Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2-17Human Relations Commission Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Present: Chair Bill Williamson, Commissioner Denise Habun, Commissioner Winfried Cooper, Commissioner Aloun Khotisene, Commander Allen Young Absent: Vice Chair Rich Jacobs, Commissioner Elisa Lara Guest: City Manager Rick Kozal 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 6:42 pm. 2. Person(s) Recognized Pastor Bob Whitt was unable to attend as schedule, but provided information through Commissioner Habun for the HRC to review. Bob Whitt asked if the HRC would co-host an event with HOPE to recognize the uniqueness and good work of the Elgin Police Department. Commissioner Habun made a motion that the HRC partner for this event, seconded by Commissioner Khotisene. Motion carried. 3. Approval of January 3, 2017 Minutes Commissioner Cooper made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Habun. Minutes approved. 4. Monthly Reports No monthly reports. Chair Williamson described to City Manager Kozal the shortcomings of the HRC’s bidder documentation review process. 5. Old Business • Budget Update Staff Liaison Cohen provided a 2017 budget summary. She will correct the amount paid for “Elgin Standing Together” posters. • Elgin Standing Together Recap Commissioner Habun reported that the event was phenomenal. About 750 to 800 people attended, including the Mayor. It was a peaceful, inspiring event. • Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Recap Commissioner Habun reported that the event was a success. The Breakfast sold out, the Public Program had a lot of participants, the Youth Conference was great and the Food Drive was a success. The committee is meeting Thursday, February 9 for a recap discussion. 6. New Business • Earth Day Event, GBPL Commissioner Habun reported that Danielle Henson asked if the HRC would co-sponsor this event with Trickster Gallery. The HRC would provide an attendee on April 22. They also need our logo. Commissioner Habun made a motion to support the Earth Day Event, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Motion carried. • LANA conference - Lao American National Alliance conference in Elgin in July 28-29, 2017 Commissioner Khotisene reported that the 8th annual Lao American National Alliance Conference will be held in Elgin this year for two evenings, in the Heritage Ballroom. Commissioner Khotisene inquired if the HRC would sponsor the cost of the rental. Chair Williamson said the LANA conference representatives should speak to the City first and bring the issue back at the next meeting. Commissioner Habun made a motion that the HRC support the LANA conference pending additional information. Commissioner Cooper seconded. Motion carried. • Elgin as Sanctuary City Commissioner Habun reported that Mayor Kaptain requested the HRC research the pro’s and con’s of becoming a sanctuary city. The HRC is taking a few months to research the issue and come back with recommendations. Chair Williamson recommended a template for the report; he will create one. 7. Diversity and Inclusion Initiative (standing item) City Manager Kozal began a discussion of the progress and status of the city’s diversity and inclusion initiative, particularly with recruitment. Kozal believes that the city’s current practice of recruiting from a diverse pool of candidates to compete against qualified internal candidates will not effectively increase the incidence of diversity in the city’s higher ranks (except in those cases in which the internal candidate is a minority) because the internal candidates have an inherent advantage in the knowledge of the organization and a demonstrable work record. Kozal indicated that no interview process could substitute for the experience gained from working with someone for an extended period of time. Kozal acknowledged that the city’s employee demographic percentages are static and called for an approach that engaged the workforce in a commitment to diversity rather than compelling compliance with numerical goals. A focus on hiring diverse candidates in positions where there is no qualified internal candidate, who can then be developed for movement up the ranks, is viewed as an effective way to ensure continued diversity in the organizational ranks. The discussion continued in that regard, focusing on the success of the Police Department in increasing its diversity as well as its good relationship with all aspects of the community. Kozal acknowledged that the city’s diversity initiative had lacked top level commitment in the past and that going forward, the city’s diversity initiatives will be afforded his full involvement. Kozal wants to pivot from the proscribed plan and come up with ideas to bring the diversity initiative up to the next level. Hiring managers need to understand that diversity in hiring is as important as the desired technical skills. Kozal stated that a successor diversity and inclusion plan was needed. The workforce needs to be engaged. Staff from all levels and areas of the city should be involved. Recruitment should adhere to the initiative. Any barriers to entry for applicants should be identified and eliminated. Chair Williamson thanked Kozal for attending the meeting and the discussion. Adjournment Commissioner Khotisene made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Habun. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Gail Cohen Gail Cohen Staff Liaison