City of Lawrence

Lawrence Human Relations Commission

May 16, 2013 – 11:00 AM

Minutes

Members Present:  include (via teleconference – Kirsten Krug) Scott Criqui, Jason Barnhill, James Dunn, Katrina McClure, Katherine Pryor

Members Excused:   None

Staff Present:  Toni Wheeler, Scott Wagner, Elizabeth Hafoka, Susan Parson

Public Present:  None

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Commission Meeting Called to Order

The Lawrence Human Relations Commission (LHRC) Meeting was called to order by Scott Criqui at 11:00 a.m. in the City Commission Room at City Hall, located at 6 East 6^th Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Chairman Criqui began the meeting by discussing the role and duties of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission.

Acceptance of Agenda

Chairman Criqui asked the commission if there were any additional agenda items for consideration.  No additional items were offered. 

Chairman Criqui offered that is was time to nominate and elect a new Chair and Vice-Chair. This process was added to the agenda.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Scott Criqui asked for commissioners’ comments on the commission minutes from the August, 16 2013 and March 7, 2013 meetings.  

• August 16, 2013 minutes – Commissioner Dunn noted that Scott Criqui received the Helen Fluker Award for Open and Accessible Government, this was added to the minutes. With this addition Chairman Criqui moved that the minutes be approved, seconded by Jason Barnhill. Minutes were approved.

• March 7, 2013 minutes – Chairman Criqui moved that the minutes be approved, the motion was seconded by Katrina McClure.  Minutes were approved.

Receive Staff Report

A. Case Report Update – Elizabeth Hafoka reported:

Open Cases:

1. Housing – National Origin – Native American – the investigation is ongoing.

2. Employment – Race – hostile work environment – Investigation is ongoing.

3. An intake interview was done and we are waiting to hear from the complainant if they intend to move forward.

Closed Cases:

1. Housing – Complainant withdrew the case.

2. Housing – Familial Status – No Probable Cause.

3. Employment – Disability – Administratively closed because complainant was not responding to attempts to contact.

B. Outreach Activities – Scott Wagner reported:

The Human Relations Commission will again support the Lawrence Alliance Festival of Cultures festival to be held in September.

There were many outreach activities in support of Fair Housing Month.

On April 1, a Fair Housing luncheon was held at the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority offices and was supported by the Human Relations Commission. The lunch was sponsored by the Landlords of Lawrence and the Housing Authority.  James Dunn attended as did Scott Wagner and Elizabeth Hafoka.  A fair housing presentation was given by Robert Baker from Housing and Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc.

Other Fair Housing month activities included:

• April 2 – Proclamation before the Lawrence City Commission declaring April to be Fair Housing Month.
• Press Release issued.
• Flame insert on Fair Housing.
• Fair Housing Tweets on the City’s Twitter account.
• Fair Housing slides on Cable Ch. 25.

Partnership with HCCI events for renters

Lisa Jewsome is our contact with Housing and Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc., and they are conducting classes for renters. We gave them our Human Relations brochures and giveaway items for these classes. Classes will be done at Haskell, KU, The Shelter, Lawrence High School, and Freestate. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them and believe it will be a good way to get our goals and objectives out into the community.

KU Good Neighbor Program – The Oread neighborhood will again be targeted to receive Good Neighbor information packets in August.  Human Relations materials will be included. City staff and KU staff will canvass this neighborhood.  More information will be available at our August meeting.

C. Legislative Updates – Scott Wagner reported:

The following bills have been adopted during the current legislative session and signed by the Governor.

HB2203 Religious Freedom Act.

HB2193 Amends Accessibility Standards for public buildings.

HB2150 Kansas Employment First Oversight Commission – makes changes to the makeup of the commission.  The commission makes recommendations to the Governor for employment strategies for people with disabilities.

Mr. Wagner also mentioned a Kansas Housing Conference August 27-29^th at the University of Kansas Memorial Union. He will offer more details through email and at the next meeting as they become available.

Chairman Criqui was very interested and Director Wheeler let the commissioners know the cost of the conference could be paid by the City if there are commissioners who want to attend.

Kansas Open Meetings Act Training by Director Toni Wheeler.

City Attorney and Human Relations Director Toni Wheeler provided a Kansas Open Meetings Act Training for the commission.

An overview regarding the Kansas Open Meetings Act was presented.  Highlights included details about how a City appointed board should conduct its business, when, where and how to comply with the act. One things to consider when you are in contact with other commissioners is that five make a quorum to hold a meeting, and if five of you are gathered at the same place not to discuss Human Relations issues, unless it is an scheduled commission meeting time.  Interactive email communication of five or more, is not the time to discuss Human Relations business and could be considered a meeting under the act.

Question and Answer:

Commissioner Dunn asked if the Journal World was notified of our meetings. Mr. Wagner replied yes, and Ms. Wheeler also said that Chad Lawhorn has that information.

Chairman Criqui also asked for his own interest if there had been any instances of complaints against the City. Ms. Wheeler replied yes.  Several years ago, the Kansas Attorney General investigated the City Commission.  There was no finding made of an open meetings violation.  However, the publicity shed a negative light on the body, again highlighting the need to keep meetings open.  In 2009, there was also a traffic safety commission meeting issue -  again no violation was found.

Chairman Criqui thanked Director Wheeler for giving the presentation and said they are good reminders.

Nomination and Election for Chair and Vice Chair (Added to the Agenda)

Chairman Scott Criqui brought to the attention of the commission that it was time to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair. This was added to the agenda. Chairman Criqui nominated Jason Barnhill for the Chair, Katrina McClure seconded the nomination.  Jason Barnhill was elected as the new Chair.

At this point ex-Chairman Criqui turned the meeting over to Chairman Barnhill. Chairman Barnhill nominated Scott Criqui to be the Vice Chair.  Katherine Pryor seconded the nomination.  Scott Criqui was elected the new Vice Chair.

Commission Items

Chairman Barnhill asked if there were any items Commissioner wished to discuss. There were none given.

Chairman Barnhill then brought up the fact that it is National Police Week. He said it is a reminder to thank our police officers for their service to our City and Nation. There are events such as runs, walks and memorials throughout our nation.

Public Comment

None.

Adjournment

Chairman Barnhill motioned to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM.