Transcript: Special Council Meeting

Fred A. Neil

Do you have the agenda before you? I have a motion to approve the agenda.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

So moved to adopt the agenda as presented.

Fred A. Neil

Was there a second? It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? All in favor, please say aye.

Multiple Council Members

Aye.

Fred A. Neil

Any opposed? The motion has carried. At this particular time, uh we have received uh a document uh from the chairman uh in terms of their concerns for this. Uh and I'm not certain how you wish to proceed, whether you want to talk about specifically about those uh in terms of uh what we see in terms of uh what the uh ordinance calls for, which includes meetings only at City Hall, and a recommendation for five meetings a minimum. Um and uh the other concern is that of activities that um that cannot go uh if if it is not functions are limited that the commission shall not involve itself in activities or functions already assigned by law or decree to other government bodies. Uh however, uh beyond that, there's also it calls for reports to the commission shall reports to the city council on a quarterly basis regarding all of its affairs, and an annual report of its accomplishments and summary of its recommendations shall be provided to the mayor and council. Now, at that particular point, a number of items have been brought up, and I open that up for discussion at this particular time. And the chair uh of uh the Dover Commission, feel free to review your your the document that you provided us.

Human Relations Commission Chair

Thank you, Council President Neil. Um, before that, I passed out um an agenda with the um seven uh areas of discussion uh for us today. I know we have a short limited time, so uh hopefully uh what I present today helps with the guiding focus, and and we don't prolong some things that uh can can uh postpone things for later time, we'll still have a significant discussion about what the concerns are. Um, the first one before you today is concern of our uh liaison, city council liaison, and we want to uh establish a a more uh concrete um communication avenue. Um, so what we're hoping what we have here under the city council liaison, the Dover Human Relations Commission requests for the appointment of an alternate liaison uh if the appointed liaison is unable to attend the scheduled uh Dover Human Relations Commission meeting. And also, for the alternate liaison to attend the the DHRC meeting in lieu of the appointed liaison's absence. Uh, and then secondly, um what is the proper protocol for communicating the unforeseen absence of a liaison from the DH- DHRC meeting, and how notification of such absence should be

Meeting Chair

...this assembly. And before I go into further, uh, speak with the mayor, he wanted to address it, which I would appreciate it and if had to allow him to make a comment, uh, that he would like to make. Mayor Christiansen.

Robin R. Christiansen

No, no, no. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can speak in a loud voice.

Robin R. Christiansen

During my final year as council president, we had the unfortunate incident where a young man was shot in Dover. And there were many questions that went unanswered. So we established a quasi body to look into that incident, which morphed into the Dover Human Relations Commission. Over the period of time, the Human Relations Commission has functioned as an independent body with no interference from council, no liaison. Planning commission has functioned as a body with no liaison, and the other bodies and boards of this city have functioned without a liaison. You are an independent body set up to bring us concerns of our citizens or the Human Relations Commission to address, and then, if the tenacity warrants so, to bring before council.

Robin R. Christiansen

Council's job, according to the charter, is to legislate and finance. And I believe that the success of our commissions, our boards, the Human Relations Commission, and other entities that are charged with the governance, the assistance in the governance of this city, need to be free and independent, transparent, and above reproach. Thank you.

Meeting Chair

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Meeting Chair

Um, comment from council? Yes, Councilman Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you for recognizing me and thank you for the Dover Human Relations Commission having this meeting, uh, with City Council. I just wanted to ask the mayor a question. Um, I know the origin of the Dover Human Relations Commission, being one of the founding members back in 2000 and 2001, knowing its initial, um, aim and duty. Um, I just wanted to know from the mayor, um, what does he and what does his vision, uh, entail with his wisdom of many years, uh, on City Council? Uh, what does his vision entail, uh, or his perception entail when it comes to independence...

Roy Sudler, Jr.

have been free from the independence uh to report to City Council and being an autonomy body, independent body. I just want if you quickly elaborate more on that, just so um those who are not familiar with the origin and the background of why the Dover Human Relations Commission was orchestrated from the beginning, uh I just want to see if you can shed some light on that, and to, you know, to show how imperative and important is of the work of the Dover Relations Commission and it not being um, you know, stagnated. Thank you.

Andre M. Boggerty

Dr. Sudler, could you repeat that, cuz the Mayor had to take a phone call, I don't think he heard everything you said.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Oh, thank you. I just wanted to know, Mayor, if you could just elaborate on your vision or your perception of of what you feel as though um the autonomy should be for the Dover Human Relations Commission, knowing the origin of when it was uh orchestrated back in 2000, 2001 under the Peace Harmony panel. I don't know if you were on that panel back then.

Robin R. Christiansen

No, that was prior to then.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes. And and so um being as one of two here, original members, myself and the Mayor, I want to know what do you feel as though uh 20 years some later, what do you feel as though should be uh their charge and what kind of autonomy, when you said free from you know the independency, can you just elaborate more on that?

