Human Relations Commission

Human Relation Commission 20 North 6th Street • Lafayette, Indiana 47901 Phone 765-807-1062 • www.lafayette.in.gov NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION October 22, 2020 – Noon to 1 pm Virtual- GoToMeeting MINUTES 1. Call meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. Present: Stephen Smith, Michelle Reynolds, Kara Boyles, Mary Alyce Bolinger, Chad Aldridge, Chad Young, Joel Wright, Susan Brouillette, Cassie Wade City of Lafayette representative: Megan Thompson a. Approval of July 23, 2020 Minutes: Mary Alyce made the motion, Kara Boyles second, motion approved 2. Old business: No old business. 3. New Business a. Community member’s disability concerns, potential solutions. Kara Boyles reported a part of Tippecanoe County Mutual Aid Facebook group. Individual posted looking for individuals who had been discriminated against Sycamore Springs. Highlighted that materials and website do not reflect gender identity. Private conversation with individual regarding Open Air Eats and accessibility handicap parking, limited access due to Open Air Eats downtown. Picnic seating not accessible to all individuals. Dennis Carson from the City of Lafayette is in charge of Open Air Eats. Jason Pierce is the ADA representative from the City of Lafayette. Kara asked if this is something that HRC should pursue. Michelle advised that Kara could provide information to City and Dennis on behalf of individual. Stephen reported should inform those in charge. Discussion challenges to participate in downtown events due to disability – bench seating. Kara reported individual also reported complaint against JC Penney re: compliance with ADA requirements. Kara discussed HRC complaint process with individual. Megan reported HRC cannot investigate anything related to the City. b. HRC Youth Council (Stephen Smith and Chad Young): Stephen met with the Mayor, discussed the creation of HRC Youth Council. Stephen and Chad met and discussed further. Members have connection with youth in the community and think it would be applicable. Mayor’s Youth Council would be the blueprint for the council. There are 20 members on the Mayor’s Youth Council. Chad and Stephen discussed having 7-9  members. Could apply at 15 years old, have to turn 16 years old by specific date. Chad would sponsor the council, Stephen or separate committee to support, 2 year commitment. Discussion starting with the Lafayette School Corporation in particular, 2-4 meetings per year. Michelle Reynolds would advocate for county youth to be involved with City HRC Youth Council and not necessarily to exclude seniors. Susan Brouillette discussed not excluding middle school youth. Discussion of maturity, would they be mature enough to participate. Susan advised diversity in age should be key. Discussion about Youth HRC prompted by youth application for HRC recruitment. Chad reported during swearing in, he and Mayor Roswarski discussed youth need a voice in the community. Vision: Junior version of HRC. Susan Brouillette moved to create a Youth HRC commission, Cassie Wade seconded, motion carried. Megan recommended creating formal committee. Stephen asked for volunteers. Committee members: Chad Young, Stephen Smith, Chad Aldridge, Susan Brouillette. Michelle recommended obtaining the application from Mayor’s Youth Council. 4. Member Updates (festivals, website, brochures) a. Joint Commission: Stephen reported commission now wants to have each HRC plan an event yearly where 1 commission takes the lead. West Lafayette is working on event Charity to Justice in collaboration with Diversity Roundtable (TBD 2021). Discussion at Joint Commission whether HRC to be involved in police merit commission. 5 members, created by City Council, citizens of Lafayette. Police elect 2, 2 elected by City Council, 1 appointed by Mayor. Commission interviews and approves applicants, final review of discipline. Asking if we believe HRC member should participate. Stephen reported participation may be a conflict of interest. Discussion of participation, potential conflict. Recommended next steps increased knowledge, awareness of merit commission. Megan to ask if there is a merit board member to join our January meeting. Meetings are open to the public; we could potentially have a member attend. Discussion of declaring racism a public health crisis, 2 cities currently in Indiana have made the declaration (Evansville and Indianapolis). Symbolic – recognizes concern. Stephen asking commission is we believe should pursue. Susan would want more information about what it actually means to make this declaration, Kara agreed, would want some intentional actions tied to. Recommended collective letter from Joint Commission to City of Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, West Lafayette and recommended/suggested actions. Kara Boyles volunteered to research what is means to declare a Public Health Crisis and recommended action steps. Stephen reported would be willing to assist. Susan recommended thinking about natural partners, PSAs.  b. Updating website and marketing materials to match HRC ordinance: Kara reported that gender identity is not listed on application and ordinance on website is not updated. Megan to work on updating the application and website (link to ordinance). Megan reported that brochure is translated and available in Spanish. 5. Staff Report a. Brochures and Website are up to date- hard copies and electronic copies. Megan advised when speaking with individuals, direct them to website as it is the most updated version. Megan will update the complaint form and ordinance. b. Repeat Complainant notes being logged. Megan advised there is a particular citizen that has sent several unofficial complaints. Have notified several times that she would need to submit official compliant. Megan advised will log these correspondences. c. Election of Officers and Appointment of Members at January meeting. 3 commission members participation will need to be renewed (Susan Brouillette, Mary Alyce Bolinger, and Chad Young). Susan advised she would like to continue to service, Mary Alyce reported would not like to continue. Chad no longer on the call. Megan advised will be accepting new applicants. 6. Adjourn: Chad motioned, Kara second, all in favor, motion passed, meeting ended at 1:08 p.m.