Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission AGENDA FOR REGULAR MEETING November 18, 2021 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: Babs Gellman, Chair Tina Meier, Vice Chair Ed Bryant Jason Dunn Jessica Ross-Sutton Donalee Gastreich Dr. Suzanne Leake Dr. Wade Steinhoff Victor Ponce Lt. Thomas Wilkison (Representing PD) Dan Borgmeyer, Mayor Denise Mitchell, City Council Liaison Chuck Lovelace, Staff Liaison and Secretary/Treasurer Commission Members: On Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. the City of St. Charles Human Relations Commission will hold its regular meeting in City Council Chambers within St. Charles City Hall located at 200 N. Second Street, St. Charles, Missouri. I. Call To Order and Call the Roll (2 min.) II. The Pledge of Allegiance III. Welcome Any Guests (Babs) IV. Welcome New Director of Community Development, Zach Tusinger (Babs - 5 min.) V. Moment of Silence for State Representative Tom Hannegan District 065 (Chuck – 5 min.) VI. Review and Approval of October 21, 2021 Minutes (Babs - 2 min.) VII. Comments from the Mayor (5 min.) VIII. Old Business None Human Relations Commission Agenda Page 1  November 18, 2021 IX. New Business A. Updates – Questions/Comments (Chuck, Tina & Babs - 3 min.) B. Future Meeting Location (Chuck – 3 min.) C. HRC Strategic Plan/Planning (Tina & Babs – 50 min. – see below) 1. Commissioner support/opposition to individual Action items (3 min. per Commissioner for comment on all 23 items; total of 33 minutes) 2. Word Bubble selection of top 10 Actions (5 min.) 3. Discussion/Decision on 2022 Actions (12 min.) D. Additional Officer Nominations Taken (Babs – 5 min.) E. Officer Elections (Babs – 5 min.) X. Comments from Commissioners (5 min.) XI. Next Meeting – The next general meeting will be held on December 16th. XII. Adjournment Upcoming General Meeting Schedule: December 16 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The City of St. Charles offers all interested citizens the opportunity to attend public meetings. If you wish to attend this public meeting and require an accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Office of the City Clerk to coordinate an accommodation at least two (2) business days in advance of the scheduled meeting at 636-949- 3282 or 636-949-3289 (TTY – for the hearing impaired). The City of St. Charles, Missouri fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 636-949-3282 or visit City Hall located at 200 North Second Street, St. Charles, Missouri, 63301. Agenda Posted 11/10/21 @ 5:00 p.m. By: CWL Attachments: • HRC Meeting Minutes October 21, 2021 • HRC Updates November 18, 2021 • 2022 Strategic Action Key Human Relations Commission Agenda Page 2  Human Relations Commission MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2021 MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Tina Meier, Vice Chair Chuck Lovelace, Staff Liaison & Secretary/ Treas. Ed Bryant Mike Cullen, City Attorney Jason Dunn Beth Norviel, Communications Director Donalee Gastreich Larry Dobrosky, Director of Administration Lt. Thomas Wilkison (PD) Jessica Ross- Sutton Dr. Suzanne Leake Denise Mitchell, City Council Liaison Dan Borgmeyer, Mayor MEMBERS ABSENT Babs Gellman, Chair Dr. Wade Steinhoff Dan Borgmeyer, Mayor GUESTS Kara Elms (St Charles Co. Resident) Tom Besselman, City Council member On Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. the City of St. Charles Human Relations Commission held its regular meeting in City Council Chambers within St. Charles City Hall located at 200 N. Second Street, St. Charles, Missouri. I. Call To Order and Call the Roll- The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Tina Meier at 4:32 p.m. Those in attendance are noted above. II. Pledge of Allegiance- City Council Liaison Denise Mitchell led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Welcome Any Guests- Commission Vice Chair Tina Meier welcomed guest in attendance: Kara Elms Human Relations Commission Minutes Page 1  Meeting Minutes –October 21, 2021 IV. New Commissioner Victor Ponce- Commission Vice Chair Tina Meier introduced the newest Commission member Victor Ponce. Commissioner Victor Ponce is a member of the St Louis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Veterans Commission Board in St Peters and a member of the St. Charles American Legion Chapter. V. Review and Approval of Minutes from Last Meeting- Commissioner Jason Dunn made a motion to approve the September 15, 2021 minutes as written. Commissioner