City of Moline Human Rights Commission met Dec. 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Call to Order: The Human Rights Commission (HRC) meeting came to order at 5:36 p.m. The HRC met in regular session in the Second Floor Program Room at the Moline Public Library.
Approval of the Remote Electronic Attendance of Certain Members: There was no electronic attendance this evening.
Roll Call: Roll call was taken with Tionn Carter, Jose Castro, Diokel Gning, Natividad Keim and Betsy Zmuda-Swanson, present. Absent: Greg Anderson and Adrian Ritchie. It was mentioned that Greg Anderson emailed all HRC members after 5:00 p.m. today and submitted his resignation from the HRC effective immediately for health reasons.
Others present were: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel; Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist; K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager; Darren Gault, Chief of Police; and Jeff Snyder, Fire Chief.
Approval of Minutes: Jose Castro made a motion to approve the November 8, 2021 Minutes; seconded by Natividad Keim. Motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Goals per Strategic Plan Training: Jose Castro made a motion to approve the Human Rights Commission’s FY2022 Strategic Goals (see attachment); seconded by Diokel Gning. Motion passed unanimously.
Presentation – Databank of Services/QCON: Darren Gault, Moline Chief of Police, made a presentation to the HRC concerning the QC Open Network (QCON) and social services issues in the community. Chief Gault mentioned that the Police Department works closely with the Fire Department to serve the community and provide emergency medical services (EMS). He signed the agreement with the QC Open Network (QCON) today. QCON has a hub (IRIS) of over 80 social service agencies to serve the people of Moline and the surrounding areas, as sometimes people need more assistance than the Police Department can provide. This hub enables them to get the help that they need. A list of the hub’s social service agencies is located at qcopennetwork.org.
One of the areas that the Police Department struggles with is dealing with the public’s need for mental health services. There is a lack of mental health services in the Quad Cities area. The main provider in this area is the Robert Young Center. The Police Department has recently partnered with The Center for Youth and Family Services (CYFS) to pair police and social workers together for enhanced services to the community. The Police Department has also procured a trailer to do pop-up events around the community. The Police Department is willing to partner with the Human Rights Commission.
Presentation – Jeff Snyder, Moline Fire Chief: Jeff Snyder, Moline Fire Chief, made a presentation to the HRC concerning the types of social services the Fire Department provides to the community. Chief Snyder mentioned that the Fire Department works collaboratively with the Police Department and K.J. Whitley, Community Development Program Manager for the City of Moline. He shared that in 2019, the Fire Department had a certain level of mental health calls, which increased 11% in 2020. They are on track for another 10% increase in mental health calls in 2021.
In addition to handling medical emergencies, Chief Snyder sees a demand for psychological first-aid, which then requires transport to a hospital.
The following are some of the areas that Chief Snyder sees needs for in the community:
1. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in low-income housing;
2. The Fire Department’s time is limited to 30-45 minutes with people, and people need more help than this;
3. Need more problem solvers, not problem identifiers;
4. Psychological first-aid (de-escalating situations involving emotional crises and getting people into a safe environment or hospital); and
5. Need prevention to get to the point where calling 9-1-1 is not the only option.
There was some discussion after the two presentations concerning needs and solutions. Whitley mentioned that she is attempting to develop collaborative solutions with all local cities. She opined that a lot of the societal issues we are facing have been created over generations. There are homeless population challenges. How can we meet their needs? Whitley suggested talking to the neighborhood groups about issues they face. She mentioned that agencies are struggling to retain employees to provide the various services needed. At the present time, Whitley is mainly dealing with people with depression and people without shelter.
Chief Gault mentioned that the City has a $60,000 budget set aside for emergency lodging, hotel rooms, and storage units. People have to be Moline residents to be eligible for said assistance. Chief Gault opined that we need to be careful that we are not a full-time social service entity and suggested starting small (i.e., start with housing and work on this area only). He also mentioned that the townships are great social service resources.
When asked by one HRC member, Chief Gault shared that the hub will move to self-referral eventually. However, at this time, referrals have to be provided to the hub.
Whitley mentioned the new Child Care Program that is in the infant stages of development. There will be a press conference concerning this program the first week of January 2022. Whitley will present to the HRC at the January meeting. Whitley suggested future presentations by the Rock Island County Health Department, the townships and Dr. Ford from Project NOW.
Strategic Goals Follow Up: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, asked the group to consider whether they want to continue to meet once a month, move to two meetings a month, have longer meetings, etc.
Kostopulos also mentioned starting a survey with a dual purpose:
1. Gather information; and
2. Communicate that the HRC exists and that the HRC cares and wants to hear from the public. Whitley suggested keeping the surveys short (4-6 questions) with a box at the end for other information.
Some of the survey subjects mentioned were: affordable and safe housing, child care, discrimination, and missing City services. The surveys could be distributed in the Library, at churches and with residential groups/neighborhood associations.
Kostopulos suggested a group picture identifying all members of the HRC, a short statement about the HRC’s mission, a request to complete the survey and why, and ensure confidentiality of survey responses. She also suggested having Tory Brecht, the City’s Communications Coordinator, identify ways to get the HRC’s survey out to the public. She will ask Brecht to speak at next month’s meeting. It was mentioned that Augustana College has a network of interpreters to translate the survey into various languages.
Other Business: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, reminded all HRC members about completing the OMA training. Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist, sent everyone a link for the OMA training. Kostopulos also instructed everyone to draft emails to Saunders, and Kostopulos will then circulate them to everyone. Members were also instructed to not “Reply to All” to any email to ensure transparency. Once Saunders receives everyone’s survey questions, she will put them on a list and bring them to the next meeting for discussion. Kostopulos reminded all HRC members that we are here to help and not to tell the HRC what to do.
There was discussion about food, since most people come to the monthly meetings straight from work. The group agreed that everyone may bring food to the meetings.
Public Comment: There was no public comment.
On motion of Diokel Gning, seconded by Jose Castro, the HRC meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7656
Alerts Sign-up