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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
The Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) met on February 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. with
Chairman Gaddis presiding. Members present were Mr. Fleming, Mrs. Herbert, Ms. Mullen
(departed at 6:23 p.m.), and Mr. Rocha. Ms. Paige was absent.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Mrs. Herbert moved for adoption of the agenda, seconded by Ms. Mullen and unanimously
carried.
2019 Annual Report to City Council
Mr. Fleming moved to recommend acceptance of the Dover Human Relations Commission
2019 Annual Report to City Council (Attachment #1). The motion was seconded by
Mrs. Herbert and unanimously carried.
Discussion - Intake Form
Mr. Gaddis referenced a previous Intake Form used by the Dover Human Relations Commission
(Attachment #2). He stated he has some difficulty with a couple of aspects of the intake form. He
noted that an intake form sounds like a complaint form and would like to turn it into more of a
contact form that organizations can use to make themselves aware to the Commission and so that
the Commission can make themselves aware to others. He suggested a statement go in there rather
than just the complaint that they might submit. He noted they have the Interfaith Mission and many
others that he is not totally aware of, but would like to find out who they are.
Mrs. Herbert asked for clarification if the form would be an information form for the Commission
to gather information about who is out in the community as opposed to someone who has a concern
filling out the intake form. Responding, Mr. Gaddis stated they could change some of the wording
in it so that it could act in two ways, if it is a complaint or they would like to make themselves
known to the Commission unless members split it into two separate forms.
Mrs. Herbert stated having to come into City Hall to get the form was a barrier. She asked if it would
be possible for them to make a form that they could provide to service organizations for distribution
to those in need, such as at a homeless shelter. She noted that she wants to make this available in the
community, but only at places that actually serve the community. Mrs. Herbert felt that having
people come in and explain what they do and what resources they have is invaluable. She advised
that she did not know if the complaint form and the contact form can be the same because they have
two different purposes.
Mr. Gaddis, referring to the second page of the intake form, stated he would like to reverse the way
that it is set up by having the Commission get the form first and then turning it over to the City
Clerk’s Office. He noted that if they are to be a human relations commission, and if it is a human
relations concern, they should get it first and then they can submit it to the City Clerk’s Office and
whomever they need to submit it to. Referencing the Fraizer’s situation, Mr. Gaddis stated that if
they had been told that it happened and had been given the information, it could have been directed
right away to the State because it was a State issue. He stated by turning it over to the City Clerk’s
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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2020 PAGE 2
Office first for practical intents and purposes, they could be left out and were left out of the entire
process, so he would like to see that reversed right off the bat.
Mr. Rocha stated that the intake form going to the City Clerk’s Office makes it an official
submission, but they just need to make necessary provisions that the next step is to go to members
as opposed to the Mayor or City Council, so they get a chance to review it first and make necessary
recommendations. Mr. Rocha stated he was not sure of the language in the City’s code or whatever
specifies, but that more than likely it should happen that way and they just have to enforce that or
make a recommendation that it does. Mr. Gaddis stated they need to double check the code in that
particular regard, because it is called the City of Dover Human Relations Commission intake form,
not necessarily the City of Dover.
Mr. Rocha asked what the process was if something like this was to come into the City Clerk's
Office, especially if it is placed under this form. He noted he believed those individuals who were
concerned about Fraizer’s did submit a letter or email. Responding, Mr. Gaddis confirmed that letters
were submitted because there was not an intake form. He noted that if the letters had not been
emailed to DHRC members, they would not have known about the situation. Mr. Gaddis advised that
they received the letters after action had been taken and that he was not disputing that the action
worked and that it was proper, but they forgot that the Commission existed and it is time that the
members make sure that they know they exist. Ms. Mullen asked how to prevent this from happening
again.
Ms. Mullen expressed concern that they were a commission with no power to do anything and that
there is a disconnect between the City of Dover and the DHRC. She suggested that before they can
move forward with a form, they have to be clear about how the two connect and communicate so that
they do not feel like they are left out or looked over.
