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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07082021_CRC_Minutes7/8/2021 Community Relations Commission Kyle Kelly (phone) Carrie McKillip (person) Courtney Wallace (person) Christina King (person) Brittany Grimes(person) Kelli Benewitz sitting in for Jessica Pease Time start: 6:35pm Time end: 7:50pm Ashley Moore was a citizen sitting in. Christina King welcomed her. A motion to move minutes 1st Carrie McKillip 2nd Courtney Wallace Brittany and Christina have been working on a housing complaint. Through the NAACP they have found a more suitable source. Chris spoke with Mayor Shwartzman about our role. They are working to create a draft on discrimination for landlords and to partner with the school district for recommendations for a declaration. One of our goals is to try to bridge the gap between us and the city council. We are having discussions with the mayor to expand the roles of the commission and responsibilities of the committee. Christina requested data from the prior year of shooting data. We are wanting more clarification on the latest statistics. Carrie and Brittany requested to get a copy of the static report that is sent to the government. From there we can begin to formulate questions. Brittany reached out to the state housing chair Phillis Logan in the Chicagoland area. She works with housing discrimination. She told Brittany what to look for when it comes to the housing complaint that we received. Follow-up to receive contact information, if possible. Ashley Moore (public comment)- Wants more information about what we do and thinking about applying to join the commission. Kelli went over the overview of what we are. Christina said that our main focus has been education to help the community more. Ashley inquired about having a program to discuss gun violence. Christina explained that we are trying to figure out the stats, why these incidents have occurred, and how we could address these issues. She also inquired about doing something with the kids in the Mary Davis home. Brittany mentioned that Carlos Duncan is teaching a self-defense class for all ages and free for ages 12-16. Three days a week and the city is helping with transportation. Brittany gave a synapsis of the discrimination complaint. The family wanted to have a family reunion at the Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau cancelled their event and a new contract was made with Fields Church. They said they had breached their contract the previous year. They ( Farm Bureau) was informed someone had brought in alcohol to the past reservation. Carrie mentioned if they breached a contract before why did they accept their application this year? That raised suspicions. Brittany asked if it was in writing that they had breached the contract. Brittany suggested making an arrangement with Fields Church to give up that date. If the conversation had not been recorded or not written down it can’t be honored. Brittany is going to take the task of reaching out to complainant and will reach out to Fields Church. Christina will reach out to complainant to find out if there has been any written violations and will get back with updates. Brittany and Jessica created a new brochure for review (please see email). Chris Lopez and Carrie McKillip watched the training videos for HR training and discrimination, sensitivity, discrimination, racism, etc. Carrie believed they were highly informative. Brittany discussed looking at housing discrimination ordinances and rental...how to apply the laws to our housing. Courtney- Requested to bring up old laws that are racially targeted and clean up. Christina suggested going by each section and cleaning up and suggesting making changes and sending it to the city admin. To have non-discriminatory practices. She asked if Kyle would be on board with assisting and he accepted. Commission remarks Kyle- none Brittany- Mr. Duncan is in need of volunteers Monday Wednesday Friday 2:45pm to 5:15pm starting next week…Kelli mentioned that he’ll need speakers...NAACP Community Cookout is happening this year but we are waiting for it to be announced…trying to partner with the Knox County Health Department to do vaccines. The school district is getting school supplies and the NAACP will be helping to donate books. Wallace- Café in the Park the next day is July 21 st from 11-1…inquired about minutes from last month specifically about doing more the with LGBTQ+ community. Christina said the Pride Picnic was cancelled in June but thinking about hosting it in October. McKillip- Museum of Tolerance will be here July 19-21...Brittany mentioned that the taste of Galesburg will be happening the same time. Christina made the motion to adjourn the meeting, 1st Carrie McKillip and 2nd Courtney Wallace.