Human Relations Commission

AGENDA Human Relations Commission Meeting June 1, 2021 6:30 p.m. DeKalb Police Department 700 W. Lincoln Highway 2nd Floor Training Room DeKalb, Illinois 60115 COVID-19 Notice: COVID-19 Notice: This meeting will be conducted in-person with a physically present quorum and open to the public. The corporate authorities of the City of DeKalb intend to conduct this meeting in compliance with all applicable social distancing and public health requirements. In compliance of the CDC and State of Illinois’ mandates, all unvaccinated persons attending this meeting in-person shall be required to wear protective face masks/coverings. Persons who are unable to attend the meeting in person but wish to comment on an item listed on this agenda may email their comments to Assistant City Manager Joshua Boldt at joshua.boldt@cityofdekalb.com no later than 12:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Comments will be disseminated to the HRC members prior to the start of the meeting. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87848416601?pwd=Yi96ZTk3VmgxMk9tK2hUam9MV01lUT09 Meeting ID: 878 4841 6601; Passcode: 573031 One tap mobile +13126266799; 87848416601#,,,,*573031# US (Chicago) _____________________________________________________________________________________ A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda – Additions/Deletions C. Approval of Minutes – May 4, 2021 D. Public Participation E. Old Business 1. Police-Community Relations 2. Landlord-Tenant Review a. Tenant Legal Services b. Landlord-Tenant Task Group Update 1. Landlord-Tenant Ordinance 2. Welcome Packet for New Tenants 3. Tenant Assistance with Property Code Issues F. New Business - None G. Adjournment  Minutes City of DeKalb Human Relations Commission May 4, 2021 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a regular meeting on May 4, 2021 in the Second Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department. A. Roll Call The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), John Walker, Norden Gilbert, Nadine Franklin, Joe Gastiger, and Lisa King (remote). Other City officials/staff present: • Bill Nicklas, City Manager • Joshua Boldt, Assistant City Manager and Staff Liaison to the HRC B. Approval of Agenda – Additions/Deletions Larry Apperson asked for a motion to approve the agenda with the modification to delete item #3 Update on Public Remote Access to Meetings. A motion was made by Norden Gilbert and Seconded by John Walker to approve the agenda. The agenda was approved by a 6-0 vote. C. Approval of Minutes – April 6, 2021 Regular Meeting Larry Apperson asked for a motion to approve the HRC minutes recorded on April 6, 2021. A motion to approve was made by Joe Gastiger and Seconded by Nadine Franklin. The minutes were approved by a 6-0 vote. D. Public Participation – None. E. Old Business 1. Police-Community Relations Larry Apperson explained he communicated with Joshua Boldt on a Taser Use policy primer on behalf of the DeKalb Police Department. Bill Nicklas asked to table this policy and use discussion until the next meeting when Police Chief David Byrd is present. Larry Apperson agreed. Joshua Boldt stated DeKalb Police Department started their own website at dekalbcitypolicedepartment.com and the public could access all DeKalb Police Department policies through this medium. Larry Apperson also expressed interest in hearing more about police training academies.  2. Landlord-Tenant Review (Continued) a. Tenant Legal Services Larry Apperson spoke to Paul Cain. Paul Cain believed the upcoming eviction moratorium end could allow their clinic to further explore tenant assistance. Larry Apperson and Joe Gastiger discussed what marketing NIU will be doing to promote their law clinic if any. Larry Apperson requested that the NIU Legal Clinic flyer that contains the eviction service be posted on the City website. Conversation ensued. b. DeKalb Landlord Follow-up Discussion I. Larry Apperson reported on the meeting with Mike Pittsley, Will Heinisch, and Norden Gilbert. Larry Apperson stated they identified two main objectives: 1) assess and suggest changes to the Chapter 10 municipal ordinance and 2) produce an abbreviated version of the Landlord-Tenant Handbook that would also act as a welcoming for tenants new to DeKalb. Norden Gilbert explained the Landlord-Tenant Handbook is long and extensive. II. Larry Apperson stated he plans on meeting again to discuss a welcoming packet. Larry Apperson explained Police Officers could have these documents available to them if they are needed during a call for service. III. Larry Apperson asked Bill Nicklas for a Hunter Properties update. Bill Nicklas expressed it was in the City’s interest to not reveal any further information at this time. IV. John Walker stated Hunter Properties isn’t the only delinquent property in the community. John Walker stated he was frustrated with the commission’s lack of meaningful progress. Joe Gastiger challenged the notion the commission hasn’t made progress. John Walker left the meeting. Conversation ensued. G. New Business - None. H. Adjournment Larry Apperson asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Norden Gilbert and seconded by Lisa King. The motion was approved by a 5-0 vote. The next HRC meeting will be June 1, 2021. Joshua Boldt, Assist. City Manager & HRC Liaison Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on ____________________ .