Human Relations Commission Minutes
Wednesday, March 07, 2007

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GILBERT HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007, AT 7:00 P.M., MUNICIPAL CENTER, ROOM 300, 50 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Alysson Abe, Menyon Abraham-Scott, Marvina Baldwin, Julius Cherry, James Gibides, Jr., Michael Gulyas, Sr., Omar Hameed, Teresa Huang, Isabela Huin, William Jefferson, Patricia Krueger, P. J. Sessoms, Tami Smull and Iven Wooten

MEMBERS ABSENT: Gilbert Honeycutt (attempted to phone in, but due to technical problems this was not possible) and Cheri Jarvis

OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant Manager Skocypec, Vice Mayor Crozier and Deputy Clerk Roberts

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

Deputy Clerk Roberts called roll and declared a quorum present.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

Commissioner Gulyas stated the Public Safety Memorial Committee would like to be involved at the Global Village Festival.

Commissioner Cherry apologized to Commissioner Jefferson that he was unable to attend the Workshop due to medical problems.

4. MINUTES ? consider approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 7, 2007.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Jarvis, seconded by Commissioner Allison, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 7, 2007. 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.?

Mr. Helton was unable to attend and the presentation has been rescheduled to April. Chair Smull advised that the ?Not My Kid Program? started on February 24 with ?Kevin?s Last Walk?. Chair Smull said she would send an e-mail to Commissioners regarding the progress of the father?s walk with Kevin?s ashes to Montana which he hopes to complete by June on the anniversary of his son?s death.

7. ACTION PLANNING ? review and discussion regarding status of Commission Action Plan.

Chair Smull advised that in July 2006 the Human Relations Commission held a Strategic Planning Session with an outside consultant, Lance Decker, to discuss what the Commission wished to accomplish and to develop an Action Plan. Chair Smull requested that Commissioners review the plan for any suggestions and recommended changes. She asked that Commissioners who were assigned a responsibility provide an update. Each line item was discussed as follows:

Hold Monthly Meetings
Assistant Manager Skocypec recommended developing a schedule of items to be discussed at each meeting. He suggested that issues such as gang activity, drug awareness or domestic violence be topics for discussion.

Chair Smull explained how the agenda is created and how future items are noted at the end of each meeting for discussion at future meetings. She added that any known topical issues are added to the agenda by herself or Assistant Manager Skocypec. Commissioner Gulyas asked whether Commissioners could suggest items via email two weeks prior to the creation of the agenda. Assistant Manager responded that discussion between Commissioners is not allowed, but individual e-mail requests could be sent to either Deputy Clerk Gilbertson or Roberts.

Commissioners agreed that each meeting should consist of a limited number of items. Assistant Manager Skocypec asked that at the next meeting Commissioners provide the items they would like to discuss in priority order.

MLK Breakfast
Commissioner Abraham-Scott advised that poster contest winners will be receiving a Savings Bond as their award. She added that future plans include compiling a calendar of all former art poster contest winners to use as a fundraiser for the event.

Chair Smull asked for volunteers for the 2008 MLK Breakfast and Commissioners Guylas, Baldwin, Abraham-Scott and Cherry put their names forward. Commissioner Cherry requested that the poster artwork receive more public attention. Chair Smull responded that there are plans for showcasing the art at the Global Village Festival and Commissioner Guylas advised that that the posters were displayed at the Municipal Center during February at the request of the Mayor. Commissioner Abraham-Scott advised that next year?s planning will begin in August or September and that the same plan as last year would be followed. Assistant Manager requested that a plan be formalized with dates and responsibilities.

Global Village Festival
Chair Smull advised that next year?s planning will begin in May and that an outline will be provided by August 1. She added that the next meeting for this year?s event will be March 27th and welcomed anyone to attend who wanted to be involved with the event.

Hispanic Heritage Month
Commissioner Baldwin advised an action plan would be completed by the first week in April.

Gilbert Days Event
Commissioner Hameed advised that an action plan was not necessary, but someone would need to coordinate the event.

