City of Rock Island Human Rights Commission met July 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Commission Members Present
Steven Andich
Margie Mejia-Caraballo
Tamara Felden
Gregg Hampton
Christiana Headley, Secretary
David Levin
Jason Lopez, Vice Chair
Randall McMurray
(Virtual)
Sara Meyer
Vince Thomas
Commission Members Absent
Thurgood Brooks
Janet Lockhart Johnson, Chair
Staff Present
Jerry Jones, City Liaison
Public Present
Betsy Zmuda Swanson, member of the Human Rights Commission in Moline
David Morrison
Hector Lareau
AGENDA ITEM #1 – Call to Order, Welcome, Introductions
Jason called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm
AGENDA ITEM #2 – Public Comment
Betsy shared how Moline Mayor Rayapati recently redeveloped the Human Rights Commission in Moline. They have been meeting since around October and are just getting started.
AGENDA ITEM #3 – Approval of Minutes from June Meeting
Stephen made a motion to approve the minutes. David seconded. Unanimously approved.
AGENDA ITEM #4 – Old Business - Ordinance updates
Hector shared a recommendation for the ordinance to make changes in 2-271 and in the procedure section (2-705) in regards to how investigations will occur. Changes are reflected in the new proposed ordinance in google docs. Once the commission decides there is probably cause for concern, we will notify the respondent. We need to develop a form letter to send to the respondent with the complaint. The respondent will have 28 days to respond. The commission will then make a decision if there is probable cause to pursue the case further. Discussion ensued to clarify changes in the ordinance. Jerry will set a time for the new ordinance to be presented to the City Council. It would be beneficial to have as many commission members attend.
Margie made a motion to go to agenda item #6 in the interest of time for Betsy. David suggested that we partner with the Moline commission.
AGENDA ITEM #5 – Complaints
Closed Session: 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (20) The classification and discussion of matters classified as confidential or continued confidential by the State Government Suggestion Award Board.
Motion whether or not to go into Closed Session for the exceptions cited.
- Complaint: 82-2022-KA: Letter sent to complainant listing other resources. Follow up from Tamara regarding letter to the board. Tamara made a motion to go into closed session. Margie seconded the motion. Tamara wrote a letter to the respondent’s of this complaint which the commission reviewed. It is recommended that we send the letter at a later date and have as many commission members attend the city council meeting. Discussion ensued about how to educate entities about human rights violations within our community.
Margie made a motion to rewrite the letter and will be presented at the next Human Rights Commission meeting, Tamara seconded.
- Complaint: 83-2022-JP
● Sara and Jason interviewed the complainant. Jason spoke with the complainant 3 times. JP is on medical disability. In the meantime, the complainant complained on facebook. HR contacted her and said she could still be employed if she removed the post. She declined to remove the post and was then terminated. They could not discern any type of discrimination in this incident. Jason’s recommendation is to decline the case. David made a motion to decline the case. Christiana seconded the motion. Unanimous vote. Letter will be sent to the complainant.
- New complaint that was sent via email by Jerry to commission members. David and Tamara met with the city manager who brought the complaint to our attention. David and Tamara are meeting tomorrow with the neighbor, Jamie, who has complained about Simon. They will update us at the next meeting.
David made a motion to close the executive session. Gregg seconded the motion.
AGENDA ITEM #6 – New Business
Discuss ideas on our educational mission and ideas to reach out to the community.
● Tamara recommended ideas about grants, administrative support and a budget for the commission. AGENDA ITEM #7 – Commissioner Comments
AGENDA ITEM #8 – Adjourn
Jason adjourned the meeting at 6:31pm
https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08182022-998
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