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