Congress of Neighborhoods Newcomers Social
Commissioner Guylas reported that he had not attended the socials due to problems obtaining details. He agreed to develop an action plan to include the creation of an information board which could be taken to each social to introduce the Commission to new neighborhoods.

Fourth of July
Chair Smull advised that she would have an action plan prepared for the May meeting.

Constitution Week
Commissioner Wooten advised that he would have an action plan in August. Commissioner Abe asked that a supply of the booklet entitled ?We the People? be obtained for distribution at next year?s event.

Commissioner Cherry asked whether Constitution Week would be the appropriate event to feature the history of Gilbert. The Commission felt that Gilbert Days would be a more appropriate event.

Commissioner Abraham-Scott recommended that voter registration forms be available and that the Commission would check on whether this would create a conflict with the efforts provided by Neighborhood Services. Commissioners Abraham-Scott and Cherry volunteered to assist with the 2008 event.

Mayor?s New Year?s Eve Party
Commissioner Jefferson advised the plan will be ready by November and that information on the MLK Breakfast and any other Commission activities should be available for distribution. Commissioner Guylas volunteered to help with the event.

Character Awards/CAN
Commissioner Sessoms advised that she was not able to attend the event, but would have an action plan in January 2008 for next year?s event.

Regional HRC Meetings
Assistant Manager Skocypec advised he would have information available at the April meeting.

Gilbert Global Village Festival
Chair Smull advised she would have an action plan for next year?s event in June.

Research into Town Survey
Assistant Manager Skocypec advised that the Town Survey is conducted each November. He would research when it would be necessary to provide information for inclusion or make plans to review the survey. He added that a budget item would need to be submitted for an HRC member to attend the Gilbert Leadership next year. Chair Smull reminded the Commission of the commitment of one full Friday each month, plus additional meetings and tours and involvement in a service project that requires a couple of weekends. Assistant Manager Skocypec advised he would have information available at the April meeting.

Community Communication
Commissioner Guylas advised that no action occurred on this item for various reasons, mainly time constraints. He developed a brochure and asked whether Commissioners wanted a group photograph included on the front of the brochure or a list of events which Commissioners attended and sponsored. He also asked whether the Town colors and logo should be added. Commissioner Guylas also recommended the Commission?s webpage be updated with the mission statement and additional information to make it easier for citizens to contact Commissioners.

Chair Smull advised that she had previously met with Assistant Manager Ryall and that the Town?s website standards need to be uniform for all Boards and Commissions.

Commissioner Guylas stated his action plan is to complete the brochure and update the Commission?s webpage if possible. Assistant Manager Skocypec requested that he and Commissioner Guylas meet to go over details included in the brochure. Commissioner Guylas agreed to send the brochure via email.

Discussion continued on whether a group photograph be included in the brochure or choose one the MLK student artwork pieces and it was decided to discuss this further at next month?s meeting.

Chair Smull stated she would like the Commission to develop a responsiveness plan to use as a guideline for any community problems that arise. Assistant Manager Skocypec stated he would contact other HRCs to find out what protocols they have in place.

Commissioner Guylas suggested that once a month the Commission goes before Council with issues to provide updates and also be featured on Channel 11.

Commissioner Abraham-Scott asked whether Commissioners could be issued with business cards. Assistant Manager Skocypec advised that due to the quantity of Town Board and Commission members, the Council previously decided that Commissioners would be provided with a polo shirt and only the Chair and Vice Chair of each Board and Commission would receive business cards.

Chair Smull offered Commissioners use her cards. Assistant Manager Skocypec agreed to revisit the issue. Commissioner Cherry suggested that an HRC business card be printed with a blank line for Commissioner?s to write their name and phone number. Assistant Manager Skocypec responded that this would be part of his research with other communities HRCs.

Diversity Dialogs
Assistant Manager Skocypec advised this was an ongoing item for the Commission to work on.

8. SPECIAL EVENTS/ACTIVITIES ? discussion on:

a) March 2007 Genealogy Research Lecture

Commissioner Abe reported that the event was well attended and the speaker was excellent. She has received requests for future lectures to be held. She added she would create an information sheet of contacts regarding advertising for future lectures.

Commissioner Abe explained that there are various websites that provide information on genealogy. There is also information available on the U.S. Census site and at the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City and the Mesa center.

