Human Relations Commission

AGENDA Human Relations Commission Meeting September 7, 2021 6:30 p.m. DeKalb Police Department 700 W. Lincoln Highway 2nd Floor Training Room DeKalb, Illinois 60115 A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda – Additions/Deletions C. Approval of Minutes – August 3, 2021 D. Public Participation E. Old Business 1. Update on Public Remote Access to Meetings 2. Police-Community Relations: Citizen Police Review Board (Revised Proposal) 3. Landlord-Tenant Review a. Tenant Legal Services b. DeKalb Landlord Follow-Up Discussion F. New Business 1. Future Considerations a. Accessibility Issues and Safety for Residents with Disabilities b. Continued Suspension of Bus Fees after COVID Public Safety Measures G. Adjournment  Minutes City of DeKalb Human Relations Commission August 3, 2021 The Human Relations Committee (HRC) held a regular meeting on August 3, 2021 in the Second Floor Training Room at the DeKalb Police Department. A. Roll Call The following members of the HRC were present: Joe Gastiger (Chair), JJ Wett, Lisa King, and John Walker. Other City officials/staff present: • Bill Nicklas, City Manager • Joshua Boldt, Assistant City Manager and Staff Liaison to the HRC • David Byrd, Police Chief B. Approval of Agenda – Additions/Deletions Joe Gastiger asked for a motion to approve the subject agenda. A motion was made by Lisa King and seconded by John Walker. C. Approval of Minutes – July 6, 2021 Regular Meeting Joe Gastiger asked for a motion to approve the HRC minutes recorded on July 6, 2021. A motion to approve was made by JJ Wett and Seconded by John Walker. Minutes approved by 4-0 vote. D. Public Participation – None. E. Old Business 1. Police-Community Relations: Civilian Review Board Discussion City Manager Bill Nicklas presented a proposed Citizen Review Board procedure and program design. City Manager Nicklas explained how such a Board, tasked with investigating complaints made against police officers, might operate, and summarized the background materials he had provided to the Commission before tonight’s meeting. Police Chief David Byrd described his experience in working with Citizen Review Boards through the Illinois State Police and had valuable insight on the policies and procedures. Chief Byrd also pointed out that he supports the need for an independent review board.  Discussion opened to the Human Relations Commission. John Walker discussed the length of the proposed term for Citizen Review Board members. Lisa King and JJ Wett supported the current staggered, two-year term approach. Discussion ensued over the screening, selection, and training aspects of the future Citizen Review Board. John Walker expressed concerns about the selection process, and City Manager Nicklas commented on the need for citizen input when items go before Regular City Council meetings, noting that the appointment of the Citizen Review Board members would be an item of consideration in open council meetings. Police Chief David Byrd stated the City should keep the board independent from Police influence and his department shouldn’t participate in the selection process. Joe Gastiger asked City Manager Nicklas what support the HRC may offer. City Manager Nicklas explained he was seeking a supporting consensus from the HRC. All present members of the HRC expressed their general satisfaction with the proposal. 2. Welcome Packet for New Tenants/Revision a. Updated Handout Joe Gastiger provided present HRC members a handout of the update Welcome Packet based on the discussion of the July 6, 2021 meeting of the HRC. Joe Gastiger explained changes to the Packet. Assistant City Manager Joshua Boldt commented the Welcome Packet would be a useful handout for visitors at the City of DeKalb booth during Cornfest. G. New Business 1. Cooperation and Collaboration with the Belonging Community Partnership, Opportunity DeKalb, and the Center of it All Joe Gastiger and Lisa King expressed interest in communicating with these community organizations to find out if there were a more effective means of service delivery for the City of DeKalb. This could be in the form of advocacy, information sharing, or cooperative projects. Joe Gastiger provided these examples and believed there was value in re-calibrating with these agencies to see where partnerships could be enhanced.  2. Frequency of Human Relations Commission Meetings Joe Gastiger opened conversation about the frequency of meetings. Joe Gastiger expressed that he and Joshua Boldt produce an agenda the week before, but that in the future he may want for member input for agenda items. The Human Relations Commission by code is required to meet at least once a month, and a meeting frequency change would have to be backed by Council action. H. Adjournment Joe Gastiger asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by JJ Wett and seconded by Lisa King. The motion was approved by a 4-0 vote. The next HRC meeting will be on September 7, 2021. Joshua Boldt, Assist. City Manager & HRC Liaison Minutes approved by the Human Relations Commission on ____________________ .