City of Lawrence

Lawrence Human Relations  Commission

November 16, 2018 – 5:35 p.m.

Minutes

Members Present: Katie Barnett, Martha Taylor, Joseph Falls, Dustin Stumblingbear, Sarah Bloxsom,

Members Absent (excused):  Kait Perry, Caleb Stephens

Staff Present: Toni Wheeler, Scott Wagner, Elizabeth Hafoka

Public Present: None

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Commission Meeting Called to Order

The Lawrence Human Relations Commission (LHRC) Meeting was called to Order by its Chair – Katie Barnett at 5:35 p.m. in the Carnegie Building, located at 200 West 9^th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. The meeting was held in the lower level conference room.  

Receive Staff Report

Elizabeth Hafoka provided an update on pending human relations cases since the last LHRC meeting.  Ms. Hafoka noted there are currently two open cases – both housing related - protected class is familial status in one case and sex in the other.  Ms. Hafoka also reported that one employment case has been closed since the last meeting.

Ms. Hafoka will attend HUD sponsored fair housing training in Washington, D.C. in late November. Director Toni Wheeler provided an update on the pending case in Douglas County District Court.

Director Toni Wheeler reviewed City of Lawrence Resolution 7269 which was adopted on November 6, 2018.  The resolution adopted a new ethics policy for the City, its employees and appointed officials.  Advisory board members, such as the Human Relations Commission, are covered by the new policy.  Copies of Resolution 7269 were distributed to members present.

Commission Outreach

Scott Wagner provided an update on recent fair housing outreach activities.  On October 20^th, Director Wheeler staffed a table at a USD 497 event hosted by Native American Student Services.  Human Relations Commission information was displayed along with promotional items. 

Scott Wagner provided flyers from a recent fair housing training session that was organized by Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. (HCCI).  The City of Lawrence was a sponsor of the training.  A morning session was held for renters and fair housing advocates and an afternoon session was held for landlords.

Chair Barnett asked about future partnerships between the Human Relations Commission and HCCI.  Director Wheeler offered to coordinate a meeting between staffs and Chair Barnett to discuss possible outreach activities between the two agencies.

Director Wheeler noted that on Saturday, November 17, a final presentation would be held at the Lawrence Public Library on the Community Conversations on Race.  The final session would focus on what elements could be acted on that came up in prior discussions in the series.  Director Wheeler said she plans to attend and would report back to the commission on the final meeting.

Commission Items:

Chair Barnett reported on the training subcommittee that met since the August 16 Human Relations Commission meeting.  The subcommittee has focused on sponsoring an outreach activity based on the topic of immigration.  Chair Barnett said the subcommittee was looking at an event that would be more of a resources type fair to possibly be held in late January 2019.  The subcommittee has initially approached various community organizations about having a table regarding the services their organization provides at the event.  A panel discussion is also being planned centered around the theme of “Knowing your Rights”.  A local immigration law attorney – David Trevino, is interested in participating in the event.

General discussion was held about various community organizations to reach out to and the possible days, time and location to hold the event.  Commissioner Bloxsom noted that in her work as a social worker for Topeka schools, education in the immigrant community was a real issue.  She suggested that the LHRC reach out to USD 497 to see if they had an office or migrant services staff that would be willing to participate.

Commissioner Falls proposed a budget of no more than $500 to be spent on the event.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stumblingbear.  All voted in favor.

Chair Barnett asked the commission to approve various dates for the subcommittee to target for holding the event.  The following dates were proposed: January 24^th and January 31^st, 2019 (both Thursdays) and January 12^th and January 27^th, 2019 (both Saturdays) and were approved for consideration.

Commissioner Taylor moved, and Commissioner Falls seconded the approval of the minutes for the August 16, 2018 meeting of the LHRC.  The motion was unanimously approved.

It was moved by Commissioner Taylor and seconded by Commissioner Falls to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.