This meeting is being transcribed and summarized.

She's ready.

Good morning and welcome to the Human Relations Commission's monthly meeting.

Today is May 27th, Wednesday 2026.

We're calling our meeting to order.

Are there any agenda requests at this time?

There being none.

We do roll call.

Regina Robinson Ungar.

Marjorie Cabell.

Ruby McGlell.

Ellie.

I was waiting to see if there was somebody else over there.

Um Elisina Martin.

You guys look tiny on my screen.

Donovan.

Samantha?

Sorry.

I spoke.

Okay.

She can see this there.

Donovan.

Can you put it in the chat?

But oh, you put in the chat.

He did put it in the chat earlier.

He might be in a place that's too much of it.

Okay.

Thanks.

They should take their cameras.

Okay.

Well, it appears that we do have a quorum at this time.

So we'll have uh approval of the minutes for April.

Motion to approve the minutes.

I'd like to just add a correction to the minutes of the one page.

As far as um the chairperson calling the meeting to order.

So I'm not sure who that person was.

Okay, which was Dan Crowwell.

Are there any other corrections to the minutes?

We have a motion on the floor by Regina.

Accept the minutes.

Can we get a second?

Second.

Second by uh Commissioner Cabell.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

There being none.

Motion carried.

Okay, under new business.

Director will bring us up to date.

Okay.

Um, I think I did report on the annual dinner and our speaker.

Uh and um it the contract is currently with the BPW.

And uh, I don't know when it will actually get uh get be voted on.

Uh we did have uh just a firm offer that went before BPW.

We had to start there, but then once the firm offer was approved, then we got the contract.

So uh then the contract had to be approved by BPW.

So it's it's a process.

We first have to get like a form that we call a CAF, that has to be completed, it's sent to finance, then finance sends it to purchasing, and then purchasing sends it to legal.

I guess do I have that right?

And then legal sends it to the Board of Public Works.

So that's sort of what's holding things up, but Reverend Barber did accept our date for October the second, Friday, October the 2nd.

So that is what is being presented to BPW.

Just one issue.

We were going to be all of our events have been held in the ballroom.

We were informed that another group is having an event that morning in the ballroom.

So we are now going to be in the exhibit hall.

So you know, we've been in the exhibit hall before.

You all may not remember, but I'm sure Chairperson McLean remembers when we had Cornell West, which was many years ago, and we had maybe almost seven or eight hundred people.

We were in the ballroom, I'm sorry, in the exhibit hall.

So I don't know.

It it is I guess we'll have uh a lot of room to grow.

What she did say is that she was going to put up pipe and drapes so that it wouldn't look so large, but it is what it is, and that's where we'll be this year is in the exhibit hall, and that was October the 2nd.

Yes.

I have been you know speaking with the um the speaker's bureau in regards to the logistics, you know, how Reverend Barber will be get here, if he will fly directly into Evansville or how he will do that.

So we're just waiting on finalization of the logistics.

Um so that's that's pretty much the update for the annual annual dinner, unless uh there are questions, personal.

Yeah, okay.

Commissioner Phipps, could you please come off mute, please?

We just want to make sure that you're on.

Commissioner Phipps, could you please come off mute?

Okay.

Um you want me just to go on?

Yes.

Okay.

So the next item on the agenda is the police community relations.

Um I did have a conversation with Bill Smith, and uh we talked about bringing in the RAN Corporation to do the convening, but uh apparently they don't have the funds to do it, so that would leave our agency to pay the entire amount of that, which is uh you know, considerable amount of money.

Uh so that's sort of we're somewhat at an impasse with that.

Um, you know, I just don't know that we're able to do that.

Uh you know, all of that, that the cost of that.

The other option, of course, would be to, you know, do we want to go to city council and request it or something like that?

But just wanted to make you aware of that.

I don't know that we'll be doing that.

Uh I don't know if there are funds available for that, but I do know that we ideally we would have uh support from both of the the department budgets to support that, and we don't um have a uh apparently there are no funds available.

So that's um where we are with that.

Um in terms of the strategic plan uh contract with Tad Dickle, um it is also uh in the pipeline uh going to BPW.

