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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 4-28-2016M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION April 28, 2016 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by Chair Amy Juhnke at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room 235 of Ames City Hall. Members present were John Klaus and Amy Harris-Tehan. Raghul Ethiraj and Heidi Thompson were absent. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present for Public Forum. OLD BUSINESS A. APPROVAL OF MARCH 24, 2016 MINUTES: It was moved by Klaus, seconded by Harris-Tehan to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. B. ANNUAL REPORT: John and Amy J. have submitted their components. Amy J. has proposed a suggested due date via email. She will send another email to the commissioners tonight with roles. NEW BUSINESS A. IRIS PEACE WALK PARTICIPATION AND PLANNING: Del Christensen of IRIS was present to explain IRIS’s work and the IRIS Peace Walk, planned for Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Ada Hayden. It will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He invited the Commission to participate and also to sponsor the event again this year. Last year the Commission sponsored the event at $500. It was moved by Klaus, seconded by Harris-Tehan, to sponsor the IRIS Peace Walk at $500. Mr. Christensen indicated the event was well-attended last year. Mr. Christensen requested that the Commission’s logo be sent to him for use on promotional materials. The motion carried unanimously. B. FOCUS GROUP FOLLOW-UP: Amy J. recapped the three focus group activities. There were no attendees at the Public Library. The focus group on campus involved more of an outreach event, with brochures being passed out. More than 100 brochures were passed out. Passersby asked questions and had conversations with commissioners. Amy J. asked that the presentation about unfair housing practices given at an event sponsored by Vanessa Baker- Latimer be put on the Commission’s webpage. John indicated that he participated in the Food at First focus group. Conversations were had with a number of people. Conflict areas included pets and the quality of housing. Amy J. indicated that if the Commission conducts these types of focus groups again, ask the hosting organization to invite members to participate. John suggested going to the places on the Commission’s contact list. John and Amy J. indicated they would like to try focus groups again. C. BRAINSTORM COMMISSION ACTIVITIES FOR THE SUMMER: Amy J. indicated she hopes to plan and conduct more focus groups and host a brown bag lunch workshop. Another activity not on the strategic plan is to produce some public service announcements. Amy H-T inquired as to whether the Commission has a presence at the Farmer’s Market. Amy J. indicated no. Amy H-T agreed to investigate the possibility of participating in the Farmer’s Market. Amy asked that we put this topic on the next month’s agenda. Amy H-T suggested participating in the orchestra camp at the Bandshell, which draws a number of participants of diverse backgrounds. She also suggested hosting an event involving the block party trailer at Roosevelt Park, and agreed to investigate the availability of the trailer. D. FUTURE REGULAR MEETING TIME: It was agreed to hold one more meeting at 6:00, and then the Commission will consider another meeting time when Raghul is present. TIME AND DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING: June 23, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – Amy H-T inquired as to whether the whole Commission should attend the Council meeting to present the award. It was agreed that the Commission should be present if possible. Brian indicated that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission had provided a new complaint intake form and also that City staff capacity has been constrained to the extent that complaints are currently being transferred to the ICRC for investigation. ADJOURN: Commissioner Klaus moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.