LAWRENCE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
AGENDA
LHR/HRD Conference Room
947 New Hampshire, Suite 200A
November 17, 2004
11:00 a.m.
1. ROLL CALL
2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 17, 2004
3. ACCEPTANCE OF STAFF REPORT FOR AUGUST 1 – OCTOBER 31, 2004
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MEETING OF August 18, 2004
5. OLD BUSINESS
a. Equal Opportunity Law Update Seminar 2004 / Final Report
b. HUD National Fair Housing Training Academy
c. U.S.D.HUD Partnership Initiative 2004/2005
d. Job Fair and Employment Seminar 2005
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Fair Housing Outreach
b. Fair Housing Month 2005
c. 2005 LHRC/LHRD Projects [Discussion]
7. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
8. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
10. ADJOURNMENT
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
August 18, 2004
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Steve Ramirez, Vice-Chair Bob Mikesic, Commissioners Bob Augelli, Wendi Coleman, Barbara Hillmer, and Terri Wilke
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Ray Chao and Ernesto Hodison, (excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Rehelio A. Samuel, Human Relations Specialists Allen Martin, Paul Winn, and Secretary Cynthia Colbert
STAFF ABSENT: Human Relations Specialist Michelle Smith (excused)
GUESTS PRESENT: Mr. James Dunn, Mrs. Nancy Dunn, Mr. Bob Ebey, and Mr. Josh Brubacher
Chair Ramirez called the meeting of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission to order at 11:02 AM in the LHR/HRD Conference Room.
ROLL CALL
Roll call revealed a quorum of the Commission was present.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
Commissioner Wilke moved that the Agenda for August 17, 2004 be accepted. Commissioner Coleman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF STAFF REPORT FOR May 1 – July 31, 2004
Commissioner Hillmer moved that the Staff Report for May 1 – July 31, 2004 be accepted. Commissioner Wilke seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES for May 19, 2004
Commissioner Coleman moved that the minutes for May 19, 2004 be accepted. Commissioner Wilke seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Director Samuel mentioned that he and Commissioner Coleman attended the Academy Briefing session. The Academy will be housed on the Howard University campus in Washington D.C. He noted the purpose of the academy is to provide certification for Fair Housing Investigators. The academy will be attended in lieu of conferences. The Academy began August 9, 2004. Director Samuel commended Floyd May for advocating for, and establishing the Academy.
Director Samuel listed those who attended. He noted that two attorneys were trained at the educational track for attorneys. He gave a briefing on the types of training offered at the conference. He mentioned the impact of budget constraints due to less funds received from HUD. Chair Ramirez noted it is an excellent conference. A brief discussion ensued.
HRS Winn gave a briefing on the seminar. He noted that Chair Ramirez and Commissioner Wilke gave excellent presentations. Commissioner Coleman said the seminar was excellent. HRS Winn noted there might be a joint effort with the annual job fair sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
HRS Martin noted all education approvals have been received. As of yesterday, there were 58 registrations. Director Samuel mentioned the importance of this seminar being able to offer 16 CLE credits with 2 credits related to ethics for both Kansas and Missouri, as well as 12 CEU’s for SHRM members, and 6 CME’s for Kansas Approved Mediators. Director Samuel said it was wonderful that this could be accomplished by the Commission/Department.
HRS Martin mentioned the Diversity training he conducted for the staff of the Douglas County Senior Services August 10th and 13th, 2004. He noted the training was well received by those attending.
Commissioner Coleman asked how one becomes a mediator. HRS Martin gave a briefing on the process to become a mediator.
Board of Zoning Appeals Process / Accessible Housing [Vice-Chair Mikesic]
Vice-Chair Mikesic noted letters were sent to Linda Finger and Tammy Bennett regarding the zoning appeals process for accessible housing modifications.
Director Samuel said he had also contacted Planning Director Linda Finger. He noted the process would be addressed.
HUD National Fair Housing Training Academy
Director Samuel noted the academy began August 9, 2004. He noted Commissioners and Directors will not attend the academy, but will attend policy conferences. He noted it will be a time consuming process, but well worth it in that staff will be able to obtain certification through HUD.
Director Samuel explained the HUD Partnership Initiative. He briefed on last year’s ongoing Partnership Initiative, which involved “soft” testing for accessibility and follow up with training and education for those with discrepancies. Those who did not attend are being given a second chance to attend the training. A Director/Commissioner initiated complaint may be filed for failure to comply. He noted Predatory Lending would also be addressed with educational training.
Vice-Chair Mikesic offered to help with accessibility training.
