City of Lawrence
Human Relations Commission
November 21, 2008 Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Commissioners James Dunn, Barbara Hillmer, Ernesto Hodison, Kirsten Krug, Sue Leonard, and Terri Wilke
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Vice Chair Lori Tapahonso, Commissioners Bob Augelli and Kevin Johnson
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Director Toni Wheeler, Human Relations Specialists Paul Winn and 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: |
Mrs. Nancy Dunn |
Commissioner 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 NOVEMBER 19, 2008
Commissioner Hillmer moved that the agenda for November 19, 2008 be accepted. Commissioner Leonard seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ACCEPTANCE OF STAFF REPORT FOR AUGUST 1 TO OCTOBER 31, 2008
Commissioner Dunn moved that the staff report for August 1 to October 31, 2008 be accepted. Commissioner Wilke seconded the motion. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MEETING OF AUGUST 27, 2008
Commissioner Hillmer moved that the minutes for the August 27, 2008 meeting be accepted. Commissioner Dunn 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 Lori Tapahonso as Chair. Chair Hodison asked if there were any additional nominations. As there were no additional nominations, it was stated that the nominations were closed.
Vice-Chair Lori Tapahonso was elected 2008-2009 LHRC Chair by acclamation.
Chair Hodison opened the floor for nominations for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Hillmer moved that Commissioner Dunn be nominated as Vice-Chair. Commissioner Dunn 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 James Dunn was elected 2008-2009 LHRC Vice-Chair by acclamation.
APPROVAL OF MEETING DATE CHANGE
HRA Colbert explained that the LHRC meetings had historically been held every third Thursday in February, May, August, and November. She noted the day had been changed to Wednesdays approximately 10 years ago to accommodate a previous commissioner’s work schedule. Commissioner Wilke moved that the Human Relations Commission meetings be changed from every third Wednesday to every third Thursday of February, May, August, and November. Commissioner Leonard seconded the motion. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Employment Law Update Seminar 2008 Final Report
HRA Colbert reported the seminar was held October 28th at the Eldridge Hotel. She noted a couple of LHRC members were in attendance. She said it was well attended and the seminar received many positive comments. HRS Colbert said the seminar received a 9.1 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score. She said if any LHRC members would like to have a copy of seminar course materials to let her know after the meeting. Commissioner Hodison asked what distance people came to attend the seminar. HRS Colbert said that although a majority of attendees came from the Lawrence area, several came from Ottawa, Topeka, Baldwin, and the Kansas City area.
A brief discussion ensued.
Director Wheeler thanked Commissioners Hillmer and Wilke for attending the seminar and noted their support is greatly appreciated. She thanked Commissioner Wilke for serving on the Ask an Expert panel. The question and answer period was added to the program in response to attendee comments from previous seminars. In addition, she thanked the LHRC for being accepting of the seminar changes. Director Wheeler noted the division was able to provide the seminar at a significant cost savings compared to previous years. She encouraged the LHRC members to submit any suggestions as soon as possible so they can be considered during the planning session for the 2009 seminar.
Commissioner Hodison gave his appreciation to the HR staff for their work on the seminar.
Employee Satisfaction Survey Update
Director Wheeler explained the employee survey process. She said the survey is given to employees every few years to gauge their satisfaction in a number of areas. The final results are shared with employees, as well as the City Manager and the City Commission.
A brief discussion ensued.
HR Staff Mediation Training
HRA Colbert stated the Human Relations staff members attended mediation training September 10, 2008. The training was titled Mediation for Changing Times and took place at the Johnson Country Community College. Staff members earned the 6 CME’s required for mediator certification renewal. She noted the training will be useful to staff in furthering their mediation skills. In addition, HRS Winn attended the mediator training titled Mediating with Emotional Intelligence in October 2008. HRS Winn gave a summary of the session he attended.
A brief discussion ensued.
Case Update
Director Wheeler gave an overview of a housing complaint investigated by HRS Smith. When the respondent failed to comply with a request for information, the Legal Department staff issued a subpoena to the respondent. When the respondent again failed to comply, legal staff filed a civil action in district court to enforce the subpoena. The hearing occurred on August 27, 2008. The judge ruled to uphold the issued subpoena and the respondent was ordered to comply within 30 days. Director Wheeler commended the Legal Department attorney, as well as HRS Smith for their work on the case.
Staff Community Outreach
HRA Colbert said the HR staff had planned to meet in November to brainstorm and create a plan for 2009 outreach projects. She said the staff is hoping to expand the outreach efforts of the division in innovative, cost-effective ways. LHRC members were encouraged to submit suggestions for consideration by the staff and Director Wheeler. HRA Colbert said the HR staff will meet in December to formulate 2009 outreach plans.
HRS Smith stated that HUD has outreach requirements the division must meet. She gave examples of those requirements such as workshops and giveaways for workshop attendees. A brief discussion ensued.
Director Wheeler said community outreach is an important part of the divisions’ mission and staff works hard to get information to the public. She also encouraged the LHRC to submit suggestions.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS
Commissioner Dunn distributed flyers for a forum on community homelessness to be held December 2, 2008, 7:00 pm at the Lawrence Public Library.
Commissioner Hodison said he appreciates the work Director Wheeler and the HR staff does within the community, as well as the work they do investigating discrimination complaints. He said he also appreciates receiving the Monthly Fact Sheet, which is helpful to the LHRC in knowing what is going on within the division.
PUBLIC COMMENT
NONE
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wilke moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Hillmer seconded the motion.
Meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m.