation for the commission to review. Joe noted that the proclamation should not target Landlords that are following the rules. There was further discussion between commission members and city staff that were present about the Hunter Properties situation. David asked the question if media from outside of DeKalb had picked up on the story, and if they should suggest to the recently formed tenant associations. The commission further discussed that maybe this should be held off on the proclamation until student tenants are back in the area for the academic year. David also suggested that maybe reaching out to other City Councils in impacted areas around the State would help the cause. Ray noted that Carl Leoni, the City’s Crime Free Housing Coordinator, has been working on updates to the Renters Handbook. This document would then be presented at an upcoming Council meeting. Ray also noted that a change at the State level now impacts how Landlords will be able to rent property to those with criminal backgrounds. A motion to approve the Landlord/Tenant proclamation pending the discussed changes was put forward. Commission members in favor were: Larry Apperson, Norden Gilbert, Joe Gastiger, David Barrow. The major suggestion was waiting until students were back in the area and making sure that the proclamation was reviewed by the Mayor and legal counsel. 3. Census Ray spoke to how governmental organizations can make suggestions to how the lines for Census tracts are drawn. He mentioned that revisions could be made that could make areas in the City more capable of applying to various Grants. 4. Website Ray spoke about the process of the Website Refresh and where City staff are at in that process. He then mentioned that he wants to present that information to the City Council at a future meeting. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Thanking Management Intern Walker Steinke The Human Relations Commission wanted to thank Walker Steinke who is a Management Intern with the City of DeKalb for his time serving as one of the staff liaisons for the Commission. His time with the City is coming to a close and they wanted to wish him good luck in his future career of public service. Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes June 4, 2019 Page 3 of 3 F. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Motion by Norden Gilbert, seconded by Joe Gastiger. _____________________________________________ Walker Steinke, Management Intern Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on: August 6th, 2019.