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HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009
LOWER LEVEL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
57 E. FIRST STREET
6:00 P.M.
The Human Relations Advisory Board of the City of Mesa met in a Regular Human Relations Advisory Board Meeting in the Lower Level, City Council Chambers, 57 E. First Street, May 27, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT GUESTS
Terry Benelli, Chair |
Renee Coelho |
Mary Berumen |
Glen Roster |
James May, Vice Chair |
Rory Gilbert |
Denise Traves |
Meta Goforth-Zinn |
Ana Cadillo |
John Matthews |
Jennifer Hedges |
Barbara McCullough-Jones |
Craig Cuillard |
Chris Hall | ||
Denise Heap |
Jane Falkenstein | ||
Lisa Hudson |
Lu Dubbs | ||
Mark Tompert |
Tracy Riggs | ||
Everette Woods |
1. Welcome and Introductions.
Chairperson Terry Benelli welcomed guests and introduced new board members:
Mr. Craig Cuillard and Ms. Denise Heap.
2. Approval of minutes from the March 25, 2009 board meeting.
A motion was made by board member, Mark Tompert to approve the minutes. Board member, Lisa Hudson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Items from Citizens Present.
Ms. Barbara McCullough-Jones, Executive Director of Equality Arizona offered their support and services regarding the proposed domestic partner registry.
Ms. Jane Falkenstein, Mesa resident spoke on behalf of the senior community. Ms. Falkenstein thanked the board for their discussion and consideration of a domestic partner registry. She went on to say that, a partner registry will benefit hospital visitations that are limited to immediate family members.
4. Discussion Items/Action Items:
a. Hear an update, discuss, and take action on items presented by the:
• AdHoc Community of Education Project Team
o Give an update on educating Mesa residents about the emerging communities within the city.
No updates were given at this time.
o Give an update on the Domestic Partner Registry proposal.
Board member, Denise Heap gave an update on the progress made by the AdHoc Project Team. Discussion was held on the research conducted of the different cities that have implemented a “Domestic Partner Registry”.
The AdHoc Project Team gave the board an outline of how they will proceed in conducting more research and educating the board on this issue. The AdHoc Project Team will then come to the board for recommendations on how to proceed.
No action was taken.
• AdHoc Marketing Strategies Project Team
o Give an update on marketing strategies for the HRAB.
The AdHoc Project team discussed the possibility of having a Web page on the city internet site. The board recommended that an action plan be drawn up explaining in detail what the AdHoc Project Team would like to see on the Web site before submitting a proposal to the city’s Public Information Office.
• AdHoc Committee on Disabilities
o Give an update on the presentations planned by the Veteran’s Administration.
The AdHoc Project Team with assistance from the city’s Diversity Office, is in contact with the Veteran’s Administration offices to find a presenter.
The Diversity Office also contacted a member of Operation Family Support which offers support to families of service members. Handouts were given to all board members.
b. Hear an update on the Regional Human Relations Commission meeting.
• Discuss and take action on the Regional Human Relations Exchange Statement on Tolerance.
o DRAFT STATEMENT:
We, the Human Relations Commissions of the Cities of Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe and Phoenix, as sister cities in the Valley of the Sun, hereby affirm that civil liberties and political freedoms are the rights of all people.
The United States Constitution, which we are sworn to uphold, ensures that all persons are protected from arbitrary or capricious violations of their civil rights no matter the broader scope of conditions or the preponderance of popular opinion.
Storms of intolerance continue to brew in our community. Violence, discrimination, bullying or any other violations of human rights, whether actual or implied, are unacceptable.
We invite you to join us, as we stand committed to appropriate enforcement of law and civil rights for all despite the divisive nature of intolerant sentiment.
Board Chair, Terry Benelli gave a brief explanation of how the Regional Human Relations Commission came to write this statement. The Commission agreed to come together with unified language to state a position in response to the increase of hate crimes in the Phoenix Metro area.
Discussion took place on the language used and who the statement is targeting. The board also discussed support of detailed talking points that the Regional Commission will present when the statement is given to the public.
