HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019-06-21 MinutesMinutes of Meeting
Commission on Human Relations
Friday, June 21, 2019
City Hall – 320 E. McCarty St.
Boone Bancroft Conference Room
ATTENDEES:
Commission members present:
Raymond Lee, Mitchell Woodrum, Patsy Johnson, Missy Creed, Jane Barnes
Commission members absent:
Jami Wade, Andria Hendricks, Hector Alonso, Susan Cook Williams
Staff present:
Gail Strope
Others present:
Frank Rycyk and Nicole Roberts (News Tribune)
The meeting came to order at 8:02 a.m. by Mitchell Woodrum. The May 17, 2019 meeting minutes were
reviewed and approved with a motion by Missy Creed, second by Jane Barnes. The motion passed 5-0.
New Business:
Special Speaking Event: Ongoing discussion about a Human Relations Commission hosted community
event of guest speakers and discussion panels on a variety of diverse topics. This series would begin this
fall, with the first event in October for Diversity Awareness Month. Discussion continued to consider the
year and tentative plans include: October (Disability Awareness), February (Black History Month), April
(Religious Diversity), and June (LGBTQ Pride Month). A variety of topics were added for future
consideration including: Global Diversity, Hispanic Culture, and Mental Health Awareness. These events
could include local businesses and related groups. HRC will continue work to identify specifics for the
event, consider forming subcommittees to solidify plans, and related items for events including
considering a banner, bracelets, t-shirts, flyers, and brochures sharing more information with a variety
of community groups.
PROMO Resources: Mitchell Woodrum reports there is a new field representative for PROMO for the
Jefferson City area who will come to speak to HRC in July about resources and events in our community.
Writing Project Update: This ongoing conversation and partnership will continue in August when they
come to discuss ideas and events with HRC. Patsy Johnson shared an interest for a diversity speaker to
help train commissioners.
Empower Missouri Update: Patsy Johnson shared a variety of statistics and Missouri based published
articles about traffic stop reports, fair policing, and the community-based listening sessions held in each
ward of Jefferson City to better understand community perceptions and police practices. Consideration
should be given for additional understanding of unconscious bias and training to ensure safety for all
involved in traffic stops. Patsy Johnson is involved in both Empower Missouri and HRC and will serve as a
liaison to connect community growth opportunities.
Other Business:
Lincoln University Student Voting Registration: Student orientation is during the first two weeks after
students return and no firm date was given for when a student information fair would be held on
campus. Missy Creed is in contact with Lincoln University and will keep HRC apprised of upcoming dates.
City of Jefferson Department of Planning and Protective Services: Gail Strope with the city shared an
employee of this city department would visit HRC in July to discuss city vision planning.
Public Comment:
Frank Rycyk encouraged the commission to pursue the speaker series with an interest on participation
in April for religious diversity. He is also involved with Rotary and indicated they would be interested in
this as well. He participates in Adult Forum Discussions on Sunday mornings and would welcome a
commissioner from Human Relations to come talk to this group in July.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Patsy Johnson made a motion to adjourn which passed 5-0 ending the
meeting at 9:10 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 19, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in the Boone/Bancroft room at City Hall.