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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 1-24-2013M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION January 24, 2013 The regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order at 5:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Members present were Devita Harden, Barbara Woods, Amy Juhnke, and Chair Aaron Fultz. John Klaus was absent. Public Forum A. No one was present for Public Forum. B. Cathy Gersema updated the commission on the one case that is pending. At this time, the Commission is waiting for a letter from attorney Shawn Smith as to whether there has been discrimination in hiring by the employer or its agent. Old Business A. Approve December 27, 2012 Minutes Barbara Woods moved that the minutes reflect that the Annual Report is submitted on a calendar year basis. Amber Corrieri seconded. The section Commissioner Comments were amended to reflect that other human service agencies will be asked to speak with the Commission. Fultz seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Fultz, seconded by Juhnke, to approve the December 27, 2012 minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously. B. Humanitarian Award Deborah Lee was the recipient of this year’s AHRC Humanitarian Award. Aaron Fultz presented the award at the Ames Middle School during the birthday celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ms. Lee has been active with various community groups in Oak Neighborhood Association, Sustainable Neighborhood, Community Conversations on Race and Diversity. She has strong interpersonal skills and is a relentless meeting scheduler. Discussion ensued on how to improve the tasks or steps invo lved in making the award. Suggestions involved getting the word out sooner (preferably October) and who should be the receiver of the nomination forms. Commissioner Woods stated she felt a schedule stating specific dates should be developed. Commissioner Harden suggested that the Commission consider creating a service award for a community group that helps specific segments of the community (i.e., RSPV and the Volunteer Center). C. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration The celebration commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr., took place at Ames Middle School on January 21. Member Woods said that cake server equipment has been donated and will be kept for further celebrations. Member Fultz said there was a great turnout for the ceremony which involved the Ames High School Jazz Band and children from Ames elementary schools. The Commission felt that attendance was increased because many parents and grandparents came to see them perform. Member Woods commented that the attendees were ethnically and racially diverse in both age and gender. Member Harden also liked the turnout and the diversity. She liked it that the social time came first. She felt the speaker had profound things to say regarding diversity. This was, she stated, the City at its finest. She also liked the performance by the Ames High School Jazz Band. Charles Grimm, elementary choir teacher, brought a large group of volunteer singers. Fultz felt the singers were “great.” Story County Supervisor Wayne Clinton served as master of ceremonies and kept the event moving along. There was cake for available for 600 people and not much was left. In the future, cake cutting could begin 15 minutes earlier. Woods felt that the Commission should use the large number of photos to document the celebration. The Commission would like Susan Gwiasda to do a press release of the award. New Business A. Review of AHRC Brochure Member Juhnke handed out revised copies of the brochure and asked that commissioners email changes to her by January 10, 2013. Then Juhnke will prepare a final version. Assistant City Manager Melissa.Mundt will coordinate with City staff for internal review. Discussion involved removing the information about credit because the members are not clear on how the credit discrimination laws are applied. The updated version of the brochure has been posted on the web. When the brochure is published, the commission would like a press release and other information sent out about it. Fultz moved to give Amy Juhnke authority to finish the brochure with any last additions or suggestions from the commissioners and Ms. Mundt, seconded by Woods. Motion carried unanimously. B. Strategic Plan The commission is set to have a discussion about the strategic plan at noon on February 20th. Woods said it would be helpful to have copies of earlier reports so previous goals can be reviewed. She suggested a timeline or chart would be helpful to assist in planning, especially when people come on and go off the board. Some goals that were previewed included training investigators for cases, planning for training opportunities for employers and employees. Fultz mentioned that if the AHRC continues to investigate its cases, the investigators need to be trained. C. Annual Report The commissioners listed many items that should be discussed in the Annual Report, including the following: Humanitarian award Employment training Lunch and learn Collaboration with YSS, United Ames, Maximum Ames, etc. Fair Housing Fair participation FACES New brochure Bullying Investigation participation at meetings Meeting visit by Police Chief Chuck Cychosz Community outreach The commission plans to send their information to Fultz by February 7, with the intention of presenting their report to the City Council in early March. Fultz said that if commissioners could get their information to him by February 7, he would compile it. D. FACES The date for FACES is tentatively set for September 28, 2013 (if Bandshell Park is not available, September 7 would be the alternate date). Amy Junke said it would be important to contact student groups much sooner in the process since more groups would be available if more notice were given. Set Date and Time of Next Meeting It was moved by Fultz and seconded by Woods that the Commission will meet at City Hall at noon on February 20 to work on the Strategic Plan. FACES planning should be included on the next agenda. The next regular AHRC meeting will be February 28, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. Adjournment The Commission adjourned at 6:28 p.m.