A motion was made by board member, Denise Heap to accept the Regional Human Relations Exchange Statement on Tolerance as written with a caveat; when the statement is read to the media that community members who have been affected by intolerance are able to share their personal stories. Vice Chair, James May seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Discuss and take action on establishing a summer HRAB schedule.
Discussion took place regarding cancelling the June and July 2009 HRAB meetings.
A motion was made by board member, Everette Woods to cancel the June and July 2009 Human Relations Advisory Board meetings. Board member Denise Heap seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Mesa Police Department Report – Community Partnership Coordinator, Denise Traves.
a. Hear an update on hate and bias crimes in Mesa
No hate or bias crimes have been reported.
b. Hear an update from the Chief’s Community Forums.
Ms. Traves updated the board on the next forum meeting to be held on June 16, 2009 at the Red Mountain Police Station, 4333 E. University at 6:00 pm; this meeting will be a round table discussion with Chief Gascon.
c. Hear an update on presentations and conferences:
• Domestic Violence presentation, March 24, 2009.
o Ms. Traves gave a brief explanation of how well attended and received the Domestic Violence presentation was by the community.
• Mesa Police Department Citizen Observer Program
o Ms. Traves informed the board of a new program the Mesa Police Department is starting through the Citizen Observer Program, Alert Network.
The Citizen Observer Program Network allows the Mesa Police Department to instantly update you about crimes, emergencies and other important information. All alerts are delivered via e-mail and are also available via text message on your cell phone.
More information about this new program can be found at: http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/group.html?id=3875
6. Diversity Officer’s Report:
a. Hear an update on the Fair Housing / disABILITY Awareness Conference held in May.
Ms. Berumen updated the board on how well received this conference was to those in attendance.
b. Hear an update on next year’s Fair Housing / disABILITY Awareness Conference scheduled for February 10 & 11, 2010.
Ms. Berumen updated the board and invited the AdHoc Committee on Disabilities Project Team to assist in planning the next conference being planned for February 2010.
c. Hear an update on the Diversity Office and Neighborhood Outreach Office activities.
Ms. Berumen updated the board on the survey results from the Building Strong Neighborhoods Initiative in District 1.
The Neighborhood Outreach Office will gather data from the year regarding the board’s questions that were included in the surveys. A report will be given at the retreat.
d. Discuss the 2009-10 Chair and Vice Chair positions for the Human Relations Advisory Board.
Ms. Berumen asked the board to consider whom to nominate for the Chair and Vice Chair positions. Nominations will be held at the August meeting.
7. Report on conferences and/or meetings attended.
Vice Chair, James May reported on the Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA) workshop he attended May 27. The workshop focused on “The State of Mentoring and How to Make it Work for Your Orgaization.” He encouraged all to become members of the DLA, more information can be found at: http://www.diversityleadershipalliance.org/
Board member, Denise Heap reported on the “Justice for All: Creating Safe Schools for LGBT Students” forum she attended on April 30. This forum focused on ways to prevent bullying in schools and how to use school administrations to solve problems to ensure students can express themselves on campus. An article on this event can be found at azcenteral.com or through this link: http://www.azcentral.com/community/peoria/articles/2009/05/05/20090505tr-acluforum-CP.html
Board member, Denise Heap also reported on an event the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) of Arizona will be hosting in Mesa on June 7, 2009. This event will allow Mesa Officials to meet their LGBTQ constituents and vice versa. More information about this event can be requested from Denise.
8. Scheduling of meetings, future agenda items, and general information.
Vice Chair, James May requested that an item be added to the upcoming agenda concerning the new Americans with Disabilities Act amendments.
The board discussed two tentative dates to hold a board retreat: Saturday, August 29, or Saturday, September 26. Board member, Ana Cadillo will assist the Diversity Office in procuring a location.
Ms. Denise Traves announced two Mesa Police Community Forum presentations planned for the fall and early winter; a discussion with the LGBTQ community and a informational presentation concerning hate crimes.
Chair, Terry Benelli acknowledged board member Mark Tompert’s eight year dedication to the Human Relations Advisory Board. Mr. Tompert’s term on serving on the board is ending at tonight’s meeting.
9. Adjourn
Board Chair Terri Benelli adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:15p.m.
The next regular meeting is on August 26, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers Lower Level
Submitted By:
__________________
Mary Berumen,