Human Relation Commission Meeting

URBANA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES June 12, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Frances Rigberg Baker, Lisa Mosley, Peter Resnick, Rizwan Uddin MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Daniel Larson, Eric Smith, Aisha Lamb Sobh STAFF PRESENT: Todd Rent 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Acting Chair Resnick called the meeting of the Urbana Human Relations Commission to order at 5:35 p.m. Roll was taken. A quorum was present. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Rigberg Baker made a motion that the agenda be approved as presented. Ms. Mosley seconded the motion. Mr. Resnick called for a voice vote. All were in favor. The motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The draft minutes of the April 10, 2013, and May 8, 2013, meetings were reviewed. Ms. Rigberg Baker made a motion that both drafts be approved in omnibus fashion as presented. Ms. Mosley seconded the motion. Mr. Resnick called for a voice vote. All were in favor. The motion carried unanimously. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was none at this point in the meeting. 5. OLD BUSINESS There was none. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Taxicab Licensure & Prior Conviction – Councilmember Carol Ammons Councilmember Carol Ammons addressed the Commission with regards to Section 26- 28(a)(3) of the Urbana City Code, which pertains to taxicab licensure. Ms. Ammons noted that some of the language in this section, pertaining to the qualifications of taxicab drivers, was of concern to her as well as to other Councilmembers. The language as written places limitations on drivers with felony convictions within four years prior to operation of a taxicab, as well as restrictions on those who have been released from Urbana Human Relations Commission Minutes – June 12, 2013 2 incarceration within four years prior to operation of a taxicab. Ms. Ammons asserted that this is contradictory to Urbana’s own Human Rights Ordinance and sought to have such language removed from the aforementioned section of City Code. James Kilgore, Secretary of Citizens with Conviction, addressed the Commission. Mr. Kilgore outlined for the Commission points that were presented previously to City Council by Citizens with Conviction regarding this issue. Aaron Ammons, President of Citizens with Conviction, addressed the Commission. Mr. Ammons spoke regarding the difficulties and impediments to employment faced by those with prior felony convictions. In his capacity as President, he asserted that Citizens with Conviction supports removal of the aforementioned restrictive language from Section 26- 28(a)(3) of the Urbana City Code. Comments and questions from the Commission were addressed by Ms. Ammons, with additional input by Mr. Ammons. The Commission then heard comments from Mr. Rent. There was discussion with regards to the Commission passing a resolution in support of changing Section 26-28(a)(3) of the Urbana City Code to remove the aforementioned restrictive language. B. Memo on EEO Compliance Activities Mr. Rent introduced the topic of Commission oversight of workforce diversity and/or diversification as it relates to contractors and vendors hired by the City of Urbana. Comments and questions from the Commission were addressed by Mr. Rent. The Commission also addressed comments from Aaron Ammons. 7. STAFF REPORT A. Approval of EEO Workforce Statistics The EEO Workforce Statistics were reviewed and staff recommendations for approval were as follows: Paul Conway Shields o Recommend 2 years Pipevision Products, Inc. o Recommend 1 year SHI International Corp. o Recommend 2 years Zones, Inc. o Recommend 2 years Clark Dietz, Inc. o Recommend 6 months Community Resource, Inc. o Recommend 2 years Delta Dental of Illinois o Recommend 2 years Urbana Human Relations Commission Minutes – June 12, 2013 3 Hoerr Construction, Inc. o Recommend 6 months Insituform Technologies USA, Inc. o Recommend 1 year Michels Corporation o Recommend 6 months SAK Construction, LLC o Recommend 1 year Springfield Electric Supply Co. o Recommend 6 months Visu-Sewer of Missouri, Inc., d/b/a Walden Technologies o Recommend 1 year Ms. Mosley made a motion that the Commission approve Paul Conway Shields for two years; SHI International Corp. for two years; Zones, Inc. for two years; Clark Dietz, Inc. for six months; Community Resource, Inc. for two years; Delta Dental of Illinois for two years; Hoerr Construction, Inc. for six months; Insituform Technologies USA, Inc. for one year; SAK Construction, LLC for one year; and Springfield Electric Supply Co. for six months. The motion was seconded by Mr. Uddin. Ms. Rigberg Baker proposed a friendly amendment to Ms. Mosley’s motion, to wit: that it include approval of Pipevision Products, Inc. for one year; Michels Corporation for six months; and Visu-Sewer of Missouri, Inc., d/b/a Walden Technologies for one year. The amendment was accepted by Ms. Mosley and Mr. Uddin. Mr. Resnick called for a voice vote. All were in favor. The amended motion carried unanimously. B. HRO Activity Report Mr. Rent reviewed the monthly activity report with the Commission, addressing Commission comments and questions during the course of his review. C. Budget Report Mr. Rent reviewed the monthly Budget Report. There was no new activity to report since the previous meeting of the Commission. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no general announcements however the Commission and City staff discussed the possibility of holding a public hearing in July 2013 regarding the proposed rule on prior conviction as a protected class. Such hearing would replace the regular monthly meeting for July. Urbana Human Relations Commission Minutes – June 12, 2013 4 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Uddin made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Ms. Rigberg Baker seconded the motion. Mr. Resnick called for a voice vote. All were in favor. The motion carried unanimously and Mr. Resnick declared the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tony Weck Recording Secretary