Jessica Ross- Sutton seconded the motion. All were in Favor. The minutes were approved unanimously. VI. Comments from the Mayor- Mayor Dan Borgmeyer attend the meeting to discuss the HRC purpose, mission and intent. He discussed the Commissions advisory role as well as his intent to make the Commission more Multi-Cultural and possibly increasing the number of commissioners to 16. Mayor Dan Borgmeyer also discussed the possibility of creating cultural festivals, as an example- a Korean festival. Additionally, Mayor Dan Borgmeyer announced that there would be a tribute in an upcoming City Newsletter for State Representative Tom Hannegan (Dist. 065) who died on October 20, 2021. VII. Old Business- A. Elimination of the HRC Facebook Page- City Communications Director Beth Norviel discussed the recent elimination of the Commission Facebook page. Director Beth Norviel stated that the Commission could post regularly on the City official Facebook page. Other possibilities for communicating the work of the Commission to the public include the weekly E-news as well as the City Newsletter. The City Newsletter will begin being monthly publication starting in January 2022. VIII. New Business- A. Updates- Questions/Comments- No questions/ comments to report B. City Education Committee- No Report. A motion was made by Commission Vice Chair Tina Meier and seconded by Commissioner Ed Bryant to dissolve the City Education Committee. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Building Awareness, Alliances and Appreciation Committee- No Report. A motion was made by Commissioner Donalee Gastreich and Seconded by Commissioner Jason Dunn to dissolve the Building Awareness, Alliances and Appreciation Committee. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. D. Transgender Day of Remembrance- Commissioner Jason Dunn reported that the 2021 Transgender Day of Remembrance will be sponsored by the local PFLAG chapter and held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Youth in Need. More information on the event to be announced. E. Officer Nominations- Nominations for 2021 Officers 1. Nominations for Secretary/Treasurer- Vice Chair Tina Meier opened the floor for nominations for the Secretary/ Treasurer of the St. Charles City Human Relations Commission. A motion was made by Jason Dunn to nominate Staff Liaison Chuck Lovelace. Seconded by Commissioner Jessica Ross- Sutton. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Human Relations Commission Minutes Page 2  Meeting Minutes –October 21, 2021 2. Nominations for Vice Chairperson- Vice Chair Tina Meier opened the floor for nominations for the Vice Chairperson of the St. Charles City Human Relations Commission. No motions for nominations were received. Item tabled until the November 18, 2021 General Meeting. 3. Nominations for Chairperson- Vice Chair Tina Meier opened the floor for nominations for the Chairperson of the St. Charles Human Relations Commission. A motion was made by Commissioner Donalee Gastreich to nominate Commissioner Victor Ponce. Seconded by Dr. Suzanne Leake. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. The final officer vote will be held at the November 18, 2021 General Commission Meeting. F. HRC Strategic Plan- Discussion tabled until the November 18, 2021 General Commission Meeting. IX. Comments from Commissioners- No Comments X. Next Meeting- The next General Meeting will be held on November 18, 2021 at 4:30pm in the City Council Chambers. XI. Adjournment- After final discussions and there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Jason Dunn and Seconded by Council Liaison Denise Mitchell to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:31 p.m. CHUCK W. LOVELACE III, SECRETARY DATE Human Relations Commission Minutes Page 3  HRC Updates November 18, 2021 Babs Gellman – Chair ● Person of the Year Award The submission form will be included in the November news magazine. We have also requested it be included in the City’s e-news and on their FB page. The deadline for submissions is Dec 9th and nominations will be provided to HRC Commissioners on Dec 10th for voting on Dec 16th. ● Officer Election Process Once again, since many are new to the process, I thought I would share how I propose we manage the nomination process. This is based mostly on how this has been done in the past, with a few additions for clarity. 1. At the start of the Nomination process, I will ask a motion be made to adopt the process as detailed here. Changes to this process may be included in that motion. 