Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee Homelessness Subcommittee June 10 , 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 ; review of May 20, 2025, 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, July 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 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  Laconia Human Relations Committee May 20, 2025 Non-Meeting Minutes VIII. CALL TO ORDER Chair Patrick Wood welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee. Committee member roll call was taken and the meeting was called to order at 3:42p with no established quorum. IX. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, David Osman, Matt Soza, Heather Stanley, Carrie Chandler Guest – David Stamps, Jane Wood Excused – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Scott Ringer, Rev. Judith Wright, Kay Anderson, Richard Littlefield, Patricia Okinedo, Faith Pakasuk, Seifu Ragassa X. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – the April 10, 2025 meeting minutes will be approved at the June meeting due to lack of quorum. Sub-Committee Work: Multicultural Festival  Festival Board voted to postpone the festival until 2026 due to new Coordinator’s resignation o Very few vendors and sponsors solidified o Unsure what mailings/contacts have or have not occurred o Consensus if we can’t do it well --- rather postpone and come back next year strong as ever  Pat spoke with City Manager – the city is interested in getting involved. o Level of involvement is unclear at this time. o When Becky returns from her trip – a meeting with the city will occur to confirm postponement / see what they are thinking o Next Board meeting is May 30th Homelessness  City Manager shared concerns related to God Pods  Editorial in Daily Sun – Mayor responded – no further need to respond  Land use issue  Broader discussion of “Housing security” is the main focus of our committee  2 homeless persons were recently attacked – potential hate crime – police involved? Martin Luther King Jr Celebration   See minutes of the May 1st meeting. Endowment for Health Grant  No update Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance event on April 24th at the Congregational church saw a large attendance. Food was delicious and the play was powerful. Rabi Jan Katz is retiring in a few months. Mingle Café  Next event will be at the Belknap Mill on May 31st at 10 am  Theme: “Why are friendships Important”  Faith will update the flyer  David wrote a press release for the Daily Sun  Carrie and David will host this 2nd event Banner Proposal  June is PRIDE month – no further action  Carrie reached out to Lakeport Opera House – very interested in hanging a banner but they do not own the building; not likely  Carrie reached out to Chaos & Kindness – no response yet Rally/Sign  No further action XI. NEW BUSINESS Mental Health Program – May 22nd at the Community College – cost to attend; speakers and break out sessions, all day event. Juneteenth Celebration - June 19th, 4:30-6:30p, 92 Millbridge Road, Center Sandwich. Co-hosted by Camp Hale and Lakes Mountains DEI. Must RSVP. Concept of Due Process – recent Attorney General memo is incorrect. Due process applies to anyone in the United States; not just citizen.  Alien Enemies Act – 3 parts o We are at war – being invaded by alien enemies o Need a judge’s ruling o US Marshalls can assist  ICE can issue administrative detainer (“warrant”) XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was opportunity, but no public comments. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 5:10 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 th , 2024, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Secretary  Martin Luther King, Jr, Planning Committee Meeting May 1, 2025 at 4:45 pm At the Unitarian Univrsalist Society of Laconia Members Present : Matt Soza, Faith Pakasuk, Anne Ward, and Rev. Judith Wright Discussion : We continued our brainstorming for next year’s event. So far, we have envisioned the program being about one and an half hours in length. We hope to have different musical performances interspersed with readings or possibly a short play. We talked about the possibility of a dance performance as well.as possibly inviting Kimayo to sing some of her wonderful songs. We decided that our first priority was to find a space where we could have our program. We agreed to have a “tour” of places on June 9 th: Here are the places we thought to contact first, to see if this was a possibility: Lutheran Episcopal Church on Parade Road (the distance from town is an issue). Anne is checking into this possibility. Congregational Church in Laconia, - Judith has spoke with Rev. Eliza Tweedy, who agreed that their sanctuary could be a very real possibility. High School - Faith is investigating. Memorial Middle School - Anne is investigating. Opera House – Matt is checking into this for us as a possibility. Community Center across from the High School. Anne is investigating. On June 9 th we will go to those sites that after first investigated, seem viable. Judith agreed to contact Kay Anderson about involving High school students. We discussed the issue of college students and how their vacation time interferes with this MLK celebration. Faith agreed to contact the Community College. We continue to want to connect a day of service with this event . Judith will be exploring this opportunity. At our next meeting we hope to have Maria Mutusi join us on-line. She is involved with dance programs. Our meeting adjourned after one hour. We plan on meeting next on June 4 th at 5:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, 172 Pleasant St . Laconia.