Robin R. Christiansen

Thank you, uh Dr. Sudler. And I don't want this this to be the Mayor's show because this is the uh Human Relations uh meeting with uh City Council. But my vision was that, you know, many people are uh inhibited from speaking to Mayor and Council on issues that are of great concern to this community. And I see the charge still uh at for the Human Relations Commission uh as a sounding board for those who have no voice. I've always believed that there should be a voice for those who have no voice. And the voice says as far as I'm concerned, Dr. Sudler, the mission today is still the same. Although, a lot of people don't take advantage of it, and some uh mistakenly believe that uh that they shouldn't, but the Human Relations Commission should be the voice of those who have no voice, and matters that concern them that uh they have no voice. The Human Relations Commission can be the voice to investigate uh on issues that brought before them, and then bring it to Council. And that's how I I have seen it, and that's how I see it now. Thank you, Dr. Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

And then final, my last question is, uh this to the Council President, uh Council President Neil, do we have, for the Dover Human Relations Commission, do we have an itemized list of what the state Human Relations Commission is charged with and and how it varies uh

Roy Sudler, Jr.

from what the Dover Human Relations Commission was charged with because the State Human Relations Commission was the entity that that um trained and helped put together the Dover Human Relations Commission. That's why so many of the charges were aimed, are duplicated because we were supposed to be able to be independent, as the mayor said, to do fact-finding investigation, holding hearings on, you know, do that in our own capacity on a local level. That was the initial uh origin of the of the conceptual model. So I think they need to know, and I think also Brother Flemming, he was here at the beginning as well. I think he can speak to that and witness to that as well. So in my view, I think in order for the Dover Human Relations Commission today in 2026 to be a little bit more progressive uh and have some idea of what their charge is and not duplicate and spend time on duplicating and finding out, oh, you can't do this cause the state does that. I would like to know, do we currently have an itemized list of what the state does versus what the city's charge is so that they can, that would help expedite the time they would uh be spending, you know, sorting through and guessing uh whether or not this is their purview. Do we do we have that? Because I know that's been an issue throughout the years.

Fred A. Neil

I would defer to the Madam Clerk, and if we don't, we certainly should be able to get it, shouldn't we? Let's see then.

City Clerk

We do not. We do not review at all. We send it to Dan. That's been the process. Dan then decide or, I should say the solicitor, not Dan specifically. Um we don't review the code to see if it meets the threshold. That's what the solicitor is used for, sir.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay, so as the solicitor have an itemized list of what uh, you know, what the state does versus what our local government does so that they won't duplicate services and not be guessing? Because I think that's imperative for clarity.

Dan McAllister

Thank you, uh Doctor. Uh the state does not have an itemized list of what the State Human Relations Commission does. The State Human As I recall, the State Human Relations Commission is actually much broader uh and has more responsibilities than the the City of Dover's uh human rights uh commission. In the state, it's called the Human Rights and Ci- uh Human Relations and Civil Rights uh Commission. They actually have, they have hearings, they enforce the state's fair housing laws. Uh they it's it's an agency that has subpoena power uh when they find a if they believe there's been a violation of the Fair Housing Act, they have the right to uh investigate that, when they have to um they hear appeal claims of discrimination in housing matters. So when when I look at the charter, I'm sorry, the uh the Dover code, the municipal code, about what the Dover Human Relations Commission does, um it's a lot more narrow than what the State uh Human Relations and Civil Rights Commission does. Uh but it there's a website that actually outlines what the State of Delaware's Human Relations and Civil Rights Commission does.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Uh thank you. I I yield.

Unknown Speaker

I think just recently that they went into the civil component. But, as one who served on the State Human Relations Commission from 2015 to '17, '14 to '17, um, you know, it it's pretty it's pretty much the same. I think just recently they added the civil component. But, the aim is they still do both components. Probably they'll bring back more. Thank you, Council President.

Robin R. Christiansen

Thank you. Thank you.

Fred A. Neil

Uh there's certainly a number of things that have not been tapped uh that could be brought without really going beyond uh the recommendations that say review city programs, activities, functions, and ordinances, and make recommendations to the city council for new, amended, or changed program, uh functions, activities, or ordinances that can support inclusiveness and equality among city residents and enhance communication and understanding among city residents. And that is is a a entire uh area that has not been explored, at least not recently. And there's certainly a lot of our ordinances that we are bringing up uh to to to uh uh local and to update uh to to what the circumstances are now. So, it's there. So, I think that in terms of the list that uh uh Dr. the the other Dr. Sudler, [laughter] the caring Dr. Sudler has brought to us, a community liaison, uh we have had offers from members of council to stop in to hear and listen. And I think it behooves that the the person that the council president has has uh appointed if he cannot to see if we can have someone there to make sure that there's a council person there. The third district vacancy, I've sent out an email uh soliciting people to become a member of that group and have copied uh uh the Representative uh uh Mullins on it because I think she's terrific, and uh basically uh no one has raised their hand. One person did, but they wanted to know if it got paid. And at that point, they were not interested because it's not a paid position. So, that continues to find someone specifically who is willing to spend the time uh on on a commission. But, it has been sent out as a matter of fact. I think you're talking about ID cards uh for uh for you. Uh-huh. If someone is reaching out to us, I don't see any reason why we can't have that. But, if you want to know about marketing uh uh banners or marketing materials, will it fit in your $3,000 budget? Uh then uh that the document and the materials printing practices, and what do you want? What What What What do you have to do? Uh present it to us. If you have those quarterly reports and you have requests, that can be done. And I don't see any reason why we can't arrange for annual training in the areas that you want. We basically have not heard from you. And this really the first time we have gotten some sort of a list from you as to what you want. You have in this council a tremendous group of people who are very much like-minded

