Minutes

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 24, 2013 CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL, DOVER Present: Vice Chair, Dawn Allen-Pyne, Justina H. Brewington, Ellen O. Wasfi and Faye D. White Absent: Chairman, Roy Sudler, Dr. Linda Hackett and Dr. Phylis Edamatsu 1. Call to Order/Roll Call: Vice Chair, Dawn Allen-Pyne called the Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting to order on this day, Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 7:03 p.m. 2. Moment of Silence: was observed. 3. Adoption of Minutes a. Regular Meeting of May 22, 2013 b. Regular Meeting of June 26, 2013 Vice Chair Dawn Allen-Pyne stated that the Commissioners present can review the minutes of May 22, 2013 and June 26, 2013 but could not vote on accepting them because we did not have a quorum present to vote. Commissioner White questioned having Bishop Gordon’s financials in our May 22, 2013 meeting minutes. Vice Chair Dawn Allen-Pyne motioned that we contact Bishop Gordon to see if he wants the budget that he submitted to us included in our meetings minutes as well as inquiring with the City Clerk’s Office if a presenter’s submission can be included in our meeting minutes even if it was not included in the presentation. Commissioner Wasfi second. Motion carried. Commissioner Wasfi stated that we may want to add the words submitted by when including presentation packets into our meeting minutes. Commissioner Wasfi reported that she noticed a correction that needed to be made to the recently approved minutes of June 27, 2012. Under section #8 Unfinished Business of June 27, 2012 minutes the word Asian should read Cessation. Commissioner Wasfi reported that she contacted the National League of Cities and found out that having a Human Relations Commission is not a required to be a member. 4. Comments/Presentations from Members of the Community: Ms. Deborah Angelini of 200 W. Lockerman Street, Dover, Delaware approached the podium to state that she submitted a formal complaint to Dart (Delaware Transit Corporation) regarding their public transportation services which includes the bus schedule itself, a request for extended hours and the hazardous bus stop areas which includes the Wolf Creek stop and Route #105 where she and other passengers are being subjected to hazardous 1

conditions when exiting the bus. The following submission was presented to Dart and handed over to the Commission for our records: 2

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Vice Chair Dawn Allen-Pyne asked Ms. Angelini what she would like the Commission to do. Ms. Angelini would like for the Commission to bring the bus route problems and request for extended bus hours to Dart Administration attention. Commissioner White asked Ms. Angelini if she contacted anyone else besides Dart before coming to the Commission. Commissioner White stated that her area had a similar problem and they contacted her State Senator and DelDOT and the problem was handled. Commissioner Wasfi suggested that a copy of the letter Ms. Angelini sent to Dart should also be sent to her State Representative, Council Person and Senator. Commissioner Wasfi suggested that if Ms. Angelini gets other names of people who feel as she does added to her letter or petition sheet it will make her appeal more effective. Mr. Greg Bunkley of Woodmill Development, Dover Delaware approached the podium and made the following comment that it was good seeing Commissioner Wasfi and Commissioner Brewington and hearing the presentation made at the Legislative and Finance Committee Meeting. He also expressed that the DHRC needs to continue having their monthly meetings and that some type of town hall meeting hosted by the church or Greek organization needs to take place to let the community know what the Commission does and how it works. Mr. Bunkly closed by congratulating the Commission on their fine work. Commissioner Wasfi reported that she spoke to Councilman Hutchison and invited him out to one of our meetings to see what the Commission does on a monthly basis. This meeting should be a time when the Council can ask the Commissioners questions and the Commissioners can ask Council questions. She suggested an official letter of invitation should be sent. Councilman Dixon presence in the audience was acknowledged. 5. Chair’s Report: Chairman Sudler not present to report. Vice Chair Allen-Pyne stated that she spoke briefly with Chairman Sudler and the minutes from our September 2012 meeting has been retrieved from her phone. She also stated that Chairman Sudler informed her of a meeting that has been scheduled due to Mr. Wilson’s presentation to the Commission regarding the Supply and Diversity Program. The Commission was also informed of the passing of Commissioner Hackett’s brother. Vice Chair Allen- Pyne will be sending out a card of condolence from the Commission. 6. Committee Report: a. School Programs Commissioner Wasfi – informed the Commission that the Study Circle idea on Race Relations had positive feedback from the high schools but there was difficulty setting one up. She stated that she made arrangements with the Dover Public Library to use one of their rooms for a Study Circle for the Commission in September for five consecutive Saturdays from 10am-12pm. 7

b. Community Programs: Vice Chair Dawn Allen-Pyne – reported that she met with Bishop Hossie and was told that we can use Bible Way Church, 56 S. Kirkwood Street, Dover, Delaware for our September 2013 DHRC Community Meeting. The church’s basement meeting room holds approximately 200 people. c. Assessment: Commissioner Edamatsu – not present to report at this time. d. Intake Forms: Commissioner Brewington reported that she has two intake forms that she will review with the Chairman Sudler. 7. Unfinished Business: a. Formation of Grant Ad-Hoc Committee b. Formation of Resolution Ad-Hoc Committee Vice Chair Dawn Allen-Pyne postponed reviewing this item until out next meeting. 8. New Business: a. Monitor and Review of Community and Student Reports on Alleged/Potential Hate Crime Activity in the City of Dover and Surrounding Areas Vice Chair Dawn Allen-Pyne postponed reviewing this item until next month. 9. Scheduling of the Next Regular Meeting: August 28, 2013 @ 7pm at Dover City Hall 10. Announcements: Dr. Hackett’s brother’s home going service is tomorrow at Pippen’s. 11. Adjournment : Vice Chair Dawn Allen-Pyne adjourned the meeting at 8:56pm Respectfully Submitted, Belinda Talton 8