Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, June 4, 2020 regular meeting, via Zoom conference call. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Mohammed Alomari Willie Dechavez Kozeta Elzhenni Susan Kattula Iqbal Singh Carmen Williams Stacy Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Abbott Basal Abul Patwary Shawn Taylor OFFICIALS PRESENT: Community Relations Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Elzhenni, SECONDED by Alomari. Approved 8-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Allen, SECONDED by Elzhenni. Approved 8-0 5. Communication from Citizens: • None 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese: None 7. Agenda A. Building Bridges • Dechavez stated that he attended a virtual meeting regarding the Asian Pacific American celebration and Lt. Gov. Gilcrest was also in attendance. Dechavez stated that he wrote an article for the Michigan Filipino Star on the Asian Pacific celebration and also discussed incidents of discrimination against Asian Americans. Dechevaz also attended a webinar training titled Power at the Polls and attended the quarterly advisory meeting of Metromode newspaper. (Any community news and events can be forwarded to katewrites.freelance@gmail.com for inclusion in Metromode.)  • Dechavez reported that Michigan and Sterling Heights are doing very well in the Census 2020 campaign, and that Oakland County named Robin Carter-Cooper as their first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. • Allen stated that as this year’s Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day Parade, which was cancelled, she read a children’s book for the city’s facebook page. Giallombardo stated that she did an excellent job. Allen added that she has also been making phone calls to promote Census 2020. • Giallombardo reminded members to share photos and stories on the Sterling Heights Ethnic Community Committee facebook page by submitting information to Sharron or Kozetta. • Dechavez told members to continue networking during the summer. B. Diversity Distinction Awards • Giallombardo stated that the date of the Diversity Distinction Award dinner is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 23; however, due to the uncertainty of everything with the Covid-19 pandemic, Committee members need to discuss other options. Giallombardo said that planning needs to take place during the summer months, and it’s still unclear how many attendees would be allowed. • Giallombardo said that there are two other options: the first being to hold the dinner at the Community Center, with a cater and tables spaced far enough apart to adhere to social distancing; the second option would be to honor the recipients at a City Council meeting, with a short reception in the lobby prior to the presentation. Due to budget issues, this type of recognition was done for three years in lieu of the dinner. • Dechavez stated that he would be in favor of holding the event at the Community Center; adding that if each member sold one table of tickets, along with the tables for awarees, there could be about 130 attendees. Dechavez noted that a dinner is a nicer way to highlight the event. • Allen agreed. • Alomari asked if the caterers would be possible to have halal food, if the event were at the Community Center; Giallombardo stated that she would look into it after a decision has been made. • Kattula stated that the Committee should be respectful of everything in regards to Covid-19, adding that people might be too nervous to attend a large gathering, especially the elderly. Kattula noted that the event would fall in line with Welcoming Week, which is September 11-20. • Giallombardo stated that Community Relations could arrange to highlight each recipient with an indepth interview and a program at the Council meeting. The date of the Council meeting would be Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7:00 p.m. and the reception would begin at 6:30 p.m. Photos could be taken after the presentation. • After further discussion, a MOTION was made by Alomari to honor the Diversity Award recipients at a City Council meeting on Sept. 15, SECONDED by Kattula. Approved 8-0. • Elzhenni stated that she will be nominating Stephen Slancik, principal at Schuchard Elementary. • Giallombardo said that she will coordinate a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, August 12 so that members can vote on the recipients, and stated that nomination forms will be due by August 7th. Giallombardo will send out criteria for the award nominees, and the forms. Forms will also be available on the city’s website. 8. Old Business: • Giallombardo stated that the plan to change the name of the Ethnic Community Committee will be on the agenda for the City Council meeting on July 7, and will be voted on for approval at the Council meeting on July 21. • Allen inquired about a refund for the ticket that she purchased for the Breakfast of Nations; Giallombardo will follow up. 9. New Business: • Giallombardo stated that the City ordered four different banners for the peaceful protest that will be taking place on Hall Road, near the Halo, in response to the George Floyd incident; she asked if any members will be attending the protest and if so, would they like to carry a banner. Allen stated that she would like one. Giallombardo will have Melanie Davis contact Allen for delivery of the banner. 10. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.