Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee Homelessness Subcommittee May 20, 2025 – 3:30 pm City Council Chambers, City Hall, Laconia, NH Agenda Welcome and Roll Call Review and Acceptance of April 10 , 2025, Meeting Minutes Work Groups  MLK Event Committee  Banners/flags on City Property Committee  Rally/Sign Committee  Homelessness Committee Old Business  Multicultural Festival  Financial update  Endowment for Health  Mingle Café  Yom HaShoah  Black Heritage  Mental Health program New Business  Due Process – not just for some but for all  Public Input  Next Meeting Room 200A, June 10, 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 April 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes I. PRE-MEETING GATHERING The committee was invited to meet at Real Life Church at 3:30p to view some built examples of God Pods (emergency structures for unhoused). An update was provided as well as time for questions and answers. II. 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 4:06p. III. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, David Osman, Matt Soza, Rev. Judith Wright, Heather Stanley, Kay Anderson, Faith Pakasuk, Richard Littlefield, Patricia Okinedo, Scott Ringer, Seifu Ragassa and Carrie Chandler Excused – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Seifu Ragassa IV. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2025 Laconia Human Relations Committee; with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Sub-Committee Work: Homelessness (Richard Littlefield)  Reported on meeting at Unitarian Universalist Church  Bill and Kenzo met with zoning officials – there are some modifications that have been requested; supportive in offering guidance  Legal issues will be addressed – setting parameters, governance, safety regulations  Private funding  Letter for review by committee to Daily Sun – early stages; involve Joia Hughes  LHRC role is to communicate/educate the community Martin Luther King Jr Celebration (Rev. Judith Wright)  Committee met on March 28th  Panelist Marie has asked to join sub-committee  Next year’s vision “Musical MLK Day” with interaction, choirs concert  Even more meaning and purpose  Engage children  Endowment for Health Grant (Patrick Wood)  Pat had a phone meeting with 5 other communities who have received funding  Ran mental health program idea past the Endowment – didn’t materialize  May 22nd – Community College and Chamber of Commerce will host a full day event with theme of mental health  Someone from the endowment may attend the Mingle Café and/or Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance event on April 24th  Aspects of God Pod project rollout could fall under the grant; if funds are needed to have a forum and paid facilitator  Pat plans to attend the endowment annual meeting Mingle Café  First event is rescheduled to April 26th  Faith will update the flyer  David will work on press release  Faith and Carrie will run this first event  Recap after first event to plan for second event Banner Proposal  No further action Vigil/Signage  No further action Multicultural Festival  Planning continues  Becky is working with Sue V. NEW BUSINESS Concern regarding role of Sherrif’s office related to ICE  Sending deputies to ICE training regarding immigration  Pat met with Sherrif Wright regarding concern about due process; everyone is entitled per our Constitution  Sherriff Wright stated they will not be doing any investigation by ICE; but will follow a judges warrant and will transport so ICE can take it from there Plastic Recycling – on April 26th 11-1 pm at UU church. Chairperson is unavailable to attend next scheduled meeting. A motion was made by Carol Piece, seconded by Richard Littlefield, to reschedule the May 13 th Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting to May 20 th; with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was opportunity, but no public comments. VII. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 4:58 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 th , 2024, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Secretary  Date: Sat, 17 May 2025 07:34:01 AM EDT From: david osman <davidosman68@gmail.com> To: Patrick Wood <PHWood@usa.net> Cc: Faith <Fpakasuk@pphnh.org>, Faith Pakasuk <faithgune@gmail.com>, Carrie Chandler <foggybottom1050@gmail.com> Subject: Mingle Cafe Carrie, Faith and I met this afternoon and the next Cafe will be at the Belknap Mill on May 31, 2015 from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. The topic will be “Why are friendships important?” Faith is going to prepare a flyer and we hope you can get the Sun to publish it or some news release consistent with it. Carrie and Faith will be at the regular HRC meeting this coming Tuesday (I can’t attend as my summer men’s league starts play on Tuesday) and will review all of this with you and the committee. I hope a few members will plan to attend as we hope to grow attendance but want the table to be filled. Carrie will get the donuts and coffee and Faith has name tags We will try to get the flyers to the Laconia and Gilford Library, the two Wayfarer locations and some other places, maybe a few churches, etc.  Human Relations Committee FY 25 Actvity as of: 04/30/2025 Budgeted YTD Expended Balance Annual Allocation $ $ $ 01-489-480-0022 2,000.00 162.06 1,837.94 Accrued Funds $ $ $ 84-401-200-0000 2,469.94 2,469.94 - Endowment for Health Grant $ $ $ 84-401-200-0001 19,500.00 4,242.00 15,258.00