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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-31-22 HRCS In Attendance: Charla Burnett, Paul Dripchak, Ron Embry, Frank Lee, Jody Washington, and Versey Williams Others: Kimberly A. Coleman (Virtual) and Renee Morgan Freeman, Delvata Moses (Virtual) Willard Walker, and Toni Young Absent: Cordella Black The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chair Ron Embry. R. Freeman conducted Roll Call. A quorum was established. V. Williams asked to add Lansing Housing Commission to the agenda under old business. J. Washington moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by P. Dripchak. Motion carried Minutes of the April 26, 2022, meeting was read by Secretary J. Washington. A correction to reflect the absence of Cordella Black was made. V. Williams moved to accept the minutes with the noted correction. Seconded by C. Burnett. Motion carried. Chair Embry asked the new advisory board members, Frank Lee, and Paul Dripchak, to introduce themselves and share their background. They were welcomed and thanked for their commitment to service. Other advisory board and staff members also provided introductions. Director Coleman reported that there are still two additional member-at-large vacancies and asked everyone to direct persons of interest to the City of Lansing website to complete an application. There was no public comment. Director Coleman shared that the July 26th meeting will be directed towards discussing the HRCS structure, the advisory board and its functions and duties. Her plan is to also conduct an orientation for advisory board members. Chair Embry agreed with Director Coleman’s plan. J. Washington shared that she had met with Mayor Schor to express her concerns regarding the functions of the advisory board. In particular, the lack of oversight being provided by the advisory board such as reviewing reports, human rights and investigation complaints, having committees, reaching out to agencies, also seeing grants received by the office. So much more that should be done, especially now that we have a full board to function as it should and not be a rubber stamp or collecting information every other month. Director Coleman stated that she is sadden J. Washington feels the way she does and even more so that she wasn’t approached directly to speak about her concerns as well as with the Chair. Director Coleman further stated there the advisory board has not been without challenges such as having a full advisory board with limited attendees and participation. These challenges must be looked at in totality and assessed, along with an orientation to position everyone on the same page. It is J. Washington’s hope that with the addition of advisory board members, the past challenges can be eliminated at the board can function as it should going forward. City of Lansing HRCS Advisory Board Agenda Tuesday, May 31, 2022 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Foster Community Center – Room 211 200 N. Foster, Lansing, MI 48912 Chair Embry stated that July 26th orientation will be an opportunity for advisory board members to ask questions and express any further concerns regarding the functions of the board in accordance with the City of Lansing Ordinance. Director Coleman proceeded with her report to include announcement of the upcoming Celebration of Diversity Reception, to be hosted by HRCS and the Race and Equity Team on June 8th to be held at City Hall. T. Young provided an update on grants and packets that were reviewed and scored in July. The process is rather long and should allow sufficient time for advisory board members to review the applications. Seeking some feedback regarding the process and how it could be streamlined. D. Moses reported that she is working on police oversight and actions of the police and citizen and internal affairs complaints. Her job is to make sure investigations are complete, concise, and presented to the Board of Police Commissioners Complaint Committee. She attends Board of Police Commissioners monthly meetings to provide a report. During her tenure, she has implemented and revamp some processes and made changes to the City of Lansing website to make the complaint process easier. She also assists with human rights complaints and mediations and has been working with MRJEA regarding oversight. Advisory board members then asked questions regarding her position, structure, supervision, review of cases and if there was any knowledge of the LPD Social Worker hiring process. Further discussion ensued with references to the City of Lansing Charter, Ordinance and HRCS Advisory Board By-laws. Director Coleman stated that OCA met last year with the HRCS Advisory Board to provide distinction between the various complaints and investigations which would be privy to the board. J. Washington moved to invite a City Council member and the Office of City Attorney attend the next meeting to discuss the HRCS Advisory Board roles. Seconded by C. Burnette. Motion carried. Chair Embry directed the meeting to T. Young and advisory board members for feedback of the grant process. The following feedback was given: • Mandatory Meeting Held During the Day which makes it difficult for participation • Questions on the grant scoring sheet were somewhat vague not easily comprehensive to properly provide an answer. Should be re-evaluated and seek benchmarks/best practices from other cities • Noticed grant applicants from East Lansing and agency receiving funding (agencies serve City of Lansing residents and their numbers must be reflected in its quarterly reporting) • Most grant applicants who received past funding were lazy with their responses and the application process • Agency government documents were not provided (T. Young shared they were received but not included with the scoring packet). • Agency budgets were not filled out completely and could not determine the amount being requested • Did not feel there was enough empirical evidence provided to reflect past impact with funds (quantitative information) • Move away from paper PDF scoring sheets and transition to a survey format • Reach out to the community to find out what the gaps are. Believe that it is unfair for the CoC to determine the gaps, which causes them to have an advantage and unfairness. • Would like a break down in three categories re: allocation recommendations: HRCS Advisory Board, HRCS & Mayor • Would like to see quarterly reports as they are received instead of during the scoring process • Forms are vague – there is no proof of success and etc • The scoring process is tedious but necessary • Implementation of an evaluation Director Coleman mentioned that during last year’s scoring process there was an opportunity to meet collectively to score, ask questions and address any discrepancies. The same process was scheduled for this year with a timeline, which is crucial to the overall process, that was provided to the HRCS Advisory Board. However, due to attendance the process could not be adhered to. Chair Embry asked if there was any communication received. There was none. The meeting was directed towards the discussion of the Lansing Housing Commission sale of homes and the displacement of residents. Some HRCS Advisory Board members felt that the process was unfair with the RFP not allowing local organizations to apply and properly publicized. It was stated that the sale of the sales is under the jurisdiction of HUD. Members were informed that Doug Fleming, Director of LHC, made a presentation to the Lansing City Council and residents had the opportunity to comment. In conclusion, the LHC plan was supported and approved by the Lansing City Council. V. Williams moved that HRCS call a special meeting to invite Doug Fleming and Brian McGrain, Department Director of Lansing Economic Development & Planning to be informed and receive understanding of the process and names of those applicants who responded to the RFP. Second by C. Burnett. Motion carried. The new HRCS Advisory Board members were presented with the Financial Statement of Interest for completion and returned to the HRCS office or directly to the City Clerk office for notarization. Tickets to the June 23rd Lugnuts game were distributed. V. Williams moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by C. Burnett. The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Finalized 071122/kc/rmf