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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 11-20-2014M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION November 20, 2014 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by Barbara Woods at 5:31 p.m. in City Hall Room 235. Members present were Devita Harden and Nicole Facio. Amy Juhnke was absent. John Klaus arrived at 5:38 p.m. PUBLIC FORUM No public present. Melissa Mundt noted to the Commission that no new complaints were filed since the meeting on October 23, 2014 meeting. OLD BUSINESS A. Approval of October 23, 2014 Minutes – The minutes of the October 23, 2014 meeting were discussed. It was moved by Facio and seconded by Harden to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. B. Humanitarian Award Update – Mundt noted no applications have been received as of this meeting. C. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2015 Update – Ms. Harden noted the planning is complete with a schedule of the event. The speaker and master of ceremonies have been secured. The location will continue to be the Ames Middle School. The date is January 19, 2015. The cake should be there at 5 p.m. Program will start at 6 p.m. If any other commissioners or investigators could help with serving cake, please let Commissioner Harden know in advance. Ms. Woods asked if the City could provide water. Mundt noted she would check on the ability to do so. D. Discussion on Recognition Program for Fair Housing with Vanessa Baker-Latimer -- Mundt introduced Baker-Latimer to the Commission. Woods noted they wanted to give out one award for a landlord who is doing well with housing. Woods noted it was in the area of fair housing, like Title VI protected individuals or organizations. Baker-Latimer noted the wider the criteria the better and that we can use a variety of means to put information out to the public. She also suggested the application should go out in January and be due at the end of February. Baker-Latimer noted the award could be given out at the Central Iowa Board of Realtors Public Program in April. The poster art contest will also continue for Fair Housing month. Klaus arrives at 5:38 p.m. The commissioners are wanting to add an essay contest for high school students. Harden asked if when Fair Housing Month is noted at the City Council, if AHRC could to a public reception for the contest winners, including the AHRC Fair Housing Award. Baker-Latimer noted the group should work on concepts for award name. Facio asked if the Realtor Board could distribute the award. Baker-Latimer said she would help AHRC to distribute the application. Woods noted we need a reason why we are giving an award. Baker-Latimer also noted the Commission could host its own event for Fair Housing as well. Commission needs to bring ideas to the December meeting. NEW BUSINESS A. Budget for 2015/2016 - Mundt update the Commission on the budget. Noting that FACES funding is being transitioned into a fund for AHRC events and programs, so that there is flexibility for spending the monies by the Commission. The remainder of the year the Commission would like to focus on having quality speakers for Fair Housing. B. Rent Smart Ames -- A new program to train landlords was discussed to help promote Rent Smart Ames website portal as well as the website for rental listings -Iowa Housing Search. The Commission suggested the training be held in December 2014, if possible. The Commission asked staff to send out a letter to advertise program and training to the landlords. Facio made a motion and Klaus seconded, to have staff work to find advertising outlets, such as CyRide to advertise the new websites, Rent Smart Ames and Iowa Housing Search. They authorized staff to spend up to $2,000. Motion carried unanimously. Woods asked that the Commission consider a recognition by AHRC if a landlord registered on Iowa Housing Search. C. Year End Report Discussion -- Commissioners will begin work on writing up ideas for the events and programs that were held throughout 2014. D. Commissioner Comments - Harden and Klaus reported that AHRC attendees at the 2nd ICRC Symposium on November 14, 2014, and again won the lunch time trivia contest in triple overtime. E. Time and Date of Next Meeting - December 18, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 235 Rescheduled January meeting date with a doodle. January 19, 2015, Martin Luther King Jr. Program ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.