Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the April 5, 2018 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Mohammed Alomari Abbott Basal Kozeta Elzhenni Susan Kattula Abul Patwary Iqbal Singh Shawn Taylor MEMBERS ABSENT: Willie Dechavez Steve Naumovski OFFICIALS PRESENT: Citizen Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call --Abul Patwary was recently appointed to the Committee. Abul stated that he has lived in Sterling Heights for 18 years, is from Bangladesh, and is a pharmacist at Detroit Medical Center at Harper Hospital and a board member of AMDA. --Abbott Basal was also appointed to the Committee. Abbott has lived in Sterling Heights since 1996 and works in Informations Technology at Chrysler. 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Alomari, SECONDED by Allen, to approve as amended to add "Communications from Sterling Heights Police Dept". Approved 8-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Alomari, SECONDED by Elzhenni. Approved 8-0. 5. Communication from Citizens:  None 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese  Reese announced that there will be a full time police officer in each of the city's high schools: Ford, Stevenson and Sterling Heights High  Reese said that the department is preparing to implement a new program similar to DARE, called SMART Moves: Skills, Mastery and Resilience Training, for school children in 5th and 6th grades.  Reese said that National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 7th and suggested that the Ethnic Community Committee have a table. Giallombardo will arrange for the table as we get closer to August. 7. Agenda A. 2018 Cultural Exchange Wrap-up  Giallombardo stated that the event was very successful; based on the bus count, plates used and overall crowd, Giallombardo said that it was one of the largest crowds to date. Giallombardo added that she only received positive feedback from participants and visitors.  The Cultural Exchange will be at the Senior Center in 2019 but will likely be held at the new Recreation Center in 2020. B. Election of Officers - Chair & Vice Chair  Giallombardo stated that the floor was open for nominations of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.  Elzhenni nominated Allen for Chair, Allen declined.  Allen nominated Elzhenni for Chair; seconded by Kattula. Elzhenni accepted.  Patwary nominated Kattula for Vice Chair; seconded by Allen. Kattula accepted.  Kozetta stated that she has lived in the city since 1992, has two children, works as a paralegal and loves being a part of the Committee. She added that there is nothing that she would change about the Committee, but may have some suggestion with time.  Kattula stated that she has been on the Committee for a long time, is serving her third term on the Warren Consolidated School Board, runs a program for refugees with special needs, has five children and also loves being a part of the Committee. In regards to making changes, Kattula added that she would like the Committee to get back to hosting Diversity Panel Discussions, would like the Cultural Exchange to be all in one room, and would like the Diversity Awards to be presented at City Council meetings. 8. Receipt of Correspondence  Kozlowski presented a letter form the city's 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, asking for a donation representing the Ethnic Community Committee to be placed into a time capsule that will be opened 50 years from now. Kattula said that she will donate a large flag showing flags from all of the countries around the world. 9. Old Business:  Alomari spoke with City Attorney Marc Kaszubski regarding the status of changing the Committee to a Commission. The Committee was formed as an Advisory Committee in 1990, and is not considered a public body. As a commission, a larger budget might be considered. The process is still in discussion. Kozlowski noted that the City Administration is very supportive of the Committee; adding that she will be addressing Diversity and Inclusion in her next budget presentation. 10. New Business:  Allen asked about the Breakfast of Nations event coming up on April 13th. Giallombardo will forward the invite to all members. Tickets are $25 per person, and members will be reimbursed if they would like to attend.  Allen stated that even though the city has a diverse population, she doesn’t see diversity among the Boards & Commissions, City Council or the police force.   Reese stated that the Police Chief and Command Officers are working to recruit a more diverse police force, but the applicant pool isn't always diverse.  Alomari stated that members need to encourage diverse members of the community to run for political positions.  Taylor noted that he ran for City Council in 2008 and wasn't treated very well by residents as he was gathering signatures; he joined the Ethnic Community Committee to try to improve things.  Giallombardo stated that she mailed out over 100 letters to past entertainment groups, inviting them to march with Committee members in the Memorial Day Parade. 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.