Job Fair and Employment Seminar 2005
Commissioner Coleman asked if there would be regularly scheduled HUD training on a local/regional level in the future. Director Samuel said yes, but more likely after the academy is running smoothly.
Commissioner Wilke stated she thought restructuring the Employment Seminar to include a larger demographic from the community would be a great idea. She also noted the HUD Conference was great and gave a briefing on the sessions she attended. She additionally gave comments on accessibility and offered to help with the Partnership Initiative. Commissioner Wilke mentioned the issue of affordable housing. A brief discussion ensued.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Samuel encouraged anyone with an item for the agenda to contact the LHRD office. He also commended Secretary Cynthia Colbert for her work.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Ebey asked if there would be more mediator classes. HRS Martin responded that no new mediation classes were scheduled at this time.
Mr. Dunn brought up the issue of mental health and housing and other housing/rental issues. He also mentioned the importance of cross-training. HRS Martin felt that the city governing body should know. HRS Martin gave comments on affordable housing. He also commented on inspections of mobile home parks. Director Samuel gave additional comments. A brief discussion ensued.
Mr. Dunn announced the Statewide Homeless Coalition, which would be held in Lawrence on October 13-14, 2004. Director Samuel mentioned that perhaps the LHRC could assist with the issue of homeless concerns. A brief discussion ensued.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ramirez moved that the meeting be adjourned. Commissioner Wilke seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m.
HUMAN RELATIONS/HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT
to the LAWRENCE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
August 1 - October 31, 2004
This report outlines formal and informal discrimination complaint activities during the months of August, September, and October 2004. The following are lists of complaints processed during the period. Additionally, a description of the education and outreach endeavors of the department is detailed, as well as staff training and development.
1. Race/Color Mobile Home Community No Probable Cause
2. Race/Color Mobile Home Community No Probable Cause
1. Familial Status Apartment Complex
2. Race/Familial Status Apartment Complex
1. Race Food Service Conciliated
2. Race Construction No Probable Cause
3. Race Construction Administrative Closure
Basis Nature of Business
1. Race Manufacturing
2. Race/Age Warehouse
3. Race Restaurant
4. Sex/ Race Automotive
5. Race/Retaliation Lodging
Basis Nature of Business Finding
NONE
1. Resolved Informally 511
2. Counseled Complainants on Rights and Procedures 1,602
3. General Civil/Human Rights Information 3,434
Total 5,547
1. New Commissioner Training was provided to LHRC Commissioner Bob Augelli on August 3, 2004, by HRS Martin, Winn, Smith, and Executive Director Samuel.
2. HRS Winn coordinated the “Employment for Today’s Marketplace” seminar, conducted by the LHRC/LHRD on August 7, 2004 at the Lawrence Arts Center. A total of 52 people attended. The seminar received a rating of “excellent” by attendees.
3. HRS Martin conducted Diversity Training for Douglas County Senior Services staff on August 10th and 13th, 2004. The training was attended by 35 people. The training session received a high rating by attendees.
4. HRS Martin coordinated the 2004 Equal Opportunity Law Update Seminar, conducted by the LHRC/HRD on October 26-27, 2004 at the Holiday Inn/Holidome. A total of 241 people attended. Attendees gave the seminar an overall rating of 9.4 on a 10-point scale.
5. HRS Smith gave a presentation at the Kansas Homeless Coalition Summit, held at the University of Kansas Union on October 14, 2004. HRS Smith disseminated fair housing materials to those attending.
6. HRS Smith assisted Dr. Jesse Milan with presentations on Fair Housing and Predatory Lending at Haskell University October 5 and 13, 2004. The presentations are a continuation of a HUD Partnership Initiative project, conducted by Milan and Associates, Inc.
1. HRS Martin attended EEOC Technical Assistance training on September 16, 2004.
2. HRS Smith attended the HUD Fair Housing Training Academy September 27 – October 1, 2004.
3. HRS Winn attended the HUD Fair Housing Training Academy October 18 – 22, 2004.
1. HRS Winn attended a meeting of the Kansas Human Relations Association on August 5, 2004.
2. HRS Smith gave a briefing of the LHRC/LHRD on September 24, 2004, to Olantha Brown, who will replace Cornell Mayfield at Housing & Credit Counseling, Inc. (HCCI).
3. HRS Winn attended the League of Kansas Municipalities Conference October 2 – 4, 2004. He also attended the Kansas Human Relations Association meeting held during the League Conference.
4. HRS Smith attended the Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. board meeting October 22, 2004.