Um so uh Tad, he just actually emailed me today, just checking on things.

We met, but it looks like things are being pushed back.

We uh it had not gone as far uh through the pipeline as we thought when we checked on it Monday, but I think it's moving along now.

So again, we're just waiting for that to be approved, and we'll probably have to um revise our dates when Tad uh and I spoke.

Uh we thought that we would be able to get started at the end of June with HRC at least, and then look at uh I think Social Status Commission next in in July.

So just depending on when we get the contract approved at BPW will determine when we start meeting.

So again, we have 11 members to try and uh you know make sure that you can be involved in the process.

So uh we'll probably resort to uh some type of a survey on dates so that we can get the majority of the people there to participate in the sessions.

Any questions about that?

Thinking about calendars again.

Very, very busy quickly.

Um, do you have any idea when you know, as we're trying to save time and space, are we thinking there'd be some weekend sessions like on a Saturday, or are we thinking evenings, or any ideas what that might look like?

Because I can start kind of carving some out for participation.

I do know that Tad did block off June the 24th, uh, which I do believe is our um actual meeting next meeting date as we we discussed actually holding them on a time that you had already perhaps blocked off to meet.

So we do know that June 14th is a possibility and I would think that we would have that contract approved by then.

So that is a possibility.

The next date he has blocked off for this is July the 22nd.

So if we don't make the June 24th date, we could possibly pivot to July.

But we can do a survey and provide you with those dates, and again, we will we may not be able to ever get everyone, but I think you know, if we can get the majority, we'll have to go with that, and I'll ask for alternate dates, and you know, I think if we could have maybe a couple of dates in a month, uh that might be better, but again, he based this on when our normal meeting dates would be.

Yeah, I had one other logistical questions.

Are we thinking these will be in face set in face-to-face sessions or is will there be remote opportunities like today?

So we had not talked about that, but he has some suggestions on where we can hold them.

Um I don't know that it's been confirmed, but he does have a location for us to meet and I will ask him about virtual options.

Thanks for bringing that up.

Diane.

Diane.

Yes, yes.

Hey, listen, said I'm on the phone.

I just chiming in quickly.

Um I have been to sessions like this with Tad.

Um for a couple different boards that I've been on.

And um I will say both both times he much uh preferred and suggested in person.

There's a lot of hands-on activities, and uh uh I'm not saying he won't allow for a virtual, but uh that was certainly his preference.

Got it.

In my experience.

Thanks for sharing that.

And I will say this too.

It was really impressed with him both times.

I actually wanted to say that when you first brought him up at a prior meeting, but anyway, so I think everyone will be very pleased.

Okay, thank you for that.

Are there any other updates or I can do them in the director's report, I guess.

I'll let him go ahead.

The barbershop thing initially.

Oh, yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

You I can talk about that.

Okay.

I'll let Ted give his report first.

Oh uh well really nothing to report, Diane.

I I um, as you know, I had a had a meeting scheduled with sta investigative staff uh yesterday, but I had to reschedule sort of last minute because I had a conflict arise, but we've been emailing this morning and and uh looks like we're gonna be rescheduling for either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

I think we're just waiting to hear back from Shavrack on his availability, and then um then I will have more to report at the at the next meeting.

But there I I do have about seven or eight matters, about two or three for each, uh Lucas, Jamola and Shadrach that are in various stages of trying to get people to respond and moving on with subpoena, etc.

But um I have hopes to meet with them in advance of this meeting.

I apologize for that.

Okay, okay, well, thank you for that.

We'll go ahead with the director's report at this time.

Okay, you have my report, but um before I do that, I just wanted to um make you aware that we did participate um in Haitian Flag Day.

Um that was uh my first time attending the event.

Um it was really a very nice celebration.

We were able to get um our outreach materials uh translated uh to Haitian Creole.

Um and uh we were able to get also uh information from the EEOC that we could just easily uh you know it it's translated if we select that as an option.

So we had uh two resource materials that we were able to share, I think maybe even three.

We had our um our brochure uh uh translated as well.

