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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
The Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) meeting was held on February 10, 2015
at 5:26 p.m. with Vice-Chairman McGiffin presiding in the absence of Chairman Wilson. Members
present were Mr. Roach, Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Sadusky, Ms. Smith (arrived at 5:30 p.m.), and Ms. Stewart.
Mr. Henderson and Ms. Hicks were absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
By unanimous consent, the agenda was approved as presented.
Presentation - DHRC Diversity Definition, Role of the Commission, and Role of Individual
Commissioners
Mr. McGiffin reminded members that during the DHRC meeting of October 28, 2014,
Chairman Wilson requested that the Government Policy, Programs, and Practices Committee
develop a definition of diversity and clarify the role of the Commission and individual
commissioners.
Mr. McGiffin reviewed his memo to the DHRC, dated December 17, 2014, regarding the Definition
of Diversity, expressing his hope that it would be helpful to all members of the Commission. He
explained that there are a variety of definitions of diversity, noting that the definition adopted in the
DHRC Strategic Plan was quite broad and provided flexibility.
In response to concerns previously expressed by Mr. Henderson, Mr. McGiffin stated that he
developed a general statement regarding the role of the Commission utilizing language from the
Commission’s enabling legislation. He stated that the Commission should become as
knowledgeable as possible about issues and potential issues in Dover and be prepared to act by
advising Council, the Mayor, and the City Manager on solutions. Mr. McGiffin explained that “act”
could mean a lot of different things, including conducting hearings, holding public meetings, etc.
Review of 2014 DHRC Annual Report to City Council
Members reviewed the 2014 DHRC Annual Report to City Council.
Responding to Mrs. Sadusky, Mr. McGiffin stated that the report had not yet been submitted to City
Council and had only been submitted to members of the DHRC for their consideration.
In response to Mrs. Sadusky, Mr. McGiffin explained that the report was a basic explanation of the
Commission and what had been accomplished. He did not believe that additional information would
be required, particularly since all of the members were new.
Mrs. Sadusky moved to recommend approval of the 2014 DHRC Annual Report to City
Council, seconded by Ms. Stewart and unanimously carried.
DHRC Committee Updates/Meeting Dates/Agenda for 2015
Government Policy, Programs, and Practices Committee
Mr. Ruane explained that, in order to meet the Committee’s goal regarding the assessment of the
current state and climate of diversity and inclusion within the City government, the Committee
would be working with a team of senior leadership persons within City government. He stated that
the Committee was now awaiting confirmation from Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, regarding the
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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2015 PAGE 2
selection of the leadership group. Mr. Ruane stated that the review of City programs would be based
on Chapter 12 of “Reinventing Diversity, Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen
People, Purpose, and Performance,” by Howard J. Ross, which included a series of questions.
Mr. Ruane encouraged members to obtain a copy of this book and to consider adding or reframing
questions to make them more relevant to the City of Dover. He indicated that the City had stated
that it is a “City that values diversity” and recommended that the DHRC try to help the City to come
to an agreement as to what this means when considering the values of diversity. Mr. Ruane stated
that he had recently read a New York Times article, written by a human resources manager, that
indicated that diversity is more than a procedure relating to demographics and numbers but involves
making sure that a diverse employee base is represented when making decisions within the
organization. This dynamic process results in better policy, practices, and procedures and is a way
of doing business that reflects an entity’s culture, identity, and feeling about its organization.
Mr. Ruane noted that this approach was reflected in some of the questions in Mr. Ross’s book that
he referenced previously.
Mr. Scott Koenig, City Manager, stated that six (6) employees had volunteered to serve on the
Internal Diversity Committee, including himself; Ms. Margery Cyr, Library Director; Mr. Kirby
Hudson, Assistant City Manager, Ms. Kay Sass, Public Affairs Coordinator; Mrs. Donna Mitchell,
Controller/Treasurer; Lt. Jason Pires, Dover Police Department.
Mr. Ruane questioned if Human Resources staff should be included. Responding, Mr. Koenig
explained that HR personnel were heavily involved in recruiting but could be added if this was
desired. Mr. Ruane expressed the desire to schedule a meeting of the Internal Diversity Committee.
