Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee Monthly Meeting March 11, 2025 – 3:30 pm City Hall Rm 200A & Zoom Agenda Welcome and Roll Call Review and Acceptance of February 11, 2025, Meeting Minutes Work Groups  MLK Event Committee  Banners/flags on City Property Committee  Rally/Sign Committee Old Business  Multicultural Festival  Financial update  Endowment for Health  Mingle Café  Yom HaShoah  Homelessness  Black Heritage Month  Mental Health program New Business  Public Input  Next Meeting Room 200A, April 8, 2025, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom Public Comment – The public is invited to offer their opinions. Initially, they will be limited to four minutes until all have had an opportunity to speak. Each person is constrained to their time period or to ask questions of the committee. Everyone is expected to speak respectfully. If on Zoom, the public will be visible but muted until unmuted by the chair. Members of the public wishing to speak will use the “raise hand” option. ------------------------------------------------------ Note: The meeting will also be held online through Zoom and will begin at 3:30pm although people are encouraged to check in early. You are invited to a Zoom webinar. Topic: Human Relations Commission Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81922296874?pwd=M0E4a1pES0VGV0Rsa1hmT0ZDU3Bmdz09 Passcode: 793636 Or One tap mobile: US: +16465588656,81922296874#,,,*793636# or +13017158592,,81922296874#,,,,*793636# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 Webinar ID: 819 2229 6874 Passcode: 793636 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k661pCha  Laconia Human Relations Committee February 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Patrick Wood welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee. Committee member roll call was taken, a quorum was established, and the meeting was called to order at 3:03 pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, Matt Soza, Scott Ringer, Faith Pakasuk, Rev. Judith Wright, Kay Anderson, Patricia Okinedo and Carrie Chandler Zoom - David Osman Guest – Carole Sands from Keene Excused – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Heather Stanley, Richard Littlefield, and Seifu Ragasa III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – Motion was made by Matt Soza, seconded by Scott Ringer, to accept the minutes of the January 14 th, 2025 Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting (LHRC); with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Sub-Committee Work: Martin Luther King Jr Celebration (Rev. Judith)  Successfully held at the Colonial Theatre and Public Library  Approximately 150 people attended across three events  February 20th – debriefing meeting to help plan for next year  Colonial Theatre may be too large of a venue Banners (Pat Wood)  Mark Haynes is new chairperson for the Government Operations Committee of the City Council  Tabling the issue for later review Vigil/Signage (Matt reported)  Perhaps Spring  Need appropriate numbers with a sign up to commit - set a minimum to occur; 20-25 people suggested Multicultural Festival (Judith reported)  New Coordinator – Susan Diprizo Young with event planning experience  Becky will shepherd her through the process this year Mingle Café  Belknap Mill has (4) dates to propose (months with 5th Saturdays) - 3/29, 5/31, 8/30, 11/29  Expenses to include mill rental rate of $300 per event; plus coffee and donuts  Utilizing the grant to create community conversation  Establish rules of conduct – to share, listen and stay on track o David and Carrie will pick the first topic. Faith will develop a flyer o Faith will facilitate the 3/29 event (Carol and Kay to observe) o Community College may be a future venue o Motion was made by Matt Soza, seconded by Carol Pierce, to allocate $350 (not to exceed) of New Hampshire Endowment for Health funds  for each of the first four Mingle Café events; with no further discussion the motion passed unanimously. Yom HaShoah  Thursday, April 24th at 5:30 pm at the Congregational Church  Evening will include a light soup supper and one act play. Homelessness – to be discussed at next meeting following research. Black Heritage Month – Faith is posting on Facebook, during the month of February, the stories of black individuals who have contributed to or have made an impact on our nation. Mental Health Program – Carol spoke with Beth Vachon, Lakes Region Mental Health, about her proposal to utilize grant funding. A sub-committee will be formed: Carol, Faith, Matt, Kay and Pat to explore further. Housing Authority – presented at City Council regarding funding for Housing Choice Subsidy Program which proposes cuts of $300-700,000; and would affect 42-70 local families unable to find rental assistance. A broader presentation is being worked on. Financial – update at next meeting. IV. NEW BUSINESS No new business. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS Carole Sands of Keene expressed appreciation of the many issues that the committee is working on. VI. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 4:08 pm. A training followed – led by Carol Pierce, Faith Pakasuk and Patricia Okinedo. th Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 , 2024, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted,Carrie Chandler, Secretary