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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 12-18-2014M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION December 18, 2014 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by Amy Juhnke at 5:34 p.m. in City Hall Room 235. Members present were John Klaus, Barbara Woods and Nicole Facio. Devita Harden arrived at 5:37 p.m. PUBLIC FORUM No public present. Melissa Mundt noted to the Commission that no new complaints were filed since the meeting on November 20, 2014 meeting. OLD BUSINESS A. Approval of November 20, 2014 Minutes – The minutes of the November 20,2014 meeting were discussed. It was moved by Woods and seconded by Facio 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 – Harden arrives at 5:37 p.m. She request the Commission to be at Ames Middle School to serve cake for the celebration at 5:30 p.m. on January 19, 2015. She also asked that the City provide small water bottles in addition to the cake at the celebration. She noted we did not need to provide plates, napkins or plastic ware as another organization is providing that for the evening. D. Discussion on Recognition Program for Fair Housing -- Woods noted that she had done some research on the recognition program as did Facio. Woods noted that the award should look at four factors: 1) people friendly housing (meaning not discriminating based on Chapter 14 of the City Code), 2) Accessible (meaning affordable and meeting ADA guidelines) 3) Visually appealing to renters and public and 4) Positive management that interacts with tenants. Klaus motioned that the award be called "A Home for Everyone", seconded by Facio. The motion carried unanimously. The Commission requested that staff draft a nomination form to present at the January 2015 Commission meeting. E. Rent Smart Ames Update - The City's Planning Intern Zach Bauer presented information regarding the Rent Smart Ames website portal and the Iowa Housing Search website, which promote fair housing ethics for the rental community in Ames by providing access to information to help all renters be successful and to help landlords understand their responsibilities. Bauer noted that he is working to get advertising about the two websites on CyRide per the Commission's request to advertise about the websites. Mundt noted the contract was being reviewed by the City's legal department. F. Year End Report - The Commission discussed dividing up the writing on the different events and activities that they were involved in for 2014. NEW BUSINESS A. Commissioner Comments - Commissioners briefly discussed following up with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Committee after January 2015 to plan seminars on diversity for the community. They also discussed contacting Iowa State international students to partner as well. B. Time and Date of Next Meeting - January 19, 2015, Martin Luther King Jr. Program January 29, 2015, regular meeting ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.