Community Engagement Committee
Mr. Roach stated that Ms. Hicks had asked him to send her regards and apologies for being unable
to attend tonight’s meeting. He advised members that he had been hearing from the community
about a principal at Dover High School whose contract was not renewed. He also stated that he was
approached by a gentleman at the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast held
earlier in the year in regard to the new Delaware Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust. Mr. Roach
stated that he was confused since the function of this Office seemed similar to his understanding of
what the DHRC does in regard to diversity. He expressed his wish to receive more information in
regard to what the DHRC’s involvement will be with this Office.
Ms. Denise Devine, Assistant City Clerk, stated that a presentation regarding the Office of Civil
Rights and Public Trust, which falls under the Delaware Department of Justice, was scheduled for
the DHRC meeting to be held on March 10, 2015.
Mr. McGiffin stated his belief that the DHRC will not have a lot of interaction with this Office. He
explained that the Attorney General had suggested that he would devote professional resources to
deal with issues related to civil rights that will impact various elements of State government involved
in actions related to discrimination in housing, education, disability and access, etc. Mr. McGiffin
advised members that other organizations chartered by the State and Federal governments are
charged with hands-on responsibility for those things. He indicated that this should be part of the
DHRC’s knowledge base but would not have much of an effect on its charge, unless an issue arises
that falls within the DHRC’s jurisdiction.
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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2015 PAGE 3
Mr. McGiffin asked if the Community Engagement Committee had a particular agenda for matters
they would be working on in the upcoming year. Responding, Mr. Roach stated that Mr. Henderson
was very involved with the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA), noting that many
community issues go through churches. He stated the Committee’s desire to build communication
through community leaders and that the Committee wanted to reach out to develop a community
database to establish ties to the community. He expressed the desire to “get our faces out there” and
explain to the community the functions and processes of the DHRC.
Responding to Ms. Smith regarding the relationship of the controversy at Dover High School to the
DHRC, Mr. Roach stated that many people spoke with him about this issue, stating that they felt it
unjust that the principal’s contract was terminated by the Capital School District Board since she had
received gains every year. Since the principal was an employee of an organization within the City,
Mr. Roach stated a desire to gain understanding and was unsure if the DHRC should become
involved since it occurred within the City.
Responding, Mr. McGiffin stated that the DHRC has no direct jurisdiction over this matter. He felt
that this was a matter for the Capital School District Board and the DHRC had nothing to do with
the relationship between the Board and one (1) of its employees. He noted that the state and federal
governments have jurisdiction over employment discrimination. Mr. McGiffin believed that
members should be knowledgeable about the issue to be able to advise the City on how to respond
if there were a reaction to the incident that affects people in the City beyond the incident itself, such
as a demonstration. He noted this would include advising City law enforcement in the City should
a demonstration take place within City boundaries. Mr. McGiffin reiterated that the DHRC is not
in a position to mediate or negotiate with respect to this employment situation.
Mr. Ruane stated that the DHRC Strategic Plan includes objectives that relate to community conflict.
He questioned whether the City’s required emergency plan includes policies with respect to
responding to community conflict and if these types of policies are officially adopted by the Police
Department. He stated that the DHRC, at some point, is supposed to become knowledgeable
enough about community conflict to be able to advise the Police Department on best practices in this
regard. Mr. Ruane reminded members that this is a responsibility of the DHRC as a whole and is
included as a long-range, strategic objective for the Commission. He stated that a University of
Delaware organization offers mediation training, and should the Education Committee think this was
a priority, they could investigate the availability of that training so that if there were such a conflict,
the DHRC would better prepared. Mr. Ruane felt that members needed training in techniques on
how to listen to people who put members on the spot regarding mediation, conflict management, etc.
He suggested that the Education Committee develop a prioritized list of the types of training needed
by members.
Ms. Traci McDowell, City Clerk, stated that the City was currently in the process of budgeting for
FY 16 and asked if members had an estimate of the amount to be requested for training.
Mr. Roach moved to request a training budget of $5,000 for FY16 for the DHRC, seconded by
Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.
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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2015 PAGE 4
Mr. Ruane stated that the Government Policy, Programs, and Practices Committee needs a list of
community organizations to be involved when a focus group is formed as part of the assessment and
the community is asked how the City government is promoting diversity. Responding, Mr. McGiffin
suggested that the IMA be included, as well as any organization that could help educate members
on how people in the community view the City on these issues.