2. Once nominations are officially closed, elections begin. 3. The Chair opens the elections, one position at a time, and in the following order: Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. 4. Elections for each position may take place in one of the following ways: a. We may choose to use the acclamation method for those running unopposed. A Commissioner may make a motion to elect by acclamation by stating “I move that we elect by acclamation.” That motion needs a second and our typical voice vote is then taken on the motion. For those elected by the method, the Chair announces “(Name of Commissioner) is elected by acclamation.” b. Alternatively, and where there are more nominees that available positions, a voice vote may/will be taken. For those elected by this method, the Chair announces “(Name of Commissioner) is elected.” 5. Current officers continue to run the meeting. At its conclusion, the elected officers take on their duties. ● Officer Nominating Process (here for reference - identical to what was shared last month) Since many are new to the process, I thought I would share how I propose we manage the nomination process. This is based mostly on how this has been done in the past, with a few additions for clarity. 1. At the start of the Nomination process, I will ask a motion be made to adopt the process as detailed here. Changes to this process may be included in that motion. 2. Nominations for Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer are made at the October meeting with elections held in November. Both should be included as an agenda item. New officers begin their role at the December meeting. Page 1  3. The Chair opens the nominations, one position at a time, and all Commissioners can verbally put forth names. After each nomination the Chair repeats the nominated person and position and asks if there are any more nominations. The Chair will give a few minutes of time so additional nominations can be made. The Chair will announce that “Nominations for (position) are Closed” when no further nominations are put forth. The Chair then moves to the next position. 4. Some additional information about nominations: a. Nominations will be taken in the following order: Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. b. A person can be nominated for, but not hold, more than one position. When voting takes place, should they be elected Chair, and they were also nominated for Vice-Chair, their name is removed from the voting for Vice-Chair. Those elected for Chair and Vice-Chair, are then removed from the voting process for Secretary/Treasurer, if they had also been nominated for that position. c. Nominations do not have to be seconded, but it is not out of order for a Commissioner to second a nomination to signal their endorsement. d. A person can nominate themself. e. A Commission can decline the nomination during the nomination process. f. Based upon the City ordinances, all three positions must be filled for the Commission to function. Chuck Lovelace – Secretary/Treasurer and Staff Liaison ● Budget: 2021 Total Annual Budget: $1,000.00 Remaining Budget total as of Oct 7th: $65.21 Spent Last Month: $0 Remaining Budget total as of Nov 4th: $65.21 We plan to purchase additional replacement badges with the remainder of the budget. These badges were an approved 2022 budget item. ● Concerns brought to the attention of the Commission: ○ No complaints were received. Page 2 ,' 5f r,,I i.r-rIt.l=-- .t, ^-r'5 e lia tllL ,tI& iLESEilIf E*tr Esif, F.ESPECT HAF.MOtIY UIIDEF.STAilDITIG :HO.8TI [-IflE,s IU.Q^? I BH I-f,E{ Gi\ [I II ilr$ a ::r @ ''"""'""""""""""""' Gffi $&:!I8 t: Rz'-f PN) ,4 STRATEGIC PLAN *--20;l+-20;14--- 70vJ- MM/DD/YYYY THROUGH MM/DD/YYYY COMMISSION APPROYED ON MM/DDIYYYY ovERvlEw The St. Charles Human Relations Committee was created by Ordinance f08-126 on June 18, 2008. lts formation was sparked by an incident in late 2007 which illustrated the need for the City of St. Charles to provide the Community with support when they faced unfair discrimination that infringed upon their Civil Rights. MtssloN To promote respect, harmony and understanding throughout the Saint Charles community, vtstoN An equal-opportunity community in which all persons respect one another and give and receive fairtreatment. GOALS OF THE COMMISSION Promote mutual understanding and respect among all social, racial, religious, cultural and ethnic groups in the community. Endeavor to eliminate pre.iudice among various