Normal Human Relations Commission
Meeting
October 23, 2007 5:15 PM
Normal City Hall
Council Chambers
1) Call to order
Chairperson Evelyn Young called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm.
- Present: Chairperson Evelyn Young, Vice-Chairperson Tim
Harshbarger, Commissioner Laurie Bergner, Commissioner Terry
Brown, Commissioner Michael Pullin
- Absent Commissioner Ramesh Chaudhari and Commissioner
Kevin Martin
- Others Present: Staff: Jennifer Hanna - HR Generalist; Wayne Karplus - Deputy Corporation Counsel; Attorney - Richard Manzella; Attorney - Melissa McGrath and Mr. Harry Fuller
2) Approval of Minutes
- August 21, 2007
Commissioners Laurie Bergner and Terry Brown moved and seconded to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2007 meeting. With no further discussion the minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote. - September 18, 2007
Commissioners Terry Brown and Laurie Bergner moved and seconded to approve the minutes from the September 18, 2007 meeting. With no further discussion the minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote. - September 18, 2007 executive session and release of
minutes
Commissioners Laurie Bergner and Tim Harshbarger moved and seconded to approve the minutes from the September 18, 2007 executive session meeting. With no further discussion the minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote.
3) New Business
- Born vs. Fuller Hearing Process
Wayne Karplus, Deputy Corporation Counsel, explained the process as recommended by staff. This included hiring a hearing examiner to hear the case instead of the commission hearing the case. Commissioners were informed that the record will be brought to them after a decision was rendered by the hearing officer for their approval.
4) Complaint Review
Staff informed the commission that there are 3 complaints outstanding:
| Complaint # | Category | Type | status |
| 07PA1YTD1 | Sexual Orientation | Public Accommodation | Staff sent a letter on Sept 19, 2007 stating respondent has 60 days to comply with the conciliation agreement. Deadline is November 19th @ 5 pm. |
| 07PA2YTD2 | race & arrest record | Public Accommodation | Complainant did not show to Conciliation meeting on October 9, 2007. 30 day notice letter sent to complainant. |
| 07E1YTD3 | Familial status and sex/sex harassment | Employment | Hearing Process approval under New business. |
5) Old Business
- King Committee Reports
- Logistics: Staff informed the commission that she received the agreement from the interstate center and was in process of reviewing it with the Legal department. Chairperson Young informed the commission that she did Cityvision right after Bloomington and Matt Drat stated that Bloomington had discussed the banquet the week previous and would like to discuss something different that week. Evelyn stated that Bloomington and Normal should do Cityvision together so that this situation does not come up again.
- Awards: not present
- Program: Commissioners Terry Brown and Laurie Bergner stated that they did not know if they were on the committee again this year or not. Jennifer Hanna stated that she would find out and get back to him.
6) Concerns
City Manager Mark Peterson had a discussion with the commission about how the process can be done better in the future. Training was mentioned as a way to help the commissioners with a variety of topics that come up with complaints. The Open Meetings Act and basic training on the ordinance were mentioned. Laurie Bergner mentioned that staff could create a form for the respondent to write their response in and send a letter to the respondent if they do not complete the response within 1 week of the deadline.
7) Adjournment
Commissioner Laurie Bergner moved to dismiss the October 23, 2007 meeting of the Normal Human Relations Commission at 6:20 PM. Commissioner Terry Brown seconded the motion. With no further discussion the motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote.