07-14-2022 Special Session Minutes CITY OF OCOEE
Minutes of the Human Relations Diversity Board
Special Session Held July 14,2022
I:CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Elect Dawkins at 6:21 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall located
at 150 North Lakeshore Drive,Ocoee.
Member Maxwell 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 Hart (arrived at 7:32 PM) and Members: Dawkins, Maxwell, Carr, Ages Hart (arrived at 6:29 PM),
Middleton, Dorsica, Lomneck, and Kennedy
Absent: Member(s): Robinson-Anderson, Brown, and Mellen
Also Present:Assistant Support Services Director Gaines, and Recording Clerk Sibbitt
Guest(s): None
Public Comments: Penny Walker,ATJ Representative, summarized the efforts of the organization in contacting the
descendants and getting input on the sculpture. Their hope is that further discussion with the descendants and the
HRDB Board will occur during attendance at the Ocoee Remembrance event in November. Member Middleton
inquired if the organization has a list of all the descendants. Ms.Walker confirmed they do maintain a list,and it keeps
growing. Member Maxwell provided a summary of the Board's relationship with ATJ for the newer members in
attendance.
Motion: Move to have the Board collaborate with ATJ to arrange a discussion with the descendants during their
visit for the Ocoee Remembrance Event;Moved by Member Dorisca,seconded by Member Maxwell.Motion passed
unanimously.
Jim Moyer, Ocoee Resident,spoke on the importance of recognizing Spanish History. He provided a summary on the
Spanish colonization.
II:BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION
A. Approval of Minutes for the HRDB meeting held June 2, 2022:
Motion: Move to Approve the June 2,2022, Minutes; Moved by Member Lomneck,seconded by Member Ages
Hart. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Hispanic Heritage Month—Fiesta de Colores:
Member Maxwell provided the history of the Fiesta de Colores event by showing a video as well as a sharing a
PowerPoint presentation from past events. He addressed any questions related to the information provided.
Motion:Move that Fiesta de Colores,in the year that the event be approved,be held as a one-day event;Moved
by Member Maxwell,seconded by Member Kennedy.
Amended Motion:Move that Fiesta de Colores,when approved as an event, be held as a one-day event and be
included as part of the Board's regularly scheduled event going forward;Moved by Member Maxwell,seconded
by Member Kennedy. Motion carried unanimously.
HRDB Special Session
July 14, 2022
Member Middleton left at 7:03 PM.
Chair Elect Dawkins commented that the Board had always enjoyed the Fiesta de Colores event, but felt they lost
volunteer power. Member Maxwell voiced that the Board members,who would like to make this event a reality
again, need to commit.
Member Kennedy inquired about the cost in 2015. It was shared about$5000. Chair Elect Dawkins inquired if a
breakdown of last year could be provided at the next meeting. Member Dorisca inquired when a budget had to
be submitted to be considered for funding.Assistant Support Services Director Gaines addressed her question.
Member Lomneck inquired if any partnerships with the Hispanic Chambers were obtained for their past events.
Assistant Support Services Director Gaines informed the Board of the visit from the Hispanic Chamber last year;
and further, shared there was a lot the Chamber was willing to assist with. Member Lomneck shared he would
volunteer to meet with the Hispanic Chamber to discuss a partnership for future events, if the Board does not
oppose to it.
C. Ocoee Sculpture Discussion:
Member Carr briefed the Board on the statue Embracing Diversity(children holding hands) he presented to the
Board the request of$10,000 that he proposed be added to the budget. He explained the statue quote came in
more than the $10,000. He further shared his support of including the descendants in selecting a sculpture.
Member Maxwell provided clarification that the sculpture is the one designed by Brian Owen. He further
explained his support of the sculpture which ATJ also supports. He reiterated that the descendants have expressed
a great desire and interest in seeing the manifestation of the sculpture.
Motion: Move to table the sculpture discussion from the agenda to allow a discussion with the descendants at
the Ocoee Remembrance Dinner Event in November; and further reallocate, the $10,000 for the statue
Embracing Diversity toward the Ocoee Remembrance Event deposits; Moved by Member Carr, seconded by
Member Maxwell.
Member Lomneck shared that there was discussion about the statue Embracing Diversity going in at Unity Park.
However, it was discovered that the cost was more than anticipated, so he had contacted a local vendor about
the idea of a monument which he was hoping to bring to a future meeting. He provided a brief description of the
monument and shared it can be created at the cost of$10,000. He further shared his opposition on reallocating
the funds toward the event deposit.
