HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-2020 Minutes CITY OF OCOEE
Minutes of the Human Relations Diversity Board
Regular Meeting Held October 1, 2020
I: CALL TO ORDER
, The meeting was called to order by Chair Maxwell at 6:16 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 150
North Lakeshore Drive,Ocoee.
Chair Maxwell 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.
Member Hart 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 not present.
Present: Chair Maxwell, and Members Anderson-Robinson (arrived at 6:22 PM), Crown, Carr, and Hart. Member(s) who
attended via WebEx: Member Foster.
Absent: Member(s) Calloway, Daily, Dawkins, Dorsey, Fontanez, and Porter-Smith
Guest: Commissioner Brinson and Members of HighPoint Church — College Campus Minister Nikka Warner, Associate
Pastor Ross Middleton,Senior Pastor Keith Tower,Saskia smith and Norma Molina.
Also Present: Mayor Johnson,Assistant Support Services Director Doug Gaines, and Recording Clerk Sibbitt
II: BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION
A. Approval of Minutes for the HRDB meetings held September 3, 2020: Tabled to the next Regular HRDB Meeting
as a quorum was not present.
B. Public Comments: No phone calls, emails or speaker forms received.
Mayor Johnson announced that the City Commission approved at their final budget meeting $24,000 for the
HRDB's upcoming 100-Year Remembrance Program Event. He further presented Chair Maxwell with a sponsorship
check for$20,000 on behalf of City Center West Orange for the board's upcoming event.
C. Update from Sub-Committee on Memorial Dedication Program Details: Chair Maxwell introduced members from
HighPoint Church; and further,thanked them for assisting in securing Pastor Brett Fuller to be a keynote speaker
for the upcoming memorial program.
Introduced Ms. Norma Molina, a professional photo journalist, who has volunteered her services of professional
photography for the upcoming memorial program.
Chair Maxwell acknowledged Commissioner Brinson who was in attendance.
Chair Maxwell briefed the members with regard to working with City staff to get the program information onto
social media to share with the resident's, as well as on a press release announcing their event schedule.
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HRDB Meeting
October 1, 2020
The board reviewed the working draft program booklet provided by Chair Maxwell as he was seeking input from
the board members. Discussion ensued and revisions were made to the booklet as agreed by the board.
Further discussion ensued on what other methods they can utilize to get the word out regarding their
remembrance program.Assistant Support Services Director Gaines explained who is included in the press release.
Past Chair Crown suggested getting information on a billboard on SR408. Assistant Support Services Director
Gaines shared the city has an agreement with Clear Channel for a billboard on Hwy 50 that he can look into for
use by the board;further,there would be no cost to the City.
The board continued their review of the working draft program booklet. Discussion ensued and revisions were
made to the booklet as agreed by the board.
The board discussed the November 8th program agenda which included the unveiling of the historic memorial
monument.Assistant Support Services Director Gaines shared three options for location of the monument.
Chair Maxwell shared that the face of the commemorative coin is the booklet cover, and the back of the coin will
be displayed on the back of the booklet. He described the coin, and shared there was also an option offered by
the coin vendor to purchase 100 lapel pins for a low cost of$149 which he could not pass up. No objections were
made by the board.
Past Chair Crown inquired about ordering City of Ocoee masks for the board. Assistant Support Services Director
Gaines shared he has some he can provide. Brief discussion ensued.
Chair-Elect Anderson-Robinson inquired about the artist for the drawing, and how she was selected. Chair
Maxwell shared the story of how he discovered the artist.
Chair Maxwell inquired how the board felt about an official letter of apology from the City.The consensus of the
board was an apology letter was needed from the City.Chair Maxwell further described a commemorative plaque
which will include the proclamation and apology letter that he is proposing to be presented to each descendant
at the event, or to be mailed if they are not able to attend. Discussion ensued.
Member Carr inquired which elected officials have been invited to the event. Chair Maxwell shared he has a list
of over 60 invitees that starts at the County level and goes down to the City level. Discussion ensued with regard
to the program booklet and information that was not included.
Member Carr shared that on November 7th there will be a Last Rites Ceremony for July Perry at the Greenwood
Cemetery from 11 AM —1 PM. He further shared they are looking for a location to have a repast and wondered
if the Lakeshore Center would be available for use.Chair Maxwell shared that would be a question he would have
to ask the Parks and Recreation Department.
Discussion ensued with regard to the ordering of flowers forJuly Perry for which Chair Maxwell advised that peace
lilies will be provided to all the descendants.
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HRDB Meeting
October 1, 2020
The board continued their review of the working draft program booklet. Discussion ensued and revisions were
made to the booklet as agreed by the board.
Assistant Support Services Director Gaines shared the concern of one of the Commissioner's with regard to the
catered brunch on the program agenda.
D. Update on Voter Registration Initiative: No discussion.
Ill: Board and Staff Comments:
Member Carr inquired if the other elected Officials other than the Mayor were offered the opportunity,or asked,
to participate in the remembrance event program. Chair Maxwell shared the elected officials may speak if they
wish to do so.
Member Hart also shared her concerns on the catered brunch.
Assistant Support Services Director Gaines inquired if there would be a November HRDB meeting.Chair Maxwell
shared that since they do not currently have a quorum he feels it is essential that they have the November 5th
meeting.
Chair Maxwell shared he would like to call a sub-committee meeting for October 8th. Recording Clerk Sibbitt
shared she would coordinate with the Parks and Recreation Department on the availability of the Lakeshore
Center and will inform the board.
IV:Set Next Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes for October 1, 2020 meeting
B. Public Comments
C. Review of member attendance
D. Debrief of Memorial Dedication Program
E. Update on Voter Registration
F. MLK Discussion
Adjournment: meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM
ATTESTED: APPROVED and DATED:
.44itz
Melanie Sibbitt, Recording Clerk Chairperson
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