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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 5-26-2016 M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION May 26, 2016 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by Acting Chair John Klaus at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room 235 of Ames City Hall. Members present were Amy Harris-Tehan and Heidi Thompson. Raghul Ethiraj and Amy Juhnke were absent. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present for Public Forum. OLD BUSINESS A. APPROVAL APRIL 28, 2016 MINUTES: It was moved by Harris-Tehan, seconded by Thompson to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. PHOTO-OP WITH IRIS STAFF: The Commission briefly retired to the foyer to take a photo with IRIS staff. B. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF ANNUAL REPORT: Heidi suggested capitalizing the Commission’s name in a variety of locations. She also suggested modifications to the focus group section and the Civil Rights Symposium section. Brian will send out the most recent draft to the Commission and Heidi will make updates. Moved by Harris-Tehan, seconded by Thompson, to adopt the annual report with those modifications. Motion carried unanimously. The report will be on the agenda for the June 14th City Council meeting. Commissioners will be on hand to answer questions if needed. C. COMMISSION ACTIVITIES AT AMES FARMER’S MARKET: Amy Harris- Tehan reported there were a few spots available at the Farmer’s M arket. There is no cost for non- profit groups. However, there is a charge of $20 per day for the market to provide a table. Amy suggested waiting until June so the Commissioners could discuss the plans one more time. It was moved by Klaus, seconded by Thompson, to add this discussion to the next agenda. Motion carried unanimously. D. PLANNING FOR FOCUS GROUPS AND BROWN BAG WORKSHOPS: Because Amy Juhnke was not present, the Commission agreed to place this on the agenda for the next meeting. Moved by Harris-Tehan, seconded Thompson, to discuss this item at the June meeting. Motion carried unanimously. E. ADDITIONAL COMMISSION ACTIVITIES: Amy reported the party trailer was completely booked for the summer. The Commission discussed participating as a sponsor of the Roosevelt summer concert series. Heidi raised the point that she was not sure what other communities’ Commissions did for activities, and suggested that Commissioners should contact other Commissions to learn about their activities throughout the year for reaching out to the community. Amy stated she would contact Dubuque and Des Moines. John will contact Mason City and Cedar Rapids. Heidi will contact Iowa City and Davenport. Amy J. will be asked to contact Cedar Falls and Sioux City. Moved by Thompson, seconded by Harris-Tehan, to report back at the June meeting regarding other commissions’ activities. Motion carried unanimously. John indicated he was at an Ames Progressive Alliance meeting where the concern was raised about racial profiling. This may be a topic of conversation brought up at a future meeting. Topics to discuss include the training and experience of officers regarding this, and what issues the Police Department perceives in the community, and issues the Commission should be aware of and can help resolve. John will contact the Police Department and report back. Heidi suggested a similar conversation should occur with the School District. Heidi agreed to contact the School District to learn more. F. FUTURE REGULAR MEETING TIME: Moved by Harris-Tehan, seconded by Thompson, to set the meetings at 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. depending on Amy Juhnke’s preference. TIME AND DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING: June 23, 2016 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: There were no Commissioner Comments. ADJOURN: Commissioner Harris-Tehan moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.