Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission Minutes 03/27/2025Minutes AMES HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Conference Room 235 City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue Thursday, March 27, 2025 Call to Order: Vice Chair Annabella Marquez called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Commissioners Pablo Suarez Beltran, Shawn Kenny, and Marty Martinez and Engagement Coordinator Casandra Eames were also present. Approval of Minutes: Moved by Marquez, seconded by Kenny, to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2025, meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Fair Housing Month Planning: Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer invited commissioners to attend the presentation of the Fair Housing Month proclamation at the April 8 City Council meeting. The theme is “Fair for All.” In partnership with the Central Iowa Board of REALTORS, the Housing Department and the Ames Human Relations Commission will host a screening of the documentary “Divisible” at the Ames City Auditorium on April 24. Public Forum: Sarah Cady invited the Commission to participate in an upcoming event hosted by Back Alley Houseplants. A plant sale benefiting One Iowa and Food at First will be held on May 3. The Commissioners discussed having a Quarterly Meet & Greet at the event. Selection of A Home for Everyone Award Recipient: Vice Chair Marquez noted that two nominations were received and the commissioners engaged in discussion about the nominations. Voting was conducted by secret ballot, and Kathy Pinkerton was selected as the 2025 recipient. Update on Review of Municipal Code Chapter 14 – Human Relations: Coordinator Eames noted that Legal had not provided an update yet. FACES Event Planning: Commissioner Suarez Beltran shared the draft email to send to potential partner organizations. The commissioners considered reaching out to Ames High School clubs. Commissioner Suarez Beltran planned to send the email to India Cultural Association, Puerto Rican Student Association, ISU Chinese Staff/ Faculty Association, NAACP, ISU Multicultural Student Affairs Office, and Arab Student Association. Commissioner Wayne Clinton joined the meeting virtually at 6:32 p.m. and Commissioner Martinez left the meeting at 6:40 p.m. 60th Anniversary of the Iowa Civil Rights Act: Commissioner Kenny reported an underwhelming experience at the Zoom meetings, which did not actually include any discussion of a celebration of the 60th anniversary. The commissioners discussed the value in hosting a meetup for Iowa HRCs in the month of June to network, coordinate, and collaborate. Budget Update: Coordinator Eames reviewed the monthly budget report, noting that a healthy balance remained for possible new events. There was widespread agreement with Commissioner Kenny’s suggestion of making this agenda item a permanent fixture. The commissioners discussed the idea of keeping tickets to the Fair Housing Month documentary screening affordable and debated whether additional funding would be needed to accomplish that goal. Moved by Marquez, seconded by Kenny, to direct staff to share with Coordinator Baker-Latimer the commission’s preference for the tickets fees to be capped at $6/person. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Suarez Beltran returned to the idea of using some of the budget balance to host a gathering of Iowa HRCs. The commissioners drafted an email for Casandra to send out with a poll surveying interest for several Saturdays in June. Coordinator Eames planned to share information at the next meeting about events planned by student organizations that the commissioners may desire to financially support. Upcoming Events: Quarterly Meet and Greet – Commissioner Kenny planned to reach out to Sarah Cady about the event discussed in Public Forum. Commissioner Announcements: Everyone wished Commissioner Clinton well as it was his last meeting. Coordinator Eames reviewed that elections for Chair and Vice Chair would be held at the next meeting. Commissioner Suarez Beltran reported that the Boards and Commissions luncheon went well and a number of coloring books were distributed. Next Meeting: April 24, 2025 Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.