Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island Human Rights Commission met Sept. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Commission Members Present

Steven Andich

Lyss Chiampi

Christiana Headley, Secretary

Tamara Felden

David Levin, Chair

Randall McMurray

Margie Mejia-Caraballo

Monta Ponsetto

Vince Thomas

Keenen Wilson

Commission Members Absent

Janet Lockhart Johnson

Jason Lopez, Vice Chair

Sara Meyer

Commission Members Virtual

None

Staff Present

Jerry Jones, City Liaison

Public Present

● AGENDA ITEM #1 – Call to Order at 5 pm by David Levin

Welcome & Introductions: New members- Keenen Wilson, Lyss Chiampi & Monta Ponsetto (who will soon be appointed by the mayor).

David shared the mission of the commission with new members. David shared an article on the housing market and how people of color are waiting to purchase homes due to the housing prices.

Tamara shared that we are not only the Human Rights Commission, but also share as the Fair Housing Board.

● AGENDA ITEM #2 – Public Comment-None

● AGENDA ITEM #3 – Approval of Minutes from August meeting, Margie made a motion to approve the minutes, Randall seconded. Unanimous.

● AGENDA ITEM #4 – Old Business

Ordinance discussion. Tamara handed out binders to all individuals and explained the new ordinance and how we need to follow specific guidelines and procedures in a timely manner. There is a calendar for us to count days when there is a complaint. There is an interview questionnaire to guide the two individuals who will meet with the complainant. The procedural checklist takes members through the checklist. The complaint needs to be followed up within 7 days that Jerry sends the complaint to the commission members. The forms will be in our shared Google Drive and should be updated in a timely manner so everyone knows where we are in the process. We must also be mindful of following the open meetings guidelines. No more than 2 commission members should meet/discuss to comply with the open meetings act. Everyone needs to review the “Procedural Checklist” for October’s meeting. We will plan to do some practice complaints in the next meeting to better learn the procedure. There was discussion in regards to subpoena power and how it can give us leverage if a company refuses to cooperate to rectify a complaint. Tamara will email the group a case sample to work through the procedural checklist for the next meeting.

● AGENDA ITEM #6 – New Business

● New member discussion and update: Keenen Wilson, Lyss Chiampi & Monta Ponsetto (who will soon be appointed by the mayor, hopefully, Monday night). David shared that when we have future commission member openings, we will have a small group that will interview potential commission members instead of discussing as a group.

● Google Drive: Christiana is putting together all HRC agendas, minutes, letters in Google Drive which everyone will get an invitation to. It will be a place where everyone can access information. She will send an invitation to every member of the commission.

● Budget: Jerry shared with the City Manager that the commission is interested in having a budget implemented for marketing, supplies and other materials that will be needed. We would like to have a table at community events to bring more awareness that the commission exists.

● New complaint: 88-2023-™

Monta was excused so we could discuss the complaint until she’s officially appointed. Tamara gave the update. Jason stepped up to investigate the case. He reached out to the individual with at least 8 text messages and several phone calls with no response. Tamara reached out to the complainant and was able to reach ™. The complainant is in a building where there is a lot of disrepair. She has filed a police report, has a fire department report and is dealing with the landlord and management company without resolution. The city is apparently suing the landlord. ™ is physically disabled and claims there is racial discrimination as there are white tenants receiving different support. Tamara is trying to get contact information for the landlord and management company to make some resolution. Due to the city suing the landlord and the interaction with the police and fire departments, there is a question if we will be able to participate in this complaint further or if everything that can be done is happening with these other entities. The complainant would like the heat on and some cleanliness in her home. David recommended asking for a copy of the lease. There’s a court date set for October 6, 2023. Perhaps our role will be reduced to make a determination if there has been racial discrimination.

● AGENDA ITEM #7 – Commissioner Comments

Vince shared a book called “Homesick” with commission members in regards to affordable housing. He will be speaking 9/30 at Fairmount Library.

I Am the Future: Standing on the Shoulders of the Past on Sunday 10/22/23, 2-4 pm

● AGENDA ITEM #8 – Adjourn. Margie made a motion to adjourn at 6:05pm, Steven seconded.

https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09212023-1249