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Human Relations Commission

Regular Meeting

DeKalb, IL · March 6, 2018

AgendaMinutes

Minutes

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Human Relations Commission March 6, 2018 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a Meeting on March 6, 2018 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Ellingsworth Webb, Joe Gastiger, Lisa King, Robert Williams, Maurice Bailey and Norden Gilbert. Members absent at roll call were: None The following City staff members were present: Management Analyst Aaron Stevens. Notes were taken by Analyst Stevens. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS The agenda was approved with the addition of two items added under new business. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Public comments are kept with associated agenda items throughout. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the February 6, 2018 meeting were approved with one minor grammatical change. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. Welcoming City Updates Chair Apperson provided a quick overview of the status of the welcoming proclamation. He explained that Chief Lowery suggested a minor change to include the full sentence of the section of the press release the quote referenced in the proclamation was taken from. Apperson explained that the Mayor stated he would like to see commissions be more active in public meetings so he asked Chair Apperson to add comments at the Council meeting following the proclamation statement. Commissioner Webb stated that the HRC should invite all public bodies that will receive distribution materials for the welcoming ordinance to the Council Meeting on March 12. Webb stated the HRC should prepare a press release that can be sent to the public bodies with the invitation to the Council Meeting and sent to the media. Chair Apperson stated he would speak with the Mayor to discuss distributing a press release prior to the March 12th meeting and also coordinate with Dana Yarak to have the press release translated to Spanish. Public Participation - Representatives from the N.I.U. Dream Action organization stated they would assist with distribution of the press release to interested community organizations. Analyst Stevens stated that he would pass the draft press release to the City Communications person to put it on the official City template. 2. AGN Revitalization Plan Update Commissioner Gastiger provided a quick overview of the last Transportation, Infrastructure, and Open Space subcommittee meeting that occurred on March 2. Gastiger stated that flex bus lines, and more service lines will be implemented through the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) transportation service. Gastiger stated he would like to see bus service lines to the industrial area to places of employment such as 3M and Panduit. Gastiger stated that DeKalb Sycamore Area Transportation Study (DSATs) is applying for several grants to achieve the new service lines and in the worst case scenario, it would take 2 years to receive grants to implement new services. Gastiger stated that the subcommittee will be discussing potential projects for positive changes to Welsh Park at the next meeting scheduled for March 19. Commissioner Webb provided a brief overview of the discussions items the Housing and Commercial Development subcommittee is focusing on. Webb stated that the subcommittee has had its first meeting and the second meeting is scheduled for March 14. 3. Selection criteria for locations for direct Strategic Plan distribution Chair Apperson explained that the purpose of this item is to look at how the City may be able to distribute information related to the City of DeKalb 2015 Strategic Plan throughout the community. The City has asked Chair Apperson to get any ideas from the HRC. Webb stated that one way the plan could be distributed is to give out flash drives with the City logo that have the plan loaded on them. He suggested that the flash drives could be given out at events and throughout the community. Gastiger stated that the HRC should research what community organizations or groups could assist with distribution of the plan though their networks. Commissioner King discussed placing the plans in public access locations throughout the City such as Church’s, public libraries, restaurants, grocery stores, and other places people commonly visit. Commissioner Bailey stated that the plan should be placed in the lobby of City Hall and the Police Department. The HRC discussed the idea of publicizing City core values along with the Strategic Plan. Gastiger suggested posting a simple short brochure with a reference to the strategic plan and include questions that motivate people to go to the City’s website to read the plan and/or ask for further information. Chair Apperson will set-up a meeting with Acting City Manager, Patty Hoppenstedt, to relate these HRC ideas. 4. Ex-Offender Re-entry Update a. Recognition of Suits for Success Update Commissioner Gilbert stated that he spoke with Eric Armstrong of Greenacre Cleaners and Eric has agreed to be at the March 26th Council Meeting for a “Suits for Success” recognition ceremony. Gilbert will prepare a statement for recognition of suits for success to be read at the March 26th meeting. F. New Business 1. Youth Football House Bill – CTE Prevention Act Commissioner Williams discussed a state legislation bill titled CPE Prevention Act (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) that will be voted on that would ban youth under the age of 12 from playing in tackle football leagues. Williams stated that concussions and other brain injuries that occur in tackle football is a serious problem at all levels, but even more so for youth football players. The HRC discussed agencies to discuss this issue with. Chair Apperson suggested that Commissioner Williams contact the DeKalb County Department of Public Health to broach this issue. Gastiger suggested contacting the school districts and asking about how information is provided to parents related to concussions as a result of playing a sport. Williams stated he sent a letter to the editor of the Daily Chronicle and spoke to the superintendent of the DeKalb Community School District about this issue but he would like the HRC to consider how they might take a position on the bill publically. 2. “Weapons of War” Commissioner Gastiger discussed the idea of pursuing a local ordinance that would in some way prohibit the ownership of assault weapons in the City of DeKalb. Gastiger provided a handout of the Highland Park Assault Weapons Ban Ordinance that the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to rule on after a challenge of the ordinance was made by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Commissioner King announced that the NIU Police Department is conducting active shooter training that is open to the public. G. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. ___________________________________________________________________ AARON STEVENS, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on: May 1, 2018

