City of Lawrence

Lawrence Human Relations  Commission

May 17, 2018 – 5:35 p.m.

Minutes

 

Members Present: Katie Barnett, Martha Taylor, Kait Perry, Joseph Falls, Dustin Stumblingbear

 

Members Absent (excused):  Mike Machell Sarah Bloxsom, Caleb Stephens

 

Staff Present: Scott Wagner

 

Public Present: None

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Commission Meeting Called to Order

The Lawrence Human Relations Commission (LHRC) Meeting was called to Order by its Chair – Kait Perry at 5:35 p.m. in the Carnegie Building, located at 200 West 9th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. The meeting was held in the lower level conference room.  New members of the Commission introduced themselves.  Commissioner Falls gave his background as a recent law school graduate and is now in private practice.  Commissioner Stumblingbear had been a candidate for the Lawrence City Commission and wanted to stay involved in local government.  Other members of the commission introduced themselves and welcomed the new commissioners.  Commission Chair Perry informed the body that Commissioner Humphrey has submitted her resignation from the board.  She is leaving Lawrence for work and will no longer be eligible to serve.

 

Commissioner Barnett moved and Commissioner Stumblingbear seconded the approval of the minutes for the November 16, 2017 meeting of the LHRC.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Election of Officers

Staff noted that the Commission by-laws state that annual election of officers shall take place in May.  Chair Kait Perry opened the floor for general discussion.  She noted that she may need to resign her appointment in coming weeks due to a job relocation that will take her out of the community.  Therefore, she did not wish to serve as chair again.  Chair Kait Perry asked if Vice-Chair Katie Barnett would be interested in serving as chair.  Commissioner Barnett said she would be interested.  Commissioner Falls indicated he would be interested in serving as Vice-Chair.  There were no other nominations.  It was moved by Chair Perry and seconded by Commissioner Taylor to have Commissioner Barnett serve as chair and Commissioner Falls as Vice-Chair.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Receive Staff Report

Elizabeth Hafoka provided an update on pending and closed human relations cases since the last LHRC meeting via email which Scott Wagner provided to the Commission.  One housing case has been closed with conciliation since the last meeting. Ms. Hafoka noted there are currently two open cases – one employment (protected class is race) and the other is housing related (protected class is familial status).  Scott Wagner provided an update on the pending case in Douglas County District Court.

 

Commission Outreach

Scott Wagner provided an update on recent fair housing outreach activities.  The mobile history display project created last year as part of the City’s 50th anniversary of our local fair housing law has been making the rounds at various locations this winter and spring in the community.  In January, the exhibit was at the Dole Institute. In February, the Spencer Research Library at KU hosted the exhibit.  In March, it was at Watkins Museum.  In April, it was at the Lawrence Public Library.  Beginning in May, the exhibit is on display in the first-floor lobby of City Hall, right outside of the City Commission chambers.

 

Scott Wagner noted that for the past three years, the LHRC has sponsored a Fair Housing Month Poster competition in conjunction with USD 497, the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.  This year, a new community partner was added – Tenants to Homeowners.  All of the entries were on display throughout the month of April at the Lawrence Public Library.  Winners were recognized at the May 1, 2018 meeting of the Lawrence City Commission and at the May 14, 2018 meeting of the USD 497 school board.  Scott Wagner passed around photos from the various events surrounding the contest and brought the winning poster contest entries to the meeting.

 

April was also proclaimed as Fair Housing Month by the Lawrence City Commission.  A proclamation was issued, and Vice-Chair Barnett was there to receive it.

 

Update on Affirmative Furthering Fair Housing Plan

Scott Wagner provided an update on the plan that was submitted to HUD in the fall of 2017.  On December 13, 2017, the City received notice from HUD that our plan had been accepted.  On January 4, 2018, HUD notified local governments that AFFH plan deadlines had been extended to October 31, 2020.  However, communities that had already submitted a plan would be required to comply with the terms of the AFFH document and execute the goals of the plan.

 

Open Meetings Act Training

Scott Wagner noted that each year, the Commission received training on the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  A PowerPoint presentation provided by the City Attorney was passed out and reviewed.

 

Commission Items:

There was general discussion about the duties of the commission now that the Lawrence Alliance had been dissolved and its duties merged with the Lawrence Human Relations Commission.  Staff noted that the Lawrence City Commission on April 17, had adopted Resolution 7226 which formally ended the Lawrence Alliance as an advisory body.  Chair Katie Barnett asked if the commission could get a copy of that resolution to see what the duties of the Lawrence Alliance were and what if anything the Human Relations Commission needed to be doing.  Scott Wagner said he would provide a copy of Resolution 7226 to commissioners.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Falls and seconded by Commissioner Taylor to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.