Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Unofficial minutes of the Thursday, November 9, 2017 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Talil Abrhiem Sharron Allen Mohammed Alomari Willie Dechavez Kozeta Elzhenni Susan Kattula Robert Lulgjuraj Shawn Taylor MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Steve Naumovski Iqbal Singh Alvin Thomas OFFICIALS PRESENT: Citizen Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Kattula, SECONDED by Allen. Approved 6-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Elzhenni to approve the minutes as amended to correct 2017/2018 meeting dates, SECONDED by Kattula. Approved 6-0. 5. Communication from Citizens:  Talil Abrhiem is the newest member of the Ethnic Community Committee; Abrhiem works for the Chaldean Community Foundation, teaches classes online and is a 35-year resident of the city with 2 children. 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese  None, Reese was absent from meeting. 7. Agenda A. 2017 Diversity Distinction Awards  Giallombardo stated that she received many positive comments on the event; council members enjoyed the event and were very complementary.  Dechavez stated that he had a large group of attendees from the Filipino community and he would like to see more guests from other groups attend future dinners.   Allen said that the committee needs to re-visit the criteria for the nominees, and suggested broadening the requirements for nominees, i.e. that they only need to live and/or champion diversity in Macomb County, as opposed to Sterling Heights. Giallombardo added that even though all of the recipients were very grateful and appreciative, two of them didn't live in Sterling Heights or promote diversity in Sterling Heights.  Kozlowski stated that since the budget item wasn't approved until July, it only left a short time for planning. Going forward, there will be more time to seek out qualified nominees.  Elzhenni suggested reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce to help get the word out and encourage more people to submit nominations. 8. Receipt of Correspondence: None 9. Old Business:  Dechavez asked what the status was on the display case for the library. Giallombardo shared the prices of the three samples that she found online. She stated that she will research sizes and will talk to Jason Groth at the library to see what will fit. Giallombardo will also look at committee's escrow account balance to see what's available.  Dechavez asked if the committee could re-visit the idea of hosting a Holiday Celebration, perhaps in the Programming Center of the library. He said that the event would educate residents and make them aware of the many holidays that are celebrated throughout the city with the different cultural groups.  Allen stated that she liked the idea and agreed that it could be discussed further.  Kattula suggested combining the event with A Sterling Christmas. Kozlowski said that that might not be a good idea; Sterling Christmas is a Parks & Recreation sponsored event and is pretty busy already.  Abrhiem suggested hosting the event separately and calling it a Sterling Holiday and reaching out to the different churches to invite their parishioners.  Giallombardo stated that she realizes members have been asking for business cards; however the Graphic Designer has been out on medical leave, so they have been put on hold. 10. New Business:  Giallombardo stated that she researched the DTE Energy Foundation for grant donations. The foundation will give from $500 to $2,000. However, the money is only available to 501 (C) (3) organizations, which neither the city nor the committee is. Community Relations will look further into this opportunity. 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.