Mr. Ruane expressed his belief that Chairman Wilson was hoping that the Community Engagement
Committee would identify groups that should be invited to the DHRC meeting scheduled for
March 10, 2015 when Ms. Allison Reardon, Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust,
would attend and answer questions. Mr. Ruane felt this was an opportunity to engage the
Committee.
Mr. McGiffin requested members to provide suggestions to the Clerk’s Office by February 17, 2015
regarding who should be invited to the March 10, 2015 DHRC meeting.
Education Committee
Mrs. Sadusky stated that the Education Committee had not talked since the last meeting. She offered
to contact the University of Delaware to find out what types of mediation and conflict management
training is available.
Ms. McDowell cautioned that training funds would not be available until after July 1, 2015.
Communications Committee
Ms. Smith stated that the Communications Committee had nothing to report.
Mr. Roach reiterated the request for members to assist the Community Engagement Committee in
developing a list of invitees for the March 10, 2015 DHRC meeting.
Mr. Ruane advised members that a meeting was convened by the Psi Iota Chapter of the Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity regarding the Dover police. He provided members with related newspaper articles
from The Wilmington News-Journal dated February 6, 2015, entitled “Delaware Police Discuss
Building Trust, Excessive Force,” and the Delaware State News, dated February 9, 2015, entitled,
“Police: ‘We have to Trust the Public and They have to Trust Us’” (Attachment #1). Mr. Roach
stated that Omega Psi Phi is a black fraternity in the City. Mr. Ruane suggested that the fraternity
be invited to the March DHRC meeting. Responding, Mr. Roach stated that this group was on the
list, along with Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternities.
In response to Mr. McGiffin, Mr. Roach indicated that Alpha Phi Alpha sponsors an annual
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. He stated that the DHRC had discussed trying
to reserve a table at this event to try to promote the DHRC and training that the DHRC hoped to
have. He indicated that he and Mr. Wilson had attended the event earlier in the year and
Mr. McGiffin stated that he had also attended.
Mr. Roach stated that Alpha Phi Alpha had also had a presentation at Delaware State University in
recognition of Dr. King.
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DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2015 PAGE 5
Scheduling of 2015 Meeting Dates
Mr. Ruane moved to schedule the 2015 DHRC meetings for Tuesday, March 10, 2015;
Wednesday, May 27, 2015; and Tuesday, August 25, 2015 and to defer consideration of the
November 2015 date until the next meeting, seconded by Mr. Roach and unanimously carried.
Commission Members’ Announcements
Mrs. Sadusky questioned Mr. Ruane regarding the specifics of his request pertaining to Chapter 12
of “Reinventing Diversity, Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen People, Purpose,
and Performance,” by Howard J. Ross. Responding, Mr. Ruane stated that members would be
formulating questions based on Chapter 12. He noted that many questions were included, such as
“Is diversity a stated value in your organization?” He asked that members provide additional
questions or modifications to the suggested questions to make them relevant for the City, particularly
with regard to inclusion. Mr. Ruane reminded members that the DHRC had established a goal to
promote diversity and social inclusion and combat social exclusion. He stated the desire to find out
to what extent the City was being responsive to issues that reflect that some people in the community
may have been excluded from City services, such as housing, library, and recreation programs.
Responding to Ms. Smith, Mr. Ruane advised members that Chapter 12 of the book he
had referenced was provided in the October 28, 2014 DHRC meeting packet as an attachment to
a memorandum from the Government Policy, Programs, and Practices Committee dated
October 16, 2014. He advised members that, when meeting with the Government Policy, Programs,
and Practices Committee, Mayor Christiansen had explained the importance of understanding the
history of the City when considering diversity. Mr. Ruane reminded members that the City had been
sued by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which resulted
in a change to the whole government structure.
Mr. Ruane noted that the filing deadline for City Council would be on February 13, 2015 at
4:30 p.m.
Ms. Stewart moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
By unanimous consent, the meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
James G. McGiffin, Jr.
Vice-Chairman
JGM/TM/JS/dd
S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Misc-Minutes\HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION\2015\02-10-2015 Dover Human Relations Commission.wpd
Attachment
Attachment #1 - Wilmington News Journal News article dated February 6, 2015 and Delaware State News article
dated February 9, 2015
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ATTACHMENT #1
DHRC Meeting of 02/10/2015