HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1 -16Human Relations Commission
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Second Floor Conference Room – South Tower
Present: Chair Bill Williamson, Commissioner Danise Habun, Commissioner Aloun
Khotisene, Commissioner Winfried Cooper, Deputy Chief Bill Wolf
Absent: Commissioner Bob Whitt, Commissioner Elisa Lara, Vice Chair Rich Jacobs
1. Call To Order – the meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm
2. Approval of December 1, 2015 Minutes
Commissioner Habun made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Khotisene. Minutes were approved.
3. Monthly Reports
Staff liaison Cohen went over the monthly contract report.
4. Old Business
Diversity Committee Update (standing item)
Chair Williamson applauded Fire Chief Fahy for his department’s efforts
to attract a broader applicant pool. Commissioner Habun reminded the
group about the new hiring laws that provide preferences to paramedics.
Commissioner Habun asked how our group could lobby to prevent such
laws from being enacted. Chair Williamson will share an email he
received from Phil Reed, SNAP Consultants.
Liaison Cohen handed out the Diversity Committee’s 2016 Workgroup
priorities.
MLK Committee Update
MLK Chair Habun reported that everything is progressing and she has a
remarkable committee.
Black Lives Matter
Commissioner Habun reported that the program is gelling. The message
will be one of unity, not division. The goal of the program is to clarify
what the Black Lives Matter movement is. Commissioner Whitt will
facilitate discussion. Consultant/Facilitator Marcia Thompson will
participate. At the next meeting U‐46 teacher Deb Perryman will talk
about moving from the All Lives Matter movement to the Black Lives
Matter movement and how she gained her change of perspective.
5. New Business
Community/Police Relations Update
Commissioner Whitt, who asked that this item be placed on the agenda,
was not present. No discussion.
Approval of the Humanitarian Award Nomination
Commissioner Habun made a motion that the 2016 MLK Humanitarian
award be given to Bruce and Helen Strom. Commissioner Khotisene
seconded. Motion carried.
Adjournment
There being no other business, Commissioner Habun made a motion to adjourn,
seconded by Commissioner Khotisene.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Cohen
Gail Cohen
Staff Liaison/Secretary