Normal Human Relations Commission
Minutes
April 19, 2005 7:00 PM
Normal City Hall
Conference Room C
Chairperson Young called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Present: Chairperson Evelyn Young, Commissioners, Laurie
Bergner, Tim Harshbarger, Ramesh Chaudhari, Mari McKeeth, Terry
Brown
Absent: ISU Student Government Vice President
Others: Staff: Jennifer Hanna, HR Generalist; Jose Garibay, HR
Director
- Approval of Minutes from April 19, 2005 meeting
Commissioners Laurie Bergner and Mari McKeeth moved and seconded to approve the minutes from the April 19, 2005 meeting. With no further discussion the minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote.
- Complaint Update
Staff informed the commission that there are 4 complaints outstanding. Of those complaints, 1 is from 2004. Staff discussed that fact that the conciliation was held in January and the parties are arguing over the wording of the conciliation agreement. After much discussion the commission directed staff the give the parties till May 6, 2005 till get to you a signed conciliation agreement along with any necessary checks letters etc. If the deadline is not accomplished then the commission authorizes this complaint to go to public hearing. The other complaints are:
05PA1YTD1 Public Accommodation Race, Color Marital Status, Ancestry & National Origin Scheduled for a dismissal Hearing 05E1YTD2 Employment Race & Color In conciliation meeting scheduling process. 05E2YTD3 Employment Race, Age & Disability In conciliation meeting scheduling process. - Discussion of Joint Session with Bloomington about MLK
Chairperson Young discussed some ideas that were talked about during the joint session about the award, such as adding a 3rd award for those who do human relations as a part of their job. She felt the reason to do this is that the commission is missing out on recognizing people who do a lot for human relations in this community. Another idea was to eliminate the restriction about the nominee’s job duties that deal with human relations. The awards committee was instructed to look into the idea. Other ideas that were given to commemorate the 30th anniversary were:- Have a big screen slideshow of past award recipients
- Roll call of the past award recipients.
- Purchase of Ad for Juneteenth Celebration
After discussion about the commission’s budget and the events of the Juneteenth celebration it was decided that Chairperson Young would contact the Juneteenth Celebration committee to find out about how attendees of the events are notified about the sponsors of the event. Tim Harshbarger suggested that the commission have a plan for advertising and sponsorships. Laurie Bergner moved that if the Juneteenth organizers properly recognize the sponsors that the commission would authorize a $150.00 sponsorship for the Juneteenth Celebration. Ramesh Chaudhari seconded the motion. With no further discussion the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
- Cultural Festival
Staff informed the commission that the booth reservation has been received for the commission. The commission stated that they are interested in staffing a booth. Staff informed the commissioners about date and time.
- Concerns
Commissioner Bergner discussed that the commission should look into where we are headed and refocus on our purpose. She thought that maybe the commission should survey the community about what they want from the commission. A retreat was also mentioned as a possibility for discussion about the commission’s future. Laurie asked staff to email the goals to the commissioners for a discussion at the next month’s meeting.
Commissioner McKeeth stated that the Normal Police Dept is having an identity theft seminar on Saturday May 7th at 10 AM. This resulted from the meeting that Chief Crutcher had with the commission in March.
- Adjournment
Laurie Bergner moved to dismiss the Normal Human Relations meeting for April 19, 2005 at 8:35 PM. Terry Brown seconded the motion. With no further discussion the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted
Jennifer Hanna, PHR
Human Resources Generalist