Mr. Fleming noted the way the intake form is set up is good and that complaints and concerns should
originate at the City Clerk's Office and to have the City Clerk’s Office start this form and then this
tells what the timeline was and what they did to inform the Commission. He stated the City Clerk’s
Office receives the form, they mail it, and they put it on the DHRC agenda for the next meeting. He
stated he did not see anything wrong with this and they may need a separate document to do some
of the things that Mrs. Herbert would like, but for a complaint, it was good.
Mrs. Herbert asked if members thought having to walk into City Hall was a problem at all when
someone is going to seek or using other services in the community, which includes Department of
Social Services (DSS) and health and human services, where they have social workers that could
help them fill out the form. She stated it was a drawback. Responding, Mr. Fleming said he did not
think so, noting that if someone had a complaint and they wanted to move forward with it, then this
would be an avenue to get it to the Commission, otherwise, how will they know that there is a
complaint that someone is seeking remedy for.
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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2020 PAGE 3
Mrs. Herbert stated often when people come in to request services, they will mention something that
members would determine is a complaint and they might feel more comfortable. She noted that she
was not sure that people were going to feel comfortable walking in and saying they have a complaint
or whether the City will have someone trained to take complaints.
Mr. Gaddis stated that he would like to get permission to put the forms in different places.
Mrs. Herbert stated that DSS and health services are places that people can go and get a chance to
sit and talk with someone about an issue. She noted that in her work she has found that when
someone was sitting in a private office with someone that they trusted, they tended more to express
themselves. Mrs. Herbert stated that she is not opposed to people coming into City Hall, just that
they need other options also. Responding to Ms. Mullen, Mr. Gaddis stated that the library sounds
like a good, neutral place to have the form available. He advised that the first thing they have to do
is make sure that people are aware that there is a Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) and
that these forms are available.
Mrs. Herbert stated that she and Ms. Mullen made a list of some of the types of organizations that
could present their information to the Commission so members would know where to put the intake
forms and provide them with copies. She noted that somebody may come into the library and say
that they would like to have the forms, noting that she was sure the library has someone there that
could accept the form and see that it got to the City.
Ms. Mullen suggested letting the public know that there is an intake form using Dover TV.
Mr. Rocha advised that Ms. Anne Smith, President of the Central Delaware branch of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), would like to come and speak with
the DHRC maybe at the next meeting in March and be placed on the agenda.
Referring to the first page of the intake form, Mr. Fleming suggested adding a box for an email
address. Mr. Gaddis stated that they could probably take out the fax and make that box big enough
to put an email address in.
Mr. Gaddis stated that Mr. Rocha emailed him a link of forms from the City of Philadelphia.
Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mr. Rocha stated that he converted the forms into Word documents so
that members could make changes. Mr. Rocha noted it was extensive and thorough, but they
probably would not need all the information they were asking for. Mr. Rocha noted that the City of
Philadelphia had two forms, one was for the general public and the other one was for city employees.
He noted members might want to think about that as well.
Mr. Gaddis stated he wanted to continue this discussion at the next meeting, once members have the
rest of the information and have time to think about it.
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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2020 PAGE 4
Mr. Rocha advised that he would not be at the next Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC)
meetings due to teaching a class in March and April.
Mr. Rocha moved to continue the discussion of the intake form until they have a chance to look
at the City of Philadelphia's current form and see how they may be able to modify it for their
use. The motion was seconded by Ms. Mullen and unanimously carried.
Proposed Revisions to DHRC Brochure - Mission Statement
Mr. Gaddis stated it would be nice to have a full Commission for input on the DHRC Brochure -
Mission stated and to be able to put all of the members’ names on the new brochure.
Mrs. Herbert moved to table the proposed revisions to the DHRC Brochure - Mission
Statement. The motion was approved by unanimous consent.
Council Action on Strategic Plan 2020-2023
Mrs. Herbert stated the DHRC Strategic Plan 2020-2023 was presented to City Council during their
regular meeting of February 10, 2020 and was approved under the consent agenda.
Mr. Gaddis stated for future reference, he would like to add to every agenda any new business,
announcements, or thoughts. He asked if any members had any thoughts they wish to share.
Mr. Rocha noted that Ms. Paige and himself are becoming active with the NAACP and they are
starting to think that there may be an opportunity for the DHRC to work together which is probably
going to start when Ms. Anne Smith, President of NAACP, comes and addresses the Commission
next month, if they add it to the agenda. He stated he is looking forward to the beginnings of
fulfilling what they had established in their strategic plan.
