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HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY BOARD
SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 MINUTES
The Human Relations Advisory Board of the City of Mesa met in a Regular Human Relations Advisory Board Meeting September 23, 2009, 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Level, City Council Chambers, 57 E. First Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT GUESTS
Terry Benelli, Chair |
None |
Mary Berumen |
Anne Bielecki |
James May, Vice Chair |
Denise Traves |
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Ana Cadillo |
Jennifer Hedges |
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Renee Coelho |
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Craig Cuillard |
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Rory Gilbert |
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Denise Heap |
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Lisa Hudson |
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Everette Woods |
1. Welcome and Introductions.
Ms. Benelli welcomed the board and guests. Ms. Benelli reminded the board to discuss only items listed on the agenda.
2. Approval of minutes from the August 26, 2009, board meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Cuillard to approve the minutes. Ms. Heap seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Items from Citizens Present.
Citizens present wished to speak regarding item number five (5) on the Human Relations Advisory Board agenda.
SUPPORT OPPOSE
Erica Keppler |
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Michele de la Freniere |
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Darrel Johnson |
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Cynthia Leigh Lewis |
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Glen Roster |
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Meta Goforth-Zinn |
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Pat Drake |
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John McDonald |
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Kathleen Krider |
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Jim Krider |
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Lesley Pesek |
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Lee Walters |
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Mike Conway |
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Rev. Paul Whitlock |
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Jake Mahrer |
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Kurt Scanio |
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Roger Webb |
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Gregory Jenkins |
4. Hear a presentation on the City of Mesa Sister City Program by a representative of the organization.
Ms. Bielecki, Arizona State Sister Cities President, gave a brief presentation regarding the Sister Cities International and State organization. Ms. Bielecki presented the history, mission, and goals of the organization. Ms. Cadillo, President of the Mesa Sister Cities Chapter, informed the board of the connections Mesa Sister Cities has made internationally. Ms. Cadillo also
informed the board that Mesa was awarded Best Sister City 2009 for its work with Sister Cities in Peru. More information regarding the Arizona Sister Cities Organization can be found at: http://web.mac.com/azsc/az/sc.html.
5. Discussion Items/Action Items:
a. Hear an update, discuss and provide direction on items presented by the:
Ad Hoc Community of Education Project Team
Give an update on the Domestic Partner Registry.
Ms. Gilbert informed the board that the Ad Hoc Community and Education Project Team will gather more research from the different groups that will be affected by a registry. The project team will schedule presentations to assist in their research.
Give an update on the National Coming Out Day Proclamation.
Ms. Gilbert informed the board that more education and discussion is needed to find an appropriate opportunity to affirm the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
Give an update on educating Mesa residents about the emerging communities within the city.
Ms. Gilbert informed the board that the Ad Hoc Community and Education Project Team will be contacting emerging community leaders to speak to the board.
Ad Hoc Marketing Strategies Project Team
Give an update on the Human Relations Advisory Board Web page.
Ms. Benelli updated the board that progress still needs to be made on designing or updating a new Human Relations Advisory Board Web page.
Ad Hoc Committee on Disabilities
Give an update on the 1st Annual Arizona ADA Coordinator Conference on October 1, 2009.
Ms. Berumen informed the board that 150 ADA Coordinators will be attending this sold out conference. Volunteers are needed to assistant during registration.
Give an update on the presentations by the Veteran’s Administration.
Mr. Woods informed the board that Vietnam Veteran, Shawn Dick will present to the board at the October 28, 2009 meeting.
Mr. Cuillard informed the board that the City of Mesa Housing Authority was awarded thirty-five HUD Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers.
6. Mesa Police Department Report – Community Partnership Coordinator, Ms. Denise Traves.
a. Hear an update on hate and bias crimes in Mesa.
No hate or bias crimes have been reported as of June 30, 2009.
b. Hear an update from the Chief’s Community Forums.
Ms. Traves updated the board on the next joint forum meeting to be held November 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Police Station Community Room, 120 N. Robson. More information regarding forums can be found at: http://www.mesaaz.gov/police/.
c. Hear an update on presentations and conferences.
Ms. Traves gave a brief overview of the upcoming Chief’s Community Forums events including Holiday School Drives and Holiday Senior Projects.
Ms. Traves informed the board of the collaboration between Mesa United Way and Mesa Police Department’s “Service in Action” program.
7. Diversity Officer’s Report:
a. Hear an update on the Diversity Office and Neighborhood Outreach Office activities.
Ms. Berumen gave a brief update on the community events the Diversity Office has attended including the:
• Sant Samagam – September 17, 2009
• Tonga Army Band – September 19, 2009
• East Valley NAACP 13th Annual Dinner – October 23, 2009
• Dia de Los Muertos – Mesa Arts Center – October 31 and November 1, 2009
• Fair Housing and Disability Conference – February 2010
8. Report on conferences and/or meetings attended.
Mr. May reported on the Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA) August workshop. Also, the Annual DLA Conference will be held on October 22, 2009. More information about the Diversity Leadership Alliance can be found at: http://www.diversityleadershipalliance.org/.
Mr. Cuillard reported on the “Conversation with the Community”, a summer series of town hall style meetings with the mayor. Mr. Cuillard picked up brochures from different organizations who offered services within Mesa; brochures will be kept at the Diversity Office.
Ms. Heap informed the board about the 5th Annual East Valley Minority and Small Business Reception and Symposium held on Thursday, September 17, 2009.
9. Scheduling of meetings, future agenda items, and general information.
Ms. Traves reminded the board of the National Preparedness Day event at Bass Pro Shop, September 26, 2009.
Mr. Woods reported on the MLK Jazz fundraiser event on October 3, 2009 at the Mesa Arts Center. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at 480-644-6500.
Ms. Benelli informed the board of the Mesa Second Friday cultural event in downtown Mesa. The next Second Friday is October 9, 2009.
Ms Benelli reported on the upcoming Healing Racism Series on October 15, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Tempe City Council Chambers; the topic will be Race and Health in America.
Ms. Heap reported on a number of upcoming events, including:
• Rainbows Festival, October 3 and 4, 2009
• AIDS Walk, October 4, 2009
• National Coming Out Day, October 11, 2009
• OUTdayPHX celebrates National Coming Out Day at the Phoenix Zoo, October 11, 2009
• National Socialist Movement (neo-Nazi) anti-immigration rally at the State Capital, November 7, 2009
• Equality Arizona Business Forum, November 13, 2009
Ms. Berumen informed the board the City of Mesa will be sending out a questionnaire to households asking about the quality of city services.
The board recommends holding the board retreat on November 14, 2009. Staff will verify this date with all board members.
10. Adjourn
Ms. Benelli adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:16 p.m.
The next regular meeting is on October 28, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, Lower Level.
Submitted By:
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Mary Berumen,