2015.08.21 Meeting Minutes

CITY OF HOLLAND
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
Meeting Minutes
City Hall – Training Room – 2nd Floor
Thursday, August 20 @ 6:00 p.m.
Human Relations Mission Statement
The Human Relations Department serves to protect the equal rights and equal opportunity of all
citizens by preventing discrimination in housing, education, employment, and public services by
conducting activities that promote social justice, cultural understanding, and improve relationships
among all citizens of the City of Holland.
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VII.
Call to Order. Meeting called to order by Chair Marroquin at 6:12 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Chair Marroquin and Commissioners Austin-Roberts, Coray, and
McCarthy. Others Present: Councilmember Klomparens and City Representative, Fifelski.
Student Representative: Samuel Zylstra
Commissioner(s) Absent: Commissioners Franklin and Gonzales.
City Council Liaison Update.
Public Comment.
Meeting Minutes. Consideration of the July 23, 2015 Meeting Minutes to be provided in the
September Meeting Package for approval.
Commission Business.
A. Next HRC Monthly Meeting: September 17, 2015, 6:00 p.m., City Hall, 2nd Floor Training
Room.
Chair Report.
A. Commission /Board Outreach. No status update on new commissioners. Motion to send
letter to Mayor expressing concern regarding appointment of new Commissioners by
Austin – Roberts and supported by Coray. Motion carries. Motion to amend motion to
send letter to help commission understand the timeline and process regarding
commissioner appointment. Chair Marroquin to draft and share with Commission for
input and then letter will be sent to Mayor Vande Vusse. Chair Morroquin asked the
Commission to consider elimination of Education/Employment and Community
Relations, Government Relations and Housing unless there was a specific project or
initiative that needed to be studied. Fifelski to add to September Agenda.
B. Chair Marroquin requested members of the Commission send their vision of the goals
and objectives they would like to achieve in the coming year.
C. It was also noted that this coming year will be the 50th Anniversary of the Human
Relations Commission. This will be added to the Agenda for the month of September.
VIII. Staff Report.
A. Racial Equity Toolkit to Assess Policies, Initatiatives, Programs and Budget Issues.
B. Crisis Response to Racial/Bias Incident.
C. City of Holland – Title VI Non-Discrimination Plan.
D. Hispanic Heritage Month Collaboration with Tulipanes, September 16 and 18. Portrait of
Our Community Collaboration with GVSU (see attached)
E. Michigan Department of Civil Rights/FHCWM Fair Housing Training for Landlords.
Council Chambers, August 25, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon.
F. Commissioner Recruitment.
G. Social Justice Awards 2015.
H. Activity Report –July/August 2015 (see attached).
IX. Activity Report – May/June/July Activity Report May/ 2015 (copy attached)
X. Committee Reports.
A. Education and Employment Committee
i. Next Education & Employment Committee Meeting: August 20, 2015 at
5:30 p.m. Location: City Hall, 2nd Floor Training Room.
B. Housing & Government Community Relations Committee
i. Next Housing, Government, and Community Relations Meeting: August 12,
2015 at 12:00 p.m./Noon Location: HRC Conference – 2nd Floor.
XI. Public Comment. None.
XII. Other Business.
XIII. Adjournment. Meeting to adjourn at 7:26 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: La Ciudad de Holland proporcionará servicios necesarios y ayudas auxiliares, tales como personas
que usan lenguaje de señas para aquellos con discapacidad auditiva y cintas de audio de materiales impresos, a las
personas con discapacidad, con un aviso previo de siete días de anticipación. Las personas con discapacidades que
necesiten servicios de ayudas auxiliares deben ponerse en contacto con la Ciudad de Holland escribiendo o
llamando a la Oficina de Relaciones Humanas, comunicándose con Esther Fifelski, 270 S. River Avenue, Holland, MI
49423, teléfono (616) 355.1328. Documento(s) en traducción disponible(s) a petición.
The City of Holland will provide necessary services and auxiliary aids, such as signers for hearing impaired and
audiotapes of printed materials, to individuals with disabilities, upon receipt of seven days prior notice. Person
with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids services should contact the City of Holland by writing or calling: Human
Relations C/O City Clerk’s Office contacting Esther Fifelski, Human Relations Coordinator, 270 S River Avenue
Holland, MI 49423, telephone (616) 616.355.1328.Documents(s) available for translation upon request
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: In addition to addressing the Commission during public hearings and under
“Public Comment,” members of the Audience may address the Commission, on items after a motion is pending on
a particular item, by addressing the Chairperson. Audience participation shall be five minutes or less per item.
CELL PHONES: Please be courteous and turn cell phones off during the meeting.