Fred A. Neil

In terms of fairness uh and inclusion, in terms of making this city work for everybody. There's nobody here that's opposed to certain things. We want to include everybody. We need to make it good for everybody who's here. So this is the first time we've had a list. Uh the internships, as far as I'm concerned, I think that is terrific. Do you have somebody who is willing, with a stipend, from from the from your your budget, be able to take your minutes? Because you can't really rely on the City Clerk's office, who's being inundated with uh FOIAs and other business that we have to conduct. But uh other than that, uh perhaps we can have a a time-limited, because of of the fact that not everybody is uh appointed for a lifetime, uh identification card of someone who's there. I don't know how the Council feels about it, but I'm certainly willing to to consider it. I leave it now to the members of Council to speak up. I've said my piece.

Fred A. Neil

Yes. Uh Council- uh Councilman, uh is that Councilman uh Anderson? I see the top of your head, you have to lean forward, David.

David L. Anderson

I'm in a reclining position here for for that. Uh thank you, uh Mr. President, and thank you, uh uh Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Chairman. Thank you, uh Chairman. On behalf of... first of all, um thank you for wanting to take some time and and have a dialogue. I think that's a a positive thing. I would like to see uh, yeah, I mean I'm supportive of uh ID cards. In fact, one thing I would also just suggest, and follow maybe an issue getting all of you all, um, like emails whatever, I would like to suggest that we consider an organizational box for the Human Relations Commission that you all have access to once you you join. Um, that way um, you know, have reviews on in a reasonable, what timespan. Someone who has a concern will be able to shoot an email to the Human Rel- to Dover Human Relations Commission um and and open up uh a simple 24/7 access to uh giving concerns. So I I I'd like to see an org box uh for the commission. I don't know what you all think about that, but if that's something you're interested in, I'd be glad to help you out with achieving that.

Fred A. Neil

Thank you, Councilman Anderson.

Speaker

So, with what I presented uh today, it was just the outline of areas, um, and when we talked on the first meeting...

DHRC Representative

just touched on the first one, as far as the City Council liaison and communications. Um thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your comments. Understanding what the- what the mayor brought forth, uh having a liaison, at this time, I think would be needed, just to tighten the relationships between the committee, the commission, and the City Council. Later on, we decide that we don't need a liaison, I think that would be revisited as well, because like you, being an indepen- being an independent body, um and we wouldn't need a liaison, widely speaking. However, um there are some things that that need to be tightened up as far as the relationship-wise, when it comes to uh Council and the Commission. Um if we are going to have a liaison, can we also have an alternate, so when the liaison cannot make it, the alternate would be the person responsible to step in? That was a question for the first uh outlined area. Um and then we just wanted to establish the proper protocol uh how we would receive notice that our liaison would not be able to attend. Um would it be through properly through the City Clerk's office then disseminated to the Commission, uh and the Commissioners um of the Human Relations Commission? Something to think about there. Um you don't have to answer that now, but however uh you all, Ci- however the City Council decides to handle that, uh would be greatly appreciated just for widening that would be neat. The second thing was um the 3rd District vacancy. I know we touched a little bit on it, uh Council President Neil. Um and we just wanted to uh bring forth how important it is that we do have all of our seats filled. Um right now, uh we are almost full to capacity, but uh we the- still have the vacancy in the 3rd District, in which is Commissioner Mullins, and and we all have a large district, but uh for us to be vacant uh does a disservice to the constituents. It puts a strain on the one person uh at this particular time, Commissioner Mullins, puts a strain on the ability for her being able to hear everybody's concerns, because she being the only one at that time. Um we appreciate the outreach help that you uh mentioned that you have done in the soliciting for another commissioner uh to be uh part of that district. Um we'd like to uh I'd like to know um has there been any persons who have filled out applications, uh cuz we do have that on the city website where a person can fill out the application for uh such committee, and and then it will be taken and looked at from that point thereon, and and then appointments uh be handed down? That's one question, had- has there been anybody

Fred A. Neil

No.

DHRC Representative

to fill out the application?

Fred A. Neil

No, basically, uh if I may, I had one person respond to the email that was sent to me whether it it paid or not, if it...

