Human Relations Commission

Regular Meeting

DeKalb, IL · August 2, 2016

Minutes

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION August 2, 2016 The Human Relations Commission held a Meeting on August 2, 2016 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Joe Gastiger, Norden Gilbert, Lisa King and Ellingsworth Webb. Commissioner Robert Williams was absent. The following City staff members were present: Management Analyst Lauren Stott, Management Intern Emily Tipps. The following guest was present: Brian Bose. Notes were taken by Analyst Stott. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS The Commissioners approved the meeting agenda. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioners approved the July 2016 meeting minutes. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Brian Bose requested for the Commissioners to provide more information about their role in the City. Commissioner Gastiger recommended moving to item #4 on the agenda, “Update and Discussion on HRC Brochure” that would hopefully provide this information for Mr. Bose. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. Update and Discussion on HRC Brochure Commissioner Gastiger provided text of his recommended updates to the HRC page on the City’s website. Regular Meeting August 2, 2016 Page 2 of 3 Commissioner Webb provided some examples of HRC brochures from other communities, including Lee’s Summit, MO; Tompkin’s County, NY; Colorado Springs, CO; Topeka, KS; Somerville, MA; Aurora, IL; and East Lansing, MI. Guest Brian Bose said he is glad to learn that the City of DeKalb has a Human Relations Commission dedicated to helping with cultural issues within the community. He said he specifically has observed societal racism and hopes the Commission will work to help improve race relations in DeKalb. 2. Update on Cultural Competency Training Proposals Chair Apperson indicated that a change had been made to original concept for the cultural competency training. Analyst Stott said she had learned from Dr. Katrina Caldwell and Dr. Vernese Edghill- Walden that the intent moving forward was for Dr. Caldwell and Dr. Cohen to submit a joint proposal for training to the City. This proposal will be shared with the HRC for comments and it is expected that the proposal will indicate the roles of Dr. Caldwell and Dr. Cohen in conducting the training. Analyst Stott said that staff was working with Dr. Caldwell and Dr. Cohen to inform them about the training needs of the City. She also said that the City’s budget requires a figure by September 1, and that Drs. Cohen and Caldwell had been notified of that deadline. Commissioner Gastiger asked whether the City required a special meeting for the Commission to approve the proposal prior to the September 1 deadline. Analyst Stott said the Commission could review the proposal at its September meeting, and that the dollar amount was the item needed for the budget timeline. The Commissioners discussed the joint training model and whether it would be recommended. The Commissioners related the background of the training for the education of Management Intern Tipps and Guest Brian Bose. Analyst Stott indicated that she would share the joint proposal with the Commission as soon as it is available. 3. Discussion and Review of Models for Re-Entry of Ex-Offenders Commissioner Webb indicated that Keith Knazze, a transitional alternative specialist, would hopefully be able to attend the next HRC meeting as a guest speaker. The Commission and guest Brian Bose discussed the state of public funding and community planning. Commissioner Webb indicated that the City and other community groups are working to implement positive change, such as the establishment of a food hub, to serve the diverse needs of the community. Guest Brian Bose provided his perspective on governmental programs provided in the DeKalb community and beyond. Chair Apperson said he hopes the transitional alternative specialist will be able to attend the next meeting, and that perhaps the Police Chief and others should be included. 4. Recognition Chair Apperson said he will work with the Mayor to determine the best way to recognize former HRC contributors Mary Jo Harms and Cheryl Appleton. Chair Apperson asked Analyst Stott how people have traditionally been recognized by the City or City Council, and whether a proclamation was appropriate. Analyst Stott indicated that proclamations were the most traditional way for people to be recognized. Chair Apperson said he plans to discuss recognition, along with potential new members, with the Mayor as soon as he is able to meet with him. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Chair Apperson said he is planning to invite the Superintendent of the DeKalb School District to a future meeting. 2. Commissioner Gilbert thanked guest Brian Bose for being an articulate guest at the meeting. 3. Commissioner King thanked Management Intern Tipps for joining the meeting, and the Commissioners said they hope she will attend future meetings. G. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________ LAUREN STOTT, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on September 6, 2016.

