DHRC Minutes

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION The Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) met on May 16, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Gaddis presiding. Members present were Mr. Fleming, Mrs. Herbert, and Mr. Rocha. Ms. Mullen and Ms. Mishoe Paige were absent. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Fleming moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Rocha and unanimously carried. Proposed Revisions to DHRC Brochure Responding to Mr. Gaddis regarding the revisions Mr. Fleming suggested during the DHRC meeting of April 18, 2019, Mr. Fleming stated that he thought the brochure was okay as approved by Council. Mr. Fleming noted that he did not have any significant changes to the brochure. Discussion to Update the DHRC Strategic Plan Members reviewed the City of Dover Human Relations Commission Strategic Plan 2015-2018. Mr. Gaddis noted that he believed the third paragraph of Section II. Mission of the plan regarding resolving incidents of intergroup conflicts and disputes within the City, was problematic because it falls under the purview of the State Human Relations Commission. Mrs. Herbert stated that she thought the first paragraph is a very good mission statement, but the second half of it is basically how it’s going to be done, which is not really part of the mission statement. She stated that they don’t want to have a statement that is open to interpretation. Mrs. Herbert noted that they want to make sure it’s very clear what the DHRC will do, and that members can’t clarify what the DHRC will do until they look at the City Code and pick out what three (3) or four (4) things they are going to do. She indicated that she thought that they needed to make things as simple as possible. Mr. Rocha stated that he agreed with Mrs. Herbert. Mr. Rocha noted that whether or not they need to rework the first paragraph, he thought that members should be able to communicate their mission to the public. He stated that he thought having a mission statement consisting of three (3) paragraphs becomes difficult to convey. Mr. Rocha moved to recommend that the DHRC refresh the mission statement for the Strategic Plan, seconded by Mrs. Herbert. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Ms. Denise Devine, Assistant City Clerk, stated that members would not be able to email each other to gain opinions on the mission statement before they meet next month. She explained that would be a serial meeting, but if he wanted to draft something and provide it to the City Clerk’s Office, it could be included in the packet for next month, that way everybody would have a chance to review it and it would still be a public document. Ms. Devine noted that development of a strategic plan is not required by the Code. She stated that it was something that the former members wanted to do.

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 16, 2019 PAGE 2 Mr. Rocha withdrew the motion to recommend that the DHRC refresh the mission statement for the Strategic Plan. Mr. Rocha moved to recommend that the DHRC hold a Workshop, seconded by Mrs. Herbert and unanimously carried. Mrs. Herbert moved to recommend that the DHRC hold a Workshop on June 20, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. to begin working on their goals and objectives. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rocha and unanimously carried. Mr. Rocha stated that he brings a binder with him to each meeting and plans to include Chapter 58 of the Code, the DHRC Strategic Plan, and meeting agendas and minutes for reference. He proposed that, once the Commission builds a process, members prepare a binder for their own use, which they will leave for their replacements upon their departure from the Commission. Mrs. Herbert stated that she agreed with Mr. Rocha. Mr. Fleming moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Herbert and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m. Alan P. Gaddis Chair APG/jt/dd S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\Misc-Minutes\DHRC\2019\05-16-2019 DHRC Minutes.wpd