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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 12-28-2017M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION December 28, 2017 This regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by Chair John Klaus at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 235 of City Hall. Commissioners Heidi Thompson and Anneke Mundel were present. Commissioner Joel Hochstein was not present. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. PUBLIC FORUM – There was no one present for public forum. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 30, 2017 – Moved by Heidi, seconded by Anneke to approve the minutes from November 30. Motion carried unanimously. DECISION ON 2018 AMES HUMANITARIAN AWARD – John noted there were four worthy nominees. Heidi noted that one of the nominees conducted many activities that were work-related. Anneke noted that person had also attended many meetings on their own time that were outside of work. It was moved by Heidi, seconded by Anneke, to select Heather Withers for the Humanitarian Award. Motion carried unanimously. John offered to get the medallion made tomorrow. He asked if a press release could be sent out a week before the ceremony indicating that Heather would be honored. John will contact the nominators whose nominees were not selected to inform them another individual was selected. AHRC STRATEGIC PLAN – John noted the plan is now complete. It was moved by Anneke, seconded by Heidi, to accept the Strategic Plan as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. QUARTERLY EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND PROPOSED ROTATION OF TOPICS – Heidi noted she had developed a plan for rotating topics. It would involve Employment from January through March, Fair Housing from April through June 2018, Public Accommodation from July through September 2018, Education from October through December 2018, Credit from January through March 2019, Housing from April through June 2019, Employment from July through September 2019, and Public Accommodation from October through December 2019. It was moved by Anneke, seconded by Heidi to approve this Program of Quarterly Educational Events and maintain it in the Commission’s files. Motion carried unanimously. ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTATION IN MARCH – John reminded the Commission that it would work in January and February to complete the report for a discussion with the City Council in March. DIALOGUE WITH INCOMING ELECTED OFFICIALS IN JANUARY – John noted he had spoken with the Mayor-elect and Council Member-elect and both are interested in attending the January meeting. Heidi suggested explaining to them the challenges the Commission is facing and explaining the Commission function. MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX SCORECARD – Since Joel was not in attendance, this topic will be delayed to the next meeting. PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION – Heidi stated there needed to be a connection between each issue. Anneke noted the value of collecting feedback from the community. John asked whether the Commission needs to become more educated themselves. Anneke suggested getting feedback from interest groups such as NAMI or NAACP. Heidi suggested first coming up with questions to ask these groups. Heidi mentioned she had also come up with a list of dates that were significant to the Commission’s areas of focus. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – Anneke noted she had attempted to contact one of the Ames High students who participated in the walk-out, but had not heard anything back. John said he didn’t think there was much to be accomplished there. Brian read the draft of the January meeting agenda to ensure it included the items the Commission wished to have included. NEXT MEETING: JANUARY 25, 2018 The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.