HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 12-15-2011M I N U T E S
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
December 15, 2011
The Ames Human Relations Commission meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. in Conference
Room 235. Members present were Chairperson Aaron Fultz, Amy Longenecker, Barbara
Woods, and John Klaus.
Public Forum
Richard Deyo spoke about his offering to take people to lunch last week, and said that the Police
were called. Richard felt that his confidentiality was compromised about his medical situation.
Old Business
Moved by Klaus and seconded by Longenecker to approve the October 27, 2011 minutes.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Commission discussed the recent Fair Housing seminar. It was felt that this was very well
done, and could become an annual event. The cost to the Commission was minimal.
New Business
Humanitarian Award - There was some discussion of reviving the annual Humanitarian Award
or some version of it. There was some discussion of what the title should be. Staff will send the
criteria out to Commission members. Moved by Klaus, and seconded by Woods to reinstitute an
award and work on criteria and process at the earliest possible meeting. Motion carried
unanimously.
Employment Training - John Klaus and Amy Juhnke are working on an employment training
seminar for early summer. There will be a number of people involved as presenters; the
Commission is looking for an attorney to help with the training. The plan is for a good deal of
audience participation. Staff will talk with Human Resources about doing something jointly
such as mock interviews.
Undoing Racism – John attended a recent session in Des Moines. It appeared to be a top-down
approach. The Commission decided to wait until someone comes back to the Commission with
something more complete.
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration – The celebration will be held on January 16th at the
Ames Middle School. Jeff Johnson is the keynote speaker; Dr. Hill will MC. The Commission
needs to handle the cake/ plates/ forks for 600 people. John will check with Dahl’s and HyVee.
Aaron will handle the paper products. The Commission will also try to get water. Staff will talk
with the Water Department about having SmartWater at this.
League of Iowa Human and Civil Rights Agencies - Moved by Fultz, seconded by Longenecker
to approve revising League of Iowa Human and Civil Rights Agencies Legislative priorities to
broaden the #3 proposal to include:
Ensuring protection of Iowa’s rich heritage of non-discrimination and that no effort be
brought forward that will write discrimination into the Iowa Constitution, including but
not limited to, efforts to ban same sex marriage.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Commission will discuss its annual report to the Council at the next meeting. The
Commission had a brief update on its goals.
The Commission will next meet on January 26, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Adjournment
The Commission adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
/ekt