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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 8-25-2016 M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION August 25, 2016 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by Chair John Klaus at 5:37 p.m. in Conference Room 235 of Ames City Hall. Members present were Heidi Thompson and Amy Harris-Tehan. Raghul Ethiraj was absent. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. 2. PUBLIC FORUM: No one was present for public forum. 3. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 28, 2016 MINUTES: It was moved by Thompson, seconded by Harris-Tehan to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 1, 2016 MINUTES: Heidi offered amendments to the minutes. It was moved by Harris-Tehan, seconded by Thompson to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 16, 2016 MINUTES: It was moved by Harris-Tehan, seconded by Thompson to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. 6. DISCUSSION WITH DR. REG STEWART, ISU VP FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: John introduced Dr. Reg Stewart. Dr. Stewart indicated his appreciation to the Commissioners for their work in the community. He asked what the Commission was hoping to achieve by having his participation in the meeting. John indicated that the Commission doesn’t receive many complaints, but could use some help in reaching out to the community. Dr. Stewart suggested that the Commission could look at ways communities have tried to contend with growth and change. He brought a copy of the Diversity and Equity Plan for Eugene, Oregon for the Commission to review. He asked the Commission to consider why they are doing their work, and to identify the value of that work. Convince others of that value. Dr. Stewart explained that the activities of the Commission may need to be more tailored to the experience of a variety of people in the community so the Commission’s work is less abstract to others. He cautioned that the Commission must be prepared for push -back from people who feel it is not worth the time or effort to focus on the experiences of minorities. Dr. Stewart indicated that you must know what the questions are. The Commission must learn how to identify a problem versus an issue. An issue is a symptom of a problem, but people spend their time chasing the issue instead of the root problem. The approach used to make the community more friendly to the LGBT community may be different than the approach to make the community more friendly to the African-American community. Raghul Ethiraj arrived at 6:05 p.m. Dr. Stewart indicated Planning is the first of three “P’s.” The Commission should make a clear statement about what its purpose is. He suggested the Commission should take a critical look at what it wants to be. A baseline is an important component to have. He offered that he could assist in conducting data collection. Dr. Stewart stated that Policy is the second “P.” There are three key policies he worked on at ISU: the Free Expression Policy, a policy to address work-restricted religious holiday accommodations, and the bias reporting system. The third “P” is personnel. Once the groundwork is laid, who is going to implement it? If it isn’t staff members at the City, the work must be operationalized by the volunteers. Heidi indicated appreciation for what Dr. Stewart has stated. She mentioned the Commission has worked on a strategic plan. The question was how to coordinate with other organizations in the community to work together. Dr. Stewart responded that different organizations hav e different capabilities, but a City-wide task force would be a good approach. However, sometimes you have to focus on demographic-specific issues. It isn’t discounting other experiences to do that. John explained how the local ordinance is created and the focus on investigations. Dr. Stewart stated that it is important to de-couple the investigatory and advocacy components. It isn’t a good approach to have both those elements overlap. It is important to have a robust ability to reach out and communicate to people, separate from an enforcement process. Heidi asked that the Strategic Plan be a discussion on the agenda for the next meeting, and that the investigators be invited to attend. 7. WORLDLY GOODS REUSE, REPURPOSE, RECYCLE MARKET: Heidi noted that the event organizers would be open to having a Commission booth at the event on Sunday. The issue was whether people could cover the booth. Raghul and Amy will be available to staff the booth. 8. AMES FARMER’S MARKET: Amy stated that some people stopped by to talk. She said a landlord had come by and said he had been unfairly reported on. Amy said in hindsight, the Farmer’s Market was probably not the best use of our resources. 9. COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS SERIES: Heidi suggested that the Commission should evaluate this in the context of Dr. Stewart’s comments. John suggested that this could be a good point to discuss with the Ames Progressive Alliance. Amy suggested that there be another working meeting in September to review the Strategic Plan. Heidi indicated she would respond back to the Ames Progressive Alliance. Lynne suggested that there are people who might facilitate a strategic planning session for free. She suggested Jim Black or ISU Extension might facilitate. 10. BROWN BAG WORKSHOPS: Heidi agreed to email Amy Juhnke to get an update as to the Know Your Rights seminar. Heidi reminded the Commission that it was discussed to have a session in the Library and on campus. Raghul could arrange a room on campus. 11. FOLLOW-UP FROM SPECIAL MEETING REGARDING THE CONFEDERATE FLAG: An email has been drafted to send to the City Council. As an agenda item for next month, the Commission would like to discuss inviting Dr. Stewart to host a talk at the Ames Public Library and inviting the Chamber groups to attend. The draft email was revised and Heidi will forward a copy to the City Clerk for dissemination to the City Council. 12. BUDGET: There was a review of the budget. Moved by Thompson, seconded by Harris- Tehan, to print up to 300 additional brochures for Commission events. Motion carried unanimously. 13. TIME AND DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING: September 22, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. City staff will poll the Commissioners for a Thursday around 5:30 p.m. to hold a work session to discuss the Strategic Plan. 14. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Raghul indicated that the Student Government has the Iowa State Daily at meetings, and wondered whether the Commission would like to invite the Daily to attend and report on Commission meetings. John stated he received an email from George Belitsos, who indicated he was involved in a church group working to do something with refugees. He has asked whether the Human Relations Commission would like to be a supporter. The Commission agreed that John would invite George to report at public forum at a future meeting. The working meeting agenda will also discuss what the Police Chief should be asked to discuss at the next meeting. Heidi indicated the IRIS Peace Walk is before the next regular Commission meeting. Lynne Carey suggested that the Commission bring a poster board and sticky notes and pose questions for people to respond to. The Commissioners were receptive to this concept. Amy will bring materials for this. Brian mentioned that the Commissioner vacancy would be posted soon, and that the Commissioners could generate interest in applying. ADJOURN: Commissioner Thompson moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.