City of Moline Human Rights Commission met Aug. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
PRESENT: Betsy Zmuda-Swanson, Chair
Natividad Keim, Vice Chair
Tionn Carter
Jose Castro
Diokel Gning
Adrian Ritchie
Matt Stoefen
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist
K.J. Whitley, Community Development Manager
OTHER: Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel
Jim Maloney, Visitor
Sue Normoyle, Resident
Call to Order
Human Rights Commission Chair, Betsy Zmuda-Swanson, called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., in the Gold Room, at the Moline Public Library.
Approval of Minutes
Jose Castro made a motion to approve the July 10, 2023 Minutes; seconded by Betsy Zmuda-Swanson. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
Questions on the Agenda
There were no questions on the Agenda.
Agenda Items
1. Future Presentations. Natividad Keim suggested asking Emily Cummings, from Birth to Five, to come speak about gaps in services for families with young children. Ms. Cummings is also on the Moline Youth Commission. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) agreed to ask her to speak at the November HRC meeting. In addition, Natividad will look into having someone from the Quad City Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees come speak in the future. The HRC members were in favor. Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist, asked K.J. Whitley, Community Development Manager, about confirming Brad Hauman, Neighborhood Improvement Officer, to speak at the September HRC meeting.
2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) - Follow Up. Betsy Zmuda-Swanson asked Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, to update the group on the status of the Chicago UIC group. Margaret shared that UIC offers a three-year DEI program, which is quite a bit lengthier than the HRC originally thought about. UIC captured the City’s attention not only because of the communities that they have worked with (Peoria, Oak Park, Evanston and others), but also to bring the DEI concept to a community and a City government not just as training, but starting from the bottom up. Inclusion requires education and buy in from every person, and the City thought that made a lot of sense. This would include assessments, initial trainings of different groups, and identifying strengths and weaknesses. UIC’s concept is that in order to have diversity, equity and inclusion, everyone’s opinion and voice should be considered, otherwise there is no inclusion. The City has been talking with representatives from UIC, and its program really sounds almost too good to be true. UIC representatives are interested in coming to Moline. They want to work with the HRC, the City, City staff and the City Council. The City is waiting on a proposal from UIC. It is supposed to be here on Wednesday, August 16. Margaret hopes to have a fairly comprehensive proposal by the next HRC meeting that will really make a difference. Margaret inquired as to whether the HRC members have thought about how their part in this matter. Margaret encouraged the HRC to think about this. For example, Adrian Ritchie and Jose Castro could be the liaisons to the school district.
Betsy Zmuda-Swanson inquired about obtaining information concerning what UIC has done with other cities. Margaret replied that she reached out to Oak Park. Betsy will check out Peoria’s website. She also wants to see what the Human Rights Commission does in Peoria. Margaret advised that all of the cities are in different phases of the process; with Evanston being the furthest along.
3. Islamic Center of the Quad Cities – Saturday Dinner Follow Up. Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist, followed up on the Friday prayer issue that was raised at the Saturday Dinner in June. Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, confirmed that Amy talked to her about this issue and about the possibility of drafting a letter to the Imam to find out more information about who is having the problems and where they are employed. Margaret advised that the HRC may write letters to companies advising of the issues expressed to us by Moline residents. The HRC can also encourage employees to seek legal representation. The HRC may also write a letter to the companies in support and encourage compliance with the law. The HRC supports employees’ rights to religious freedom and the right to accommodation for it. Per Betsy Zmuda-Swanson, the HRC needs to know the names of the companies to write to the President or Human Resources. Diokel Gning shared that one of the company’s has a community liaison for these types of issues. He shared that they handled the matter well at first, but it got out of hand, as the Muslim community grew. Then, they would not allow anyone to do Friday prayer, because it stopped production. Diokel agreed to draft a letter and will email it to Margaret for review. Once reviewed, Amy can insert it onto the HRC letterhead for him. Diokel will also find out the name of the community liaison at the subject company.
4. Community Dinner/August 19 NPC Picnic Follow Up. K.J. Whitley, Community Development Manager, reminded the HRC members that Jumpin Joey’s will be at Riverside Park between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m., and will return at 2:00 p.m., to pick up the games. K.J. asked everyone to be at Riverside by 10:00 a.m., to help set up. Everyone will wear the HRC T-shirts. Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist, advised that she ordered the Olde Towne Bakery cookies. Hamburgers, hot dogs, vegan burgers, a couple others sides and chips will be served. Amy will bring the HRC informational half sheets. Everyone is invited to attend. The picnic will start at 11:00 a.m. The cost for the face painter is $200. Betsy will email the face painter’s name to Amy for payment. The balloon person was booked, so there will be no balloon person. Stephens Park advised that they would have 17 people present at the picnic. Amy ordered 100 “Hate Has No Home Here” magnets, but is not sure that they will arrive in time for the picnic. Amy will also bring some “Hate Has No Home Here” signs. K.J. will have Tory Brecht, Communications Coordinator, send a blast out tomorrow. K.J. will email the picnic flyer to Amy, and Amy will email it to the HRC members.
5. MetroLINK/Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Cabs Follow Up. Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist, advised that the paratransit services survey will be running through October 31, 2023. Amy also advised that she emailed Anne McCracken about the HRC’s collaboration with Jim Maloney concerning increased paratransit services. Jim Maloney’s goal is to get 3,000 survey responses.
6. Walmart/MetroLINK Bus Stop Issue Follow Up. Jose Castro shared that he checked with his son, and the bus stop was moved down by Dollar Tree. As such, this issue is resolved until we hear from someone else. Diokel Gning will verify that it has been moved and report back.
7. HRC Website Follow Up. Betsy Zmuda-Swanson advised that this matter is connected to the UIC matter. Per Margaret Kostopulos, Corporation Counsel, David Rowatt, IT Manager, will create the HRC’s website. Margaret suggested including pictures, bios and a number of other things to create content. Margaret will follow up with David about starting on the website. Betsy will not be at the September meeting but asked the HRC members to bring a short bio to the October HRC meeting. Margaret will check with Tory Brecht, Communications Coordinator, and David concerning the status of the website and bios.
8. Community Resources Guide Follow Up. Betsy Zmuda-Swanson shared that this information should be on the HRC website. She also mentioned using the information from the handout Natividad Keim gave to the HRC members at the July HRC meeting. Natividad responded that she could ask for permission to use this guide on the HRC website. She also advised that the Hub has a database of resources to access. The A-OK website has a lot of contact information, as well.
9. Dementia Friendly City Follow Up. Amy Saunders, Legal Services Specialist, shared that she does not think that Mayor Rayapati has heard anything further about this matter, but she will follow up with the Mayor. Amy will put this item back on an agenda if further action is requested.
10. Miscellaneous Business. There was no miscellaneous business.
Public Comment
Jim Maloney suggested having a presentation from the Childcare Referral and Resources Center through the Eastern Iowa Community Action Agency. Natividad Keim responded that this agency solely concerns the Iowa Quad Cities area. Birth to Five should have information for the Illinois Quad Cities area. Betsy thanked Jim for his suggestion.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled HRC meeting is on September 11, 2023.
Adjournment
On motion of Matt Stoefen, seconded by Diokel Gning, and approved unanimously by the HRC, the HRC meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9338
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