City of Lawrence
Human Relations Commission
November 29, 2006 Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Chair Bob Mikesic, Vice-Chair Barbara Hillmer, Commissioners Ernesto Hodison, Steve Ramirez, and Terri Wilke |
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Commissioners Bob Augelli, Ray Chao, Lori Tapahonso, and Bessie Walker (all excused) |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Executive Director Rehelio A. Samuel, Human Relations Specialists Paul Winn, Michelle Smith, and Human Relations Associate Cynthia Colbert |
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STAFF ABSENT:
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None |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Mr. James Dunn and Mrs. Nancy Dunn
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Chair Mikesic called the meeting of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission to order at 11:15 AM in the LHRD Conference Room.
ROLL CALL
Roll call revealed a quorum of the Commission was present.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2006
Commissioner Wilke moved that the agenda for November 29, 2006 be accepted. Commissioner Hodison seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF STAFF REPORT FOR AUGUST 1 – OCTOBER 31, 2006
Commissioner Hodison moved that the staff report for August 1 – October 31, 2006 be accepted. Commissioner Ramirez seconded the motion. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 2006
Commissioner Ramirez moved that the minutes for August 16, 2006 be approved. Commissioner Hodison seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
Chair Mikesic opened the floor for nominations for LHRC Chair. Commissioner Hodison moved to nominate Commissioner Terri Wilke as Chair. Commissioner Wilke declined the nomination. Commissioner Wilke moved to nominate Commissioner Hodison as Chair. Vice-Chair Hillmer seconded the motion. The motion was put to a vote of LHRC members. Motion carried. Chair Mikesic asked if there were any additional nominations. As there were no additional nominations, it was stated that the nominations were closed.
Commissioner Ernesto Hodison was elected 2006-2007 LHRC Chair by acclamation.
Chair Mikesic opened the floor for nominations for LRHC Vice-Chair. Commissioner Wilke moved that Commissioner Hillmer be re-elected as LHRC Vice-Chair. Commissioner Hodison seconded the motion. Motion carried. Chair Mikesic asked if there were any additional nominations. As there were no additional nominations, it was stated that the nominations were closed.
Commissioner Barbara Hillmer was elected as 2006-2007 LHRC Vice-Chair by acclamation.
Equal Opportunity Law Update Seminar 2006 / Final Report
Director Samuel commented on the need to keep the number of attendees at a manageable level. He said the LHRD staff agreed that keeping attendance numbers between 175 – 200 attendees is not only more manageable for staff, but addresses any concerns raised by past attendees. He noted there were 191 attendees this year. He said attendees rated this year’s seminar as outstanding. He noted the 16 CLE’s, 14 CEU’s and 6 CME’s awarded to the seminar. HRS Winn commended the LHRD staff and seminar speakers. He said both luncheon keynote speakers were well-received. He noted the second day speaker, Mr. David Adkins, was excellent. He said attendees requested Mr. Adkins return next year. Director Samuel said he appreciated the business community for their support of the seminar.
Commissioner Hodison commented on the high quality of the program. He commended the LHRD staff for their work. He asked how far away does the seminar draw its attendees. Director Samuel said attendees come from as far away as western Kansas and St. Louis, Missouri. He said the bulk of attendees come from Lawrence, as well as the Kansas City, Missouri and Topeka metro areas. Director Samuel noted that most complaints noted on the seminar evaluations were related to minor issues such as classroom temperature, which is difficult to control to suit all attendees regardless of the seminar venue.
Youth Outreach
Director Samuel commented that LHRC members serving on the Youth Outreach Subcommittee will continue to formulate plans. The committee will need to assess which needs of Lawrence youth are not being met by programs currently in place. Chair Mikesic said the subcommittee should meet before the February LHRC meeting and come up with some recommendations.
Business Summit
HRS Winn said he is hoping for the summit to be a 1-day seminar to aid small (SBE), disadvantaged (DBE), women (WBE), and minority (MBE) businesses in setting up shop. He said it would also provide instruction in how to prepare and write a business plan. Vice-Chair Hillmer noted the KU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is already providing this service. She said perhaps it would be helpful to partner with them. HRS Winn stated he has already spoken with the KU SBDC regarding working together on the summit. A brief discussion ensued.
Mediation Training (Core and Civil)
HRS Winn said plans are on hold for further discussion of holding the training, based on need. Commissioner Wilke said the Equal Opportunity Law Update seminar had excellent mediation training. Vice-Chair Hillmer asked about co-mediation opportunities. HRS Winn stated co-mediation opportunities may be obtained through area courts. A brief discussion ensued.
Commissioner Training
Director Samuel said the LHRC needs to have more and continued training. He stated it is time for refresher training on items such as the public hearing process. He added that LHRC members need to be knowledgeable, so they might be able to answer questions from the community as they arise. Director Samuel said LHRC members will be contacted to determine when their schedules will allow for the training sessions.
2007 LHRC/HRD Goals
Director Samuel said the City of Lawrence City Commission has established their goals for city departments. He stated that City departments, commissions, and boards are working to meet those goals. A brief discussion ensued.
Performance Measures/Balanced Scorecard
Director Samuel said he has monthly meetings with the City Manager to brief him on the current status of the department and commission. He said the use of performance measures gives the LHRD/HRC another avenue for telling the story of department/commission accomplishments. He said the scorecard measures customer service, quality of service, effectiveness, efficiency, workload, and timely investigation of complaints. A brief discussion ensued.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS
Commissioner Wilke mentioned the newspaper article on the private consultant group hired by the City Commission who reported that improvement is needed in the area of integration. [Lawrence Journal World, Saturday, November 4, 2006 – “Downtown, diversity, need work, experts say”, by Chad Lawhorn] She stated she believes the LHRC does a lot for integration and perhaps that point needs to be made to the City Commission, as well as sharing LHRC goals for the future. Director Samuel noted the LHRD/HRC has, in the past, advised of the need for improvement. He said he believes the performance measures and balanced scorecard will provide necessary proof. A brief discussion ensued.
Chair Mikesic thanked the LHRC/HRD for the honor of serving as Chair and member of the commission. Commissioner Ramirez said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve on the commission and if he can ever be of service in the future, to contact him.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Samuel thanked Chair Mikesic and Commissioner Ramirez for a job well done during their terms as LHRC members. He noted there was never a time that he called upon them that they were not available. He said he appreciated their willingness to speak on behalf of the commission. He noted that Commissioner Wilke has been reappointed to another term.
Director Samuel stated HRS Smith has completed and passed week 5 of the National Fair Housing Training Academy (NFHTA) and received a certificate of completion. He noted the certification courses were only to consist of 5 weeks of intensive training, but HUD is extending the training necessary for investigator certification to 8-12 weeks. He added that HRS Winn will complete week 5 during the first week of December.
Director Samuel commended Chair-Elect Hodison and Vice-Chair Hillmer for their willingness to serve.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. James Dunn said he would like the date of the Lawrence Journal World article regarding the city’s diversity to be noted in the minutes (see Commissioner Comments above). Mr. Dunn gave additional comments regarding the changing population and how landlords can learn about the customs of other cultures. He added he would like to see mediation training continue to be offered. A brief discussion ensued.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Ramirez moved the meeting be adjourned. Commissioner Wilke seconded the motion. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 12:28 p.m.