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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-02-2025 MinutesHUMAN RELATIONS DIVERSITY BOARD 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida January 2, 2025 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. Chair Beck led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of personal reflection. Recording Clerk Torres proceeded with the roll call, and confirmed the presence of a quorum. Present: Chair Beck, Vice -Chair Maxwell, Members, Mellen, Cease, and Moyer M,, Also Present: Mayor Johnson, Parks and Leisure Services Assistant Director Gaines, 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." by Vice -Chair Maxwell. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Beck informed the board that the City was not in favor of adding links to veteran resources on its website. Mayor Johnson emphasized that the board should focus on upcoming events, like the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, and encouraged members to volunteer for the event. He clarified that the board's role would be to assist on the day of the parade, whether that involves setting up or helping with other tasks as needed, but not in the planning stages. Member Cease proposed that the board should be involved in event planning to offer their expertise, Parks and Leisure Services Assistant Director Gaines clarified that city staff handles the planning ,,-.nd suggested reaching out to Community Relations Manager Joy Wright for any additional volunteer *pportunities. Vice -Chair Maxwell shared his concern, noting that the board used to make it a requirement to help plan the MLK Parade and asked for clarification on the board's current role. He felt the board should have some input in the planning process. Parks and Leisure Services Assistant Director Gaines reiterated that the board's involvement would be limited to volunteering on the day of the event, not planning it. HRDB Meeting January 2, 2025 Chair Beck shared that she reached out to UCF but was unable to connect with the potential speakers due to the winter break. After reviewing their workshop offerings, she identified two topics she felt would be valuable for the community. The first, "Facilitating Disability Access," focuses on ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, feels welcome and comfortable. The second topic, "The Unconscious Mind," lacked a full description. For the first topic, the board discussed the need for an ASL translator and considered the associated costs. Members Mellen and Cease suggested that 7he Unconscious Mind" should be the first topic presented to the city. This would • the board more time to finalize details for the disability access topic. The board agreed with this plan. Member Mellen proposed pushing the presentation to June, • •' Cease noted that June would be a good time since it coincides with Juneteenth. Chair Beck agreed to reach • to • the speaker's availabty and bring that update to the February meeting. Motion- Move to book sueakers for the togic "The Unco cious Mind" for the June 5th Mge n Aing; Moved by Vice -Chair Maxwell, seconded by Member Mellen. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Beck decided that the Ocoee History Brainstorm would be best to table and focus on the •" process. He also mentioned that he had checked with the water counter, and the • for printing 16,000 copies would be $1,520.00. State of the City — January 7th Martin Luther Kinq Parade — januaL� 20th Chili Cook -Off — February loth Valentines Day Event — February l4th Spring into Conservation — March lst St. Patrick's Day Event — March 14th Member Cease asked Parks and Leisure Services Assistant Director Gaines if there was a way the board could have a liaison to assist with the centennial events. Parks and Leisure Services Assistant Director Gaines responded that the city had already planned everything, but he could send the board a list of events if they were interested in volunteering. 1111 Pr.111V The board discussed the possibility of printing additional pamphlets to have on hand for anyone who may want one in person. • Read aloud Mission Statement • Approval of Minutes for the January 2, 2025, meeting • Finalize Speaker for the June 5th meeting • History of Ocoee Resources ATTESTED: Recording Clerk Page 13