City of Lawrence

Lawrence Human Relations Commission

Special Meeting

June 29, 2017 – 5:32 p.m.

Minutes

Members Present: Carl Edwards, Mike Machell, Nicole Humphrey, Katie Barnett, Kait Perry, Sarah Bloxsom, Caleb Stephens, Martha Taylor

Members Absent (excused): Jacqueline Becks,

Staff Present: Toni Wheeler

Public Present: None

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Commission Meeting Called to Order

Chairperson Perry called the special meeting of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission (LHRC) to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Carnegie Building, located at 200 West 9^th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. The meeting convened in the lower level conference room. 

At its regular meeting on June 22, 2017, the Commission voted to call a special meeting of the LHRC on June 29, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. in the Carnegie Building to discuss whether the LHRC should submit a letter to The Lawrence Journal World editor concerning recent events reported in the national news.  Commissioner Stephens specifically mentioned the acquittal of the officer charged in the death of Philando Castile in a suburb of Saint Paul, Minnesota and the recent shooting of Charleena Lyles in Seattle, Washington.

Chairperson Perry asked whether the minutes of the June 22, 2017, LHRC meeting were ready for approval.  Ms. Wheeler answered that the minutes were not complete.  She advised the minutes would be placed on the LHRC’s August meeting agenda for approval. 

As discussion on a possible letter to the editor commenced, Commissioner Machell moved to make the approval of the final letter by unanimous vote of the LHRC.  Chairperson Perry tabled the motion until the LHRC decided what it will do with a letter.

Chairperson Perry asked Commissioner Stephens to summarize his intentions for the special meeting.  Commissioner Stephens briefly stated that he wanted the commission to do something to honor the memories of Castile and Lyles and he thought a very short statement that he prepared would suffice.   

The LHRC then discussed the possibility of presenting a final letter to the Lawrence City Commission.  The process for placing an item on a City Commission agenda followed.  The LHRC discussed the possibility that the Chair would read the final letter during the City Commission’s public comment section of the July 18, 2017, City Commission meeting. 

A discussion of Commissioner Stephen’s draft statement ensued.  Commissioner Machell stated that he thought Commissioner Stephen’s submittal was one-sided; Chairperson Perry expressed support for the short statement; Vice-Chair Barnett did not agree with a shorter statement and commented that it should be a more fully developed statement. Vice-Chair Barnett made a motion to work to revise the draft letter submitted by Commissioner Machell.  Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a vote of 7-1.

The commission members discussed and revised each paragraph of the statement submitted by Commissioner Machell. Vice-Chair Barnett moved to approve paragraph 1, as amended; Commissioner Humphrey seconded. The motion prevailed. Vice-Chair Barnett moved to approve paragraph 2, as amended; Commissioner Humphrey seconded; the motion prevailed. Vice-Chair Barnett made a motion to strike paragraph 3; Commissioner Stephens seconded; motion passed unanimously. The members present revised paragraph 3.  Vice-Chair Barnett made a motion to approve paragraph 3, as amended; Commissioner Humphrey seconded; motion passed unanimously.  A motion to approve paragraph 4 was made by Commissioner Bloxsom; Commissioner Stephens seconded the motion; the motion passed.  Chairperson Perry moved to approve the letter, as amended, in its entirety; Commissioner Humphrey seconded; the motion prevailed unanimously.

Vice-Chair Barnett moved that the full text of the final, approved letter be included in the LHRC’s June 29, 2917, meeting minutes. Commissioner Humphrey seconded the motion, and the motion passed.  Commissioner Machell moved to authorize Chairperson Perry to read the final, approved letter at the July 18, 2017, City Commission meeting during the public comment section of the meeting; Commissioner Taylor seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.  Commissioner Edwards moved to authorize Chairperson Perry to submit the letter to The Lawrence Journal World’s editor for publication; Commissioner Taylor seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. 

Chairperson Perry thanked everyone for their work. Commissioner Machell made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:38 p.m.