Human Relations Commission Minutes
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GILBERT HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING,
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007 AT 7:00 P.M.,
MUNICIPAL CENTER, ROOM 300,
50 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Menyon Abraham-Scott, Marvina Baldwin, Julius Cherry, James Gibides, Jr., Michael Gulyas, Sr., Omar Hameed, Teresa Huang, Isabela Huin, Cheri Jarvis, William Jefferson, Patricia Krueger, P. J. Sessoms, Tami Smull, Iven Wooten.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Alysson Abe, Gilbert Honeycutt

OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant Manager Skocypec, Vice Mayor Crozier, Deputy Clerk Gilbertson, and Community Development Specialist Harris-Morgan.

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

Deputy Clerk Gilbertson called roll and declared a quorum present.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

4. MINUTES – consider approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 7, 2007.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Cherry, seconded by Commissioner Jefferson, to approve the minutes of March 7, 2007 as amended. Motion carried unanimously.

5. MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS – reading of the Mission and Vision Statements.

Commissioner Cherry read the Mission and Vision Statements.

6. PRESENTATION – presentation by Ryan Helton of “Not My Kid.”

The presentation was postponed due to scheduling problems.

7. ACTION PLANNING – review and discussion regarding status of HRC Action Plans.

Chair Smull commented there were various topics on the list of assignments and they would address them at various meetings. There was a brief discussion on placing items on the agenda. Assistant Manager Skocypec advised that discussion between Commissioners is not allowed. He advised individual agenda item requests could be e-mailed to himself, Chair Smull, Vice Chair Hameed, or Deputy Clerk Gilbertson. Commissioner Gulyas asked if e-mailing agenda requests would violate the Open Meeting Law. Assistant Manager Skocypec said one-way communication is fine but discussion leads to trouble. He explained they should respond to the individual and not to all when answering an e-mail.

Assistant Manager Skocypec said that Commissioners could order business cards. The cards would have a blank space for Commissioners to insert their names and contact information. Commissioners can contact Deputy Clerk Gilbertson to place order.

Chair Smull will create an Action Plan Table that will help in monitoring the progress of various events and projects.

8. SPECIAL EVENTS/ACTIVITIES – discussion on:
a) 2007 Healing Racism Forum

Assistant Manager Skocypec reported that Phoenix is still moving ahead with their program and will send details to all Commissioners on the next forum.

b) 2007 Global Village Festival

Chair Smull reported that everything was coming together and the festival will be very exciting.

• Volunteers are needed to staff the information booths. Chair Smull provided a sign-up sheet.
• On Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 1:30 p.m., a number of AYUSA Global Youth Exchange students will make presentations in Council Chambers about their respective countries.
• Oregano’s Restaurant will have volunteer night and will provide food for the volunteers.
• There will be a presentation by Jennifer Joseph, an engineer with ON Semiconductor, on India for the Speaker’s Bureau in Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. on April 17, 2007.

c) 2007 Hispanic Heritage Recognition Event

Marvina Baldwin distributed the Action Plan for the 2007 Hispanic Heritage celebration on Sunday, October 6, 2007 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Entertainment will include:

• Live music
• Flamenco Dancers
• Hispanic Artists
• Hispanic Poetry
• Hispanic food
• Open cultural exhibits highlighting the Hispanic heritage
• Two speakers (TBD) ; a member of the Society of Professional Engineers. Ms. Baldwin distributed an extensive list of Hispanic notables
• Hispanic Film Festival showcasing three films to be held on September 29, 2007 from 12:30 to 8:00 p.m.; location TBD

There was a request for volunteers and a sign-up sheet was passed around. Chair Smull said last year’s event was not very successful, so there will be more emphasis on this year’s celebration.

d) Regional HRC Meetings

Assistant Manager Skocypec reviewed information from a recent meeting with representatives from other communities. He advised the next regional meeting would be held on April 25 in Mesa. He provided the following schedule:

• June – to be hosted by Phoenix or Tempe
• September – Gilbert
• November – Phoenix or Tempe
• January – Chandler
• April – Scottsdale

The meetings will feature a presentation or Dialogue Circles type of discussion. The communities are to suggest topics of interest. Mesa’s April presentation will be “Inclusive Communities” with information from a national source. Assistant Manager Skocypec stated there was discussion at bi-monthly meetings to bring structure to Regional Meetings. The Regional HRC Meetings will be a re-occurring item on Gilbert’s HRC Meeting Agenda to provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss additional information.

e) HRC Brochures

Commissioner Gulyas provided an update on the HRC Brochure. He said there was still the question of including a photo and updating the Website.furniture Videnov Commissioner Gulyas requested information as to who could give authority to use the Town logo on the brochure. Chair Smull thanked Commissioner Gulyas for his efforts in putting the brochure together.

9. PRESENTATION – presentation by Carl Harris-Morgan, regarding an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.

Community Development Specialist Harris-Morgan explained that Gilbert receives an annual Community Development Block Grant allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding allocation includes several federal requirements, one of which is to address fair housing issues. Gilbert is in the process of creating a new Analysis of Impediments. The process includes reviewing census data, reviewing a summary of previous fair housing complaints, consulting with other parties that may be interested in this issue, and requesting public input on the issue of fair housing and the draft Analysis.

Community Development Specialist Harris-Morgan explained that staff was requesting the HRC to participate in creation of a new Analysis by:

1) Suggesting any individuals or organizations that may be interested in this issue that staff can contact by mid-April, 2007.
2) Reviewing a summary of the draft Analysis, provide comments or suggestions, and request public comment at the May 2007 HRC Meeting.

There was a brief discussion about affordable housing in Gilbert and the impact of the Analysis.

9. REPORT ON POLICE ACTIVITIES

Gilbert Police Lieutenant Johnson explained the deportation of three illegal resident teenagers was not the result of racial profiling. They were stopped because of a traffic violation and as a result were found to be here illegally.

Lieutenant Johnson reported an increase of prescription drug activity at local schools following spring break. The recent discovery of drug activity by the schools was due to pro-active action and the teacher knew what to look for.

10. REPORTS ON CURRENT EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Assistant Manager Skocypec reviewed the Attorney General Interpretation of the future meeting category on agendas as it relates to the Open Meeting Law. Because of the interpretation, there will be no future meeting category on agendas.

Commissioner Cherry announced the birth of his ninth great grand child. He also advised he would be leaving the Commission in July because he is moving to another state to live nearer his family.

Commissioner Gulyas reported the dates of several events:

• April 12 - Sonora Town Playground Ribbon Cutting
• April 14 – Public Safety Memorial fund raising Golf Tournament at Trilogy
• April 30 – Public Safety Memorial Dedication in front of the Public Safety Building

Commissioner Abraham-Scott distributed an action plan for the 2008 Martin Luther King Breakfast.

11. REPORT FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON

Vice Mayor Crozier commented on articles in “Your Town”.

Vice Mayor Crozier reported that the County Island Fire Protection question is still an issue. He said a referendum was being circulated in opposition to a development agreement. The legislature was discussing allowing weapons in public places, no longer checking identification to enter bars, and not requiring driving school for traffic fines.

ADJOURNMENT

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Cherry, seconded by Commissioner Krueger, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Smull adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m.

Tami Smull, Chair
Patricia A. Gilbertson, CMC, Deputy Clerk

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Gilbert Human Relations Commission held on the 4th day of April 2007. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

Dated this 2nd day of May 2007.

Patricia A. Gilbertson, CMC, Deputy Clerk

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