HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - January 26, 2023, AHRC MinutesMinutes
AMES HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Conference Room 235
City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Vice Chair Wayne Clinton.
Commission Members Chunhui Chen and Lynette Plander and City of Ames Staff Liaison Deb
Schildroth were also present.
Public Forum: Vice Chair Clinton opened the Public Forum. No one was present to speak, and
Vice Chair Clinton closed the Public Forum.
Agency Presentation: Plander introduced Jodi Stumbo, President and CEO of The Bridge
Home. Stumbo presented highlights of The Bridge Home’s 2021-2022 Annual Report,
discussing the services which the agency offers to the community, including outreach, diversion,
shelter, and supportive housing. Vice Chair Clinton expressed gratitude for the agency’s work
and Stumbo’s willingness to speak with the Commission.
Sponsorship Opportunity with Parks and Recreation: Craig Kaufman, Auditorium,
Bandshell, and Community Center Manager shared that the City Auditorium would be bringing
in a regional act that was similar to a past event that ARHC supported. Geneviève Salamone is a
violinist, producer, film composer, and designer from the Huron-Wendat Nation. Based out of
Des Moines, she raises awareness for causes like survivors of childhood sexual abuse, Missing
and Murdered Indigenous Women, and residential schools. The events, scheduled to be held in
the City Auditorium, include:
• Thursday, March 23, 2023: afternoon workshop for school-age children
• Thursday, March 23, 2023: evening lecture open to the public
• Friday, March 24, 2023: evening concert open to the public titled “‘The Healing Power of
Music’ In Concert with Geneviève Salamone”
Discussion ensued with Kaufman about funding sources, and Vice Chair Clinton stated that the
Commission could commit to promoting the event. Staff Liaison Schildroth confirmed that
information for the event could be added to the Commission’s webpage, and commissioners
could distribute fliers or brochures to their networks. Kaufman indicated that he would pass
further information about the event along as it became available.
Approval of Minutes: Moved by Plander, seconded by Chen, to approve the minutes of the
December 15, 2022, meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion of MLK Jr Community Celebration and Humanitarian Award: Vice Chair
Clinton reported that the event was successful, highlighting the youth choir, the keynote address
by City Council Member Anita Rollins, and the social event in the gymnasium.
Update on the City’s DEI Coordinator Position: Staff Liaison Schildroth provided an update
on the DEI Coordinator search, indicating that the commissioners would have an opportunity to
attend a meet-and-greet with an individual who would be interviewing in the near future.
Discussion on Updating the Strategic Plan: Chen noted that members were supposed to submit
modified sections of the strategic plan to Chair Fisher, who would no longer be able to compile
the changes. Staff Liaison Schildroth offered to incorporate the modifications to date. Vice Chair
Clinton observed that the deadline to prepare the annual report for the City Council would be
coming up soon, so waiting for input from the DEI Coordinator might not be feasible. Chen
volunteered to examine other sections of the strategic plan after the month of February.
Commissioner Announcements: Staff Liaison Schildroth announced that a press release asking
for nominations for the Home for Everyone award was released earlier in the day. The award is
given in April for Fair Housing Month. The commissioners discussed emailing past nominees to
make them aware of the press release, which Staff Liaison Schildroth volunteered to do.
Vice Chair Clinton shared that the NAACP would be holding its annual Freedom Fund Banquet
for Black History Month. He also noted that two new commissioners would be joining the group
in April, as Chair Fisher and Plander would not be serving again.
Staff Liaison Schildroth inquired whether the March commission meeting could be moved from
March 23 to March 30. Everyone agreed, so the March meeting date was set for March 30, 2023.
Next Meeting: February 23, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.
Adjournment: Moved by Plander, seconded by Chen, to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.