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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - September 22, 2022Minutes AMES HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Conference Room 235 City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue Thursday, September 22, 2022 Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:36 p.m. by Vice Chair Wayne Clinton. Members present were Lynette Plander. City of Ames Staff Liaison Deb Schildroth and Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer 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. Approval of Minutes: Moved by Plander, seconded by Clinton, to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2022 and August 3, 2022. Motion carried unanimously. Application Timeline for AHRC Awards: Vice Chair Clinton reviewed the proposed schedule and discussed how to generate a more timely response to the application. Commissioner Chunhui Chen entered the meeting at 5:39 p.m. Vice Chair Clinton noted that the Commission had received a positive response regarding the awards presented on a yearly basis and wondered if there were other areas or times of year that it would be appropriate to present awards. Housing Coordinator Baker-Latimer shared that June in Homeownership Month. She noted her efforts in trying to create more awareness surrounding Homeownership and stated that may be something the Commission would like to consider in the future. Vice Chair Clinton shared his supported for recognizing Homeownership Month and expressed that the Commission should evaluate other ways to partner as the topic is relevant to the Commission’s strategic plan. Moved by Plander, seconded by Chen, to approve the proposed timeline for the Humanitarian and A Home for Everyone Awards. Motion carried unanimously. Symposium on Building Inclusive Organizations: Housing Coordinator Baker-Latimer stated that this would be the fifth year of the Symposium, which will take place on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Drive. She noted the schedule of events for the day and the attendance options. Ms. Baker- Latimer shared that AHRC Chair Jahmai Fisher has been a part of the planning proce ss on behalf of the Commission. Vice Chair Clinton expressed his hope to expand the business circle attending the event. He noted that meaningful change happens when more people buy in. Assistant City Manager Schildroth agreed and asked the Commission to help promote the event. Moved by Chen, seconded by Plander, to approve a $1,000 contribution to the Symposium on Building Inclusive Organizations. Motion carried unanimously. 10th Ames Chinese Cultural Festival: Chen presented the invitation to the 10th Annual Ames Chinese Cultural Festival. He stated that the Ames Chinese Language Academy (ACLA) has collaborated with the Ames Public Library to host an annual festival since 2009, to showcase students’ talents and achievements. The event also offered an opportunity for Ames residents to enjoy different cultures and heritage free of charge. More than 500 people attended the most recent event, which was hosted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chen noted that the festival will resume this year on Sunday, October 30, 2022 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Avenue as the 10th anniversary of the event. He expressed that the festival organizers would like to extend an invitation to the Commission as well as the Mayor and City Council Members to attend the event and provide a welcome to participants. Vice Chair Clinton shared that he was impressed by the attendance at the Chinese New Year celebration and expected the festival to be equally as successful. He state d his support for the Commission to make a formal request to the Mayor and City Council. Plander asked if the Commission could also help advertise the event on social media. Chen replied in the affirmative and noted that he could provide a flyer to promote. Vice Chair Clinton asked to also promote the event by placing in on the October 27th AHRC meeting agenda. Strategic Plan: Assistant City Manager Schildroth reviewed the strategic plan , noting that the Commission updates the plan every two years. Vice Chair Clinton stated that this is a great opportunity to revise statements that are no longer working, and he welcomed all input. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator: Assistant City Manager Schildroth that the job description for the DEI Coordinator had been written, scored, and posted. She read through the responsibilities of the position including serving as Staff Liaison for AHRC and reviewed the closing date for applications. She encouraged the Commission to reach out to individuals who may be well suited for the position and invite them to apply. Vice Chair Clinton asked if the DEI Coordinator candidates will be providing a public presentation as part of the onsite interviews. Assistant City Manager noted that AHRC will have a role in the interview process. Speaker Invitations: The Commission discussed agencies and organizations to reach out to with speaker invitations as well as the format and spacing of the invitations. All members agreed to invite Jodi Stumbo with the Bridge Home to the October Meeting and Plander noted that she would facilitate the invitation. November Meeting Date: Assistant City Manager Schildroth noted that the November meeting was currently scheduled for the Thursday of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Commission agreed to move the November meeting up one week to Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. Social Media: Plander reviewed possible trivia questions to share on social media and engage residents. She noted that each of the questions that she researched h ighlighted Latinx Heritage Month. The Commission discussed how to reach residents that do not use social media and reviewed the possibility of partnering with the Ames Public Library to feature trivia questions in the Library’s publication Page One. The Commission agreed to start with one trivia question to better understand how to manage responses and evaluate how to gain traction. Commissioner Announcements: Chen inquired about the Iowa State University student representative for the Commission. Assistant City Manager Schildroth noted that she had not yet heard back from Iowa State University Student Government representatives on the appointment. Assistant City Manager Schildroth announced that the City of Ames is working on a Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan. As part of the plan, multiple opportunities are planned for Public Input. She also noted that there will be a focus group. She shared that she would provide the Commission with information about the focus group and asked for their assistance in reaching community members who may be able to serve as a member of the group. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. Adjournment: Vice Chair Clinton adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m.