Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 12-29-2016M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION December 29, 2016 A special work 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. The meeting room was modified to accommodate another meeting; signs identifying the change in location were posted. Members present were John Klaus, Victoria Knight, Joel Hochstein, Heidi Thompson, and Amy Tehan. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. 2. PUBLIC FORUM: Richard Deyo explained that he is a nudist. Yesterday he went to the Cemetery and learned that the rules of the Cemetery prohibit unaccompanied children, and therefore a nudist park seemed to be a good idea. John responded that the Commission would look into the Cemetery rules as they relate to age discrimination. OLD BUSINESS 3. NOVEMBER 17, 2016 AND DECEMBER 8, 2016 MINUTES: It was moved by Heidi, seconded by Joel to correct Richard Deyo’s name in the December 8 minutes. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Joel, seconded by Heidi, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously. 4. INCLUSIVE AMES SUBCOMMITEE: Amy reported that the first meeting will be held in the new year. At Amy’s request, Brian provided her with the requirements regarding posting the agenda and recording minutes. 5. HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT SELECTION: John read the names of the nominated individuals. John asked how the Commission would like to proceed. It was moved by Joel, seconded by Amy, to select Jamet Colton. Joel explained that all the nominees were excellent and deserving, but that Jamet’s nomination was the most timely when it came to current issues. Motion carried unanimously. John reported that the award would be bestowed at the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration. John will inform the recipient and Victoria will obtain the medallion. Heidi suggested that the nominators and nominees should receive a letter thanking them. She agreed to draft and send them. 6. HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN AND MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX: Joel outlined the index and stated he and others felt the City scored low compared to what we know its services to be. The index provides a good roadmap to increasing welcomeness and equity in the LGBTQ community. He thought the Commission would be a good vehicle to raise this issue with the City Council. He proposed a group would look at how the City fell short and give effort in enhancing those areas. Joel indicated one area that the City fell short in was in not having an LGBTQ liaison in the Mayor’s or Manager’s Office, and Lorrie Hanson had interest in serving in that capacity. Lorrie stated she felt the City was perhaps not active in promoting its efforts to be non-discriminatory. Amy asked if a liaison was needed to represent this group, was a liaison needed for other protected classes. Similarly, if the City worked to reach the LGBTQ metrics in this dataset, would it need to do so in metrics related to other diverse communities? Heidi mentioned that during the development of the last strategic plan, there was an emphasis on LGBTQ issues as an area the Commission wanted to explore further. It was moved by Amy, seconded by Heidi, that Joel and Heidi meet again with the other individuals to review the Municipal Equality Index report and provide specific recommendations to the Commission regarding actions to be taken by the City to improve the Municipal Equality Index. Motion carried unanimously. 7. PLANNING FOR MLK CELEBRATION: Victoria reported the cake quantity was reduced, and there was a request for the Commission to contribute for the printing of the programs. Vanessa Baker-Latimer is working on the design of the cake. Victoria reported the programs will be $80 and the cost is requested to be covered by the Commission. It was moved by John, seconded by Amy, to approve the printing of programs in the amount of $80 from the AHRC budget. Motion carried unanimously. John stated he would be willing to present the Humanitarian Award at the event. Heidi asked if there could be pictures taken of the award and event. Amy agreed to take pictures. 8. FOLLOW-UP FROM INVITATION FROM IMAM JAILY: John recalled there was a discussion about this at the last meeting. He was on KHOI radio with the imam earlier in the month. He felt there would be a movement towards more of that kind of discussion, and it was something the Commission should think about in the future. KHOI was interested in having an ongoing dialogue with the Commission on discrimination topics. It was moved by Joel, seconded by Heidi, to have John talk with KHOI about setting up a regular spot for the Commission. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Amy, seconded by Heidi, to add to the January agenda a discussion about ways the Commission can assist the Ames Muslim community in interacting with the larger community. Motion carried unanimously. John agreed to contact the Islamic Center to have a representative present at the next meeting. 9. LIBRARY PROGRAM: TALK RACE: Heidi reported that the Commission’s role could primarily be in publicizing the program. Amy suggested the Commissioners put out a press release and share information on social media. Heidi will keep in contact with Mary at the Library to find out what else can be done. 10. AHRC STATEMENT REQUESTING REPORTS ON DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES: Amy reported that she was waiting for an email address to send the reports to. Heidi suggested that some people may not know the term “xenophobic.” Amy will work on that section. It was moved by Amy, seconded by Heidi to move this item to the next agenda for further discussion. Motion carried unanimously. 