Acta

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION The Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) meeting was held on May 25, 2016 at 6:05 p.m. with Chairman Henderson presiding. Members present were Mr. McGiffin, Ms. Mullen, and Mr. Roach. Ms. Bogle and Mrs. Sadusky were absent. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS Mr. McGiffin moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Roach and unanimously carried. Election of Chair - Communications Committee Mr. Henderson advised members that Commissioner Griffith, former Chair of the Communications Committee, had resigned from the DHRC. Mr. McGiffin noted that Ms. Griffith was serving on the Delaware Commission for Women. Mr. Roach moved to defer the election of the chair for the Communications Committee until the next meeting, due to vacancies on the Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. McGiffin and unanimously carried. Mr. Roach advised members that he would also be leaving the DHRC, as he would be serving on the Planning Commission. Mr. Henderson stated that Mayor Christiansen and Council President Slavin had advised him that there was a conflict because he was serving as a City Chaplain and also as a member of the DHRC. He stated that he must make a choice regarding which office he would like to continue to hold. DHRC Committee Updates Government Policy, Programs, and Practices Committee (McGiffin) Mr. McGiffin indicated that City Council had approved the Government Policy, Programs, and Practices (GPPP) Committee’s plan to conduct an online survey of employees with regard to diversity in the City of Dover. He stated that Mr. Andy Siegel, Information Technology (IT) Director would put the survey online. Mr. McGiffin indicated that when the results are tallied, he and Mr. Henderson would prepare a report, estimating that it would be complete in June or July 2016. Mr. McGiffin suggested that Mr. Henderson prepare a brief invitation to employees to complete the survey. Community Engagement Committee (Roach) During the City Council meeting of February 22, 2016, members approved the Commission’s recommendation that Dover High School students be asked to create a logo for the DHRC in exchange for a $50 gift certificate. During the DHRC meeting of April 20, 2016, Mr. Roach indicated that he would discuss this with the Art Department at Dover High School, and if he received submissions in a timely manner, he would request that review of the logos be added to the next meeting agenda.

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 25, 2016 PAGE 2 During the DHRC meeting of May 25, 2016, Mr. Roach stated that he had a conversation with the art and graphic design instructors at Dover High School, who both indicated that they would be happy to put this challenge to their students. He suggested that the next agenda include discussion regarding when submissions would be received for review, how the gift certificate would be awarded, and whether the certificate should be presented before City Council. Mr. Roach advised that he expected to have logo submissions in hand around the time of the next meeting, since he planned to meet with Dover High staff next week. He noted that the school year would end June 6, 2016 and that staff indicated they could incorporate this into an end-of-the-year project. Mr. Roach reiterated that he had accepted an appointment on the Planning Commission and planned to submit his resignation from the DHRC. He advised members that serving on the DHRC under the tutelage of Mr. McGiffin, Mr. Henderson, and former DHRC chairs Mr. Cecil Wilson and Ms. S. Renee Smith given him greater understanding. Mr. Roach stated that his service had been an eye-opening experience regarding human relations in the City of Dover and offered to serve in any capacity allowed in regard to the DHRC logo. Mr. Roach also offered to leave contact information for Mr. Dionta Cox, who had taken photographs of the DHRC members during their meeting of April 20, 2016, in case additional pictures were needed in the future. Mr. Roach stated that he was in contact with Councilman Sudler in regard to a task force related to gangs, and he planned to be involved in this as a citizen rather than as a Commissioner. In response to Mr. Henderson regarding the status of the Reach One, Teach One Challenge mentoring project, Mr. Roach stated his belief that Commissioner Bogle was spearheading that venture. Ms. Mullen advised members that she had reached out to several civic associations and was on the agenda for Capital Park on July 12, 2016 and the White Oak/Towne Point Civic Association for August 19, 2016 to explain what the DHRC is about. She questioned if there was a DHRC brochure or if this information is on the City’s website. Responding, Mr. Roach explained that the website has information that includes the DHRC’s mission statement, vision, members’ bios, and the Dover Human Relations Commission 2015-2018 Strategic Plan. He suggested that an item be placed on the next agenda to discuss developing a palm card for the DHRC, perhaps including the mission statement and vision. Education Committee (Bogle) Mr. Roach moved to defer the Education Committee Update until the next meeting, due to the absence of Commissioner Bogle. The motion was seconded by Mr. McGiffin and unanimously carried. Communications Committee Mr. McGiffin stated his understanding that the DHRC was planning to staff a table at the upcoming African American Festival. (City Clerk’s Office Note: During their meeting of February 22, 2016, City Council approved the Commission’s recommendation that the Communications Committee work up a plan to recommend the DHRC’s presence at the African American Festival this year. During their meeting of April 25, 2016, Council approved the Commission’s recommendation to allocate $200 for the African American Festival from the DHRC budget.)

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 25, 2016 PAGE 3 Mr. Roach stated that the purpose of participating in the African American Festival was for members to become known in the community; however, he noted that there were only a few members that could potentially attend. Ms. Mullen advised that she could not attend. Mr. McGiffin felt that it would be a mistake to participate this year, due to the limited number of members who could participate. Responding to Mr. McGiffin, Mr. Roach stated that he was unsure if former Commissioner Griffith had reached out to Mr. Salters regarding a table at the festival. Mr. Roach felt that spending money on a table and attempting to get donations of water to distribute did not seem feasible because only Mr. McGiffin and Mr. Henderson had confirmed that they were able to be at the festival. Due to the lack of Commissioners available to attend, Mr. Roach moved to forego participation in this year’s African American Festival. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mullen and unanimously carried. Old Business DHRC Vacancies (First and Fourth Districts) Mr. Henderson stated that he would talk to Council President Slavin regarding the DHRC vacancies for the First and Fourth Districts. Mr. Roach stated that, due to the fact that he would be leaving the DHRC, he would do everything in his power to make one (1) or two (2) recommendations for DHRC representatives from the Fourth District. He noted that there were two (2) vacancies in the Fourth District. In response to Mr. McGiffin, Mrs. Jody Stein, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk’s Office, advised that there were two (2) vacancies in the First District. Mr. McGiffin suggested that members commit to trying to coming up with names to suggest individuals for appointment to the DHRC and that these be submitted through the City Clerk’s Office. Mr. McGiffin moved for adjournment. The motion was seconded by Mr. Roach and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m. Theodore A. Henderson Chair TAH/JS/dd/tm S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Misc-Minutes\HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION\2016\05-25-2016 DHRC.wpd