Fred A. Neil

is her fee that uh we supply. And at that time that was sorted out, and then that was that. So now it comes down to individual uh checking with individuals that may be interested in in serving, as Ms. Mullins did and as Mr. Geddes did. And I think they were good members of of council of this committee. And a great um uh respect and fondness for for uh Wanda. Uh she's she's uh outstanding in anything she's been outstanding for her her community, as president of the HOA, I don't think that she's a member uh president of the the civic association, but I'm sure she's the driver uh in that particular area. And so many of the problems that they have, I don't know whether it's within the neighborhoods or or with problems that they have of people who are living in the in the homes and causing problems uh in a number of different ways, because when they have meetings, code inspectors attend, elected officials attend uh on a regular basis uh to listen to what's happening and to see if we can resolve the issues of her neighborhood. If it's between neighbors, then the answer is I have no idea. I yield.

Chair

Thank you. Um, being not being the commissioner of that district, I would like um Commissioner Williams to make comments, please.

Commissioner Williams

Recently, I kind of received a lot of complaints regarding the um the people on the streets and you know they always stand on the corners and soliciting for money. Um, and I did advise, you know, the people that had approached me that that was something that has been attended to, because we had spoken, I did a, I uh I created a um...

Female Speaker

Survey.

Commissioner Williams

A paper, what do you call it? An...

Male Speaker

An assessment.

Commissioner Williams

Yes, to be dis- distributed to people, you know, different uh business owners and so forth to see if this is a problem. And I had it very in-depth. But I'm still waiting to hear back if they're gonna adapt it, will they utilize that, a survey, that's what it was, a survey. Um, because I didn't want to turn away and just think that, you know, what they had brought to my attention was not being attended to, it was not being validated. Um, and now I have seen for myself that since the uh hotel the motel was destroyed, it has increased. So I do have a scheduled meeting on Thursday, which I know that's gonna be a big issue and concern.

Chair

Thank you Commissioner Williams.

Chair

Um, so we can uh move on to the third uh outlined area, just to reiterate that the uh internships with the Dover Human Relations Commission uh was a recommendation by Councilman Neil. And we did uh did uh we did take you up on that offer uh because we have a couple of students who attended our last meeting um who are...

Unknown Speaker

interested in in being uh a an intern and working with the Dover Human Relations Commission uh as far as uh being able to take our minutes and and being able to have some insight, like you were saying, um on on our municipal uh body. Um, listed here, we have the the names of uh the two students. Uh first one was Nia Wiggins. She's a sophomore and mass communications major. And she lives on campus. She's a resident of on the campus. And the second one, Kayla Ann Lucas. Uh she's a senior and mass communications uh major. And she's a Dover resident. She lives in the community uh, and I believe she lives uh, she said she lives in in District 1, uh, right off of Independence Road. So, they have agreed to to come out and and and work with us um, and um, they're not talking about payment. They are talking about their benefit would be um, they would receive the internship credits. Um, that's it. Now when you mentioned uh them receiving a stipend, um it would not be a large stipend. Um, I would agree that they would deserve something. Um, and and I talked with uh Ms. Bennett today, and she mentioned even if it was just $50.

Unknown Speaker 2

I did.

Unknown Speaker

And I'm sure they would be appreciative of that. $50 would go into their gas tank, and and help them get here, and things like that. But the actual amount, we would have to really discuss. Um, do the the calculations to see if it would be, you know, a good, feasible shock um, for them to have whatever increment we can come up with.

Unknown Speaker 2

Yeah. Commissioner.

Unknown Speaker

Of course it would come out of our budget, um, which is expected. And I don't think we would have any problems with with that at all. So, that that would definitely we do plan to speak on that and have more discussion. Um, hopefully you all can be uh, be uh, thinking about it as well, uh, to see what might be best as far as increment wise. Um, everybody knows that we have a $3,000 budget, and and we'll see how far that goes. Okay. Um, our fourth topic uh, item that I had there was uh, speaking on the Dover Human Relations Commission having identification cards, uh, banners, and marketing materials. The identification card, uh, I think would be very permanent, especially as as we start to really get into the having of listening to concerns, and and then going out into the field, making investigations. Um, just showing up with a shirt that I have on that's saying Dr. Sudler doesn't really speak too much. Um, anybody can make this type of shirt. If you get the logo online, you take it right to a printer or another company and make, buy your own shirt, and be someone, impersonate uh, what we do. Uh, but I believe uh, we should have uh, identification cards um,

Speaker

that help represent the the commission as well as um it indicating that we are part of the City of Dover municipality.

Speaker

Um as far as the banners and marketing materials, as we attend um uh community events, uh we have had uh the uh invitations to be a part of um uh things that take place in the city,

Speaker

uh whether it be a parade, uh whether it be uh a community uh fair day, um somebody wants us to vend at at something that they're hosting for the community.

Speaker

Um I think it would be prudent for us to to have a banner, uh maybe even a tablecloth where we set up and and it has a particular uh logo and with our name, Dover Human Relations Commission, attached to it.

Speaker

Just some things to think about, but it will help us tremendously, especially with the identification of who we are and uh, you know, us being available for our constituents at that particular time.

