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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 4-17Human Relations Commission Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Present: Chair Bill Williamson, Commissioner Denise Habun, Commissioner Winfried Cooper, Commissioner Aloun Khotisene, Vice Chair Rich Jacobs, Commissioner Elisa Lara; Deputy Chief Bill Wolf 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. 2. Person(s) Recognized Ed and Phil Mungai were in attendance to hear the discussion on sanctuary cities. 3. Approval of February 7, 2017 Minutes Commissioner Jacobs made a motion to approve the February minutes, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Commissioner Habun stated that the minutes were incomplete regarding the discussion of the diversity and inclusion initiative. The tenor of the discussion with the city manager, which did not include a stated plan, was not captured. Chair Williamson stated that city manager Kozal said a successor plan was needed, recruiting should be adhering to the initiative and barriers to entry should be eliminated. There was also a conversation about bringing “other people into the fold.” Commissioner Habun made a motion to have this additional information included in the February minutes, seconded by Commissioner Lara. Motion passed. Commissioner Lara made a motion to approve the February minutes as amended, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. YEA: Chair Williamson, Commissioner Cooper, Commissioner Khotisene, Vice Chair Jacobs, Commissioner Lara NAY: Commissioner Habun February minutes approved 5-1. Approval of March 7, 2017 Minutes Commissioner Jacobs made a motion to approve the March minutes, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Commissioner Habun had comments on the Diversity Committee Update section of the March minutes. The minutes did not include details on the discussion with city manager Kozal regarding pieces from the current strategic plan that were being kept. There was also a conversation regarding the meeting with the new consultant and why the meeting was taking place; i.e., a “reset.” Commissioner Habun made a motion to approve the March minutes with this information included, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Motion carried; March minutes approved. 4. Monthly Reports Staff Liaison Cohen distributed Title 44, Section 750.120 of the Illinois Administrative Code, which contains guidelines for determining whether a public contractor is underutilizing women and minorities in any job classification. Chair Williamson indicated the HRC will follow up with City Manager Kozal and the council regarding whether they want the HRC to carry out these duties. 5. Old Business • Diversity Committee Update (standing item) After Staff Liaison Cohen’s summary of the update, Commissioner Habun opined that the city was performing a “do-over.” The Daily Herald article regarding the diversity/inclusion initiative talked about “jump starting.” Commissioner Habun asked what is being kept from the current plan; was the scorecard being kept? Staff Liaison Cohen responded that the scorecard would not be kept in its current form. Chair Williamson stated that people previously involved in the initiative should still be involved if they so desire. The feeling this was a re-set should be brought to city manager Kozal along with questions as to whether the new consultant will continue the work that has been performed to date or start the process over? A reason should be given for anything in the current plan that will not be kept. Chair Williamson likes the city manager’s idea of including staff in the conversation. Vice Chair Jacobs stated that we would have to wait and see regarding the new consultant. Those on the HRC who were involved in the process have ownership in the work done to date and he believes city manager Kozal has heard that. There are many questions about moving forward but some may be answered before the next meeting. Vice Chair Jacobs does not get the sense that the initiative is not being taken seriously. The HRC should let city manager Kozal know their concerns, stay kept in the loop and be prepared to accept that some of the hard work performed may not be used. Deputy Chief Wolf stated that the city continues to do a lot of work around the area of diversity. The EPD has a new recruiting video and is reviewing the testing process; these initiatives should be included in the discussion about what the city is doing. Chair Williamson agreed that communication is important and that city manager Kozal is a good communicator. • HOPE Event for EPD The event takes place May 17th. HRC commissioners will receive an invitation. • Race – the Power of Illusion Commissioner Habun reminded the HRC that the first of 3 screenings and facilitated discussion will take place 4/12/17 at 6:30 at the Centre of Elgin. 6. New Business • Sanctuary Cities Chair Williamson stated that the HRC was asked to look into the pros and cons of sanctuary cities. He wanted to stress he is not sure what will be done with the information. The HRC needs to decide what are valid pros and cons and present that information to the Mayor. Deputy Chief Wolf indicated the EPD had received a lot of community feedback and have had conversations with Centro De Informacion regarding their policy work and cooperation with ICE. The EPD has no intention of having officers act as ICE agents. Out of 4,000 arrests, an ICE hold was placed on ten individuals, all of whom had significant criminal histories. Based on policy discussions with Centro and feedback received from the community, people are satisfied with the EPD’s policies. Commissioner Habun stated she would like a public program to gather input. Chair Williamson said Elgin seems like a de facto sanctuary city. All the HRC will give the Mayor are pros and cons. Chair Williamson had an article that provided such a summary. Commissioner Khotisene stated it would be up to the Mayor if he wanted a public program. Commissioner Cooper said people are worried about profiling and discrimination. Commissioner Jacobs said there is not a set definition of what a sanctuary city is. He would define the practices of the EPD as that of a sanctuary city and would want the request to come from the Mayor if there were to be a public program. Chair Williamson asked for agreement that he would share the article with the Mayor, which the commissioners provided. Commissioner Habun requested that the Mayor be asked what next steps if any he desired the HRC to take. • Commissioner Khotisene provided information regarding a play that will be performed at ECC on Saturday, April 29. Adjournment Commissioner Cooper made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Habun. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Gail Cohen Gail Cohen Staff Liaison