Human Relation Commission Meeting

URBANA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES October 9, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Frances Rigberg Baker, Daniel Larson, Tyler Morrison, Lisa Mosley, Peter Resnick MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Eric Smith, Aisha Lamb Sobh, Rizwan Uddin STAFF PRESENT: Todd Rent, Chief Connolly 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Larson called the meeting of the Urbana Human Relations Commission to order at 5:32 p.m. Roll was taken. A quorum was present. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was proposed that item 6A on the agenda (“Discussion of Cannabis Enforcement in the City of Urbana [Chief Connolly]”) be moved such that it follow item 4 (“Public Participation”). There was no objection. Ms. Mosley made a motion that the agenda be approved as amended. Mr. Resnick seconded the motion. Chair Larson called for a voice vote. All were in favor. The motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Rigberg Baker made a motion that the minutes of the September 11, 2013 meeting be approved as presented. Ms. Mosley seconded the motion. Chair Larson called for a voice vote. All were in favor. The motion carried unanimously. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was none. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion of Cannabis Enforcement in the City of Urbana (Chief Connolly) Chair Larson introduced Urbana Police Chief Patrick Connolly, who presented information and statistics to the Commission regarding the enforcement of cannabis laws by the Urbana Police Department in the City of Urbana. Chief Connolly addressed comments and questions from the Commission following his presentation. Urbana Human Relations Commission Minutes – October 9, 2013 2 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Enforcement of Prior Conviction Record (Public Comment Packet) Mr. Rent presented the Commission with a packet containing written commentary from the local business community on the proposed rule regarding enforcement of “prior conviction” as a protected class. Mr. Rent addressed comments and questions from the Commission following a brief update on the status of the proposed rule. 7. NEW BUSINESS (continued) A. Taxicab Licensure Proposal Mr. Rent presented a memorandum to the Commission outlining the position of the Human Relations Office on the subject of amending the City’s taxicab license ordinance (Section 26-28[a][3]) to more closely reflect the City’s efforts to enforce “prior conviction” as a protected class. It was the recommendation of the Human Relations Office that the City modify Section 26-28(a)(3) to ensure that the provision is specifically designed to (1) achieve the stated goals of ensuring public health, safety, and welfare; (2) minimize any disparate impact to African-American and Latino applicants, and; (3) minimize the likelihood that any individual with a prior conviction will be unduly excluded from receiving a City taxicab license. The Human Relations Office also recommended the development of a written policy that allows any individual denied taxicab licensure under Section 26-28(a)(3) to appeal said denial to a review committee. Following his presentation, Mr. Rent addressed comments and questions from the Commission. 8. STAFF REPORT A. Approval of EEO Workforce Statistics The EEO Workforce Statistics were reviewed and staff recommendations for approval were as follows:  Fehr Graham o Recommend 6 months  Koenig Body & Equipment, Inc. o Recommend 1 year  Varsity Striping & Construction Co. o Recommend 2 years Ms. Rigberg Baker made a motion that the Commission approve Fehr Graham for six months; Koenig Body & Equipment, Inc. for one year; and Varsity Striping & Construction Co. for two years. The motion was seconded by Mr. Resnick. Urbana Human Relations Commission Minutes – October 9, 2013 3 Following discussion of the statistics between the Commission and staff, Chair Larson called for a voice vote. All were in favor. The 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. Since the previous meeting of the Commission there were no changes in the budget. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Larson introduced the newest member of the Commission, Tyler Morrison, who in turn gave the Commission and staff a brief background himself. The Commission welcomed Mr. Morrison to its membership. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chair Larson declared the meeting to be adjourned at 6:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tony Weck Recording Secretary