DHRC Minutes

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION The Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) met on February 21, 2024, at 6:20 p.m. with Chairman Gaddis presiding. Members present were Ms. Mullen, Ms. Hall, Mr. Lott, and Mr. Simmons. Ms. White, Mr. Fleming and Ms. Paige were absent. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Ms. Hall moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Simmons and unanimously carried. (White, Fleming, Paige absent) ADOPTION OF MINUTES Ms. Hall moved for adoption of the minutes of the Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting of January 17, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lott and unanimously carried. (White, Fleming, Paige absent) OLD BUSINESS Discussion – Making the Community Aware of the DHRC Ms. Hall provided the Commission with an update on using social media outlets to disseminate information about the DHRC. Ms. Hall suggested that if managing social media outlets becomes challenging, the Commission could consider seeking assistance from young individuals looking to accumulate volunteer hours, which would incur no cost to the city. She proposed promoting this opportunity in local schools and guidance offices, as students heading to college often need community service hours. This experience could also serve as a valuable addition to their resumes, particularly for those studying Mass Communication. Mr. Gaddis mentioned that he had received a phone call from Mr. Fleming, who had reached out to a few contacts he has at the Delaware State News. Mr. Fleming was hopeful that someone from the news outlet might attend the evening's meeting to engage with the Commission. Mr. Gaddis also recalled that someone associated with WBOC, possibly known to another member, could also be approached for coverage in the near future. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Ms. Hall mentioned that she knows several reporters across various media outlets. She suggested inviting them to attend the meeting to provide some unpaid media coverage. Ms. Hall noted that while she does not write the greatest press releases, she spoke with Ms. Sass, and she is willing to help her put together a press release that they could put out regarding the Dover Human Relations Commission as well. Ms. Hall thinks that once they have everyone's photo and short bio, it would not be a tough task to get the press release done and submit it to the Delaware State News and News Journal and the light to be able to put out to people that they are up and running and willing to engage the community about the issues. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mr. Lott stated that concerning the CCJ, when he mentioned establishing a group that could participate in the mediation program, he would like to have some direction on how they could go about establishing it in a way where they could have the impact he has envisioned. He knows he would like to see representation from each class, from freshmen all the way through to the sophomores, as well as the youth advisor at Dover High. Mr. Lott is unsure how far this group's scope could extend. If there is a way, they could start formulating

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2024 PAGE 2 that group, maybe by engaging with the conflict resolution program that CCJ has. He has talked with some individuals who would be interested in participating in this particular aspect of community involvement or school programs, and he just needs to know the correct procedure to follow if he were to invite them to come before the commission. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Ms. Mullen stated that when they first started this, there were many things that they could not do. She believes they need a clear understanding of what they can and cannot do because they were often told that they could not even have conversations about some of the items they wanted to pursue. Responding to Ms. Mullen, Mr. Gaddis stated that the DHRC is now stronger since they revised the strategic plan. When the council approved an update, they were given permission to do things they were previously unable to do. The plan includes several key areas such as Section A. Develop ways to measure and monitor community relations, Section B. Support, participate in, and create programs and events within the city of Dover that celebrate its diversity and Section C. Review the City of Dover's code of ordinances and make recommendations. Additionally, they aim to establish regular two-way communication between the council and the commission and improve community awareness of the commission's role. They were given permission to be more proactive and engaged, rather than just meeting once a month as required by the ordinance. They now meet four times a year, with more options than before. Mr. Gaddis noted that it seems that Bishop Lott is particularly interested in the schools. Responding Mr. Gaddis, Ms. Hall noted that some live in the part of the city that is in the Caesar Rodney school district, and she believes that it is important that they do not overlook those students as well. In her area over the years, they have essentially shut down all of the basketball courts and some of the areas, and there is nowhere for those kids to go. So when they are talking about things that spill over into the community, it boils over quick. She explained that where she lives, they have so much trouble going on in that area of the city, and it is quite often overlooked because Webb's Lane is the dividing line for the city of Dover's jurisdiction and the State Police. She just wanted to bring that point to them to perhaps reach out to the Caesar Rodney School Officers as well as the student body to incorporate them as part of this conversation. Ms. Hall noted that she thinks that could also be valuable. Responding to Mr. Lott, Ms. Mullen stated that she was thinking about this committee consisting of people from each district, but she thinks it would only be appropriate for them to come and understand what this group is about so that they are all on the same page and not working against the grain. Ms. Hall discussed putting a budget request together to present to the City Council so that they can have more training throughout the year. Responding to Ms. Hall, Mr. Gaddis stated that one idea that he has is to try to get in touch with a mediation service that they have used before for training. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Ms. Mullen stated that she had taken that training before and that it was helpful.

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2024 PAGE 3 Responding to Ms. Hall and Ms. Mullen, Mr. Gaddis stated that the DHRC has a $3,000 budget and that the fiscal year starts over in July. Responding to Mr. Simmons, Ms. Mullen stated that he is correct because that is where they were at some years ago. The biggest challenge, she thinks, was that they wanted City Council's clear, concise expectations of the DHRC. Many members were getting frustrated because they felt restricted in what they could do. They were told they could not do this, they could not do that. So, they wanted council to come and talk to them, to communicate and get a clear understanding. She believes that is where they are still at today. They need a clear understanding so they are not working against each other; they should be working together. That is where inclusion comes in. It is like three different paragraphs with three different focuses, but the missing link is the commission and the city council. Responding to Ms. Mullen, Mr. Simmons stated that he agrees. They should go to the city council or have the city council come to them to clarify this. He believes it will give them better direction and charge, which they need to focus on because they have limited resources and limited time. They really need to hit the ground running and be effective. That is why he is there. He is there at the pleasure of the city and the committee. He will do anything they decide to do, but he just wants to make sure they are definitely going down the right path and that the DHRC has the support of the City Council and the city. Responding to Mr. Simmons, Mr. Gaddis explained that the material he was referring to is part of the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. He suggested that if Mr. Simmons has the time, he should take a look at the actual ordinance, which is Ordinance 58. It consists of four (4) short pages, but it contains a lot of information that the city, at an unknown point in the past, decided to dictate. This created difficulties for the commission, especially when Mr. Gaddis first joined, as they had to figure out how to comply with the requirements outlined in the ordinance. Additionally, for almost a year, they were without a chairman, which further hindered their progress. They are still in the process of trying to understand and implement the necessary actions. Ms. Hall moved to request City Council members to attend future DHRC meetings, seconded by Ms. Mullen, and unanimously carried. (White, Fleming, Paige absent) NEW BUSINESS Open Discussion Mr. Simmons moved to defer the Open Discussion to the next DHRC meeting seconded by Ms. Mullen, and unanimously carried. (White, Fleming, Paige absent) ADJOURNMENT BY 7:00 P.M. Mr. Gaddis moved for adjournment of the Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) hearing no objection the meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Alan P. Gaddis Chair APG/aw