Speaker

Uh we have literature, a little bit, um which, you know, we had drawn up and paid for out of our own pockets, not paid for um by the commission budget,

Speaker

and that speaks to the next point, uh number five, of documents and and material printing practices.

Speaker

So as we create documentation or or we write up things, just like I created I created the agenda for this evening and and printed it out, of course, you know, everything costs money,

Speaker

and we will try to save as much as possible, but what are the actual norms and practices when we compose documents um on on behalf of the Dover Human Relations Commission coming out of the City of Dover? Is there a particular printing center that the city uh utilizes and we can use, or do we go to third-party uh printing companies to make sure we have documentation uh available to be able to print on?

Speaker

So, just some things to think about, some of our concerns, and I I knew you quickly addressed some things, Councilman Neil, and we appreciate that. Um but uh we definitely want to have a a deeper discussion to see how we can actually uh make these things happen and what is the proper protocol for us to take in order for these documents to be created.

Speaker

Um going into the community relations events, which is the number six uh item on the agenda,

Speaker

when we talk about community relations events, we want to be able to um host some things as far as being able to reach out uh to constituents, um being available and and not just attend some what somebody else is hosting, but maybe to even host some things ourselves, bring to the bring to the community uh

Male Speaker

something, something that we can advocate for during particular times. And we want to be all-inclusive. Um, and the community relations event would uh, would en- would entail events and activities in all districts during the same day or a weekend time, um, where we can all be involved in the things that uh benefit our community and being able to listen to our constituents and everybody being able to have positive interactions together instead of just being uh, you know, meeting during times of tragedy and walks on the on the Green and when when things happen. We want to be able to be proactive, more or less, than reactive. So, um, we want to be able to host something and and if we host some events, what do we have on our fingertips? Are we able to use um city buildings and city venues? And And at what cost would that be to the city for us to do that? I know we can't uh get actual numbers this evening, but those are the particulars um that we also want you all to think about and dwell on so that we can um start to really reach out to our community and make some things happen on a positive note, with positive interactions.

Male Speaker

And And lastly, um, the annual training that we that I've listed here for uh number seven, um, of course, I I listed some things on the back: uh, ethics training, how we are to conduct ourselves as commissioners, the dos and the don'ts, um, some kind of the pros and the cons. Uh, but we definitely want to think about the ethical portion of our operation and and how we interact uh with the constituents and each other and between uh the commission as well as the City Council. Uh, we invite um continuous training on the Robert's Rules of Orders, which is very important on how we make decisions, how we approve things, how we pass um, you know, how we pass particular communications along, and and how we close out the business and we conduct business of our meetings. So, um, I always believe that that is a continuous training, uh, and and we need to be uh, a part of those particular types of trainings. Um, the We also need to uh have training, not just for those who have been here, but as we take on new members, the structure uh of of the city itself, uh, now all the way from City Council to the Mayor, um, even down to our um police officers and police department. What is the proper protocols, and how do how we should communicate between each one of those particular uh entities, and when is the best time that we reach out to particular entities? So, um, we definitely need the training on the municipal structure of Dover, Delaware. Um, and and then

Andre M. Boggerty

And being being in the technology age, um, I believe it would it would be good for us also to have training on how we deal with online streaming practices, meaning how we uh present ourselves on stream when we have our meetings. Um, we talked about bringing on interns to uh take our minutes. So we want to have training on uh the policy and and the when it comes in the practice when it comes to our uh online streaming and our online presence during public times when it's mandatory. Um, social media policy and procedures. Of course, um, we all know that social media is is a is is a thing. Um, and what we say on social media, it matters. Um, what we put out to the public on social media, it really matters. It can hurt, it can hinder, or it can help. So we need to have some training on the do's and the don'ts, especially when it comes to uh municipal uh practices. Uh, and and the policy guidance, uh, when we talk about policy guidance, we're talking about um the particular codes that people may have concerns and complaints about. Uh, do we have an an actual uh manual a code manual that we could look at or refer to? Um, I know the city does have manuals regarding codes and things, but what is good for the Dover Human Relations uh to have? Can you um devise a manual where um we know about the particulars. If if we're not supposed to um hear in in particular uh concerns that we can't um work with, then what are the codes and and and and particulars that we are able to refer to so when it comes to um concerns and topics that our constituents want to bring uh to the Dover Human Relations Commission? Um, that's my comments, that's for now.

Fred A. Neil

Okay. Any comments, any questions? Yes, uh Councilman Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Uh, thank you for recognizing me. Um, it's not more so a a comment, I do have a motion which I would like to move that the City Council direct the Clerk's Office to aid the Dover Human Relations Commission with coordinating and facilitating the areas requested for training within a period of 60 days from today. I believe training is imperative.

Fred A. Neil

Is there a second to that?

Brian E. Lewis

I'll second that motion, Councilman Lewis.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Discussion?

Fred A. Neil

Discussion?

