Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the May 3, 2017 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Mohammed Alomari Willie Dechavez Kozeta Elzhenni Marta Guran Robert Lulgjuraj Dr. Steve Naumovski Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor Alvin Thomas MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Kattula OFFICIALS PRESENT: Citizen Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION to add "Legal Status of Committee" to agenda, by Alomari; SECONDED by Dechavez. Approved 9-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Dechavez, SECONDED by Singh. Approved 9- 0. 5. Communication from Citizens:  None 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese  Giallombardo stated that Reese had a prior engagement. Giallombardo added that the city is promoting a new program with the Police Department called CORE, Community Outreach & Engagement. Each district of the city has its own Resource Officer assigned to help build relationships. Kozlowski added that if any committee members have ideas, please share them. Alomari asked if the CORE officers were aware of the Ethnic Community Committee. Kolzowksi stated that she will let the officers know that the committee members are available for outreach. Singh suggested that the officers be invited to a future meeting. Dechavez asked with the ethnic composition of the police force is. Kozlowski stated that she will follow up and added that Chief Berg and the rest of the police force continue to do outreach to attact a more diverse pool of applicants. 7. Agenda  A. 2017 Diversity Dinner  Dechavez stated that the success of the diversity dinner will fall on the members of the committee; he encouraged members to invite guests and sell tickets so that the event is a successful fundraiser.  Giallombardo will mail invitation letters once the guest speaker has been confirmed.  Dechavez submitted a list of suggested guest speakers and asked all members to send any suggestions to Giallombardo. Dechavez added that once all of the suggested speakers are compiled, the sub-committee will meet to select their top choices. Giallombardo will follow up with invitation letters. The proposed criteria was discussed; it was agreed upon that the guest speaker should have somewhat of a celebrity status, a person of extraordinary accomplishment, bio should highlight cultural diversity, and their presence should spark interest and generate attendance.  Giallombardo stated that she contaced four banquet facilities in Sterling Heights: Century Banquet Hall, Macedonian Cultural Center, Villa Penna and Wyndam Garden. Century Banquet Hall gave the best quote for a sit-down, family style dinner.  It was decided that ticket prices would remain at $30.00. Dechavez suggested that complementary tickets be given to the Mayor and City Council, and the performer(s), but any additional tickets would be purchased.  Dechavez suggested securing an MC for the event, in addition to a guest speaker. Elzhenni stated that the MC should be the Chair or Vice Chair. Giallombardo added that since the event is sponsored by the Ethnic Community Committee, the members should be involved as much as possible.  Members should send suggested guest speakers to Giallombardo by May 9th, Sub-committee members will meet on May 11 or May 12 to finalize the top three. Any committee members that would like to be involved in the selection process can be a part of the sub-committee. B. Legal Status of the Ethnic Community Committee  Alomari stated that he would like to pursue the process of changing the status of the committee to a commission; one reason being to possibly establish a larger budget. Alomari added that he has been in conversation with City Attorney Marc Kaszubski, who stated that there is a list of requirements that would have to be met first, and asked if the committee would be interested in going forward.  Alomari and Kaszubski also discussed the process of allowing residents to attend the meetings. Alomari stated that since the committee was originally established as an Ethnic Advisory Committee, then changed to the Ethnic Community Committee, the committee technically is not a public body and does not need to report back to City Council or have "open" meetings. Iqbal suggested that guests should be asked why they are attending the meeting and what their agenda is. Giallombardo stated that this would be difficult to track, as most residents/guests do not give prior notice that they would like to attend. Giallombardo will look into adding something to the website, possibly asking residents to send an e-mail or contact Community Relations if they would like to attend a meeting, then share this with the committee and let the members decide.  Dechavez made a MOTION to pursue the avenue of changing the Ethnic Community Committee's status to a Commission, pending a review of the requirements. SECONDED by Elzhenni; Approved 10-0.  Alomari will reach out to Kaszubski and report back. 8. Old Business:  Dechavez talked with Jason Groth at the Library, regarding having an Ethnic- themed showcase at the library, which would bring more attention to the committee and the various cultures of Sterling Heights. Groth gave Dechavez approval for a showcase, but the committee would need to purchase the showcase. Giallombardo will research prices.  Allen stated that she received an e-mail from a Polish group that will be participating in the Memorial Day Parade, and asked if they could be staged near the Ethnic Community Committee. Giallombardo stated that would be possible, along with any other groups that would like to walk along with the committee.  Dechavez stated that USP4GG will be having marchers along with a float; Dechavez encouraged members to ask groups that they are affiliated with to participate in future parades. 9. New Business: None 10. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.