Human Relations and Equity Committee Meeting

CITY OF MADISON HEIGHTS CITY HALL - MADISON ROOM - 300 W. 13 MILE RD, MADISON HEIGHTS, MI 48071 HUMAN RELATIONS AND EQUITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MAY 05, 2022 AT 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER by Szymanski at 6:03 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT Nickole Fox Council Alternate Quinn Wright (Non-Voting) Vice-Chair Paige Szymanski Alternate Sandra Quackenbush Alternate Kevin Wright Council Representative Emily Rohrbach ABSENT Chair Cemone Moy Rebecca Chambliss Amy Guzynski Jessica Tutt ADDITIONS/DELETIONS Add Closing Remarks before Adjournment, and add Arts & Pride Picnic and Flag Raising Recommendation under New Business. Motion made by Council Representative Rohrbach, Seconded by Alternate Wright. Voting Yea: Fox, Vice-Chair Szmanski, Alternate Quackenbush, Alternate Wright, Council Representative Rohrbach MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Jennifer Nagle from the Arts Board introduced herself as the presenter for the Arts & Pride Picnic partnership proposal. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of Minutes of April 7, 2022 Motion made by Council Representative Rohrbach, Seconded by Vice-Chair Szymanski. Voting Yea: Fox, Vice-Chair Szymanski, Alternate Quackenbush, Alternate Wright, Council Representative Rohrbach REPORTS 2. Advise & Educate Fox reported that four pieces of social media content were created for Mental Health Awareness Month in May. safeTALK (suicide alertness for everyone: tell, ask, listen, keep  safe) training is tentatively scheduled for September at Fire Station 1 with host Madison Heights Community Coalition. Local school leadership is focusing on suicide awareness. 3. Communications Vice-Chair Szymanski reported that social media posts are ongoing and the Social Hour will be held on May 18 at 7 p.m. at Augie's Bar & Grill. 4. Fundraising Council Representative Rohrbach reported that the native plant and book sale partnership with the Friends of the Library is will occur in the summer at time that does not compete with the ECC plant sales. A list of possible dates has been compiled, but the final date not yet selected. Volunteers for the day of the sale will be needed. 5. Volunteers & Collaborations Council Alternate Wright reported that the book discussion is being finalized by the subcommittee. The Arts & Pride partnership will be discussed at this meeting. Drag queen storytime may be an upcoming event. 6. Volunteers & Collaboration - Book Discussion Council Alternate Wright reported Library Coordinator Hames recommendation for the June book discussion not #1 Book Choice listed in packet. Instead, she recommends #2 Book Choice: Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. Juneteenth Event Update Alternate Wright reported that money allocated for last year will fund "Let's Hear it Again... With Gwen" for $350, and X. Alexander Durden will recite Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech as part of his performance for $500. The subcommittee is also contacting Royalty Dance Studio about a performance, but there is no update on whether they will perform. NEW BUSINESS 8. Board Roles Discussion on Board Roles occurred, but no motions were made. Tabled until next meeting by Vice-Chair Szymanski. 9. Arts & Pride Picnic. Presentation by Jennifer Nagle, Arts Board. Partner with Arts Board to co-host Arts & Pride Picnic on June 11 at 4 p.m. Motion made by Fox, Seconded by Council Representative Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Fox, Vice-Chair Szymanski, Alternate Quackenbush, Alternate Wright, Council Representative Rohrbach 10. Flag Raising Recommendation HREC recommends to City Council to raise the Progress Pride Flag during the month of June and the Juneteenth Flag for the weekend of Juneteenth.  Motion made by Council Representative Rohrbach, Seconded by Alternate Quackenbush. Voting Yea: Fox, Vice-Chair Szymanski, Alternate Quackenbush, Alternate Wright, Council Representative Rohrbach CLOSING REMARKS Alternate Quackenbush reported that the parks board is promoting Treads on Tuesdays walking club for Mental Health Month in May, and asks that HREC Committee members also promote via their social networks. Physical activities like walking are one way to improve mental health. ADJOURNMENT By Vice-Chair Szymanski at 7:08 p.m.