David L. Anderson

Yeah. Uh, Dr. Sudler, could you be a little more s-

David L. Anderson

specific, like do we know who's conducting the training? Are we, you know, what if it costs money, you know what I mean? That's, you know-

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Well, that can take place in regards to money and who's actually going to conduct the training is part of the coordinating and facilitating the areas we requested. So that would be part of the coordinating and facilitating. So, they could come back to city council and say, you know, it's going to cost this amount of money to do the training and that this entity is going to facilitate the training. But I do believe that the training itself is imperative in order for our commissioners to reach their full potential in serving this great city of Dover.

David L. Anderson

Understood, thank you. I yield.

Fred A. Neil

Yes, Councilman Lewis.

Brian E. Lewis

I, uh, concur with Councilman Sudler, um, that I, uh, believe, uh, training is vital and, um, would it be possible and, I guess I would defer to the city clerk on this question, I know in the past we have had the Public Integrity Commission come to the chambers here at City Hall and conduct a training, uh, where I believe, uh, if I'm not mistaken, all the city boards and commissions were required to attend and were present including council members. Would that be something, uh, that we could do that, uh, would be able to assist, uh, in this training request by Councilman Sudler?

City Clerk

He's asking me?

Fred A. Neil

Yes.

City Clerk

I can tell you that we have not had any interaction with the new person that's representing the PIC, uh, the Public Integrity Commission, but the last person was refusing. Evidently, she came for years and presented to you guys, and then before she left, she was done. So what we'll have to do is ask the new director of that area to see if they still offer training. Um, like I said, she had gotten to the point that she was no longer doing training before she left, so we would just have to follow up to see if if they're even offering training, which I would guess they probably do.

Brian E. Lewis

That That sounds, um, plausible to me. Um, my second question is, do we know who conducts the training for the State Dover Human Relations Commission? Can we, uh, inquire to find out if it's a private entity or uh who trains them with uh the various, um, uh particular areas such as the ethics, Robert's Rules of Order, etc.?

Brian E. Lewis

Does anybody know the answer to that? Um, maybe our city solicitor?

Fred A. Neil

Councilman Sudler?

City Solicitor

I I don't know the answer specifically, but my assumption is there is a deputy attorney-

City Solicitor

Thank you. Thank you, uh, Councilman Lewis. Uh, I don't know the answer specifically as to who trains the State Human, uh, Relations and Civil Rights Commission. My experience has been that there is usually a Deputy Attorney General assigned-

Unknown Speaker

assigned to each agency and there's probably a deputy Attorney General assigned to that commission um who who would give that legal advice I I don't know who that is, but I can I can require.

Brian E. Lewis

Understood and while I have you up here, maybe you can answer this question. I'm not really too savvy on what the State Human Relations Commission does, but who do they report to after they conduct the hearing and decide, you know, what they're going to do with the particular case or whatever the matter may be? Who is it referred to? Is that the deputy AG that's assigned to them? Like here, this commission refers it to the full City Council. What does the state do?

Unknown Speaker

So typically if there's a finding that the agency makes, so for instance I'll give a hypothetical, the commission determines that there has been a violation by private entity of the Fair Housing Act, their finding offers the entity two options: you can either have a hearing before the agency and the agency has enforcement authority, or you can choose civil litigation and move it into the Superior Court.

Unknown Speaker

That's if you choose to have it handled by the agency, it's referred to the Attorney General's office and then and that Attorney General does prosecute that Fair Housing Act violation.

Brian E. Lewis

Okay, understood. I understand it has a lot more teeth.

Unknown Speaker

It does, yes.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Subpoena powers.

Unknown Speaker

Exactly right, subpoena power, causes, conciliation, you know there is a lot of enforcement authority.

Brian E. Lewis

Understood, thank you. Well, that's all the questions I had pertaining to this particular motion on the floor.

Fred A. Neil

Councilman Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you for recognizing me. Initially, the Dover Human Relations Commission had subpoena power and we also had a hearing as well. But in regards to the training for ethics, I believe that it would be appropriate to have the to have the Human Resource Department, who does our training for ethics currently, to train our commissioners. And I don't think it would cost that much because I do believe it's through modules where you come in and you sit and you do training via the computer in a module. And I think that's how we've we've been conducting our training, you know, annually. Is that correct, Madam Clerk Bennett?

Andria Bennett

Yes, sir, but it does cost money. It's through a um like a subscription service or some kind of provider, so I believe the city pays money. I I don't think it would be a problem, though, probably to register the commissioners just like we register Council, and then you guys complete it at your leisure within a certain amount of time, with a deadline.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right, so I think I thank you for that, Madam Clerk Bennett. And I think that's the best approach to expedite the training and to also to justify the you know the cost

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

you know, they are city, uh, employees to a certain extent, you know, an extension of us. And I think that that would be appropriate, and I think that also fits with the needs to be requests, you know.