Agenda

AGENDA Human Relations Commission Meeting Location: Executive Conference Room (Second Floor) City Hall, 200 South Fourth Street March 6, 2018 6:30 p.m. A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda – Additions / Deletions C. Approval of Minutes – February 6, 2018 D. Public Participation E. Old Business 1. Welcoming Proclamation Status 2. AGN Revitalization Plan Update 3. Selection criteria for locations for direct Strategic Plan distribution 4. Ex-Offender Re-entry Update a. Recognition of Suits for Success Update F. New Business G. Adjournment DRAFT MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB Human Relations Commission February 6, 2018 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a Meeting on February 6, 2018 in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. Chair Larry Apperson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the HRC were present: Larry Apperson (Chair), Ellingsworth Webb, Joe Gastiger, and Norden Gilbert. Members absent at roll call were: Robert Williams, Lisa King, and Maurice Bailey. Maurice Bailey joined the meeting at 6:40 pm. The following City staff members were present: Management Analyst Aaron Stevens. Notes were taken by Analyst Stevens. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS The agenda was approved. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Public comments are kept with associated agenda items throughout. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the January 2, 2018 meeting were approved. E. OLD BUSINESS 1. Welcoming City Updates a. Review and Approval of Draft Welcoming City Proclamation Commissioner Gastiger provided an overview of the proclamation that Welcoming Western Counties drafted for the HRC. Gastiger stated that he is very pleased with the draft proclamation but that he still believes it is necessary to continue in support of the adoption of a Welcoming ordinance. Dana Yarak, representative of Welcoming Western Counties in attendance, stated that he is working on developing a project that will collect information to support the need for a Welcoming Ordinance for undocumented residents. Yarak stated that he is looking forward to finding more examples of discrimination of undocumented residents, and/or hearing from individuals who are concerned with being deported due to their immigration status. Human Relations Commission Meeting February 6, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Webb stated that the HRC should look at real estate foreclosures, and/or sold residential properties to identify if the residents who moved from these properties did so because they were undocumented. Lizabeth Romãn, a member of the public attending the meeting, stated that she is very encouraged by the HRC making efforts towards this cause and she believes that many undocumented persons will be reassured by the proclamation, and that they will be encouraged to come forward and share their stories. Chair Apperson provided an addition to the draft proclamation that references a statement made by Police Chief Gene Lowery regarding his stance on enforcement of immigration laws in the City of DeKalb. Motion The HRC made the following motion: The HRC formally approves the draft Welcoming Proclamation and authorizes Chair Apperson to submit the Proclamation to the Mayor. In conjunction, the HRC approves Chair Apperson to negotiate any requested revisions through to the finalization and acceptance of the Welcoming Proclamation. The motion was made by Chair Apperson and seconded by Commissioner Gilbert. Chair Apperson stated that he would like to see the Mayor send the Welcoming Proclamation to the DeKalb School District 428 Superintendent. Commissioner Gastiger and Chair Apperson reiterated to members of the public present that the Mayor is able to independently approve and make a Proclamation without approval from the Council. Chair Apperson explained how he will proceed with sending the Proclamation to the Mayor and coordinate any changes, and/or provide information the Mayor may request. The HRC expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the attending members of the public as well as Welcoming Western Counties for their continued participation and support of the Welcoming Proclamation initiative. 2. 2018 Cultural Competency Training Budget Correction Chair Apperson provided a quick recap of the outcomes of the budgetary decisions regarding Cultural Competency Training for City public safety personnel. Apperson explained that all funding for Cultural Competency Training with the exception of one thousand dollars for a computer based training (CBT) option, was cut from the FY18 Adopted Budget. Apperson reviewed a meeting that he attended with the Human Resources (HR) Director and Analyst Stevens. Apperson explained that the HR Director would be very receptive to any suggestions from the HRC on CBT options for Public Safety Personnel, but ultimately the HRC agreed that CBT for Cultural Competency is not an advisable substitute for in-person facilitated trainings. Apperson stated that the HR Director made it very clear that City administrative staff will include the entire cost for cultural competency training for public safety personnel in the FY19 Draft Human Relations Commission Meeting February 6, 2018 Page 3 of 4 Budget. It will then be left to the decision of City Council to approve funding for cultural competency training in FY19. 