Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, February 19, 2015 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mohammed Alomari Ike Cabase Ann Jerzowski Steve Naumovski Andrew Pulford Iqbal Singh MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharron Allen Omie Brooks Susan Kattula OFFICIALS PRESENT: Citizen Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo Community Relations Director Bridget Doyle 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Naumovski, SECONDED by Jerzowski. Approved 6-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Jerzowski, SECONDED by Alomari. Approved 6-0 5. Communication from Citizens  Naumovski referenced the e-mail that he forwarded to fellow members, regarding an invitation to a fundraising event, for victims of severe flooding in Macedonia.  Pulford asked if there was a donation fee. Naumovski stated there was a $20.00 fee. Alomari asked how the funds get to the organization that set up the fundraiser. Naumovski said the funds are wired to an account set up in Macedonia.  Pulford stated that he received two phone calls from residents, regarding an incident in Dearborn where a woman was arrested for a traffic misdemeanor. During the booking process, following Dearborn Police policy, the woman was forced to remove her hijab. Pulford was asked if Sterling Heights had any policies relating to the incident. He then contacted Sgt. Deprez, who stated that there are no set policies at this time. Deprez added that if an individual is taken into custody, the officers will check under anyone’s head piece, (hat, hijab, etc.) as a safety issue. Deprez followed- up with her captain, who then presented the issue to the city attorney. The city attorney is currently working on a current policy to address such issues.  A discussion followed about suggested proper procedure and the importance of not violating anyone’s religious beliefs. Deprez will keep the committee posted. 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Linda Deprez: None 7. Agenda Items A. 2015 Cultural Exchange  Giallombardo distributed status reports as to participants to date, stating that there are still a few spaces available for entertainment, but they are filling up fast. Also, donations have exceeded last year’s total of $1,750, which includes a $500 Gold Sponsor donation from International Experience, an organization for exchange students.  Giallombardo asked Pulford if he would like to MC the evening, to which Pulford politely declined. Giallombardo then asked Cabase if he would like to MC again, and added that he was very successful the last two years; Cabase accepted.  Jerzowski asked if members of the committee could help generate donations by standing at each donation box, politely asking for donations. Pulford offered to monitor the donations near the food line entrance.  Jerzowski reminded everyone that the event falls during Lent, and perhaps we should try to have more non-meat dishes. Giallombardo stated that she will ask restaurant managers for suggestions, and will try to add new items. Cabase stated that the event is only meant to offer “samplings” from a variety of restaurants and cultures, not a full meal. Singh added that we should show some sensitivity to all visitors.  Giallombardo suggested that members arrive close to 5:30 p.m. to greet guests. Giallombardo asked that members with table displays have their displays ready prior to 5:45 p.m., so that all members can report to the staging area by 5:55 p.m. for introductions and photos. B. Getting to Know Your Neighbor - Panel Discussion  Pulford stated that the group has not discussed the “Getting to Know Your Neighbor” panel lately, and said that he would like to make some progress.  Giallombardo said that she tentatively reserved Thursday, May 14, 2015, 6:30 p.m. at the Library Programming Center.  Pulford suggested focusing on a multi-cultural panel, with a mixture of panelists that have a variety of backgrounds.  Alomari suggested that they focus on either ethnicity or religion (not both) since there are five panelists and only a 2-hour window.  Pulford would like to address as many areas as possible: their background, religion, political views, relationships with their neighbors, employment, etc.  Deprez suggested that it would be difficult to focus on religion, since it is such a sensitive topic to discuss.  It was decided that the sub-committee present would meet for a short time at the close of the regular meeting, and follow-up with the entire committee at the March meeting. The sub- committee members that are present include Alomari, Naumovski and Pulford. 8. Receipt of Correspondence: None. 9. Old Business: None 10. New Business: None 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.