City of Lawrence
Human Relations Commission
November 16, 2005 Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Chair Steve Ramirez, Vice Chair Bob Mikesic, Commissioners Wendi Coleman, Ray Chao, Barbara Hillmer, Ernesto Hodison, and Lori Tapahonso.
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Commissioners Terri Wilke and Bob Augelli(excused)
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Executive Director Rehelio A. Samuel, Human Relations Specialists Michelle Smith and Paul Winn, and Secretary Cynthia Colbert
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Mr. James Dunn of Landlords of Lawrence, Inc. |
Chair Ramirez called the meeting of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission to order at 11:08 AM in the LHR/HRD Conference Room.
ROLL CALL
Roll call revealed a quorum of the Commission was present.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 16, 2005
Commissioner Hodison moved that the agenda for November 16, 2005 be accepted. Commissioner Coleman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF STAFF REPORT FOR August 1 – October 31, 2005
Vice Chair Mikesic moved that the staff report August 1 – October 31, 2005 be accepted. Commissioner Hodison seconded the motion. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MEETING OF August 17, 2005
Commissioner Chao moved that the minutes for August 17, 2005 be approved. Commissioner Coleman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER LORI TAPAHONSO
Chair Ramirez introduced new LHRC Commissioner Lori Tapahonso. He welcomed her to the LHRC and asked her to tell everyone about herself. She said she is originally from New Mexico and a member of the Navaho Nation. She has lived in Lawrence for 16 years. She came as a student to Haskell and then transferred to KU to complete her degree. Chair Ramirez said the LHRC is glad to have her aboard. He added that she has been involved in many community activities and is a recent graduate of Leadership Lawrence. In addition, he noted that on many occasions she represents the President of Haskell, so he has first hand knowledge of her commitment to the community.
ELECTION OF 2005-2006 CHAIR
Chair Ramirez opened the floor for nominations for 2005 - 2006 LHRC Chair. Commissioner Hodison moved to nominate Vice-Chair Bob Mikesic as 2005 – 2006 Chair. Commissioner Chao seconded the motion. The motion was put to a vote of LHRC members. Motion carried. Chair Ramirez asked if there were any additional nominations. As there were no additional nominations, it was stated that the nominations were closed.
Vice-Chair Bob Mikesic was elected 2005-2006 LHRC Chair by acclamation.
ELECTION OF 2005-2006 VICE-CHAIR
Chair Steve Ramirez opened the floor for nominations for 2005-2006 LRHC Vice-Chair. Commissioner Chao moved to nominate Commissioner Hillmer as 2005-2006 LHRC Vice-Chair. Commissioner Hodison seconded the motion. Motion carried. Chair Ramirez asked if there were any additional nominations. As there were no additional nominations, it was stated that the nominations were closed.
Commissioner Hillmer was elected 2005-2006 LHRC Vice-Chair by acclamation.
Fair Housing Outreach Update
HRS Smith briefed on the outcome of the Jackson/Morales v. Villa 26 cases. She gave a thorough background of the cases for Commissioner Tapahonso. She said the court awarded a total of $119,000. Chair Ramirez asked if the whole settlement amount would go to the Complainants. Director Samuel gave a breakdown of the damages awarded. He said it has not been determined, but the Complainants will receive a fair share of the judgment. He gave additional comments.
HRS Smith gave a briefing on the disability discrimination cases involving a senior housing complex. HRS Smith thanked Vice-Chair Mikesic for his assistance in bringing the cases to conciliation. HRS Smith gave a summary of the fair housing discrimination case involving the allowance of a satellite television dish.
HRS Smith stated she conducted training for the staff of The Reserve (formerly Jefferson Commons). She said she has additionally helped tenants with various issues regarding rental and tenancy rights and responsibilities.
Director Samuel commented on and commended Vice-Chair Mikesic for his willingness to serve the LHRD with disability discrimination cases. He added comments in regards to the Jackson/Morales discrimination cases. He explained the appeal process.
HRS Smith said she attended the Haskell University Highlight Night and said the information was well received. A brief discussion ensued.