3. AGN Revitalization Plan Update Commissioner Gastiger provided an overview of the outcomes of the January 29th Task Force meeting. Gastiger stated Alderman David Jacobson reported to the Task Force that ComED has agreed to install 1,000 LED lights throughout the AGN area free of charge. Gastiger stated that the Task Force will be divided into four separate subcommittees and explained what topics each subcommittee will focus on. Gastiger explained how the subcommittees will proceed with their responsibilities. Gastiger stated that the HRC should consider going door to door to publicize the date and time for the next Community Meeting. 4. Strategic Plan Public Information Sharing Methods Update Apperson provided on an overview of a meeting held on Monday February 5 with Assistant City Manager Patty Hoppenstedt, Chair Apperson, Analyst Stevens, and Analyst Ray Munch. The following items were reviewed at this HRC meeting: - The City would have to pay for advertising through the Daily Chronicle with a “box” so this is not an option until it can be a budgeted item in FY19 - Ray Munch, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, has been working on designing platforms through social media for communicating the Strategic Pan. Much progress has been made and the City is currently using several social media programs to communicate City news. Ray will begin to include reference links to the City Strategic Plan in the bi-monthly City E-Newsletter. - Chair Apperson stated that Ray will be a strong asset in Strategic Plan communication efforts. Ray will be taking the lead on developing a Comprehensive City Communications Plan which will include Strategic Plan initiatives. - The City eliminated the position that used to manage the public access channel during the FY18 Budget process. The City is currently contracting a part-time video tech to run City Council meetings which used to be managed by the eliminated position. - The City will discuss recording the next presentation of the Strategic Plan so that it can be shared and presented via recording at various community events and meetings. - Direct Mail of the Strategic Plan related announcements to residents is not a financially viable option due to FY18 Budget constraints. However, the City has requested that the HRC advise what criteria would be used to determine which areas/residents in the community would be selected for direct mail or door to door information pieces if this procedure becomes an option in FY19 or through other potential funding sources in FY18 and/or future years. Human Relations Commission Meeting February 6, 2018 Page 4 of 4 In response to the request of the City that Chair Apperson reported, Webb suggested that the City should focus on providing strategic plan information to the AGN area in conjoined communication efforts with initiatives coming forth from the revitalization plan. Webb suggested that the strategic plan should be marketed with a new image and name such as an abbreviation (SPPI for Strategic Plan Public Information) that can be put on t-shirts to distribute throughout the community. Webb stated that “Strategic Plan” is not attractive or interesting to regular people in the community, especially younger generations. Webb stated that distributing recordings of the Strategic Plan presentation is an antiquated approach that will not have a meaningful impact. Webb stated that efforts should be directed towards developing keen marketing and messaging for communicating the Strategic Plan. Gastiger suggested holding information sessions at the Library to allow any person interested to come and ask questions about the Strategic Plan. Gastiger also suggested the possibility of recording Podcasts or short radio cover stories regarding the Strategic Plan to be played on the local National Public Radio station. Webb suggested looking into the possibility of broadcasting Strategic Plan information/news through the Northern Illinois University Radio Station. 5. Ex-Offender Re-entry Update Webb stated that there is a new SWIFT program in DeKalb County so he would try and have a representative come to an HRC meeting to present program details. Commissioner Gilbert asked if the recognition for “Suites for Success” has moved forward. Analyst Stevens stated that the recognition has been proposed for a council meeting agenda and he will confirm the date. F. NEW BUSINESS G. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. ___________________________________________________________________ AARON STEVENS, Management Analyst Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on: