Commission sets new work priorities

CALL TO ORDER

Roll Call

PUBLIC SPEAKERS

Steven McMaster spoke on transparency and responsibility of the City to follow the Open Meetings Act (OMA). He expressed frustration with items not being posted to the City website and the difficulty of finding information on the website.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Introductions

Year in Review

Commissioner William Martin stated that the Commission was born out of tensions that arose around the country and locally. It was created to listen to the community and to bring to the City the community’s issues regarding police brutality, excessive use of force, and the use of body worn cameras. Through extensive research, the Commission developed a policy to present to the City Council. Chairman Brown said the past year had been one of opening up the Commission to the community and listening to its needs. The Commission identified the lack of proactive movement and poor communication regarding its purpose as a challenge. It was noted that the community and even some Aldermen are often unaware of the Commission’s purpose.

Summary of major activities, accomplishments, and challenges

The Commissioners introduced themselves and spoke about their interests and what they want to bring to the Commission.

Organizational Effectiveness

The Commission decided to move toward using formal memos to track inquiries to ensure accountability and a "paper trail." It was recommended that the Commission respond to Community Members’ comments or requests it receives through email or in-person contact in the following manner: A Commissioner or City Support Staff to the Commission will reply within one to three business days after the communication is received and will forward it accordingly. The email or in-person communication will be read into the minutes of the next meeting via a memorandum which will include any action that may have been taken by the City to resolve the comment or request. At each successive meeting, a report will be made to the Commission until it is reported the item has been resolved The Commission asked to be reintroduced to the City Council so that the Alderman are aware of who the Commissioners are when they try to contact the Aldermen.

Communications process between Community Relations Commission, City Staff, and Community Members

Training needs for commissioners

Community Needs and Landscape Scan

Commissioner Martin stated he has heard from community members that there is a feeling that the City of Rockford is two cities divided by the river. He also referenced that Aldermen not having a specific place to conduct business is a challenge. Commissioner Mary Kaull asked to set up regular meetings with the Mayor that occur at least annually.

Identify current themes in feedback

Identify current gaps

Small Groups

The Commission broke into 2 groups to discuss focus areas for the next 12-24 months, and to create goals, action steps, timelines, propose outcomes, and to identify leads for these focus areas.

Review Small Group Discussions

Action Plan

Action Planning

The Commission established several priority areas for the upcoming term.

Community Relations Ordinance Update: Draft language to update the ordinance to include more frequent reporting requirements and add a youth component to the Commission. Commissioners Crudup and Brown will be the leads.

Housing Solutions: a. Research other communities successful pilot programs for affordable housing. Commissioners Scott Garwick and Mary Jude Pakiela will be the leads. b. Review current ordinances to accommodate tiny homes/modular homes. Commissioners William McDowell and Rita Bravo will be the leads.

ADJOURNMENT

THE CITY OF ROCKFORD INTENDS TO COMPLY WITH THE INTENT AND SPIRIT OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IF A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, PERSONAL P.A. SYSTEM, OR OTHER SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED, PLEASE CALL THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AT (779) 348-7391 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO WE CAN BE PREPARED TO ASSIST YOU.

Anne Rundall identified herself as being from Eliminate Racism 815. She spoke about the group’s 2025 Summit on Racism and listed Short-Term Actions and Long-Term Goals developed at the Summit.

Workforce Development: Host a roundtable discussion, with industry panelists, on equity in trades and workforce development incubator programs such as Think Big! Commissioners Pakiela and Crudup will be the leads.

Community Listening: Connect with Aldermen to identify ward-specific needs. Commissioners Kaull and Bravo will be the leads.

Food Insecurity: Work with Alderman Bell to develop goals/ objectives to host a panel. Commission leads are to be determined.

Chairman Brown asked for a motion to adjourn Commissioner Martin moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Kaull. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote. (Commissioner Norma Borrero was absent) The meeting adjourned at 1:04 PM.

Chairman Eric Brown called the meeting to order at 9:09 AM.

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