Equal Opportunity Law Update Seminar (EOLUS) 2005 / Update
HRS Winn briefed on the success of the 2005 seminar held October 18 – 19, 2005. Those attending received a course book. It was a successful seminar. 201 people attended over the course of the two days.
HRS Winn said he is already looking at speakers for the 2006 seminar. Thanks to all who helped make the seminar a great success. Commissioner Coleman said she thought it was conducted in a most professional manner. She said she was certain everyone learned a lot from the courses offered. Commissioner Hodison said he concurred with Commissioner Coleman’s comments. He said that in talking with attendees between classes, he heard many positive comments about the information received. Commissioner Hillmer offered help with selecting speakers for 2006. HRS Winn said he would welcome help with speaker selection. Chair Ramirez said, “job well done”.
Director Samuel gave comments concerning efforts to keep attendee numbers at a workable level. He said we are trying to keep the attendee numbers at a level so that people continue to be comfortable, as well as be able to have all of their questions asked and answered. He said that perhaps the seminar would be hosted by a group of human relations agencies. Director Samuel noted that the large number of CLE’s granted for the seminar speaks highly of the quality of the program. He said the seminar received 16 CLE’s for Kansas and Missouri, 12.75 CEU’s for SHRM members, and 6 CME’s for Kansas approved mediators. He noted that the department is able to put on such a high caliber program in spite of the fact that the LHRD only has 4 staff persons. Director Samuel commended the staff and commissioners for a successful seminar.
USDHUD Training Academy
Director Samuel gave a briefing on the HUD Academy training sessions. He noted the training is graduate level course work. He said HRS Winn and Smith would attend Week 3 of the academy this December. Director Samuel said the goal is to have both HRS Winn and Smith finished with all coursework in time for graduation, certification, and recognition at the National Fair Housing Policy Conference in June 2006.
NEW BUSINESS
HRS Winn gave additional comments regarding the Employment Seminar to be held in April 2006. Commissioner Hillmer asked which type of employers will the seminar target. He stated the seminar would educate large and small employers. It will also be marketed to employees. Director Samuel noted that citizens who are unemployed or underemployed are also included in the target audience for the seminar.
HRS Winn stated the annual City-Wide Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration would be held January 13 – 16, 2006. He said the keynote speaker at the Lied Center on January 16th would be Dr. Dorothy Cotton. He noted she was one of the highest-ranking women organizers that worked with Dr. King. She will give some insight to the strategies utilized during the 1960’s Civil Rights Era.
Chair Ramirez added comments regarding the growing Latino community and the associated needs. He mentioned the Latino Coalition of Douglas County that addresses those needs. The chair of the coalition is Lydia Leòn. They hold a monthly luncheon and he would be glad to forward information on the coalition and the luncheons. A brief discussion ensued.
Fair Housing Month 2006
HRS Smith said plans for Fair Housing Month 2006 are underway. In addition, the tenant’s information fair will be held at Liberty Hall. She noted the Landlord’s seminar will be held April 28th and the Information Fair will be held April 29, 2006.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS
Vice-Chair Mikesic commended the LHRD, and in particular, HRS Smith for bringing a quick and professional resolution to the housing disability discrimination cases.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Samuel thanked Chair Ramirez for his outstanding work as a member of the LHRC, and his leadership as Chair. He thanked him for always being there when called upon. Director Samuel additionally thanked Vice-Chair Mikesic for his outstanding contributions to the LHRD/LHRC.
Director Samuel gave a briefing on his concerns about the variety of community needs, especially as it concerns youth. A brief discussion ensued.
Director Samuel said a new commissioner orientation would be scheduled for Commissioner Tapahonso in the near future.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. James Dunn asked for clarification about the fair housing cases currently in the court system. Director Samuel and HRS Smith gave an additional briefing on the cases.
Mr. Dunn asked if it was a landlord requirement to provide a rental contract or other related documents in Spanish. Director Samuel said it was not a requirement, but it would certainly be good business sense, and helpful to tenants who may not read or speak English very well and may not understand the agreements they are signing. Mr. Dunn asked if it was the applicant’s responsibility to request documents be translated. HRS Smith stated she felt it would be good business to have translated documents on hand.
A brief discussion ensued.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.