So uh again that was uh quite a feat having to take all this through the the um BPW process as well, but we were able to get it done in time.

Um the chair did ask me to just talk about uh the barbershop health initiative.

You may recall that the Evansville Commission on the Social Status of African American males um did uh convene this initiative and with our support.

Um and the Indiana Civil Rights Commission uh no longer uh coordinates the statewide initiative.

So uh we did engage um with the community action program of Evansville.

They do have a minority health coordinator uh and spoke to her about uh, you know, sort of handing this program over to them to uh you know make sure that it it's uh you know continues to happen in the community, uh and they are going to do that.

So they're uh they're going to hold it on June the thirteenth at some local barbershops, and um we have told them that we have um you know a lot of materials, equipment if they need, and they're actually coming over today to pick up all of that stuff that that we uh are going to give to them.

Uh so um I think um it's a a good uh place to to house that program, and just really appreciative of uh you know their leadership and taking up they've been involved with the initiative with us since the very beginning.

Uh some of our our planning meetings were held there back in 2011, I think it was.

Uh so they were one of the the you know the agencies that were involved from the very beginning.

So uh we felt like it was pretty uh a a natural fit for them to take it over.

Uh and so she and uh Sabrina and uh uh Ms.

Payne uh will be coming over and looking at what items they may need for that initiative and we're of course going to continue to support them in whatever ways we can um also wanted to just give you a heads up of the Iora conference the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies, just bringing that to your attention because I am actually uh filling in again as the chairperson.

This was not supposed to be my job this year, but it turns out that I am doing that again this year.

So would love for you all to uh participate and come if you can.

Uh so we'll be in New Orleans this year.

Um I know interesting place to be, but you know, we we are going to be in New Orleans August the 16th through the 20th.

And uh would love to have some commissioners participate.

Uh Chair, we did miss um new business, yes.

So, yeah.

I don't know.

I don't know if you want to go back to that.

Yes, or you want me to finish my report.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, um, just go through my monthly report here, and you can see that we did have nine cases filed.

Uh we did transfer three of them.

So there were six new cases uh that we did add to our caseload.

Um we were really April was a month that we were just busy with the fair housing summit.

So uh there was only one case closed, and it was a no probable cause and just a um a synopsis of you know activity of the month there for you, uh the budget meeting the city budget meeting attended that and um I am uh serving on the Habitat Board of Directors, so we had that meeting and just some other activities that just want to let you know uh that we are busy doing.

So that's really the activity again, not a whole lot of cases closed in April.

Uh it was all hands on deck for the Fair Housing Summit, which was on April the 16th.

Um I think we had a great uh event, and um again, uh hope if you weren't able to attend, we do have some materials that I think that we can share with you uh that were provided by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana.

So uh if you come to the meeting, I didn't bring them today, but I believe I've already given everyone here a copy of it.

Um did I give you that, Regina?

But I can run down and get it that fair housing, you know.

I think you gave us something last month.

Yeah, it was a long yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yes.

Okay.

I did receive it.

Okay.

So I I I know I've given the chair one, I'll make sure Marjorie gets one.

Um I've been meaning to ask her to email it to me, but uh it does provide some really interesting data on home ownership rates in Evansville.

That's good.

And um that's really I think all that I have.

Oh, do want to inform you that we will have a new employee that will be joining us on uh the first of June in June.

Um she is a graduate of USI, um, a really uh very interesting young woman, uh double major, polyci philosophy, 4.0 GPA, and she's a delight.

So we are we're happy to have her uh and she is going to help us with education and outreach, uh going out into the community, meeting with folks, uh, and just really we think is going to be a great asset to the community.

Um so we have um this is we tried last year to uh get someone higher.

We weren't able to do it last year, but uh we're successful this year.

When did she start again?

Um I believe it's going to be June the 8th, is that June 8th?

That's all I have.

Oh, okay.

Um so I did submit the application for us to walk in the pride parade um on Saturday, June the 6th.

And um I did I made the deadline, so yay.

Um so just wanted to let you all know that um we've been notified and we are able to be in the parade.

We had the banner from last year.

