Page 1 Present: JoAnn Engquist Chairperson Cory Soller Vice-Chairperson Mary Ellen Quinn Nancy Gonzalez James Guerrucci Judi Huber Vickie Long Nila Williams Sunny Akhigbe Absent: DeShawn Gordon Treasurer Tyra Robinson-Walker Marty Corley Staff: Dr. Angela Jackson Executive Director Larry Arness Staff Attorney Others: Absent: City Council Liaison ROLL CALL: Chairperson Engquist called the meeting to order and asked Dr. Jackson to take roll call. The Chairperson reminded commissioners to notify our Human Rights Commission (HRC) office if they were going to be absent from one of the regularly scheduled monthly meetings. She then asked all present to review the minutes from the previous meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no corrections or additions to the minutes. Soller made the motioned to accept the minutes as written and they were seconded by Guerrucci. The voice vote indicated acceptance of the motion with no opposition. TREASUER REPORT: Chairperson Engquist stated that she was very pleased that Mrs. Gordon was able to prepare her report even though she was out of town and not going to be present at this meeting. The commissioners were given time to review the report and encouraged to ask questions as they moved through committee reports. Chairperson Engquist stated that she and Dr. Jackson are working on the agendas together. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT: Director Jackson stated that her March meeting report were in the commissioner s folders. She verbally added that she is still working on Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) issues and contract compliance. She stated that she regularly meets with the mayor and attends to department responsibilities. Dr. Jackson thanked the Chair of the Disabilities Bruch, Jim Guerrucci, and everyone working together to get the job done. She stated that she had heard many positive things from the community and the Mayor. She plans on sending a formal thank you letter to the sponsors as she did last year. Mrs. Engquist agreed it would be a good thing to do.
Page 2 February 2013 Daily open to Citizen Appointments/Walk-Ins Board of Works biweekly meetings Contract Compliance Monitoring EEO/ICRC Discrimination Complaints EEO Bid Package Evaluations Disability Awareness Brunch Planning Career Expo Volunteer- AK Smith- 13th Bid Opening Abatement- CDBG 14 th Black History Month Program- 27th Local Hiring Oversight Council Meeting 27th Looking Ahead March 2013 and Beyond Disability Awareness Brunch: 11th LWV- 12th Commission on Women- 14th @ 5pm Advisory Contract Compliance Committee Mtg 25th Local Hiring Ordinance-Ongoing compliance monitoring EEO Quarterly Training Contract Compliance March Initiatives & Beyond a. Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE)- Education/outreach needed to increase certification for minorities and women in MC b. Building a list of MC diverse contractors is needed c. Local Hiring Registry- Maintain and use as a research tool for employment forum in the construction trades for MC residents Thank you for your time. Dr. Angela Jackson Executive Director
Page 3 STAFF ATTORNEYS REPORT: Mr. Arness reported that there has been discussion on the wording of the transgender ordinance. He also reminded the commissioners that the city has approved the contract to hire him to review the ordinances in order to determine which ordinances we can do without or what ordinances can be modified, especially given our limited staff, Mr. Arness went on to point out that any changes to the ordinances or codes have to be approved by the city council. He felt that the commissioners would be involved to help determine what route we want to take with this topic. Mr. Arness emphasized that this is going to be a big task for us to work on in the next few months. Chairperson Engquist asked if he had any idea when we would begin this assignment. Mr. Arness stated he has begun reviewing the ordinances but has not determined when work would start. COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES REPORT: Chairperson Engquist explained that she has separated, on the agenda, the Commission on the Social Status of African-American Males Committee (SSAAM) Report from the other committee reports. This was done in order to help clarify that it is not one of the HRC s committees. Williams had two reports to give. At the February meeting for SSAAM, she stated that she felt that there was a lot of discussion and disagreement about one of the seats on that commission. The Chair of SSAAM made a motion and she voted against it because she felt that the designees for each specific chair could not be changed without first changing the wording of the ordinance that created SSAAM. She went on to explain that changes of that kind would first require council action to change the ordinance followed by SSAAM s commissioners discussion and vote to accept the changes. Williams went on to discuss the second SSAAM meeting when the Disabilities Brunch and the Black Barbershop Initiative was discussed. Ms. Williams went on to explain that she would be involved with the Black Barbershop Initiative, on April 13 th from 9am-3pm at Marvelous Cuts, representing both SSAAM and Healthlinc. Chairperson Engquist explained that she was pleased that Williams brought up the fact that the configurations of commissions and boards are different and members of those bodies are appointed in various ways All HRC commissioners are appointed by the Mayor.
Page 4 C O M M I T T E E R E P O R T S : Community Relations/Education Committee: Chair Engquist asked to postpone the report of this committee since it would be incorporated in the Executive Committee Report Disability Awareness Committee: Guerrucci stated that as the Chair for the Disabilities Brunch, he could not have accomplished everything without of the others on the Committee considering all that they did to help. He went on to explain that it was a 14 member team and Mr. Whitlow basically was assigned to assist him. Mr. Guerrucci stated that Dr. Jackson took the time out to work with DeShawn every week to take in the checks and make deposits so that he didn t have to be involved in the finance. He made clear that he was proud of what was accomplished at the brunch and thanked the team. He also stated that the food and speaker were great. Guerrucci went on to explain that since we do not have appointed chairs at this time, he had not scheduled another meeting. However, he did ask for emails for suggestions or criticisms in order to plan for future meetings. Mr. Guerrucci stated that one of his goals was to make the community aware of people with disabilities and he feels this was accomplished. It is unknown how many people attended, however the caterer was paid for 150 meals. That number also included the complimentary dinners and the plates of food that were sent with the singer and her staff. Akhigbe added that he felt the music was good and added a good atmosphere to the event. Guerrucci also stated that the profit made from the brunch was approximately $2322.00. Housing Committee: Soller had nothing to report here in Michigan City; however he received an email from Dr. Jackson that there will be a Fair Housing Workshop on April the 12 th in South Bend at the Ray and Joan Crock center. The cost per person is $30.00. He has additional information should anyone want to attend. Executive Committee Meeting: Chair Engquist distributed copies of the summary of the committee meeting that lasted approximately 1.5 hours. Executive Committee Meeting Held March 27, 2013 Attending: Jo Ann Engquist, Chair, Corey Soller, DeShawn Gordon, Mary Ellen Quinn, and Judi Huber Absent: Nila Williams After learning that the tentative balance of the HRC treasury account would exceed $4,000, and reviewing the Commission s By-Laws, the committee made the following recommendations: When contributions are requested from the public, we should explain how the money will be used.