Tricia K. Arndt

Um, and just to piggyback off of that, um, Robert's Rules of Order, I believe we had, um, I think you helped us set that up, Dr. Hollingsworth come in. I thought we paid her some type of stipend, but I'm not positive. You could probably have her attend a Human Relations Commission meeting and talk about parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules of Order and that sort of thing. I know you were the person that was closest to her.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you, and if Council President don't mind me commenting to that. Um, I have spoken with Dr. Hollingsworth recently and she did express that she would be willing to come and do additional training. Um, she didn't specify the cost, but I wouldn't think it would be that much because that's something that she loves to do, but I can't speak for, you know, for her purse wallet. So, um, we can definitely reach out to her and we can forward that request to the chairman, Dr. Travis-Nixon, if she would like, and or have the, you know, clerk's office help me coordinate that that inquiry. Thank you.

Fred A. Neil

Uh DHRC is going to have to basically decide what what what they're going to have and when they're going to have it. And it's going to have to they're going to have to attend things that are not on a regular schedule, their regular schedule. Because this is a tremendous amount of training that you're subjecting your people to or requesting that training for. So we'll let the uh clerk's office be able to set up what what is available, to get back to the commission, and let them decide what what's going to happen and how it's going to happen. Because you've got a lot on your plate. A lot on your plate. Okay, is there any additional comments?

Brian E. Lewis

Uh yes, Mr. Neil. I'd like to interject with respect to you're on, as far as training. Uh once again, I think it's imperative because of the fact that uh this commission is part of the city. And as far as training, it could become a liability issue, in my opinion, if in fact a lot of these commissioners are not trained when they render their decisions. Um, further for um the chair of the Dover Human Relations Commission, I just have a couple of comments uh for Dr. Celano. With respect to your agenda, I'm going to work backwards if you'll indulge me for a minute. I think most of the um entities on here, as far as training, uh community relation events, materials, printing, graphics, marketing, etc., could be coordinated through the city clerk's office. In my opinion, it's done it been done that way in the past. Uh by the way, you know, I served on the Dover Human Relations Commission for several years. I actually that's where I started uh getting involved in communities and boards, uh etc. Uh so, um the clerk's office always coordinated those type of requests. As far as the

Brian E. Lewis

third district vacancy, um, I would implore uh Mr. Neil and Ms. Arndt uh because it's their responsibility to appoint somebody in their district to this commission. Uh how I did it when there was a vacancy in the second district, actually when I came on council there was two vacancies, uh I went out to the community. Uh I went over to Luther Towers, uh which is, Luther Village, excuse me, uh which is a part of the second district and I asked over there. Uh Ms. White, um, was fell in willing to take on the position of commissioner. So I went out there and kind of recruited. So, uh I know Mr. Neil lives in a uh a private community, maybe there's a newsletter over there you could put an ad to see if we could uh he could and Ms. Arndt track uh interested parties for that vacancy in the third district. As far as the liaison, um, as I previously indicated, I had served on commission, but back then we didn't have a liaison. Uh so this liaison stuff, um, it's kind of it's kind of new uh within the past couple of years. Um, because when I was on council 2011 to 2015, there wasn't a lot of uh liaison positions. We didn't have a liaison for the Board of Education, for Capital School District, and a lot of other commissions and boards. So, uh it's something that um we we didn't have in the past. So, you know, to me it doesn't matter. I mean if you guys want a liaison that's fine, but it's kind of something that really never existed before. Um this was put in when I had left council, and you know, then I came back and there was a lot of changes. So, uh I don't want to take up any more time, um, and and that's all I have. Thank you.

Fred A. Neil

Thank you. Are there any other questions? Yes, uh, Councilman...

Andre M. Boggerty

Thank- thank you, Council President. I I I just wanted to put on the record what the municipal code says as far as the Human Relations Commission. Um, the first thing is, uh, it says it promote that that the of it promotes fairness and respect, uh, to develop an environment of fairness and respect among its citizens. And number two is monitoring: develop ways to measure and monitor community relations. And the third one is intergroup relations: uh, involve all segments of the community in understanding and appreciating the benefits of positive intergroup relations. The fourth is issues: offer a range of programs and services that will help its residents and neighbors prevent and resolve issues of human relations. And the fifth one is intergroup conflict, and it says develop ways of anticipating

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

preparing for and relieving community tensions arising from intergroup conflict. So I just wanted to put that out there because there is nothing here that says that we investigate, that we are proactive. Now we can make make the change, but as it currently stands, though those that's that's basically the purpose of the commission. Um however, and nothing that you, Dr. Sudler, put in this document that you provided to us um suggests anything of that nature um and is doable, it sounds to me. Um whether or not we want a liaison or not um or to continue with the liaison, that's up for discussion still probably. Um it might not be a bad idea to take some of the stress off of the city clerk if we had liaison. I will put that out there. You know, when it comes to the coordination, some of the trainings and stuff like that. Um do they need to attend every meeting? I don't I don't know if they need to do that unless you deem otherwise. So if you I think that if it's pertinent that the somebody from the council is present, then I think it, you know, would be you know, if it's advantageous and you think they you need presence there to reach out to the liaison and if the liaison can't make it, anyone of us could be asked to to show up um as an alternate. Um I like the internship idea. Uh as they ID cards, banners, and marketing materials, there is a budget that you have. I don't know if those items would exhaust the budget, but hey, you know, price out some of this stuff and see how much, you know, if you need help, I'm sure that, you know, clerk with questions could could answer some of your questions. As far as printing goes, same thing. But do we need to add more money to the budget? We don't know that unless we unless we, you know, know how much the stuff is going to cost. But it's not you have some money in the budget. I think that you can at least get a tablecloth or some banners and stuff like that that you're asking for. Um yeah, I think that that should pretty much cover it. I would also add mediation training, maybe, you know, if they're if you think that that would be helpful, there are resources out there that can give you mediation training. Um and that that's it. I I yield, Council President.