So I guess we just need to know who is going to be available.

And I didn't have a whole lot of information on times.

I don't know, Samantha, if you can provide an update on that.

I have less information than I'd like, but the parade does off at noon, and I believe that the lineup for walkers is I want to say eleven, but of course, I'm gonna open it now.

Isn't gonna open because I because that would be too convenient.

But um the parade does step off at noon, and I the lineup will be in downtown Evansville.

Okay.

Um I guess we'll get that information.

I've only received one email, but it didn't really have um real specific information.

If it's in the um I don't have tons of information and I I think it was still being worked out, that is I can tell you age kicks off, but the parade's a little outside my purview.

But I do know that the parade starts at noon.

Um, and if it's just walkers, you um will not need to be there until pretty shortly before they actually don't want people there too early because it clogs up with people.

So you will definitely get another email, hopefully within the next day or so.

Okay.

How far was it?

Oh, so I don't know.

I think it's just down Main Street.

It's not a real long parade.

It's not long.

It goes up to second street.

Oh, okay.

So we'll be emailing you asking about um, you know, your participation, and hopefully commissioners will be able to participate.

Uh we'll invite some of our other advisory board members as well, just to hopefully have enough people to hold the banner anyway.

Yeah, I may be able to, but my plans have adjusted a little and okay.

That's all I have.

Are there any other open discussions on community issues or concerns that anybody has?

I have maybe an informational item because I think as we get closer to June and July, um, I don't know if folks are um keeping this in the radar, but um Senate Bill 76 that became law March of this year is of concern for the immigrant community, it's a new law now in Indiana that strengthen collaboration between public entities, so K-12 schools, universities, law enforcement, etc., with immigration enforcement groups.

Um so whereas before perhaps our sheriff's department have not voluntarily agreed to be part of a specific agreement like the 287G agreements with ICE, um this state law opens up some new opportunities for um immigration enforcement to come to um organizations, entities that are directly under the state.

Um there's great concern in the K 12 public school system about what that could mean and how it may bypass typical legislation that has held student information more confidential to a certain degree from um external groups such as FERPA.

Um I don't have a quick explainer yet about what potential issues we could expect as implementation of this law becomes effective July 1st, but there are groups like ACLU Indiana that are working on creating uh explainers and I would say community facing documents that would share hey, here are the things we might be expecting, etc.

And I will share those once they're available.

I asked about them at the Indiana Immigration Network meeting about two weeks ago.

I am concerned for our region that this kind of immigration enforcement we haven't seen before, could be you know coming our way in different ways than what we have seen so far.

And I know that parents and community members are concerned and afraid about what that could look like in the future.

So again, a lot of uncertainty, a lot of unknowns.

I could see a taste of Haiti and other community events.

People are not out and about as much, perhaps as in previous years because of issues like this and other pending decisions.

So just something to keep in mind.

That I'm looking for opportunities to discuss with law enforcement leaders, etc.

What are some ways that we could highlight constitutional rights for all persons as a counterpoint to potential training and other um directives that will be coming to local law enforcement related to Senate Bill 76 implementation?

So I don't know that I have found a way yet to make that happen.

I know our local leaders are committed to supporting the immigrant community, but I know from the immigrant community itself, there's a lot of hesitation about interactions with individual law enforcement and what that could feel like.

I also know we have now lots of families who have had um members detained for different reasons.

Sometimes it just takes an accusation of shoplifting or being stopped while driving a car, an accusation of having certain substances in your blood that maybe look like you were driving erratically, not complete proof, not going through the due process cycle, but just the accusation, arrest, then ice hold, and then people are now in detention having to plead their case from Kentucky and other places.

Um leverage our local law enforcement to support constitutional rights for people, um, that people are given their due process, etc.

will become that much more important starting July 1st once we have state laws leaning the other direction.

Well, thank you for that information as well.

Are there any other commissioners' remarks?

They're being done.

Motion to adjourn.

Adjourn.

Second.

So the motion and second that we adjourn the meeting so move.

Okay, just you know, have we just look out for dates um for our strategic planning session?

Um, we'll we'll get on that.