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Home My WebLink About12-05-2024 MinutesHUMAN RELATIONS DIVERSITY BOARD 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida December 6, 2024 MINUTES 6:15 PM 0 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Beck at 6:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall located at 1 N. Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, Present: Chair Beck, Vice -Chair Maxwell, Members Cummings, Mellen, Cease, Singh and Moyer Also Present: Mayor Johnson, Community Relations Manager Wright, and Recording Clerk Torres First line of Mission Statement was read by Chair Beck "The general mission of the Human Relations Diversity Board ("HRDB") is to promote understanding, respect, goodwill, and equality among all citizens and businesses of the City of Ocoee." Illi" 111 111 1 11, 1 1 Illill ii'l ill illp I PRMWA190M Vice -Chair Maxwell. Motion carried unanimousIV. Chair Beck agreed with Vice -Chair Maxwell's points from the November meeting and supports the idea of having speakers next year. She believes it will have a positive impact and also praised the organizations hesuggested. Member Mellen added that the UCF speakers the board hired earlier this year did a great job and expressed he would like to have them return. He also suggested that Chair Beck reach out to see if the speakers are open to discussing other topics. Member Cease agreed that the UCF speakers should return but suggested shifting the focus from DEI to other topics that could benefit the community. Member Mellen agreed and then asked Member Moyer if he knew of any other organizations that could come and speak. Member Moyer recommended inviting veteran groups to speak. Chair Beck shared her goal of bringing presentations to schools so students can learn about Ocoee's history. She emphasized wanting to find the right groups to teach students about Ocoee's past, present, and future. Vice -Chair Maxwell proposed inviting some of the descendants as potential speakers, noting that they are well-educated and would contribute to the discussion. Chair Beck said she wanted to organize the ideas clearly and make sure the right speakers are chosen to cover topics like the founding of Ocoee, the 1920s, the post -citrus grove era, Ocoee today, and the HRDB Meeting December 5, 2024 A31110 1 - =11 Veterans Flyer Member Cease mentioned seeing a veterans flyer in the City Hall lobby, which contained helpful information for veterans looking for assistance. Vice -Chair Maxwell felt the board could do more to help veterans who are not sure how to find resources. Chair Beek suggested adding links to the City's website to help veterans access important local resources. She asked the board members to bring back any links they think would be helpful to add to the website at the January meeting. Member Cease expressed that he would like the City Commission to involve the HRDB More and see them as a valuable resource. He also complimented the mural that was approved by the City Comiltissioll. Operation Santa — December- 5th ' 7th 1 21h, 1 4th 1 9th & 2 oth Monthly Community Market - First Tkursday oi every month Jolly Jamboree — December 14 th Centenial Celebration Comences —January 1 st Reporter Kyra from Vox-Populi inquired about the Unity Park Memorial Marke Chair Maxwell provided a brief overview of how the City successfully created descendants and the efforts involved in bringing the project to fruition. • Approval of Minutes for the December 5, 2024, meeting • Speakers for 2025 • Ocoee History Brainstorm • Veterans Links on the City's webpage N I WN, ON .9 owl - HRDB Meeting Recording Clerk