City of Lawrence

Lawrence Human Relations Commission

February 17, 2011

Minutes

 

Members Present:  James Dunn, Jason Barnhill, Dan Coke, Kirsten Krug (via teleconference), Laura Diaz Moore, Lori Tapahonso, Michael Allen, Kevin Johnson, Scott Criqui

 

Staff Present:  Toni Ramirez Wheeler, Cal Thoman, and Scott Wagner

 

Public Present:  Mrs. James Dunn

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Commission Meeting Called to Order

The Lawrence Human Relations Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair, James Dunn, at 11:00 a.m. in the City Commission Room at City Hall, located at 6 East 6th Street, Lawrence, Kansas.

 

Acceptance of Agenda

Chairman Dunn asked the commission if there were any additional agenda items for consideration.  Chairman Dunn wanted to add a discussion on the by-laws regarding community outreach events which was added to the agenda.

 

Commissioner Tapahonso had an item for the commission.  There was discussion regarding adding as a regular agenda item, commission items.

 

No additional items were offered.  Commissioner Johnson moved to accept the agenda as amended and it was seconded by Commissioner Coke.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Approval of Minutes

Chair James Dunn asked for commission comments on the commission minutes from the November 18, 2010 meeting.  It was moved by Commissioner Krug and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve the November 18, 2010 minutes of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Staff Report

Toni Wheeler, Director of the Legal Department provided the staff report.  She stated that two fair housing cases have been closed since the last commission meeting.  There are currently no open cases.  Director Wheeler discussed the Lawrence Journal World article that discussed the Human Relations Division.  She stated that the division is still here and open for business and actively enforces Chapter 10 of the City Code.  She presented to the commission copies of advertisements that ran in the Journal World which detailed the Human Relations Division, its location and mission.  She noted that staff is constantly looking for additional outreach events and opportunities to promote the division.  The Mayor attended the community Martin Luther King Day celebration in January.  In April, Fair Housing month will be promoted in the City’s monthly newsletter, The Flame, which goes out to all households in Lawrence receiving a utility bill.  Staff welcomed commission involvement in outreach planning and events.

 

Scott Wagner presented information regarding a proposed April event which would celebrate Fair Housing Month.  The event would be held in conjunction with the City’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 16 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the South Park Recreation Center.  The event would combine information on sustainable homes and energy savings and the on-going Take Charge Challenge, with information on local fair housing law.  There would also be an opportunity for a Human Relations information table to be set up in South Park following the Earth Day Parade.  The commission directed staff to proceed with the event as proposed.

 

Director Wheeler stated that Cal Thoman is going to attend the National Fair Housing Training Academy in July.  The course will cover Fair Housing Law and Ethics, Critical Thinking and Investigation, including interviewing techniques, and clear writing through critical thinking.

 

Chairman Dunn asked if the division still did mediation.  Director Wheeler stated that the previous Human Relations staff did offer mediation.  However, that service is no longer being offered due to staffing constraints.

 

Chairman Dunn then began the discussion of Article 2, Section 2 of the By-laws that deals with Special Event Attendance.  It was moved by Commissioner Tapahonso and seconded by Commissioner Allen to add a discussion of this item to the May agenda.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Tapahonso discussed upcoming outreach events that the commission may want to participate in.  Events included the KU Pow-wow on April 16 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Robinson Gymnasium.  The Haskell Pow-wow will be on May 7 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Commissioner Criqui noted that on March 29, the LGBT will be having a candidate mixer at Macelis from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

 

Commissioner Dunn noted that at the next commission meeting in May, elections for the board will occur for the role of Chair and Vice-Chair.

 

Director Wheeler presented information from a recently adopted civil rights ordinance in Manhattan.  It contained many provisions similar to the Lawrence civil rights code.  It also contained a provision on gender identity.

 

Commissioner Tapahonso asked when the commission’s recommendation on gender identity will go before the City Commission.  Director Wheeler stated that the gender identity report is on the future City Commission agenda memo, but that it has not been scheduled yet for City Commission consideration. 

 

 

Public Comment

Commissioner Tapahonso read an email she had received regarding a bill before the Kansas House Judiciary Committee.  Director Wheeler discussed the process that generally took place when the City took a position on proposed legislation. There were no additional public comments.

 

The Human Relations Commission meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.