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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - September 26, 2024, AHRC MinutesMinutes AMES HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Conference Room 235 City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue Thursday, September 26, 2024 Call to Order: Vice Chair Brennan Sorkin called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Commission Members Annabella Marquez, Shawn Kenny, Pablo Suarez Beltran, and Wayne Clinton and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator Casandra Eames were also present. Chair Chunhui Chen and Commissioner Marty Martinez were absent. Public Forum: Vice Chair Sorkin opened and closed the Public Forum when no one came to speak. Approval of Minutes: Moved by Clinton, seconded by Kenny, to approve the minutes of the August 22, 2024, meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Legal Aid of Story County – Landlord/Tenant Rights Training: Legal Aid Executive Director Peggy Michelotti and Paralegal Beck Michelotti presented an overview of housing contract law, discussing the steps in the eviction process and sharing the importance of written documentation of interactions with landlords. Director Michelotti reviewed the ways that Legal Aid can assist clients. Feedback from Pridefest: Commissioner Clinton noted a larger turnout than in previous years and shared that the coloring books ran out around 3:30pm. Suggestions for the future included purchasing a canopy tent (Marquez), making available an informational flyer about the Commission (Clinton), purchasing a banner to pin to the front of the table (Beltran), and developing a clear takeaway message to share (Kenny). It was noted that Commissioner Beltran donated a tablecloth. The group discussed comments made in the public forum at a recent City Council meeting regarding security at Pridefest. Coordinator Eames shared that the Police Chief responded to the comments, explaining that special events are required to provide a safety plan. Humanitarian Award: Vice Chair Sorkin reviewed the changes emailed by Chair Chen and Commissioner Martinez. Coordinator Eames reviewed the goals of increased tangibility and transparency in the nomination form. The Commissioners discussed possible changes. Moved by Clinton, seconded by Marquez, to adopt the recommended edits from Commissioner Martinez and add an optional field for additional information/documentation. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Sorkin, seconded by Marquez, to set the due date for Humanitarian Award applications for November 29. Motion carried unanimously. Upcoming Events: • 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 20: Commissioners Beltran and Marquez are the point people for this event. Commissioner Marquez shared that Hy-Vee and Wheatsfield are donating refreshments for the event. She planned to order sandwiches from Jimmy John’s. Vice Chair Sorkin volunteered to make a beverage for the event and planned to coordinate with Chair Chen on delivery of remarks at the event. It was agreed that the Commission should purchase a canopy at some point for future outreach events. • Kate Mitchell Multicultural Night: Coordinator Eames shared that the event will be held on November 12 from 5:30-7:00pm and the Commission was invited to participate again. Moved by Beltran, seconded by Marquez, to participate in the event. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Marquez volunteered to be the point person for the event, and Coordinator Eames planned to email out the signup link. Commissioner Announcements: Commissioner Beltran shared initial drafts of new pages for a future coloring book edition and relayed that Ames History Museum offered to share information for more individuals to include. Coordinator Eames noted that the chair of the Dubuque Equity and Human Rights Commission had reached out and encouraged the Chair and Vice Chair to respond. She also shared that, in past years, the Commission had been the organizer of a multicultural community festival called FACES. This meant that the City could provide insurance backing for some community events, which is another potential resource that could be offered in future partnerships. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 24, 2024 Moved by Clinton, seconded by Beltran, to reschedule the November meeting from November 28 to November 14 and the December meeting from December 26 to December 12. Motion carried unanimously. Adjournment: Vice Chair Sorkin adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.