DHRC PACKET

CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 6:10 PM City Hall Council Chambers, 15 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, Delaware AGENDA Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at appropriate times. When possible, please notify the City Clerk's Office at 302-736-7008 or cityclerk@dover.de.us should you wish to be recognized. OPEN FORUM - 10 Minutes Prior to Official Meeting (6:00 p.m.) The “Open Forum” segment is provided to extend the opportunity to the general public to share their questions, thoughts, comments, concerns, and complaints. Discussion of any item appearing on the agenda is prohibited during the Open Forum as an opportunity will be provided during consideration of that item. Citizen comments are limited to five (5) minutes. The Commission is prohibited from taking action since they are not in official session; however, they may schedule such items as regular agenda items and act upon them in the future. ADOPTION OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting of March 19, 2024 NEW BUSINESS 2. Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson 3. Committees a) Assessment b) Community Programs c) School Programs d) Media/Public Relations e) Education and Development f) Intake Screening 1

DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - April 16, 2024 PAGE 2 g) By-laws h) Nominating OLD BUSINESS 4. Discussion- Strategic Plan 2020-2023 ADJOURNMENT BY 7:00 P.M. To assure that there will be a quorum, please RSVP by contacting the City Clerk's Office by email at cityclerk@dover.de.us or by calling 736-7008 as soon as possible. THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. PURSUANT TO 29 DEL. C. §10004(e)(2), THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH ARISE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING 2

Item 1. DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION The Dover Human Relations Commission (DHRC) met on March 19, 2024, at 6:10 p.m. with Chairman Gaddis presiding. Members present were Mr. Fleming, Ms. White, Ms. Hall, Mr. Simmons, Dr. Mishoe Sudler, Mr. Lott, and Mr. Simmons. Ms. Mullen was absent. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Simmons moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Ms. Hall and unanimously carried. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Ms. White moved for adoption of the minutes of the Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting of February 21, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lott and unanimously carried. NEW BUSINESS Election of Commission Chairman Mr. Gaddis expressed his desire to step down as chairman, stating that he feels far more comfortable acting as a helpful commissioner. He noted that it was an interesting journey as the DHRC was going over the strategic plan and revising it for the years 2020 to 2023. Now he just feels out of ideas at this time, and they have several new commissioners, which is terrific. It really is, and he has listened to a few who have come in; they have got some good ideas. So, he hopes somebody might be able to nominate a new commissioner as the new chairman. There was discussion over the past couple of meetings about the possibility of a Vice-chairman, as well. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mr. Lott discussed the idea of Mr. Gaddis staying on as Chairman but having a Vice-Chair who will observe and learn from his expertise. Responding to Mr. Fleming, Ms. Hall stated that she is running for Congress in the year to come. Although she feels that she would bring much value to the chairmanship of this committee, she does not really have it on her plate. She does not want to shorten this valuable panel of people and serve this community to any lesser degree. However, she noted that she would serve as the vice chair if they could get a chair. Mr. Faust stated that he would be willing to help out and pick up some extra workload to help but that he is too new to take over as Chair. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mr. Fleming stated that he would not be able to be chair due to his wife’s medical issues. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mr. Simmons stated that he is a new member as well and that he would like to offer his support. The only reluctance he has from stepping up to a leadership position is that he really wants to understand. He wants to understand the direction, the focus, and the goals of the DHRC. 3

