HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC 2022-04-05
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 – 6:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Glover. Members Present:
Richard Glover, Haitham Fakhouri, Carmen Kennedy-Rogers, Becky Drzwewicki, Wafa
Dinaro, Nick Clark, and LaShawn Thomas, Director of Government Affairs
Not Present: Kris Krandall; Chair Glover announced the resignation of Lisa Lark
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda for the April 4, 2022 meeting was approved unanimously.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes for the February 15, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously.
IV. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
a. Chair Glover attended State of the City - Overall, impactful experience
b. Chair Glover met with Chief Goralski -- toured facilities, met staff members,
discussed common goals; future HRC meeting with Chief will be established
c. Inclusivity Statement - Mayor wants HRC to create a statement regarding
statement present in City properties/buildings - a workplace policy focused on
inclusivity/DEI; two versions will be be created - short version and long version;
Commissioner Wafa Dinaro will work on draft statement and send to HRC
d. HRC Website Update - Chair Glover is in communication with Communications
person for the city; making websites a priority
e. Meeting with Chair Glover Ted Davis - meeting to discuss Heart Matters Music
and deepen partnerships with HRC
f. Ride Alongs with Livonia Police - Chair Glover needed to re-schedule; all
members are invited to participate
g. Attended City of Southfield - State of City Address - met Wayne County
Ombudsman - Kyle Van Lopez – good connection for HRC
V. Guest: Jeannine Laible - Livonia Human Resources Director (new)
Key Highlights:
● Unconscious bias training is being provided by Marsh McLennan Insurance
Agency (recently hired) - training offered to City Employees; topics include:
unconscious bias; becoming an ally, inclusive leadership, microaggressions
● Special training for police officers - unbiased policing, community connection
○ Citizens Police Academy - focus on community outreach
● Offering the tools and resources to address microaggressions in the workplace
● Attract good talent for the City - strategic recruitment; more diverse candidate
base
● Attract home buyers and business owners, with DEI being at the center
● Examine the impact of hybrid work policies - work flexibility, fosters
diversity/inclusion
● HRC will be included in the emails to be invited to police trainings
VI. HRC Commissioner Becky Drzwewicki - Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Key Highlights:
● Serves as the Human Resources manager Autism Alliance for Michigan
● NeuroDiversity - a very important, wide-spread developmental continuum
● Mental health and anxiety impacts a great number of people; we all deal with
anxiety at some level on a daily basis
● Wants to see more mental health activities in the community - meditation
spaces in public spaces (connect with Ted Davis - parks and recreation
department), “thoughtful pause” to address anger, frustration in a
productive/healthy manner
● Autism Alliance of Michigan - Offer Autism safety training – attempted to
introduce to police department in late 2020/early 2021 - did not progress;
○ First responder training to identify a person who has autism - save lives
and healthier interactions
○ Creation of sensory kits in police/emergency vehicles - help
recenter/calm people down
○ This training needs to be re-visited with police department
● Residents can be placed on City Level Registration of People with Special Needs;
more awareness is needed; there is a program at the state level
VII. Relationship Development Check In
Commissioner Wafa Dinaro - touched based with partners
Key Points:
● Dan West — Inclusion Round Tables - being conducted at MASCO hosting;
● Dates: May 11, August 10, November 3 (first pilot dates to test the idea)
● Audience: Livonia community members and MASCO employees
● Pre-Registration to determine level of interest
● Marketing - Dan West co-host with HRC - draft flier created
● MASCO DEI Art Exhibit - possibly in May
Commissioner Carmen Kennedy-Rogers
Key Points:
● Christopher Hunter - Schoolcraft College, Director of Equity and Engagement
● Opportunities for young people to learn on campus (Kids Campus)
● Targeted strategies for DEI - hiring practices, enrollment, employee training for
DEI/microaggressions, DEI council task-force started
● Looking for assistance with supplier diversity
● Seeking opportunity to meet with Mayor
● Would like to meet with HRC
Commissioner Haitham Fakhouri
Key Points:
● Met with Dillon Breen, President of Livonia Republican Club
● Share common value of making Livonia a more open, welcoming place;
● Civility Event – Sharing a table with Livonia Dems
Nick Clark -
Key Points:
● MASCO - met with employee DEI director and committee
● Taking more a role in driving momentum in the community (MASCO and
ROUSCH) for NDO support - Momentum to take the lead in the a business
coalition; no official commitment
Commissioner Becky Drzwewicki
Key Points:
● Conducting initial reach out to Westland, Redford, Plymouth, Farmington Hills,
NorthvilleWixom; prioritize meeting with cities that have students (Westland,
Redford, and Farmington Hills) - learn more about what is going on in
communities
VIII. Old Business
a. Updates from our subcommittees
i. Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO)
No updates.
ii. Research & Data
No updates.
iii. Outreach & Communications
No updates.
iv. Racial Justice Forum
No updates.
v. Education
Reflection from Commissioner Carmen Kennedy-Rogers – How can we better engage
young people in making changes? Idea needs more development and deeper
partnerships with communities and schools
There is a Youth Commission - works behind the scenes (provide funds for summer
camps); will be charged with making sure school-aged students are part of the Youth
Commission. LaShawn Thomas is the liaison for this commission.
IX. New Business
No updates
X. Audience Communication
Lou Feurino
● Autism Goody Bag - Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMMRA) - gives
partial grants for the autism sensory kits/goody bag
● Law Enforcement information Network Dispatch – there are note (indication) available
to indicate a Autism diagnosis
● HRC should consider members of 65+ years or older - represent the community
Sheri Amici
● Attended to listen and learn
● Noticed a great deal of changes in the City
Shirley Martin
● Attended to listen to what is going on in Livonia
● Acknowledged hard work of HRC to be inclusive
Mary-Jo Feurino
● Identified the importance of offering accommodations in work places for people with
learning disabilities, specifically for city employees.
Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
NEXT MEETING OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION IS TUESDAY, MAY 17 AT 7:00 PM.
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