HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-2020 Minutes - Special Session CITY OF OCOEE
Minutes of the Human Relations Diversity Board
Special Session Held June 25, 2020
I: CALL TO ORDER
Chair Crown made the following announcement:All interested parties are invited to be heard during the public comments
portion of the meeting. Due to the current State of Emergency regarding COVID-19, City Hall is closed to the public;
however,the City requests the public to call or email comments and/or questions to 407-554-7118 or citizens@ocoee.org.
City staff will be standing by to ensure that your questions/comments come before the Human Relations Diversity Board
during that portion of the meeting.
The meeting was then called to order by Chair Crown at 6:17 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 150
North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee.
Chair Crown led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,followed by a moment of personal reflection. Recording
Clerk Sibbitt performed roll call and declared quorum present.
Present:Chair Crown,and Members Daily, Hart, Fontanez, Maxwell,Anderson-Robinson,Carr,and Dorsey. Members who
attended via WebEx: Dawkins, Porter-Smith, and Bonzil-Juste
Absent: Member(s) Foster and Calloway
Also Present: Mayor Johnson, Assistant Support Services Director Doug Gaines, and Recording Clerk Sibbitt
II: BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION
A. Public Comments: No comments were received by email or phone.
B. Outline of Staff Meeting held June 17th: Chair Crown provided an overview of the meeting that was held on June
17th between herself,City staff, Mayor Johnson, and Chair-elect Maxwell.An outline of what was discussed at the
meeting was provided to the members.
C. Finalize Details of the 1920 Memorial Dedication Ceremony Program: Chair Crown explained she called a Special
Session to finalize details of their event prior to August. She advised with the current CDC guidelines and the
Ocoee Music Festival being postponed until Spring, she has concerns about their original plans to host an indoor
event. She briefed the board on details of an outdoor event to occur on November 15t from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM.
Invitees they hope to be in attendance would be Governor DeSantis, Senator Bracy, Orange County Mayor
Demings, Mayor Johnson, and descendants of the families affected by the tragedy. She continued explaining the
proposed timeline and advised that they will be vetting all speeches so they remain on topic, and within a
reasonable time frame. Keepsake items they discussed to include with their program were candles, pamphlets,
and a commemorative coin.
Discussion ensued regarding the commemorative coin, and the selection of the artist for the coins. Chair-Elect
Maxwell shared he is hoping to have renderings of the coin for their August meeting and will not be entering into
any type of binding agreement until the board has the opportunity to review. Member Porter-Smith shared that
she has information on several African-American artists that can also be considered. Chair-Elect Maxwell asked
for her to share contact information with the City Clerk who can forward the information to him.
Chair Crown shared that for all of the families, and/or relatives, they would like to provide a plaque that
commemorates the event and date.
HRDB Meeting
June 25, 2020
Member Anderson-Robinson shared that she saw on Channel 9 that Senator Bracy recently passed a law to
require the Ocoee riot to be taught in the schools, and noticed there were some descendants from the Ocoee riot
in attendance for the press conference. She inquired if any of the members considered contacting him to get
contact information of those who attended that conference. Chair Crown shared that Member Dawkins has also
done a lot of work to reach out to family members of the descendants. She further commented that former
member Paul Hershaw, a retired teacher, created a data base question on the Ocoee Massacre, and it was
determined that the minimum age group to educate on the riot was 8th graders. Chair-Elect Maxwell added that
Mr. Hershaw also obtained his advanced degree by writing a thesis on the Ocoee Massacre. City Clerk Sibbitt
announced that her office maintains a copy of the thesis.
Member Carr inquired if any of the family members of the descendants have been asked to participate in the
planning of the 100-year event. Chair Crown advised that all meeting notices are posted online, and they have
not had any family member attend their meetings. Chair-Elect Maxwell advised that he left a voice message with
a family member of one the descendants, but did not receive a response back. Further discussion ensued with
regard to the descendants being contacted and their involvement with the event.
Chair Crown shared that she and Chair-elect Maxwell are going to attend the next City Commission Meeting on
July 21St to present before the City Commission the plans for their event so the Commission may vote on it. She
welcomed all board members to attend as well.She further commented that she would like to contact the Orlando
Sentinel once the City Commission approves their plans, so she may have a piece written on the board's
perspective of the event they are planning.
Member Carr inquired if an email can be sent to the July Perry Foundation to invite them to future meetings.Chair
Crown advised that Chair-Elect Maxwell has tried to contact the foundation on numerous occasions. Discussion
ensued.
Motion: Member Anderson-Robinson, seconded by Member Dorsey, moved to accept the
proposal presented on the commemorative program; and further, proceed with a presentation to
the City Commission. Motion carried unanimously.
III: Board and Staff Comments:
IV:Set Next Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes-January 2, 2020; February 6, 2020;June 25, 2020
B. Public Comments
C. Memorial Dedication Ceremony Program
D. Voter Registration Initiative
Adjournment: meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM
ATTESTED: APPROVED:
dila(
Melanie Sibbitt, Recording Clerk Chairperson
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