Item 1. DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2024 PAGE 2 Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Dr. Mishoe Sudler stated that he is also new and that he does not mind doing work but that he wants to be sure of processes, which is the reason why being Vice- Chairman or Chairman would not be his wish at the moment. Learning would be on his agenda so that when things like this come up again, he can make a better decision. However, to help with Mr. Gaddis’ decision, he wishes for him to stay on as well and give some good guidance to those who are getting ready to take over. Ms. Hall moved to table the election of Commission Chairman until April’s meeting, seconded by Mr. Lott, and unanimously carried. Discussion - Strategic Plan 2020-2023 Mr. Gaddis stated that it sounded like a good idea if they looked over the Strategic Plan because as it exists, there are many things they need to set out to do. He continued to state that there was a lot of stuff in the plan. He does not know how much they would be able to do, especially in the course of one (1) year, two (2) years, or three (3) years. His feelings are that they need to choose a couple of things that they are fairly sure they can do. Ms. Hall discussed Council members being present in future meetings. Mr. Fleming stated that he had reached out to a local newspaper but had not heard back as of this meeting. Mr. Fleming read a list of items that the DHRC has done in the past such as Resolutions, Proclamations, and Forums. Responding to Mr. Gaddis, Mr. Fleming stated that when the DHRC decided to do a proclamation, they would pass it on to City Council. City Council would then make a proclamation and some of them would make it in the newspaper. Mr. Fleming stated that the current code kind of limits what they can do out in the community to get their names and what the DHRC does due to having to have all meetings at City Hall. Ms. Hall discussed forming committees so that they could possibly meet outside of regular DHRC meetings and report back to the Commission on what they need to move forward. Responding to Ms. Hall, Mr. Simmons stated that he believes that one of the first committees should be to revise and update the 2020-23 mission statement and make it into a 2024-2026 mission statement. Responding to Dr. Mishoe Sudler, Ms. Hall stated that she had reached out to the city and anything that they would push out on social media has to go through the city's page. So, anything that they want to publish, they can pass along to the city, and they will put it out for DHRC. Ms. Hall discussed including a leaflet with the monthly electric bills to get the word out about the DHRC. OLD BUSINESS Open Discussion Ms. Hall discussed an upcoming Capital School District meeting that is regarding issues that the district is having. 4

Item 1. DOVER HUMAN RELATIONS MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2024 PAGE 3 Councilman Sudler introduced himself to the new Commissioners as the liaison between the DHRC and the City Council. He wished Mr. Fleming a happy belated birthday and apologized for not being at the meeting earlier due to an Executive Session 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 7:02 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. Alan P. Gaddis Chair APG/aw 5

Item 4. City of Dover Human Relations Commission Strategic Plan 2020-2023 I. I INTRODUCTION The establishment, purpose, powers and duties of the City of Dover Human Relations Commission (hereinafter, “the Commission”) are provided for in Part II of the Dover Delaware Code of Ordinances Chapter 58-Human Relations, Article II Human Relations Commission. Broadly representative of racial, religious, gender, and ethnic groups residing in Dover, the nine volunteer members of the Commission are all residents of the City of Dover. They are appointed by the president of the Dover City Council, based upon recommendations from and subject to confirmation by the Council. The Commission began a strategic planning process to define its strategy, focus and direction for the years 2020-2023. This has evolved into a revised Strategic Plan for the years 2020-2023. In developing this phase of the planning process the Commission, based upon the first phase, has organized its objectives around the components of its mission, its commitment to competency, transparency, public accountability and in accordance with the aforementioned Ordinance. II MISSION The Commission is committed to a philosophy of inclusion, intergroup cooperation and fair treatment. It works to ensure that the City of Dover has and utilizes policies, programs, ordinances, organizational practices, specialized resources and appropriately trained employees to support diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency. By involving all segments of the community, the Commission promotes an understanding of and an appreciation of the benefits of diversity, inclusion, cultural competency, and positive intergroup relations among the City’s diverse residents. It also advocates for an environment of fairness and respect. The Commission works with the City Council, the City Administration and community organizations to enhance intergroup relationships, to eliminate discrimination, and to 6

Item 4. anticipate, prepare for and resolve incidents of intergroup conflicts and disputes within the city. IIIVISION The Commission’s vision is a city whose government, organizations, groups, and individual citizens value diversity, inclusion, respect, and trust. Mission Component: A. Work to insure that the City of Dover has and utilizes policies, programs, ordinances, organizational practices, specialized resources and appropriately trained employees to support diversity, inclusiveness, and cultural competency in its organizations and services. Objectives A.1 Promote and develop an environment of fairness and respect among its citizens. A.2 Develop ways to measure and monitor community relations, particularly those that are sources of intergroup conflict. A.3 Involve all segments of the community in understanding and appreciating the benefits of positive intergroup relations. A.4 Research a range of programs and services that will help its residents and neighborhoods prevent and/or resolve issues of human relations. A.5 Research ways of anticipating, preparing for, and relieving tensions arising from intergroup conflict. A.6 Build a strong partnership with the Dover Police Department to identify additional human relations approaches and lessons that can be integrated into the Dover Police Department’s ongoing Community Relations strategy. B. Promote equal opportunity and prevent discrimination by advocating for understanding, for an appreciation of the benefits of diversity, for inclusion, and for positive relations among residents to encourage an environment of fairness and respect. Objectives: 7