Mrs. Herbert stated she thought they had discussed, maybe a year a half ago, trying to have a
community day or some kind of activity sponsored by the DHRC. She noted Ms. Paige was very
interested.
Mr. Fleming moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Rocha and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
Alan P. Gaddis
Chair
APG/jt
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Attachments
Attachment #1 - Dover Human Relations Commission 2019 Annual Report
Attachment #2 - Previous Intake Form used by the Dover Human Relations Commission
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ATTACHMENT #1
Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting of 02/20/2020
DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
END OF YEAR REPORT FOR
2019
The DHRC met ten out of the twelve months of 2019. At the January meeting Alan
Gaddis acted as Chairman. Also at this meeting, discussions to revise and update the
2015-2018 Strategic Plan were begun. These discussions continued through the
meetings of March, April, May, June, July, August, October, November, and December.
The February and September meetings were cancelled due to lack of quorum. At the
March meeting, Alan Gaddis was elected Chairman.
The June meeting was a workshop in the City Hall conference room which resulted in
Commissioners pairing up to meet outside to deal with specific sub-sections of the Plan.
Each of the six members had input and submitted their thoughts. The balance of the
regular meetings involved discussions of each pair’s input, revising, correcting and
finally approving each sub-section.
The revised Strategic Plain for 2020-2023 was approved on January 16, 2020 for
submission to City Council.
The Commission has had three vacancies since before the January 2019 meeting. As
Chairman, I e-mailed the Councilmen of Districts Two and Four requesting that they
nominate potential new Commissioners. As of our latest meeting, these vacancies
continue.
Respectfully submitted on January 24, 2020 by
Alan Gaddis – Chairman
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ATTACHMENT #2
Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting of 02/20/2020
A. Intake Form Front Page
THE CITY OF DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
INTAKE FORM
Name of person or organization filing: (last name, first name, middle Home Phone: Business Phone: Fax:
initial) 0 Mr. o Miss o
Mrs. OMs. ( ) ( ) ( )
Street Address: City: County: State: Zip Code:
Identify the contact person that the Commission should notify:
Ust the name, address and telephone number of any person or organization that you believe should be invited to appear before
the Commission to help resolve your concem:
Summarize what has or will occur that has given rise to your concern. Use this space for a brief and concise statement of facts
(who, what, where, when, why, how). Additional details may be submitted on an attachment.
What relief or action is being requested?
Completion of the following questions is OPTIONAL:
Ethnicity: o Black o White o Hispanic o Asian o Native American o Other:
Sex: o Male o Female Age: Nation of Origin:
NOTICE: ALL DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY PRESENTED TO THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ARE
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS.
Signature: Date:
This form was delivered to: (person) on (date),
located at (address).
This form was mailed to: (person) on (date),
located at (address).
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A. Intake Form - Back of Page
THE CITY OF DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
RECORD OF ACTION
Case No.
CITY CLERK ACTION:
1. On (date), the INTAKE FORM was received by the City Clerk's OffICe.
2. On (date). the concerns expressed in the INTAKE FORM were placed on the New
Business section of the Agenda for the Commission meeting to be held.
3. On (date). a copy of the INTAKE FORM was mailed to members of the Commission
along with the Agenda for the Commission meeting.
4. On (date). notice of !he date. time and location of the Commission meeting at which
the concern(s) expressed in the INTAKE FORM will be considered by !he Commission was mailed to the
following:
a.) the party(ies) filing the INTAKE FORM;
b.) !he interested party{ies) identified in the INTAKE FORM; and
c.) the person{s) or entity(ies} who caused !he concern(s} to be raised.
5. On (date), notice of the Commission's final action was sent to the person(s) filing the
INTAKE FORM and the other party(ies) listed on the INTAKE FORM.
COMMISSION ACTION:
1. On (date), !he Commission decided it did/did not have jurisdiction over the matters
set forth in the INTAKE FORM.
2. On {date}, the Commission considered !he matters set forth in the INTAKE FORM.
3. On (date), the Commission took the following action:
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