Chair Smull added that there will be a booth at the Global Village Festival on how to obtain information on genealogy.

b) March 2007 Cultural/Linguistic Competency Workshop

Commissioner Jefferson stated he was disappointed with the low attendance and felt that inadequate advertising was the reason. He would like to research ways to increase awareness of the Workshop. He added that those who attended benefited from the information, but he would like to reach out to a cross-section of the community. Commissioner Abraham-Scott reported that it was an excellent workshop and felt that if there had more coordination with the school district superintendents, there would have been better attendance. Commissioner Cherry suggested that letters be sent to CEOs of Gilbert corporations, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and American Legion.

Assistant Manager Skocypec responded that the Workshop was advertised. He recommended that in the future when Commissioners attend events and workshops they bring as many guests as they can to bolster attendance. He indicated that the Town struggles with ways to advertise events and is always looking for new and more effective ways of advertising programs and activities.

Commissioner Sessoms asked whether the same activities occur at each Workshop. Commissioner Jefferson responded that he has so much information that each Workshop is slightly different. Commissioner Guylas asked whether the title should be reworded. Commissioner Jefferson stated he was open to suggestions from the Commission.

Several ideas were put forth including holding sessions on a work night, taping the Workshop and having 2 hr. segments.

c) 2007 Healing Racism Forum

Assistant Manager Skocypec advised that Mr. Otu with the City of Phoenix requested members from agencies and municipalities attend future forums. Information is available on their website, www.asu.edu/irc/programs/community/healing-racism.com.

d) 2007 Global Village Festival

Chair Smull provided an update on the Global Village Festival. She explained that due to such a strong adverse response, the graffiti art project has been cancelled. Also the professional artist is not able to participate in this year?s event because of insurance requirements. Chair Smull continued that the MLK drawings will be showcased and there may be a contest to recognize the artists. She added that despite not having a presenting sponsor, the event has raised $30,000, the same amount of cash gifts as last year. Discussion continued on insurance requirements and explanations were provided on the necessity for vendors to provide policies indicating the Town as additional insured. Assistant Manager Skocypec indicated that he would follow-up on the issue.

Commissioner Abe asked if the children wearing costumes representing different countries could wear a sash with the name of country. She also asked if a booth could be available for children to tell stories to one another in relation to the country in which they were born or raised. Chair Smull made a notation to include this for next year.

e) 2007 Hispanic Heritage Recognition Event

Commissioner Baldwin advised that a plan would be ready by October and she would have a write up to provide at the next meeting. Vice Mayor Crozier advised he had some names of people who would like to be included in the event.

9. REPORT ON POLICE ACTIVITIES

Sergeant Johnson was not in attendance to provide the police report. Assistant Manager Skocypec reminded the Commission to report any graffiti to the Police Department.

10. REPORTS ON CURRENT EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Commissioner Guylas advised that the Public Memorial Committee had raised approximately $100,000 towards the commemorative statue which is scheduled for completion April 20, the anniversary of Officer Targoz? death. He provided information on items for sale and the various fundraising events.

Chair Smull advised that a parent drug awareness meeting was scheduled for March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mesquite Junior High auditorium.

11. REPORT FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON

Vice Mayor Crozier reminded Commissioners of the Primary Election next Tuesday March 13, 2007. He added that the number of returned early ballots was a little higher than the last election. Assistant Manager Skocypec advised that early voting at the Municipal Center would end Friday at 5:00 p.m. Chair Smull said she would send an email regarding the candidates ?Meet and Greet? and Commissioner Guylas advised some candidate information was available on the Chandler-Gilbert College Website.

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Assistant Manager Skocypec reminded Commissioners review the Action Plan and provide agenda topics for the next 12 months. Commissioner Guylas requested the contents of the brochure be discussed at the next meeting.

13. ADJOURN

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Cherry, seconded by Commissioner Jefferson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Smull adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m.

Tami Smull, Chair
ATTEST:

Susan Roberts, 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 7th day of March 2007. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

Dated this 8th day of March 2007.

Susan Roberts, CMC, Deputy Clerk

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