groups in the community and create harmonious relationships among citizens, groups, agencies and departments within the City. CORE VALUES The Human Relations Commission's core values align with those common, those essentialto, diversity, equity and inclusion work: INTEGRITY: We assure reliability and honesty. We are ethical and respectful in all our endeavors and continually strive to apply high standards and best practices to make a direct and powerful difference in our community EDUCATION: We work to continually increase our knowledge of current trends and research related to our mission. We anticipate and adapt to changing conditions. INCLUSION: We embrace different abilities, perspedives and experiences, and are committed to the promotion of equity-welcoming, celebrating, and valuing the contributions of all. EMPATHY: We seekto understand, support, and actively listen to individuals in need of our services and convey compassion without judgement. PaEe 2 Rev a/27 /2027 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Our Strategic Priorities are driven by the City of St. Charles' Title I Government Code, Chapter 125 Boards, Commissions and Committees, Article XXX Human Relations Commission. 1.)LEGISLATION, POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES: EXISTING ORDINANCES Support efforts by law enforcement agencies, community groups and educational institutions to collect and review data related to the following and serve as repository for such data: (1) Patterns of discrimination and hate crimes. (2) Issues of civil rights and human rights. (3) Community relations efforts within the City. (125.1150) study, advise and make recommendations for legislation, policies, procedures and practices ofthe City and other public entities as are consistent with the purposes ofthis chapter. (125.1150) Regularly advise the Mayor and City Council, through distribution of its agenda, minutes, memoranda, reports and other pertinent documents, of the programs and activities being planned by the commission; the concerns or complaints concerning discrimination or hate crimes received by the Commission; the patterns within the complaints; and other terms of business before the Commission. (125.1160) Prepare an annual report for the Mayor and the city council concerning the Commission's activities under the provisions of this Section with recommendations and pertinent comments. {125.1160) 2.)EDUCATION: EXISTING ORDINANCES Disseminating such information and research as, in itsjudgment, will promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination in the City. (125.1150) Measuring the effectiveness of programs established to educate the citizens of St. charles in human relations issues and actions. (125.1150) Page 3 Reu a/27 /2027  3.)COMMUNITY AWARENESS & ADVOCACY: EXISTING ORDINANCES Plan activities or programs that increase understanding and respect among all residents ofthe City. (125.1150) Establish relationships and encourage dialogue with diverse groups within the community to identify and address tensions that may arise. (125.1150) Provide methods and resources for citizens to take concerns and complaints related to discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing; or related to bias incidents and hate crimes motivated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability of the victim. {125.1150) STRATEGIC PRIORITY I: LEGISLATION, POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES: Keep legislotion, policies, ptocedures ond ptoctices ofthe City ond other public entities, oligned with diversity, equity ond inclusion odvoncements mode ot the federol, stote ond locol level. PRTORITY ACTIVITES 1. Advise the Mayor and City Council on changes that have occurred (or are needed), providing information and recommendation for actior(s) to be taken by the City. a. Develop a process for advising the Mayor and City Council. illo b. ldentify DEI advocates (groups and individuals) who work in this area and how we can benefit from their knowledge and expertise. ll t- c. Review ordinances pertaining to the HRC to ensure that they consistently cover all areas of discrimination and make recommendations as needed to the City. ird d. Evaluated Bi-Lingual services and supports and make recommendations as needed to the City. lle e. Recommend Junete€nth be included in the ordinances as a City Holiday. tl( f. Re.ommend a lMinority and Women owned City Purchasing Policy. t,t g. Recommend the mayor/city creates a Diversity, Equity and