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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 10-22-2015M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION October 22, 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 John Klaus, Mary Beth Oostenbrug, and Heidi Thompson. Raghul Ethiraj was absent. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present for the public forum. OLD BUSINESS A. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 MINUTES: Amy recommended a variety of corrections to the minutes. It was moved by Klaus, seconded by Thompson to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion carried unanimously. B. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 MINUTES: It was moved by Thompson, seconded by Oostenbrug to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. HUMANITARIAN AWARD NOMINATION FORM – Brian explained that he had not had a chance to update the nomination form for this year. Absent those changes, he welcomed changes suggested by the commission. He also suggested that the form could be converted to a fillable PDF. Amy indicated the intent was for this form to be sho rt. She clarified that the award is for an Ames resident. Heidi asked how the award was publicized. Brian explained that a press release would go out and it would be posted on the City website. John suggested that connections to the commission members are important in locating potential nominees. The Commission discussed making the deadline for nominations by December 10, and asking staff to notify the Commission one week prior to the deadline as to the number of applicants. Moved by Klaus, seconded by Oostenbrug to update the application form with the correct dates, posting it on the website with a deadline of December 10th and distributing a notice of its availability to customary organizations. Motion carried unanimously. Amy reiterated the importance of Commissioners spreading the word about the award to those they know. B. STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW AND ADOPTION – Amy suggested that she wanted some additional time to review the plan and requested moving it to the next agenda. The Commission agreed to table this to the next agenda. C. ICRC CONFERENCE – Amy asked who would be able to attend. Mary Beth and John stated they could attend. Amy asked if the information could be forwarded to the investigators to invite them to attend. Amy requested that the December agenda include an opportunity to hear what was learned by the attendees. D. AHRC REPRESENTATIVE TO MLK PLANNING COMMITTEE – John agreed to attend the planning committee meeting on October 27. Amy asked that if John determines that he cannot make the meeting, to let the commission know so someone might attend. E. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS - Mary Beth indicated that she contacted Rebecca Olson and had left a message, but had not heard back. John mentioned that he and Mary Beth had attended the Criminal Justice Summit in Cedar Falls and the information was relevant to the Commission’s cause. The incarceration rates in the country are staggering compared to other nations and negatively affect people in the community. Legislative efforts are underway to affect incarceration rates. John mentioned that minorities are disproportionately affected by mandatory minimums. Commissioner Oostenbrug left the meeting at 6:02 p.m. TIME AND DATE OF NEXT REGULAR MEETING: November 19, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers ADJOURN: Commissioner Klaus moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Thompson. The meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.