Fred A. Neil

Thank you, sir. Any other comments? Yes, uh Councilman Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Uh thank you for recognizing me. Uh I just wanted to also specify that uh Ms. Cooper, who's also a a commissioner for the State Human Relations Commission and Civil Rights Committee, has stated that they do provide training and that they would be willing to train our commissioners in regards to what the State Human Relations Commission does. And and which is uh which they do have a component of mediation. Uh so um I concur with uh Councilman Rocha in regards to mindfulness mediation that

Andre M. Boggerty

And it's something that the State Human Relations Commission has already uh said that they would do when I was liaison uh to the uh commission when chairwoman uh Danya Hall was there when I was, when I was the liaison. Uh Ms. Cooper has stated and I believe she also attended the Dover Human Relations Commission and said that they would be willing to coordinate a, a mediate, not mediation, but a training uh with the state, between the state and and the uh Dover, the local when I was the liaison.

Fred A. Neil

Oh, yeah. Mhm.

Andre M. Boggerty

So I think that's something that uh we can capitalize on. I think that just we need to uh reach reach out to her. Um I know Travis and I see her at church on Sundays at Mt. Zion, and she's still, actively, uh that's, they're willing to do that, but in the official capacity, I think that we should reach out to her and make the first move to do that with the, the assistance of uh chairman uh Dr. Travis M. Sudler. Thank you. I yield.

Fred A. Neil

Thank you. Councilman Rocha.

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

Yes, just to piggyback off of uh Dr. Sudler. If my memory serves, when I served on the uh commission, we had a liaison from this commission that sat on the human relation, the state Human Relations Commission. And I don't know if if anybody here has been appointed or I don't know how that, that was before my time that she was on the commission. Um Commissioner Mullen, you might rememb- recall that part. Um, but I don't I don't see why we couldn't ask if someone local is on the state commission, would they be able to participate on as like an at-large person, I think it was. I I yield.

Fred A. Neil

Any other questions from council? Mr. Faust.

Faust

I just have a general comment, and it's nothing good or bad. Um my colleagues are dedicated to the citizens of Dover. Some on council might not be aware of this. As you know, councils get discretionary funds and the mayor has discretionary funds. Some of my colleagues, I'm not going to mention their names because it's not my business to mention their names, have assisted the public, have given donations to causes that are near to their faith, uh, book back backpacks, hygiene products, community activist groups that are trying to make downtown Dover better. We take the money out of our own pocket or their own pocket to assist the public. So we are very devoted to the citizens and to the mayor and council, so I just want to express express that we are is do more than lip service or just sit behind a desk. A lot of us are using our own personal funds to help our public, the citizens of Dover. Thank you.

Fred A. Neil

and we will get back to you in terms of what we can advise or what help we might be able to provide in direction with these. And with that, I'll accept a motion for

City Clerk

There's a motion on the floor still. This was discussion.

Fred A. Neil

There's still a motion on the floor? Okay. We have a motion on the floor. We'll have to do that then. I call for the motion, and we've discussed. All in ask requests, all in favor please say aye.

City Clerk

Can you restate the motion, Mr., Dr. Sudler?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes. Yes, Madam Clerk? Madam Clerk, would you feel comfortable restating the motion? I didn't write it down. I want to make sure I didn't get it wrong. But I can I can try. I can definitely try.

City Clerk

I have direct the city clerk's office to coordinate and facilitate the training and events requested from the DHRC. I was writing and listening and writing.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Actually, I'm sorry. I did write it down, so I can I can read it. Let me read it. Okay. So, um, I move that the City Council direct the clerk's office to aid the Dover Human Relations Commission with coordinating and facilitating the areas requested for training within a period of 60 days from today.

Brian E. Lewis

I'll second it.

Fred A. Neil

And seconded by Councilman Lewis.

City Clerk

Lewis.

Fred A. Neil

Uh okay. Um, that is the question on the floor. All in favor, please say aye.

Council Members

Aye.

Fred A. Neil

Any opposed? It passes unanimously. And with that, I'd accept a motion to close.

Andre M. Boggerty

I make a motion that we close the meeting.

Fred A. Neil

Is there a second?

Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.

Rocha seconds.

Fred A. Neil

Seconded by Councilman Rocha. All in favor, please say aye. Yes, Councilman Sudler.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Uh, I just before we close, I just wanted to say, um, thank you to the Dover Human Relations Commissioners