Community Relations Commission

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISION Regular Meeting MAY 2, 2016 Civic Center Members Present: Melissa Meechan, Lynn Love, David John, Mark Marquez and Cathryn Abeyta Members Absent: Harelda Anderson and Charles Kromer Staff Present: Julie Baird, Ass’t City Manager and Joanna Oliver, Secretary Guest Present: Matthew Cockman, District Defender, 11th District CALL TO ORDER Melissa Meechan called the meeting to order at 4:07 pm with a quorum of members present; the following procedures were duly had and taken. GUEST SPEAKER Matthew Cockman, 11th Judicial District Defender is interested in getting Cultural training for his staff. He stated that 75% of clients they represent are Native American and unfortunately they have no Native American staff members. There are trends nationwide in public defense work and one of these trends are towards a more holistic representation. The purpose for public defender’s office is to be poised and situated to lead the clients beyond their criminal court needs, such as employment, shelter, food and health services. His office is excited to get more involved in that area. He started a pilot project by having an additional social worker in their office. They are looking into grant writing to get assistance in that endeavor and also make available space for different agencies from the reservation and within the county, in terms of job searches, etc., so that the clients who come to see them can take advantage of this and the encounter be a one stop shop. He requested the CRC do some cultural awareness training because attorneys may not be as aware of what they are seeing or misinterpreting what they are seeing/hearing from the clients because they do not understand the culture. Main concern is that there are not a lot of interplay between resources in the social services and the Navajo nation and those within our local San Juan County communities. Services are not actually being delivered or the redundancies of such that there is inefficiency being created. APPROVAL OF MINUTES David John made a motion to approve the April 4, 2016 minutes, Mark Marquez seconded. Motion passed. CIVILITY FIRST UPDATE Melissa Meechan stated that they have the Gateway Electric Museum sign up and running for Civility First promotion. Lynn Love stated that he has connected the Hutton Plaza regarding running a couple of traits. Melissa stated that we went ahead and paid to sponsor the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Civic Center and that Majestic Media will be running some of our ads. Melissa will be attending the celebration to represent the CRC. PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE Melissa Meechan stated that we do have ads running on Fierro in Spanish for the Commission. Cathryn did speak with someone who is interested in the Civility First Youth Curriculum. Lynn Love would like to see more posters promoting Civility First showing adults and workplaces. OLD COMMISSION BUSINESS  Grant/PSA’s – Cathryn Abeyta – Table to next month  Survey’s Results – Commission had a short discussion regarding the results. Melissa Meechan stated that she saw a lot of reference to the downtown area. The Commission asked questions of Julie Baird regarding the plans for the downtown area. There was a lengthy regarding the problems and plans for that area. She will have someone from Complete Streets to make a presentation at the next meeting.  Strategic Planning Meetings ‐ Melissa would like to set up the next meeting for middle to end of June. She will email out some tentative dates. NEW COMMISSION BUSINESS None CITIZEN INPUT ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. __________________________________ ______________________________ Melissa Meechan, Chairman Joanna Oliver, Secretary