City of
Human Relations Commission
February
20, 2008 Minutes
|
MEMBERS
PRESENT: |
Chair
Ernesto Hodison, Vice-Chair Barbara Hillmer, Commissioners Ray Chao, James
Dunn, Lori Tapahonso, Bessie Walker, and Teri Wilke |
|
Commissioners
Bob Augelli and Kevin Johnson |
|
|
STAFF
PRESENT: |
Human Relations Specialists Paul Winn, Michelle
Smith, and Human Relations Associate Cynthia Colbert |
|
STAFF
ABSENT: |
Interim Director Toni Wheeler |
|
PUBLIC
PRESENT: |
None |
Chair Hodison
called the meeting of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission to order at 11:06
AM in the LHRD Conference Room.
ROLL
CALL
Roll call
revealed a quorum of the Commission was present.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 20, 2008
Commissioner
Wilke moved that the agenda for February 20, 2008 be accepted. Commissioner Chao
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA, STAFF REPORT, AND MINUTES FROM
NOVEMBER 28, 2007 MEETING
Commissioner
Dunn moved that the agenda, staff report, and minutes from the November 28,
2007 meeting be accepted, with correction to the August 15, 2007 minutes.
Commissioner Tapahonso seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF STAFF REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1, 2007 TO
JANUARY 31, 2008
Commissioner
Chao moved that the staff report for November 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008 be
accepted. Commissioner Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 28, 2007
Commissioner
Dunn moved that the minutes for the November 28, 2007 meeting be accepted.
Commissioner Wilke seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
Chair Hodison opened the floor
for nominations for LHRC Chair. Chair Hodison nominated Vice-Chair Barbara
Hillmer as Chair. Vice-Chair Hillmer declined the nomination due to job constraints.
Chair Hodison nominated Commissioner Walker
as Chair. Commissioner Walker accepted the nomination. Chair Hodison asked if
there were any additional nominations. As there were no additional nominations,
it was stated that the nominations were closed.
Commissioner Bessie Walker was
elected 2007-2008 LHRC Chair by acclamation.
Chair Hodison opened the floor
for nominations for LRHC Vice-Chair. Vice-Chair Hillmer moved that Commissioner
Tapahonso be nominated as LHRC Vice-Chair. Commissioner Tapahonso accepted the
nomination. Chair Hodison asked if there were any additional nominations. As
there were no additional nominations, it was stated that the nominations were
closed.
Commissioner Lori Tapahonso was
elected 2007-2008 LHRC Vice-Chair by acclamation.
OLD BUSINESS
Chair
Hodison shared information sent via email from Interim Director Toni Wheeler.
The correspondence from Director Wheeler said four – five LHRC members, along
with Chair Hodison, had given input to Director Wheeler regarding the job
description. She will soon finalize the job description and job bulletin and
proceed with opening the position. Director Wheeler expressed her thanks for
the input received from the LHRC.
Chair
Hodison stated he had met with Director Wheeler and offered some suggestions in
regard to the job description. He said he believed the candidate should have a
human/civil rights background and experience. Vice-Chair Hillmer asked if the
civil rights experience would be listed as a requirement or as a preference.
Chair Hodison said that it would be preferred, but not required. He said he
felt the recruitment process was moving forward as planned.
Commissioner
Dunn asked if the job opening would be posted nationwide. A brief discussion
ensued. Human Relations Associate Cynthia Colbert explained the position
recruitment process for all city jobs, including management positions. She said
some management positions are posted nationwide in trade or government
publications and the typical length of time for accepting application for
management positions was approximately 30 days. In addition, she explained the
city’s general selection and interview process. She noted this was a guideline
and may vary. A brief discussion ensued.
Staff Community Outreach Activities
HRS Smith said she participated in a training session for
Housing and Credit Counseling (HCCI). Twenty-four people were in attendance. In
addition, she conducted a fair housing workshop for members of the USD 497
English as a Second Language classes, training a total of 42 people.
HRS Winn said he participated in the Martin Luther King,
Jr. commemorative events held January 17 – 21, 2008. He said activities
included a breakfast at Maceli’s and an educational event co-sponsored by USD
497. HRS Winn said he participated in Haskell Highlight Night for students by
disseminating information on employment, fair housing and public
accommodations.
Commissioner Wilke said she attended the play held on
Saturday for the MLK commemoration and enjoyed it very much.
HUD National Fair Housing Training & Policy Conference
HRS Smith said this year marks the 40th
anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act by President Lyndon B.
Johnson on April 11, 1968. She said the 2008 HUD Training and Policy Conference
would include activities celebrating the event.
The training and policy conference will be held April 8 – 11, 2008.
2008 Fair
Housing Month Activities
HRS Smith said preparations for the 2008 Fair Housing Month
activities are underway. A Seminar for Landlords, Owners, and Property Managers
will take place Friday, April 25, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday
Inn/Holidome. An Information Fair for Renters and Homebuyers/Owners will be
held Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
HRS Smith said she would be attending the
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS
Commissioner Wilke thanked Chair Hodison for doing such a
great job this past year. Chair-Elect Walker thanked the LHRC for the
opportunity to serve as 2008 Chair.
Commissioner Dunn asked to note for the records that the
City of
PUBLIC COMMENT
NONE
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Hodison said he wished to
express his thanks for the opportunity to serve as the 2007 LHRC Chair.
Vice Chair-Elect Tapahonso
mentioned updating the LHRC contact sheet.
Vice-Chair Hillmer moved to
adjourn. Chair Hodison seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.