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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 5-28-2015M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION May 28, 2015 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by chair Amy Juhnke at 5:33 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Ames City Hall. Members present were Devita Harden and Heidi Thompson. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present for public forum. OLD BUSINESS A. Approval of April 23, 2015 Minutes – Amy mentioned that Barbara Woods was listed on the April 23 minutes and needed to be removed. It was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Harden to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. B. Approval of May 8, 2015 Minutes – It was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Harden to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. Strategic Plan – Brian said this was added to the agenda because the current plan is expiring soon. He asked whether the Commission had interest in updating the plan for the next two year cycle. Amy said that the strategic plan has been very helpful. The original plan was facilitated at a meeting outside of the regular commission meetings. Amy reviewed the initiatives that the Commission had undertaken using the strategic plan. Commissioner Raghul Ethiraj joined the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Amy suggested that gathering data was an issue that did not take off. She asked that Brian gather statistics regarding historical complaints and then the Commissioners would research further to identify Iowa trends and figures. Heidi offered to gather information regarding unfair credit practices or schemes in the community. Amy asked Brian to poll the Commissioners for an evening in late July to update the Strategic Plan. B. FY 2014/15 Commission Budget – Heidi will work with Susan Gwiasda to get T-shirts that meet the City’s style guide. Amy will develop the magnets. Devita is working on the banner. It was moved by Commissioner Harden and seconded by Commissioner Ethiraj to reallocate the badges funds in the budget to the line for T-shirts. Motion carried unanimously. Amy agreed to be the contact person for the IRIS event. Amy reviewed the concept for bus ads. C. Iowa Civil Rights Commission Fall Meeting – Brian indicated that he had received contact from Lawrence Cunningham of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission regarding the possibility of hosting the fall meeting of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in Ames during September. Amy asked whether it would be possible for the ICRC to educate the community about how they conduct investigations and what resources they have available. D. Commissioner Comments – Amy provided a draft list of topics to discuss when the Commission presents to the Iowa State University course. She asked for comments and then indicated that she would submit it to the professor coordinating the class in June. Raghul agreed to find out how long the class period would be. It was moved by Commissioner Ethiraj and seconded by Commissioner Thompson to work from Amy’s draft. Motion carried unanimously. Heidi indicated that she would be interested in gathering data regarding the diversity of the university and the community. She will look at the census data and Raghul will gather information regarding university demographics. Amy will gather information regarding mental health. Amy will also investigate whether there is information in the community regarding physical disabilities. E. Time and Date of Next Meeting – June 25, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. ADJOURN: It was moved by Commissioner Ethiraj to adjourn the meeting at 6:23 p.m.