11. KHOI PARTNERSHIP: John noted this was already discussed earlier in the meeting. 12. RESPONDING TO PREACHING IN FAVOR OF PROHIBITED PRACTICES: Amy reported that the notion here was to be prepared with pamphlets to hand out to passersby during times the preacher on campus was present making inflammatory statements. She reported that she and Joel, as University employees, have been told they cannot engage in that kind of activity. John asked whether there is any good in going out and handing out pamphlets at that time. Amy stated the students generally do a good job of resisting the preacher’s speech. John stated he really liked the way the Commission responded to the white supremacist posters. It drew a positive reaction. He suggested perhaps the Commission should keep its options open for responses like this if needed. 13. AMES REFUGEE ALLIANCE: John indicated he hadn’t heard any further about this, but this item can be brought up in the future if he hears more. 14. FOLLOW-UP REGARDING AHRC EMAIL ADDRESS: It was moved by Amy, seconded by John to have emails to the AHRC email address be forwarded to the Commission and discussed as needed during Commissioner Comments, after staff reviews emails for complaints and processes those separately. Joel expressed that there should be some kind of tracking of incidents that don’t rise to the level of complaint. Amy stated she had also thought of that, but wanted to see what is received before that step is taken. Heidi wondered if there should be a rotating duty for responding to the emails in a timely manner. John suggested sending a response to each email saying thank you, we have received your email and will discuss it during the next Commission meeting. Joel expressed concern that discussing an issue during Commissioner Comments and then going on the next agenda is a two-month process, and not very timely. Additionally, he was concerned people may not be aware that there is a public record of things discussed in a Commission meeting. Motion withdrawn. It was moved by Amy, seconded by Victoria, to move ahead with creating an AHRC email address and develop a canned response to emails regarding incidents of bias, and further discuss ways in which the email address can be used to interact with the community. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Heidi, seconded by Amy, to update any AHRC electronic documents to include the email address, so when they are next printed they have been updated. Motion carried unanimously. 15. LOCAL INVESTIGATION RESPONSIBILITIES: John stated that training can be provided by ICRC if requested. Heidi asked Brian to explain what the issues are in becoming fully prepared to investigate, conciliate, and adjudicate a complaint. John asked whether there was merit in having complaints investigated locally. Amy expressed support for having complaints investigated by the state. Joel stated his opposition to removing the ability for the City to investigate complaints locally. He also indicated he believed additional protections should be provided in the local ordinance, and that the power to enforce that should be held locally. Amy believed the Commission should stay the course for now, but revisit this discussion when the City Attorney’s Office may be in a position to provide the Commission counsel regarding how it can conduct its investigating responsibilities. Joel felt it would be beneficial to continue to look at this issue. John believed the complaints should continue to be investigated by the state until further notice. Joel explained he would review the local code and make recommendations for changes. 16. ANNUAL REPORT: Amy moved, Heidi seconded that the last report be distributed to the Commission on Dropbox for Commissioners to review and prepare suggestions for revisions at the next meeting. John, Heidi, Joel, and Amy would claim sections to begin writing updates prior to the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 17. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Amy reported that at 5:30 on January 7, there is an event at United Church of Christ called Tearing Down the Walls. Joel reported that APA steering committee is meeting January 4 at 7:00 with AHRC reps and the Library to discuss next steps from the Inclusive Ames event. He also reported the dates the facilitation roundtable questions will be reviewed. A rep from the Commission will be in attendance at each meeting. Joel also noted that he had sent the Commissioners documents regarding Community Policing. Heidi noted that based on the complaints data John had received from the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the numbers of complaints in various classes had increased over the prior year. She asked John if it was possible for the state to tell the Commission how many complaints resulted in a finding of probable cause. Amy asked if there was an interest in having the Commission meet again in early January. Joel stated he would prefer that Brian be available to attend. Brian stated he was not available any of the other Thursdays in January. ADJOURN: Joel moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.