Agenda

AGENDA Human Relations Commission Location: Executive Conference Room (Second Floor), City Hall, 200 South Fourth Street August 2, 2016 6:30 p.m. A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda – Additions / Deletions C. Approval of Minutes 1. July 5, 2016 Meeting Minutes D. Public Participation E. Old Business 1. Update on Cultural Competency Training Proposal 3. Discussion and Review of Models for Re-Entry of Ex-Offenders 4. Update and Discussion on HRC Brochure 5. Recognition F. New Business G. Adjournment MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION July 5, 2016 The Human Relations Commission held a Meeting on July 5, 2016 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Joe Gastiger, Norden Gilbert, Lisa King and Ellingsworth Webb. Commissioner Robert Williams was absent. The following City staff members were present: Management Analyst Lauren Stott. Notes were taken by Analyst Stott. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS Commissioner Gastiger indicated that he would like to discuss his recent ecumenical council experience. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Analyst Stott indicated that the Minutes document from the Commission’s April meeting were lost in a technology error. Analyst Stott indicated that a replacement Minutes draft was created. Commissioners indicated that they would like two changes reflected in the minutes: a typing error needed to be fixed in the “Public Participation” section, and a line should be included to reflect the departure of former Commissioner Cameron Zelaya. Commissioners approved the April and May 2016 meeting minutes. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No members of the public were present. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. Update on Cultural Competency Training Proposals Regular Meeting July 5, 2016 Page 2 of 3 Chair Apperson indicated that he has compiled a comprehensive chart comparing the cultural competency training proposals from Dr. Cohen and Dr. Caldwell. Chair Apperson indicated that although training dollars have not been allocated specifically for the training, the Commission will advocate for the training to be initiated this fall using existing training funds. Chair Apperson requested for the Commissioners to indicate whether they are comfortable with the chart to be included with the formal recommendation to be presented to the City. A vote passed 5-0 for the recommendation to be provided to City staff. The Commissioners discussed distributing the final recommendation to Dr. Cohen and Dr. Caldwell for their final review, to ensure they had no other additions, changes or deletions. 2. Discussion and Review of Models for Re-Entry of Ex-Offenders Commissioner Webb indicated that there is little new information on the re-entry for ex- offenders programming. He distributed a research paper related to rental opportunities for ex-offenders. Commissioner Webb requested for Commissioner Gastiger to provide an update on the Youth Outlook programming in DeKalb. Commissioner Gastiger indicated that more resources for the meetings are being secured. Commissioner Gastiger indicated that a high number of transgender youth have participated in Youth Outlook programming. Commissioner Webb indicated that a counseling provider who is familiar with the DeKalb area will be returning to the community to open a counseling practice. Commissioner Gastiger said Youth Outlook hosted a number of acquaintance-building meetings to ensure community familiarity. He said the school district has been very supportive of the programming. 3. Update and Discussion on HRC Brochure Commissioner Gastiger said he is eager to get started again on work for the brochure. He indicated that he and Commissioner Gilbert would work this month to prepare a draft. Commissioner Webb said he may have ideas to contribute as well, and that he will send them directly to Commissioner Gastiger. Other Commissioner with ideas were requested by Chair Apperson to email them to either Commissioner Gastiger or Gilbert by next week and to please copy Analyst Stott on any emails. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Ecumenical Council Commissioner Gastiger told the other Commissioners about a recent gathering of community ecumenical leadership in wake of the mass shooting in Orlando. He said the event was a positive discussion for the community and said he is interested in encouraging future similar discussions. The Commissioners discussed ways to ensure members of all faith and communities are invited and welcomed. The Commissioners discussed the need for future discussions regarding society issues and the context of those conversations in the current time. Commissioner Gilbert said that carrying the initiative through into the fall would likely be beneficial. He also said he believes the initial conversation was beneficial. G. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________ LAUREN STOTT, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on ________________.