City of Lawrence
Lawrence Human Relations Commission
May 17, 2012
Minutes
Members Present: James Dunn, Katrina McClure, Scott Criqui, Katherine Pryor, Jason Barnhill (via teleconference)
Members Excused: Kevin Johnson, Kirsten Krug, Laura Diaz Moore
Staff Present: Toni Wheeler, Elizabeth Hafoka, 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 11:05 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 February 16, 2012 meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Commissioner McClure to approve the February 16, 2012 minutes of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission. The motion was unanimously approved.
Staff Report
Toni Wheeler, Director provided the staff report. Director Wheeler asked Elizabeth Hafoka to provide an update on case investigations. Elizabeth reported that she has just finished two investigations. One case involved an employment discrimination claim on the basis of race. The other case involved a public accommodations claim on the basis of disability. The investigative reports will be given to Director Wheeler to review and also to a member of the commission.
Director Wheeler continued the staff report by noting the terms of commissioners that will be ending in 2012. Commissioners Dunn, Criqui, Johnson, Barnhill and Diaz-Moore are all completing their first terms on the commission and are eligible for reappointment.
Director Wheeler provided an update on the 2012 Kansas legislative session. HB2260, the “Preservation of Religious Freedom Act”, would in the City’s opinion, undermine the City’s Human Relations ordinance and the City actively opposed passage of this legislation. The Governor signed HB2335 which made changes to the Kansas Act Against Discrimination. The changes were made so that state law would be consistent with Federal regulations. City Attorney’s staff is currently reviewing the law and will be proposing changes to Chapter 10 of the City Code in order to ensure our local law is consistent with these statutory changes.
Director Wheeler provided an update regarding the Festival of Cultures which is sponsored each year by the Lawrence Alliance. The Lawrence Human Relations Commission will be a sponsor of the event this year in the amount of $650. Commissioner Dunn asked if there was a date set yet for the Festival. Director Wheeler did not yet have the date, but will have it by the August Human Relations Commission meeting. Commissioner Dunn asked about the budget of the Commission. Director Wheeler reported that the Human Relations Division of the City has a budgeted line item, but the Commission itself does not. The funding for the division comes from the City’s general fund.
Scott Wagner discussed the various outreach events and education opportunities of the division. Since the February meeting, staff worked to develop a new Human Relations brochure. Copies were handed out to commissioners. The goal was to consolidate the various publications of the division into a single new handout. Two thousand copies have been printed and are available for distribution.
Fair Housing Month was in April and was celebrated in various ways. On April 3rd, the City Commission proclaimed the Month of April as Fair Housing Month. The commission meeting was attended by Chairman Criqui who received the proclamation. The commission had an information table following the Earth Day parade held on Saturday, April 14th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in South Park. Information on Fair Housing was sent out to over 32,000 Lawrence households in the Flame Newsletter.
Chad Sublet made a presentation to Independence, Inc. on February 21. Chairman Criqui presented at the meeting of the Lawrence Society of Human Resource Managers held March 13. Elizabeth Hafoka presented at the Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority workshop on April 17.
In June, there will be a utility billing insert that contains Human Relations information. Again, it will go out to over 32,000 customers.
Commission Elections
Elections were held for the commission’s new term of leadership. Commissioner Barnhill nominated Commissioner Criqui for the position of Chair. Commissioner McClure seconded and after brief commission discussion, moved to close nominations. Commissioner Criqui was unanimously approved as Chair.
Commissioner Barnhill expressed continuing interest in serving as Vice-Chair and Commissioner McClure seconded this nomination. Commissioner Barnhill was unanimously approved as Vice-Chair.
Commission Presentation
Director Wheeler introduced Megan Gilliland to the commission. Megan is the City’s Communications Manager. Director Wheeler noted that at the February meeting, there were several questions and discussion related to commission outreach and communications, and possible use of social media. Megan Gilliland was invited to present to the commission on the City’s Social Media Policy and discuss the City’s communications capabilities.
Megan Gilliland introduced herself and explained her general role in the City’s organization. She passed out several handouts and a communications matrix. She reviewed the wide array of communications tools available through her office that the Human Relations Commission can utilize. She discussed the City’s adopted Social Media Policy.
Commission Items
Chairman Criqui opened the discussion to any items the commissioners wished to discuss.
Commissioner Dunn noted that Chairman Criqui had received the Lawrence-Douglas County League of Women Voters Helen Fluker award for Open and Accessible Government for his work on the commission, especially for the addition of gender identity as a protected class to the City’s Human Relations Code.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
The Human Relations Commission meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.