Item 4. B.1 Assess how the community of Dover is organized and identify organizations, churches, fraternities, sororities, and other organizations with whom the DHRC should establish relationships. B.2 Provide a report to the DHRC Chair to be incorporated into the Chair’s Annual Report to the Dover City Council to include the current state of diversity and inclusion within the Dover communities. B.3 Identify, support, and participate in and create programs and events within the City of Dover which celebrate its diversity and promote greater understanding of issues, concerns, and needs of our diverse population. C. Work in partnership with members of City Council and the City Administration to collaborate with other organizations to strengthen intergroup relationships to eliminate discrimination and resolve incidents of intergroup conflicts within the city. Objectives: C.1 Develop a means such as an intake form, written complaint or a verbal complaint in order to determine when a diversity, inclusion, and/or human relation issue exists, and establish a process for receiving and responding to complaints and take action to resolve or improve the situation. C.2 Develop a procedure with the State Human Relations Commission to delineate the roles and responsibilities of the two Commissions in order to resolve alleged discrimination complaints. Determine which complaints fall within the jurisdiction of either the State or City Human Relations Commission. C.3 Review the City of Dover’s Code of Ordinances and make recommendations to Dover City Council that will improve the city’s effort to eliminate discriminatory behavior. C.4 Research and design plans for monitoring intergroup conflict and for responding to community conflicts and disruptions within the City of Dover. 8

Item 4. COMPETENCY TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY D. The Commission is committed to acting with a high degree of competency, transparency, and accountability both to the Dover City Council and to the community. Objectives D.1 Establish regular two-way communication between Council and the Commission to review and affirm the Commission’s Strategic Plan and activities regarding diversity, inclusion, and human relation issues that may be particularly critical or relevant within each City Council District. Each Council District representative will recommend individuals to serve on the Commission as vacancies occur. D.2 Improve community awareness of the Commission and provide a better understanding of its role through the use of a brochure, the media, and the internet. A link to Dover, Delaware Code of Ordinances, Chapter 58 - Human Relations, Article II. - Sec. 58-36 Powers and Duties should be made available to the public on the DHRC web page. This will give citizens a clear idea of the Commission’s authority. D.3 Research and recommend to the City Council, the City Administration, and members of the Commission a program that provides greater understanding of diversity, inclusion, human relations issues and conflict management. This will strengthen skill in dealing with these issues. D.4 Provide due notice and access to the public by conducting all meetings in accordance with the Delaware Freedom of information Act (FOIA) and City of Dover procedures. D.5 Beyond the City’s Budget line, the Commission may identify and seek funding from other sources to more effectively carry out its responsibilities. V. IMPLEMENTATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Once the Commission adopts these proposed strategic objectives the Commission will develop and implement specific work plans for each strategic objective within the assigned year or years. These work plans will include priorities and initiatives. The Dover Code of Ordinances centralizes decision making at the Commission level. However, it is suggested that a functional committee structure be utilized to move these strategic objections into actual performance. 9

Item 4. In order to respond to an emergent human relations issue that may not be identified in this plan, the Commission may from time to time create afunctional committee. Such committees are intended to convene, and make recommendations for action to the full Commission; and, then disband when they are no longer relevant or needed. Actions History 02/10/2020 - Approved by City Council 01/16/2020 - Revised by Dover Human Relations Commission 10/13/2014 - Approved by City Council 09/23/2014 - Introduced at Dover Human Relations Commission 09/08/2014 - Draft prepared by Eugene B. Ruane, City of Dover Human Relations Commissioner 10