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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-28 Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights Minutes Advisory Committee of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights Minutes for the Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Meeting 5:30p � Parks & Recreation, Main Street Members Present: Chair Liana Fellis, Member Gabrielle Wiley (late: 6:15pm), Member Melissa Bulcholz, Member Shayne Boyes, Member Mark Roth Members not present: Member Julie Davis, Member Theron Letterlough, Vice Chair Katie Brydon, Member Kathryn Robinson City of Bangor staff and guests present: Assistant City Manager (ACM) Courtney 0'Donnell, Asst. City Solicitor Grace Innis, Council Chair Cara Pelletier Call to Order Call to order at 5:35pm Chair Fellis started the meeting by noting that due to lack of quorum, no votes would be taken but decided to move forward with parts of agenda. New Committee Year Liana provided an overview of how meetings are typically conducted, but noted this one is a bit unusual. The items will be postponed to future meeting due to lack of quorum. Later in the meeting as part of the work session regarding the Ordinance, it was decided to try to hold another meeting the week of Feb. 10t" for discussion of the ordinance itself and election of officers. All other items will be postponed until the regularly scheduled meeting of February 25, 2025. Minutes This item was postponed to future meeting due to lack of quorum. Council Chair Check-In Council Chair Pelletier provided an overview of last night's City Council workshop in which a Resolve "Reaffirming Bangor's Commitment to a Welcoming, Open, and Supportive Community for All" was discussed. She shared her take on the meeting and encouraged members to review the video to hear the conversation themselves. She noted that the vote to move the Resolve to a Council meeting was split with five voting in favor and four against. She expressed her belief that this is the type of thing that this committee is meant for and encouraged the committee to consider sharing their thoughts on the matter under public comment either individually or collectively as a committee. The matter will be on the agenda for the Council meeting of February 10, 2025, and expressed regret that she herself would not be in attendance due to a work commitment that is nonnegotiable. There was considerable discussion by the committee related to what is occurring nationally, as well as what appears to be a shift in Council sentiment or position. Council Chair Pelletier also shared information about the National League of Cities conference that is coming up in March. She let the committee know that she believed this was an opportunity to learn more about what others are doing in the face of the Federal shift to do away with DEI and would come back and share what she learns with the Committee. Council Chair Pelletier also pointed out that budget season is coming up and suggested that the Committee think through what requests may be pertinent. Chair Fellis suggested that she believed $5,000 had been set aside for the committee as part of the CM budget. She stated the committee has used those funds in the past for participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. events. She mentioned there has been confusion in the past as to what use of funds could look like for the committee. Council Chair Pelletier was asked about the Personnel Committee and how the City makes sure that the groups are represented as listed in ordinance. She shared it is self-disclosure and chatted through the process from her perspective. ACM 0'Donnell shared that staff try to track we are meeting ordinance requirements as part of the process. Lastly, Council Chair Pelletier mentioned committee members can keep an eye out for committee items by reviewing agendas and making sure their voice is heard. i Advisory Committee of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights Minutes for the Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Meeting 5:30p � Parks & Recreation, Main Street A desire to have regular Council participation in meetings was discussed, as well as more inclusion in ongoing topics the City is considering. There was also discussion about building out a webpage on the new website specific to the committee. Note:A fifth member joined the meeting at 6:15pm creating a quorum. The Committee voted at that time to provide a collective statement at the next City Council meeting on Feb. 10. Motion to provide a statement on behalf of the Committee at the Feb. 10 Council meeting in support of the Resolution reaffirming Bangor's commitment to be a welcoming, open, and supportive community for all was made by Member Boyes; seconded by Member Wiley; no objection. Member Willey will make initial draft and send it out for others to edit. ACM 0'Donnell cautioned against having discussions/votes through email as that is in violation of FOAA. Review of Annual Report Chair Fellis reviewed the process of the annual report and asked if there were any questions, concerns, or edits by any members related to the report. She offered some background of the committee and work done last year. It was noted this annual report is required as part of ordinance. Motion to approve and send to City Council for the Gov Ops meeting on February 3, 2025 was made by Member Boyes; seconded by Member Wiley; no objection. Work Session— Review/Discussion of Ordinance There was significant discussion regarding the need to recommend changes/updates to the ordinance for this committee. ACM 0'Donnell noted that any recommendations could go to a Gov Ops and then requires two readings at City Council meeting. Specific topics included the desire to know how lack of attendance by members could be addressed by the Council, as it has been difficult to move items forward when several members have been absent more often than not; name of committee; number of inembers. ACM 0'Donnell will send out calendar invites for the regularly scheduled meetings, as well as a list of dates. She will also resend the resolution and updates she may have to offer. Next meeting and Call to adjourn There was discussion regrading the next meeting to require nominations for Chair/Vice Chair and discussion regarding the ordinance specifically, in addition to the regularly scheduled meeting. There was some discussion regarding location of ineetings and desire to hold them in different areas of the City. Motion to adjourn by Member Wiley; seconded by Member Boyes; no objection. z Advisory Committee of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights Minutes for the Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Meeting 5:30p � Parks & Recreation, Main Street 3