Member Kennedy commented that he felt the motion should be broken up, and supported the first portion of
the motion, but felt they need to have further discussion on the$10,000 as he does not support the reallocation
for the deposit.
Member Dorisca asked if this could be tabled so she could get clearer clarification on the two projects. Member
Maxwell provided her clarification.
Member Ages Hart expressed his support as well on separating the motions.
After a lengthy discussion on the$10,000 and the statue; Motion failed 3-5 with Chair Elect Dawkins, Members
Maxwell,Ages Hart, Lomneck,and Kennedy opposing.
Motion: Move to table the sculpture discussion from the agenda to allow a discussion with the descendants at
the Ocoee Remembrance Dinner Event in November; Member Lomneck, seconded Member Kennedy.
Page 12
HRDB Special Session
July 14, 2022
Brief discussion ensued on the possibility of presenting all options to the descendants for their feedback.Member
Lomneck briefly explained the upcoming completion of Unity Park. Member Kennedy shared his concern about
not moving forward with the monument. Member Maxwell explained the descendants are only aware of the
sculpture and have not been briefed on the projects for the statue and monument. He further expressed keeping
those projects separate.
After a lengthy discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Move to place an item on the agenda to get clarification on the projects of the Ocoee Sculpture (Large
Project) and Unity Park Monument (Other Project); Member Kennedy, seconded Chair Elect Dawkins. Motion
carried unanimously.
Member Lomneck shared he would have information to bring back to the Board for the next scheduled meeting.
D. Ocoee Day Massacre Remembrance Subcommittee Report Election:
Member Carr inquired about the funding for the deposit since the $10,000 was not approved to be reallocated.
Member Kennedy suggested he go before the City Commission to share the objection by the Board for the
reallocation of the$10,000, and to request funding from Contingency. Brief discussion ensued.
Motion: Move to have the HRDB Board inform the City Commission that they do not support the reallocation
of the$10,000; Member Kennedy,seconded Member Dorisca.
Discussion ensued on the funding approved for the Ocoee Remembrance Event. Member Carr was encouraged
to go before the City Commission to explain the proposed event budget. Member Lomneck shared his support for
the new proposal and volunteered to speak at the next City Commission Meeting alongside Member Carr.
After a brief discussion; Motion carried unanimously.
Assistant Support Services Director Gaines shared that the City Clerk has been contacted by Andrea Riley. He
further inquired if she was still be considered in the program details and,if so,could a member of the Board please
contact her. Member Carr explained she is working on fundraising efforts so she could be part of the program.
Brief discussion ensued on sponsorship packages that could benefit the event.
E. Review of Heritage Cultural Month List Provided by each Board Member:
Member Kennedy volunteered to champion the month of May—Jewish American Heritage Month.
Chair Elect Dawkins volunteered to champion the month of October—National Disability Employment Awareness
Month.
Member Lomneck volunteered to champion the month of November-National American Indian Heritage Month.
Member Dorisca volunteered to champion the month of July — National Minority Mental Health Awareness
Month.
It was asked if any other member had a month to champion and a brief discussion ensued that the members are
being encouraged to volunteer, but not being required to volunteer. Chair Lori Hart explained this is an optional
volunteer opportunity for the Board members. The City Clerk was asked to send a notice out to remind those
members not in attendance to bring a month they would like to champion to the next meeting.
Page 13
HRDB Special Session
July 14, 2022
F. 2023 MLK Parade Committee Report:
Chair Elect Dawkins shared they are currently five months away from the event and they have received
acceptance from Ms. Daralene Jones to be the keynote speaker.She announced Allie Braswell is the Emcee,Citrus
Elementary will operate the line-up,and they have received confirmation from the West Oaks Mall for the ending
ceremony.She further announced the City will assist with creating a budget for all costs of the parade.
Chair Elect Dawkins shared that Subcommittee Meetings for this event will begin in December.
Ill: Board and Staff Comments:
Member Carr asked for clarification of the request made by ATJ and if they were seeking to meet with the Sub-
committee to get on the event schedule to speak with the descendants. He was advised that was not the motion.
IV:Set Next Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes for July 14, 2022,Special Session
B. Hispanic Heritage Month—Fiesta de Colores
C. Ocoee Sculpture & Unity Park Monument Discussion
D. Ocoee Election Day Massacre Remembrance Subcommittee Report
E. Review of Heritage Cultural Month List Provided by Members
F. 2023 MLK Parade Update
Adjournment: meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM
ATTEST: APPROVED:
/144,
kW-4
Melanie Sibbitt, Recording Clerk Chairperson
Page 14