12-06-2012 CITY OF OCOEE
MINUTES OF HUMAN RELATIONS /DIVERSITY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 6, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
I. ROLL CALL
Chairman Maxwell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall, 150 North Lakeshore Drive. Member Calloway gave the
invocation and Member Turner led the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk called roll and
determined that there was a quorum.
PRESENT: Chairman Maxwell, Vice - Chairman Hopkins, Members Boudokhane, Calloway,
Cornell, Curry, Dawkins, Joseph, King, Persad, Pierce, Turner, and Zacarro.
ALSO PRESENT: Director of Support Services Al Butler, Police Lt. Brad Dreasher, and
Recording Secretary Stella McLeod
ABSENT: Member Del Valle (A /E)
Chairman Maxwell greeted two people in the audience who are considering joining
the board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 1, 2012
Member Boudokhane, seconded by Member Calloway, moved to accept the minutes
as written for November 1, 2012. Motion carried unanimously.
11. INTRODUCTION OF MR. AL BUTLER, DIRECTOR OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Chairman Maxwell spoke about positive changes that have taken place with the
board, and introduced Support Services Director Al Butler.
Director Butler addressed the board. He stated that changes had been made in
October, but that he had been unable to speak with the board as a whole because he
was in the middle of bringing online the new Support Services Department. He
continued that he had, however, attended several subcommittee meetings. The
director wanted to come tonight to let the board know that the City is providing a
higher level of support to the HRDB; additional staff resources have been put in place,
and the City will be addressing deficiencies that have been observed. Director Butler
emphasized that the events conducted will be conducted by the City with guidance
from the HRDB. It will be City staff's responsibility to conduct the mechanical process of
putting on events, but staff will receive guidance and input by the HRDB.
Community Relations Manager / HRDB Staff Liaison Joy Wright will attend all meetings
(or Director Butler will attend in her place).
Human Relations Diversity Board Minutes
December 6, 2012
Page 2 of 4
The subcommittee role will be replaced by City staff; board members are welcomed to
volunteer to help out. Official decisions will continue to be made at monthly board
meetings. The board can interact with staff at any time. Director Butler stated that he
has access to the board's accounting records. The City's allocation is a donation to the
board, the director said. If the board collects $5000, the board can spend $5000. The
City has placed staff, money and other resources into the board. The City wants to be
successful collectively - it is not only the board, nor only the City. It is the board and the
City together, the director concluded.
The director proceeded to answer questions from board members about the newly
enhanced relationship between the City and the board.
BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION
I. FUND ALLOCATION & THE MLK UNITY PARADE AND CELEBRATION PROGRESS REPORT
Chairman Maxwell invited the director to speak about fund allocation. The director
and board discussed the cost of upcoming events. Director Butler reported that the
board has $14,000 to spend on its three primary events.
With regard to the MLK banquet, $1000 was allocated for the reception. The board
estimated that roughly 46 people would be in attendance.
Member Dawkins reported that she invited the Ocoee Middle School Jazz Band to
provide background music for the banquet. She discussed with the board the necessity
of feeding the band members.
Vice - Chairman Hopkins stated that she felt that the event has become more of a party
and has strayed from its original purpose. Members voiced their opinions about the
matter.
Director Butler noted the catered meal will amount to $17 per person. Further discussion
ensued about the reception with respect to its purpose, size and propriety.
Member Calloway, seconded by Member Pierce, moved that the board proceed with
the banquet inviting the Ocoee High School Jazz Band and feeding the band
members. Motion passed by roll call vote of 9 to 4 with Members Zacarro, Hopkins,
Curry, and Joseph dissenting.
II. BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST PRELIMINARY PLANNING
The next item addressed was the nature and amount of awards to be levied for the
Black History Month Essay Contest. The board discussed with the director what had
been done in the past as well as which schools would be invited to participate in the
contest. Director Butler agreed to prepare a report showing the schools in Ocoee.
Human Relations Diversity Board Minutes
December 6, 2012
Page 3 of 4
During the discussion Liaison Wright mentioned that when discussing whether or not to
expand the contest, venue and manageability need to be considered. The event is
taped as well.
Member Cornell proposed that the board authorize $1500 for the contest.
Member Hopkins asked if the director's report could show what percentage of student
body lives in Ocoee.
Member Pierce, seconded by Member Boudokhane, moved that the essay contest
participants be limited to schools that are located within the physical boundaries of the
City of Ocoee. The motion passed unanimously.
Member Pierce, seconded by Member Turner, moved to include any formerly invited
school (and any school built in Ocoee since last year) to participate in the essay
contest along with schools located within the physical boundaries of the City of Ocoee.
The motion carried with a vote of 11 to 2 with Members Hopkins and Member Curry
dissenting.
Director Butler re- stated what has been agreed to: the budget for the essay contest will
be $1500; the participating schools will be the schools previously invited to participate
as well as all schools located within the physical boundaries of the City of Ocoee. He
continued that invitations will be sent to those schools. He requested that the chairman
co -sign the invitations along with the board's city commissioner.
Director Butler said that he would need to speak with the member who was working
with MLK Parade speaker in regard to the matter of the honorarium.
A. Police Operational Report To Support The MLK Parade
Lt. Dreasher presented his operational report for the MLK Parade. At the request of
Chairman Maxwell, the lieutenant consented to provide training for the board
members who will be using two -way radios. The training will take place at the board's
next regular meeting.
B. Liaison Wright's Report
Staff Liaison Joy Wright submitted a draft of the MLK event flyer. The estimated cost of
the flyer is $400, down from $700 last year. This year's flyer is a one - sided, half -sheet
document. The board members suggested changes.
The liaison entered into discussions with the board about the presence of the blood
center's participation. Liaison Wright has contacted the Black Nurses Association to do
blood tests and blood screening; no confirmation yet; Member Persad volunteered to
check with his contacts at Walgreen's.
Human Relations Diversity Board Minutes
December 6, 2012
Page 4 of 4
Member Joseph agreed to provide Liaison Wright with a photo of the keynote no later
than Tuesday of the week coming.
The following items were confirmed by Liaison Wright:
The stage (cost: $200) Gary Fowler (sound tech. at $850, without generator)
The West Oaks Mall Citrus Elementary as the staging area
Keynote Speaker - Allie Braswell Grand Marshal
The Ocoee H. S. Band The choir (Chairman Maxwell; choir provides own risers)
Color Guard (Hopkins) Big Mike's, the caterer
Roadside Banners
Chairs will need to be rented for the MLK speaking event.
Vice - Chairman Hopkins agreed to acquire volunteers for the MLK event. The banquet
will be held at the Woman's Club. Member Dawkins agreed to meet with the liaison to
determine space needs for the band within the Woman's Club.
The board directed the staff liaison to invite West Orange High School to the parade.
NEXT AGENDA - January 3, 2013
MLK Event, Reception, Responsibilities Leadership Development / Succession Planning
Black History Month Essay Contest Robert's Rules Training
LQUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Member Boudokhane - proposed a subcommittee meeting for Black History Month in
order to meet the time constraints. Chairman Maxwell reminded her of the presence of
the staff liaison and volunteers.
Vice - Chairman Hopkins suggested a five or ten - minute training devoted to Robert's
Rules of Order; she volunteered to provide the training.
Chairman Maxwell - encouraged audience to apply to serve on the board.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
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