lnclusion Statement. PaEe 4 Rev a/27 /2027  2. Regularly advise the Mayor and City council. a:O Nl-, a. Prepareanannual reportforthe Mayor and the City Council concernin8 the Commission's activities and recommendations. L O N'(, b. Distribute agenda, minutes, memoranda, reports and other pertinent documents, of the programs and activities being planned by the Commission. C 6 tT , c. Report concerns or complaints concerning discrimination or hate crimes received by the commission; the patterns within the complaints. \ AA d. Formulate a plan to present critical and/or time sensitive information directlyto the Mayor and City Council. STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2: EDUCATION Prcvide education on diversity, equity and inclusion ond encouroqing respect, homony and uhderstdnding, oimed ot minimizing or eliminotihg discfiminotion in the City, PRIORITY ACTIVITES 1. Recommend the City formally commitments to providing City Staff diversity, equity and inclusion training. o A. \ a, Recommend such training be included in ordinances as being required. b A. I b. Recommend such training be included in the City budget. AIc c. Recommend support and sufficient city resources be allocated to the development of a training plan using internal and/or external resources. 2, Collaborate with the Human Resource Dlrector for the city to implement DEI training for all city employees. )e4 a. Pla n a yearly calenda r of trainings available to a ll city employees. ,1,tr b b. Research new DEI training opportunities for all city employees. 3. Research and make recommendations of training opportunities for civl. or religious organizations, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, businesses and residents. ')-34 a. ldentify appropriate trainings. 6 b. Develop methods of sharing training opportunities and encouraging them to ^7 4. Measuring the effectiveness of educational programs, 2, t{ .t a. Research and developing appropriate tools for measurement. aq b b. Regularly report results. Page 5 Reu a/27 /2021  S, Enhance our digital plattorm including City web, social media resources and tools to increase reach and educate targeted audiences. 45.\ a. Work with the City's Media Department to provide educational information to City residents. 15b b. Provide timely content related to HRC's mission through Facebook and the HRC website. e.5c c. Regularly evaluate data to determine the public's awareness of HRc (ex: site traffic, social listening, search volume) and inform strategv. STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3: COMMUNITY AWARENESS & ADVOCACY Estoblish relationships and encouruge diologue within the community to incrcdse understonding ond respect omong qll rcsidents of the City. Advococy means going beyond having conversotions with people thot olready ogrce with you. PRIORITY ACTIVITES 1. Plan activities or programs that increase understanding and resped among all iesidents of the City. 3 i cr- a. Attend, sponsor or hold xx events held within the city/county each year, with a minimum ofthree Commissioners present at in-pergon events or actively participating in on-line events. Co NT. b. Person/Business of the Year Award. 2. Provide methods and resources for citizens to take .oncerns and .omplaints related to discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing; or related to bias incidents and hate crimes motivated be.ause of race, color, rellgion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability ofthe vidim. COMa, a, Continuetoprovideeasyaccesstocitizenstotakeconcerns,complaints,and suggestions to the HRc through the website, email, page, and city $(Facebook Hall lockbox. ]^b b. Proactively solicit thoughts and ideas from the public on what they need and want from the HRC and City. 34. c. Review data, monitortrends, and provide reports to the city. Page 6 Rev A/27 /2027 OUTCOMES Human Relations Commission activities enhance the likelihood of achieving the desired outcomes outlined below, ultimately ensuring we fulfil our mission. 1. lncrease the city's Municipal Equality lndex (MEllscore; 2. lncrease recognition ofthe HRC with city administrators, city staff, businesses, agencies and residents as successfully advocating for anti-discrimination action within St. Charles; 3. The City is recognized as providing solid protections under the law, and as welcoming, to people of all identities, 4. People of all identities are included, and have a voice, in what is happening within their community. Paee 7 Rev a/27 /2027