City of Lawrence

Lawrence Human Relations Commission

August 16, 2012

Minutes

 

Members Present:  James Dunn, Scott Criqui, Katherine Pryor, Kevin Johnson, Laura Diaz Moore, Kristen Krug  (via teleconference)

 

Members Excused:  Jason Barnhill, Katrina McClure

 

Staff Present:  Scott Wagner, Elizabeth Hafoka, and Susan Parson

 

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, Scott Criqui, at 11:05 a.m. in the City Commission Room at City Hall, located at 6 East 6th Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Chairman Criqui began the meeting by discussing the role and duties of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission.

 

Approval of Minutes

Chair Scott Criqui asked for commission comments on the commission minutes from the May 17, 2012 meeting.  Commissioner Dunn said there should be an addition to the minutes regarding the award Commissioner Criqui received. Motion by Commissioner Dunn seconded by Kevin Johnson to approve the minutes as amended.

 

Staff Report

Scott Wagner, provided the staff report. Scott Wagner asked Elizabeth Hafoka, City Prosecutor and Human Relations case investigator, to provide an update on case investigations. Elizabeth Hafoka reported that she has just finished two investigations.  One case involved a public accommodations claim on the basis of disability.  Another case involved alleged discrimination on the basis of race.  The investigative reports have been given to Director Wheeler to review and Commissioner Jason Barnhill provided the commission review of the cases.

 

Scott Wagner reported on continued outreach by staff. Over 32,000 inserts were put in City of Lawrence Utility Billing customer bills in the month of June. Susan Parson contacted 15 agencies in Lawrence, Kansas and dispersed over 500 of the new Human Relations brochures into the community. Mr. Wagner also encouraged Commissioners to take some more of the brochures and promotional items provided on the table, such as pens, sticky note pads, and bandage dispensers. Mr. Wagner reported that the Lawrence Festival of Cultures will be held Sunday, September 16. It will be in South Park from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. In years past the commission has had a table set up at this event.  Commissioner Criqui will discuss this item. Commissioner Katrina McClure is working to have a table at the Haskell Highlight Night.

 

Scott Wagner gave an update on the 2012 legislative session. House
Bill 2453 was signed by the Governor.  It deals with state of Kansas purchasing practices.  It also creates an Office on Disability Concerns within the Governor’s Office. Also House Bill 2335 passed and was signed by the Governor.  HB2335 brings the Kansas Act Against Discrimination up to date with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments of 2008.  The City of Lawrence, in June 2012, adopted Ordinance 8750 to bring the City Human Relations Code provisions up to date with these legislative changes.  Copies of the ordinance are provided and these changes have been updated into the Human Relations code.

 

Scott Wagner also reported on staff training. Susan Parson received TEAPOTS training in Kansas City, which is an online HUD program for tracking complaints and their investigations. Also, Elizabeth Hafoka reported on two trainings. She attended an EEOC seminar in Kansas City, Kansas and fair housing training in Washington, DC. The EEOC seminar was related to Human Resource issues, sexual harassment investigations, and updates to the law.

 

Commissioner Dunn asked if there is training the community can receive, for example landlords, around the various kinds of harassment. Scott Wagner stated that he thought it would be a good idea to look for opportunities for training in this area. Commissioner Criqui said there is training available through Society of Human Resource Managers, (SHRM) and there was a training session coming up in September.

 

Commission Membership

Scott Wagner reported the terms of commissioners that will be ending in September 2012.  Commissioners Dunn, Criqui, Johnson, Barnhill and Diaz-Moore are all completing their first terms on the commission and are eligible for reappointment. Commissioner Kevin Johnson and Laura Diaz Moore have declined to serve another term. Mr. Wagner thanked them for their service to the City of Lawrence by serving on the commission. Also, Michael Allen’s appointment is still open. Those commissioners that would like to continue their appointments are: Scott Criqui, Chair, Jason Barnhill, Vice Chair and James Dunn.  If those commissioners are reappointed, the commission in October will have three positions open.

 

Commission Items

Commissioner James Dunn announced the Lawrence-Douglas County League of Women Voters will be making changes to their housing policy.  They will be holding a meeting on September 8, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM to be held at the Fire Station No. 5 Building located at 19th and Iowa.  He noted that Scott Criqui is receiving the Helen Fluker award for Open and Accessible Government.

 

Commissioner Scott Criqui announced an LGBT event to be held November 1, 2012  from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Macelis.  Mayor Schumm will be speaking. Scott Wagner offered Human Relations Commission brochures to be available for the event.

 

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

 

The Human Relations Commission was adjourned at 11:25 AM.