Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, November 3, 2016 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Willie Dechavez Kozeta Elzhenni Stephanie Guran Susan Kattula Robert Lulgjuraj Dr. Steve Naumovski Iqbal Singh MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Omie Brooks Shawn Taylor 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 Dechavez, SECONDED by Naumovski. Approved 8-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Allen, SECONDED by Lulgjuraj. Approved 8-0. 5. Communication from Citizens:  Dechavez stated the members are invited to join the quarterly meeting of Welcoming Michigan, via a conference call on Friday, November 3rd, at 9:00 a.m. The number to call is 1-866-625-9936, enter code #5705181.  Giallombardo stated that Welcoming Michigan's goal is to help bridge the gap between newcomers and long time residents and to help the immigrants & refugees find resources and better acclamate to their community.  Dechavez also invited members to attend a one-day conference in Lansing on Nov. 11, for the Michigan Coalition for Immigrants & Refugees Rights. Let Dechavez know if you would like to attend and/or carpool.  Allen mentioned a letter in the "Speak Out" section of The Source, that questioned the agenda of the Ethnic Community Committee. Allen couldn't remember the exact wording of the letter, and asked the committee members if they had seen it. Dechavez suggested that a member of the committee or a representative from the city should write a rebuttal. Giallombardo stated that those letters are typically anonymous, but said she would try to find the letter. 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese   None 7. Agenda A. 2016 Diversity Distinction Awards - Selection  Giallombardo stated that she received six applications for consideration. Kattula reminded members that it was decided to try to limit the awardees to an agreed upon number, based on the nominees and their qualifications to receive an award.  The six nominees are as follows: o Antonio's Italian Market was nominated by Robert Lulgjuraj o United States Pinoys for Good Governance-Michigan was nominated by Iqbal Singh o Houda Diaconescu was nominated by Christina Sauve o Susan Kozloff was nominated by Susan Kattula o Mihaela Mitrofan was nominated by Carmen Bordea o Bozek's Polish Market was nominated by Steve Naumovski  Each nominee was discussed in detail, as to their qualifications and acomplishments that would make them deserving of a diversity distinction award.  Dechavez made a motion to award Antonio's Italian Market a diversity distinction award; motion was seconded by Kattula. Motion approved 8-0.  Naumovski made a motion to award USP4GG a diversity distinction award; motion was seconded by Singh. Motion approved 8-0.  Dechavez made a motion to award Houda Diaconescu a diversity distinction award; seconded by Guran. Motion approved 8-0.  Allen made a motion to award Susan Kozloff a diversity distinction award; seconded by Naumovski. Motion approved 8-0.  Elzhenni made a motion to award Mihaela Mitrofan a diversity distinction award; seconded by Dechavez. Motion approved 8-0.  Singh made a motion to award Bozek's Polish Market a diversity distinction award; seconded by Naumovski. Motion approved 8-0.  A complete list of the award recipients and their bios will follow with the minutes.  Giallombardo stated that she will order the award trophies and will ask Comcast to sponsor the cost, as they did in 2013.  Giallombardo stated that the next regular meeting will be held prior to the award presentation on December 3rd, at 6:00 p.m. A reception will follow the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the lobby outside of council chambers.  Members are welcome to volunteer to bring an appetizer. Please let Giallombardo know if you can bring something. Giallombardo will also purchase some items once she hears from everyone. B. Cultural Exchange 2017 - Friday, March 3  Giallombardo stated that the date of the 2017 Cultural Exchange will be Friday, March 3rd, from 6-10:00 p.m. at the Senior Center.  Participation forms will be available at the December meeting. Giallombardo said that if they are ready sooner, she will make them available to everyone.  Giallombardo reminded members of the lack of budget money that is available so please try to secure sponsorship, (as well as entertainment and food donations). Members are free to try to secure food donations on their own, or please forward the name of a restaurant lead to Giallombardo and she will follow up. 8. Receipt of Correspondence: None. 9. Old Business:  Naumovski congratulated Allen (20 year anniversay), Brooks (10 years) and Kattula (10 years) for their years of service that were recognized at the city's Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. He added that it's good for the committee to have committed members to serve as role models.  Dechavez stated that he Diversity Dinner sub-committee met and they would like to move forward with plans to bring back the dinner as a signature event of the committee, as opposed to presenting the awards at a city council meeting. Dechavez and the other sub-committee members are confident that the event will be a success. Allen asked what role the members not on the sub-committee would play in the planning of the event. Dechavez stated that the entire Ethnic Community Committee would take part in the planning of the event (venue, guest speaker, etc); the sub-committee was formed in order to get the ball rolling. 10. New Business:  Naumovski stated that he has had a hard time receiving daily police reports. Doyle said that there may be a problem with the server or his e-mail address and she will look into it.  Dechavez said that he is planning to visit the Philippines in November and will talk to the government leaders in Sorsogon City and Legazpi City; he would like to revive our city sister relationships. 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.