Page 5 Since we have already held a brunch this year that took a great deal of effort from the staff and the commissioners, we will not have our Annual Dinner Meeting this year. However, beginning next year, 2014, the Annual Dinner Meeting will be held as our one big event that takes the place of a regular meeting. The date and agenda for this event will be determined by the Annual Dinner Committee. The scholarship for this year will be decreased to $500.00.and the point system for the award will be adjusted. We will resume selecting a family to gift during the Christmas holiday using $200 from our treasury and asking for donations of items from the commissioners and staff. We hope to be kept informed of ethnic celebrations in our community so that we may announce them and encourage staff, commissioners and the public to attend them. A Human Rights Commission Retreat will be held on Sunday, June 9 th from noon to 3 PM. at Mary Ellen Quinn s home. Each section was explained and the commission was encouraged to ask questions. Guerrucci asked if we would still go ahead with the humanitarian award in light of the fact we will not be having the annual dinner. Engquist stated that it is usually thought of as part of the Annual Dinner; however it doesn t have to be connected to that meeting. Guerrucci suggested that perhaps an Ad Hoc committee review applications and award a humanitarian without the dinner. Mrs. Engquist stated that it was a possibility. Mr. Arness indicated that it is written in the by-laws that the annual dinner should occur once a year, but there is no guarantee that because it is in the By-Laws that the City will compensate the commissioners for substituting the Annual Meeting for a regular meeting. Dr. Jackson then asked if the Director of the A.K. Smith Center has been exposed to the scholarship process. Mrs. Engquist thought that was a very good idea to inform her and that we should do a better at getting the word out. Guerrucci stated that unfortunately he serves on two other committees that offer scholarships and one music scholarship of $550, and that hardly anyone applies. No further comment was made. The Chair asked for a motion to accept the recommendations. Guerrucci made a motion to accept the recommendations; this was seconded by Soller. A voice vote was taken and the ayes were unanimous. OLD BUSINESS: Engquist presented a Committee Assignments form to the commissioners and asked them to sign up to serve on at least one committee for the remainder of the year. Those who were interested in being a chair of the committee were asked to place an asterisk next to their name. NEW BUSINESS: Engquist stated that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. She recommended checking the Dunebrook and CASA websites for information about planned activities. On April 6 th, there will be a walk at 10:00on April 6 th starting at Ames Field and ending at City Hall where a pin-wheel garden will be planted at City Hall in commemoration of our children.
Page 6 Boys & Girls Club week begins on the April 7 th and runs through the 14 th. Everyone is invited to the breakfast at Memorial Park on Thursday, April 11 th at AM. It is a free to the public thanks to the generous donation from NIPSCO, but please call 873-2298 in order to register. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Megan Buell stated that is has been 5 or 6 months since she was last at a meeting and she would like to thank everyone on the commission who went forward with her comments and constructed an ordinance to make Michigan City the best city possible. She stated that even though she had been away, she followed the commission and read the meetings on line. She was pleased to read that the recommendations for changes to the ordinance are still being discussed. She stated that she had some discussions with Mr. Arness and Mr. Soller and looks forward to this moving forward in the right manner. Mr. Arness stated that there have been some language changes in the terminology from transgender orientation. Mr. Soller pointed out that the committee will have to meet to discuss the possible language changes. Mrs. Engquist suggested that a date for the meeting be made following the meeting so that the public could be notified in sufficient time. Megan added that she made a copy of the most recent change in language. Guerrucci stated he feels the minutes should reflect that we sadly said good-bye to Mr. Whitlow and wish him the best. He also asked if someone else is being interviewed for the position that Mr. Whitlow held or if it will be left open. Dr. Jackson replied that Mr. Whitlow was going to say good-bye at the last meeting but the meeting was cancelled due to the weather. She explained that those who attended the farewell gathering at the office did have a chance to say good-bye to him. She went on to explain that she is in the process for interviewing for an executive secretary to fill that position. Williams read the job posting aloud. Engquist stated that she was sure Rick Whitlow was watching as he had assured her that he would stay very involved and would be critiquing our process as we go along. Megan also stated that she had gone to the City Council meeting when Ron Hamilton Jr. brought our proposal up and really pushed it through the Council to expedite it. When you see him again please thank him, because he really made an effort to push that through, said Megan. It was explained that Ron Hamilton is no longer our liaison with the Council. Two other visitors were also present. Annie Walker is the owner of White Glove Cleaning Company brought her daughter. Faye Moore asked when the next Disability Awareness meeting would be held. Guerrucci stated that they usually meet every three months. He stated that he will email Faye when he and the Chair meet to decide. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Engquist asked for a motion to adjourn. Long motioned to adjourn the meeting. Huber seconded. The vote in favor was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 5:07p.m. NOTE: The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 7, 2013.