City of Lawrence

Lawrence Human Relations Commission

November 17, 2011

Minutes

 

Members Present:  James Dunn, Laura Diaz Moore, Katherine Pryor, Katrina McClure, Scott Criqui, Kevin Johnson (Jason Barnhill and Kirsten Krug by teleconference)

 

Members Excused:  Michael Allen

 

Staff Present:  Toni Wheeler, Elizabeth Dial, and Scott Wagner

 

Public Present:  Mrs. James Dunn

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Commission Meeting Called to Order

The Lawrence Human Relations Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair, Scott Criqui, at 11:04 a.m. in the City Commission Room at City Hall, located at 6 East 6th Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Chairman Criqui began the meeting by discussing the role and duties of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission.

 

Approval of Minutes

Chair Scott Criqui asked for commission comments on the commission minutes from the May 19, 2011 meeting.  It was moved by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the May 19, 2011 minutes of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Welcome of New Members

Chairman Criqui welcomed the two new members to the commission – Katrina McClure and Katherine Pryor.  He asked each member to tell a little about themselves for the commission.

 

Staff Report

Toni Wheeler, Director of the Legal Department provided the staff report.  There have been some staff changes in the Legal Department since the last meeting.  Cal Thoman resigned in June as City Prosecutor.  Elizabeth Hofoka has replaced him in the City Prosecutor’s Office.  She came from the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office and lives in Lawrence.  She will be in charge of Human Relations case investigations.  Chad Sublet of the Legal Department staff also will assist in case investigations for the division.  Elizabeth Dial was also introduced.  She is the new administrative assistant in the Legal Department and started in September.

 

 

There is currently one Housing Case and one Employment Case currently open.  Director Wheeler noted the passage of Ordinance 8672 which added gender identity as a protected class to Chapter 10 of the City Code.  It became effective October 9 and the City is prepared to enforce it.

 

Director Wheeler also discussed the various outreach events and education opportunities of the division since the May meeting. From August 16-18, Director Wheeler and Staff Attorney Chad Sublet attended a HUD fair housing training conference in Kansas City, Missouri. In August, Commissioner Tapahonso attended the Haskell Indian Nations University “Haskell Highlight Night” event and set up a table with Human Relations Commission information.  On August 24, 2011, Mayor Cromwell spoke at the University of Kansas Human Rights Campaign press conference.  On September 6, 2011, Director Wheeler attended the Bias Incident Hate Crime Forum along with Chairman Criqui.  On September 25, 2011, the Commission sponsored a table at the Lawrence Festival of Cultures held in South Park.  On September 28, 2011, Director Wheeler attended a panel discussion at the University of Kansas on 9/11. 

 

Approval of 2012 Meeting Dates

The Commission reviewed and approved the 2012 schedule of meeting dates of the commission as follows:  February 16, 11:00 a.m., May 17, 11:00 a.m., August 16,  11:00 a.m., and November 15, 11:00 a.m.  All meetings will be held in the City Commission chambers.

 

Commission Items

Chairman Criqui opened the discussion to any items the commissioners wished to discuss.

 

Commissioner Dunn discussed the role of organizing commission outreach and attendance at events.  Director Wheeler proposed that commissioners email event information to Elizabeth Dial or herself and legal staff could distribute the information out to the rest of the commission. 

 

Commissioner Dunn also inquired about April Fair Housing Events.  Director Wheeler stated that no specific events were yet planned, and that staff was open to suggestions.  She noted that last year, staff had a seminar in South Park at the same time as the Earth Day event.  She noted that in past years, the City had partnered with the Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority in sponsoring a seminar.  She said that staff could bring back some specific proposals for the February meeting.  Commissioner Dunn thought that having a Fair Housing event on the same day as Earth Day might have overshadowed the Fair Housing element.  Director Wheeler noted that staff was trying to partner with an on-going event in hopes of extending outreach opportunities.

 

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

 

The Human Relations Commission meeting was adjourned at 11:26 a.m.