Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, February 11, 2016 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mohammed Alomari Susan Kattula Robert Lulgjuraj Dr. Steve Naumovski Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharron Allen Omie Brooks Stephanie Guran OFFICIALS PRESENT: Citizen Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo Community Relations Director Bridget Doyle 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call  Due to the resignation of Chairman Andrew Pulford, Vice Chair Dr. Steve Naumovski will Chair the meeting. 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Alomari, SECONDED by Kattula. Approved 7-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Kattula, SECONDED by Lulgjuraj. Approved 7-0. 5. Communication from Citizens: None 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Linda Deprez:  Deprez stated that there are no significant events happening at the Police Department this time. She added an organization of Middle Eastern federal agents recently met with members of the police department and WCS Superintendent Robert Livernois; the group will helping in the schools and will act as a liaison between the schools and the police department. 7. Agenda A. Election of Officers - Chair and Vice Chair  Giallombardo asked for motions to nominate members for Chair and Vice Chair.  Kattula made a motion to nominated Taylor for Chairperson. Taylor accepted. Motion seconded by Naumovsi. Motion approved 7-0.  Kattula made a motion to nominate Alomari for Vice Chairperson. Alomari accepted. Motion seconded by Singh. Motion approved 7-0.   Taylor thanked the members and added that he has lived in the city for ten years and ran for City Council in 2010. Taylor stated that he is a business owner, performs home inspections and is a motivational speaker. Taylor is married, has two daughters and is happy to be a part of the committee.  Alomari stated that he is an attorney, and now has a solo practice after practicing non-profit law for a long time. He added that he has been a resident of the city for 43 years, is married, has four children and is Iraqi-American.  Naumovski asked that Taylor and Alomari continue with the same platform that has been in place since the inception of the committee. B. 2016 Cultural Exchange  Giallombardo distributed a layout of the participation to date and stated that sponsors for the program are going well, and added that she is still working on restaurant participation.  Alomari and Taylor decided to co-host the event. Doyle asked if they would like to have a short meeting to discuss how the event is run and the role of the MC. A meeting was tentatively scheduled for March 1st at 9:30 a.m.  Kattula stated that she would like to display her nativity scenes once again the in gym area.  Giallombardo asked members to arrive at the event by 5:30 p.m. to help greet guests and to be ready for the 6:00 introductions. Giallombardo added that she will keep members up to date as it gets closer to March 4th. 8. Receipt of Correspondence: None. 9. Old Business: None. 10. New Business:  Doyle stated that she recently visited with staff from the DIA and will be organizing a field trip to the DIA for members of the Ethnic Community Committee and the Art Commission. The committees somewhat overlap and Doyle stated that this trip will be a nice way for members to meet one another and enjoy a night at the DIA. The bus will leave City Hall around 5:00, then there will be a casual meeting followed by individual tours of the DIA. Giallombardo will forward details as soon as they are finalized.  Kattula stated that Pam Lavers, with One Macomb, is working with Macomb Community College and starting a Student Ambassador program. Kattula said that she would forward the information to Singh so that he could forward it to William Dechavez, who is a teacher and a former member of the committee. Giallombardo added that Dechavez recently applied to be re-appointed to the committee.  Kattula stated that she recently attended a Student Summit with over 1,500 students in attendance and said it was a wonderful event.  Doyle stated that there are two vacancies on the committee and said that someone will be appointed on February 16 and another likely appointed on March 1.  Naumovski stated that he was sorry that he had to miss the MLK Dinner due to his health issues. 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.