CommUNITY Alliance

STERLING HEIGHTS CommUNITY Alliance Minutes of Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Meeting Location: Community Center Members Present: Stacy Bahri, Cindy Bjornson, Sandy DelVillano-Marchi, Tatrika Graphenreed, Michael Mazur, Rich Rubba Members Absent: Nakia Powell-Thomas Representing the City: Melanie Davis Meeting called to order at 6:12 p.m. Commissioners introduced themselves and new member Sandy Del-Villano Marchi introduced herself as well. Sandy was appointed to fill the remainder of Tim Doppel’s term through June 2024. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion to approve the meeting minutes of the February 22, 2023 CommUNITY Alliance made by M. Mazur; Seconded by R. Rubba and voted all in favor. ELECTIONS FOR VICE CHAIR AND SECRETARY: Motion to elect C. Bjornson as Vice President made by S. Bahri; Seconded by R. Rubba and voted all in favor. Motion to elect Tatrika Graphenreed as Secretary made by S. Bahri; Seconded by C. Bjornson and voted all in favor. AGENDA ITEMS: A. Group Bonding Exercise – as N. Powell-Thomas was not present, we did not hold an exercise this month. B. Strategic Plan Updates a. Cultural Exchange – M. Davis stated this event would be held in the same time frame next year, and the group agreed it worked out very  well to participate and offer up a few of the items for the Disability Workshop at the table to generate interest. b. Disability Awareness Workshop –R. Rubba said he felt the event was great with good attendance and hitting all the points. The group discussed targeting nurses, caregivers and PT professionals, etc. next year as well as outreach to scout troops again. The group discussed the potential for adding a resource table or two to the event next year. T. Graphenreed said she knows someone from MI Works First who would probably want to have a table. M. Davis noted that the sponsor from PCSI may want a table as well. C. Bjornson noted that lessons learned include that we need a minimum of three hours for setup and that we need to find the battery bucket and plug-in larynx unit first as we are setting up the stations. c. Human Library – M. Davis noted we have six confirmed books, but one has backed out, so we’d like to find at least one more book. T. Graphenreed mentioned her contact who is an MSP police officer is still interested. M. Davis will circulate the book link again as well as the flyer and Facebook event link to the entire group. M. Davis noted we have a few volunteers, and this event will not be as volunteer heavy as the disability event. S. Bahri noted she is unable to make the library event. d. DEI Networking Event - M. Davis noted that Ike’s Restaurant has said they would be willing to do free light appetizers and cash bar on Tuesday, May 23 for a “new resident” networking event. N. Powell- Thomas has forwarded ideas for an ice breaker Bingo. M. Davis will begin working on a flyer and promotion following the Human Library event. She will check with assessing to get the list of new residents of SH over the past two years to start and see where we go from there. e. The group discussed when we will do the Pride Flag Raising event this year, and consensus was to schedule it for Thursday, June 1 at 6 p.m. (first day of pride month and the first day of Dodge Park Thursdays) so most council members will already be on site, and we can do more proactive promotion that we are holding this for our residents to come out and join us. We will again invite Macomb County Pride to participate as well. f. DEI checklist/barrier free gaps – M. Davis noted that we did not receive dedicated funds in our budget to cover expenses the group noted as priorities. However, we can still work with Parks and Recreation and Facilities when we see something that needs to be  addressed and both work within existing budgets to resolve and/or do some crowdsourcing and grant seeking to achieve our goals. g. Resolutions/Social Media – M. Davis noted that we have begun writing resolutions now so that they will be adopted in perpetuity. It may take us a few years to spread them all out and get them all adopted, but once we have done so, we will no longer need to put them on a council agenda each year. Instead, we can focus our energy on promoting the cause and the City’s support of same on social media, etc. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business at this time. NEW BUSINESS: M. Davis noted that the City’s African American Coalition will be hosting the second annual Juneteenth event on Friday, June 16 from 5:30 – 9 p.m. at the Dodge Park Farmers Market Pavilion. The group is seeking vendors, performers and sponsors, and she encouraged Alliance members to assist them in promotion for the event and their needs wherever possible. S. Bahri noted that the annual Breakfast of Nations event is scheduled for May 19 from 8-10 a.m. at the Chaldean Community Foundation. This year’s theme is business owners who are refugees or immigrants. She encouraged Alliance members to promote and attend. M. Davis noted that the City is embarking on a new podcast series called “I Am Sterling Heights” which will feature stories of residents who are doing compelling things (could be a hobby, something educational, something philanthropic, something entrepreneurial, etc.) She asked members to share the names and contact info for anyone they know who has an interesting story to tell and she’ll contact them to see if they are interested in being a guest on the podcast. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m. on a motion from S. Bahri and second by C. Bjornson.