Minutes

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2013 CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL, DOVER Present: Chairman, Roy Sudler, Jr., Ellen O. Wasfi, Vice Chair, Dawn Allen-Pyne, Justina H. Brewington and Faye D. White Absent: Dr. Linda Hackett and Dr. Phylis Edamatsu 1. Call to Order/Roll Call: Chairman, Roy Sudler, Jr. called the Dover Human Relations Commission Special Meeting to order on this day, Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. 2. Moment of Silence: was observed. 3. Adoption of Minutes Chairman Sudler asked for a motion to accept the Minutes of June 27, 2012 Commissioner White motioned to accept the Minutes of June 27, 2012 with the proper corrections. Commissioner Allen-Pyne second. Motioned carried. Chairman Sudler asked for a motion to accept the Minutes of April 24, 2013. Commissioner Allen-Pyne motioned to accept the Minutes of April 24, 2013 with the proper corrections. Commissioner White second. Motioned carried. 4. Comments/Presentations from Members of the Community: Mr. Bill Washington of 8 Shue Street, Dover, Delaware stood proxy with an intake form in hand to submit for 73 year old Ms. Betsy Williams’s a grandmother, guardian and resident at 326 W. Division Street, Dover, Delaware for the past 17 years. Mr. Washington stated that last Monday, June 24, 2013 Ms. Williams came home to find a condemn notice tacked on her door giving her 7 days to vacate her apartment unit having nowhere to go. Mr. Washington stated that the reason her apartment unit is being condemned is because it is connected to a store that is housed within the same building that is being condemned. The notification she received last Monday was the first notification received. It was reported that she is a recipient of Section 8 under the Delaware State Housing Authority and her apartment just recently passed inspection. Commissioner White: stated that the Landlord of the property Joe Burton should be contacted for clarification. Commissioner Brewington: stated the Delaware State Housing Authority should be notified. Chairman Sudler: asked if Ms. Williams receive a certified letter asking her to vacate. Mr. Washington stated that the notice she received on her door is the only notice Ms. Williams has received. 1

Chairman Sudler: asked what type of relief is Ms. William’s seeking. Mr. Washington stated that Ms. Williams is requesting more time to vacate the property. She will need approximately sixty days to relocate. Commissioner Wasfi: wanted to know if there was a disconnection of communication with the City of Dover who condemned the property and the State Housing Authority who just inspected and approved the apartment unit in the property? Chairman Sudler: stated that it could be an issue with the store which is being used for storage and the apartment units which are attached. The Landlord may want to look to get a permit to use the store for storage. Mr. Washington feels that this building is being condemned all of a sudden after the store has been used for storage for the past 10 years. The Landlord feels he is being targeted after passing inspection and making repairs that this is being done because the City wants this particular property. Commissioner Wasfi: stated that being that we have a time element here with the tenant having to be out of the property in 7 days that the Housing Authority needs to be notified immediately and a call put in to the Department of Planning to find out why Ms. William’s apartment is being condemned when it just passed inspection. She also stated that the Housing Authority should intervene on behalf of the tenants in this hardship and suggests a letter be sent as a paper trail. Chairman Sudler: asked if there was anything Mr. Washington would like the Commission to do in this matter? Mr. Washington asked for an extension on the 7 days to give the tenant time to relocate. Judy Blue of Dover, Delaware approached the podium with a comment in regards to Ms. Williams’s situation of sudden homelessness and feels that the Commission should intervene. She also believes that Delaware State Housing should provide housing for Ms. Williams. Ms. Blue stated that she believes that the City wants this property for Wesley College and that is why it is being condemned. Chairman Sudler stated that the Delaware State Housing Authority will be contacted. Commissioner White: Motioned that the Commission should advise Council of our intent, call and send a certified letter within 24 to Delaware State Housing Authority as well as carbon copy the Dover Housing Authority, Dover City Planning and Zoning along with the Landlord of the property in question. Commissioner Wasfi: Second Commissioner Allen-Pyne suggested with Carbon Copy City Planning and Zoning and the Landlord of the property in question. Motion carried. Commissioner Sudler thanked Mr. Washington and Ms. Blue for coming out and presenting. 5. Chair’s Report: Chairman Sudler submitted a DHRC Response to Action Form Packet to each Commissioner for review. This packet includes the actions, duties and purpose of the Commission. The highlighted areas on the form reflect the concerns 2

and issues of our action. The packet explains our relevance and how we are fulfilling our duties. (Please see attached DHRC Response to Action Form Packet) Chairman Sudler resubmitted to the Commission the complaint forms that were submitted by Eshed Austin on June 24, 2013. The complaint forms will be included in the minutes and submitted to the Intake Chair. Today at 2:30pm Chair spoke to Ann Marie Townsend regarding getting policies and rules and regulation on the City’s bidding process. This meeting took place as a result of the complaint received by Bobby Wilson at our last meeting. The City would like to look into partnering with minority contractors. We are looking forward to a workshop for minority contractors on how to pursue city contracts. That Concludes the Chair’s Report. 6. Committee Report: a. School Programs Commissioner Wasfi – informed the Commission that she has scheduled the Study Circle with the Dover Library for September 21 through October 19, 2013. The Commission will be responsible for set up and putting the room back as found after use. It was suggested that if the Commissioners knows someone who would be interested in participating in this Study Circle to give it a broader pool of participants to let Commissioner Wasfi know as she will also be looking. b. Community Programs: Commissioner Dawn Allen-Pyne – reported that she was not able to contact the church and will visit on Sunday. Chairman Sudler submitted Bishop Hoesey phone number to Vice-Chair Allen-Pyne. c. Assessment: Commissioner Edamatsu – not present to report at this time. d. Intake Forms: Commissioner Brewington reported she just received two intake forms tonight. 7. Unfinished Business: a. Review/Recommendation to Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee – Resolution/Funding – Cessation of Illegal Gang Formation in Dover Chairman Sudler asked for a motion to accept the Resolution for Cessation of Illegal Gang Formation in Dover with the proper adjustments. Commissioner Allen-Pyne motioned to accept the Resolution with the proper adjustments. 3

Commissioner White second. Motioned carried. b. Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee for Resolution Proposal c. Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee for Grant Proposal 8. New Business: a. Discussion – May 28, 2013 Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee Report – Proposed Amendments to Chapter 58 – Human Relations Commission Action Form Packet – By James Hutchinson and Prepared by City Clerk Chairman Sudler explained this packet includes recommended action section 58.3c and also expressed some concerns about the Commission meeting only when an intake form is submitted. A review of our Five Aims will also take place to see if the Commission is meeting its goal. Chairman Sudler asked for any comments from the Commissioners. Commissioner Wasfi: Stated that the community is aware that the Commission meets once a month and able to commit their concerns. We are an open forum and have to be accessible to the public. Commissioner Wasfi asked if there is a requirement to be a member of the National League of City Commissioner White: motioned that we invite Mr. James Hutchinson to come to a DHRC meeting to express his concerns. Commissioner Wasfi: motioned to put the invitation to Mr. James Hutchinson on the Agenda for our next meeting. Commissioner Allen-Pyne second Motion carried. 9. Scheduling of the Next Regular Meeting: July 24, 2013 @ 7pm at Dover City Hall 10. Announcements: No announcements made. 11. Adjournment : Commissioner Sudler adjourned the meeting at 9pm Respectfully Submitted, Belinda Talton 4