Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Diversity & Community Relations Committee met Aug. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ROLL CALL

Present  

Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Councilwoman Jan Quillman and Cesar Guerrero

APPROVAL OF MINUTES  

A motion was made by Councilwoman Jan Quillman, seconded by Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, to approve the Diversity & Community Relations Committee Minutes from September 21, 2020 . The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: Councilwoman Gavin and Councilwoman Quillman 

Abstain: Guerrero 

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS  

This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Committee members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 

None. 

DISCUSS MISSION & VISION STATEMENT  

Ms. Kristi McNichol, Neighborhood Services, gave the Committee some background information about the mission and vision statement. 

Chairwoman Gavin inquired about the template of the counties. Ms. McNichol gave further detail. 

Councilman Guerrero agreed that further discussion will be needed when the Committee has clear purpose of what they are trying to achieve. 

Ms. McNichol suggested maybe the Diversity & Community Relations Committee could be used as a way to get the Council introduced to community organizations and request data from the organizations. 

Councilwoman Gavin suggested the mission and vision statement be worked on in further detail and be brought back to a future meeting for review. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION (DEI) OVERVIEW 

Ms. McNichol introduced Ms. Andrea DeTellis from Prairie State Legal Services, certified DEI Instructor. 

Ms. DeTellis gave a powerpoint presentation and explained in further detail what her work of diversity, equity inclusion is about and how it plays in government. 

Councilman Guerrero explained a few points of what will be very important for the Committee to keep in mind as they start to implement DEI. 

Councilwoman Quillman asked what can be done when they try to include people but they refuse to be included. She gave various examples. Ms. DeTellis gave a few recommendations for that type of situation. 

AABA PRESENTATION  

Mr. Garland Mays, Chairman of AABA, appeared before the Committee and introduced a few of the AABA members and business owners. 

Ms. Carmen Carter, broker/owner w/Carter Realty Group; Mr. Tyrell Hundley, Joliet Kreamers Sneaker Store, downtown Joliet; Mr. DaMarion Evans, CEO of Two Abyss Enterprise; Ms. Kiara Ford, Crown Looks Apparel; and Mr. John Rambo, Attorney in Joliet, all appeared before the Committee. 

Mr. Chris Parker, CEO of AABA, appeared before the Committee and gave a PowerPoint presentation about the African American Business Association. 

Ms. Carmen Carter gave some background information about her real estate company. Ms. Kiara Ford, Crown Looks Apparel, gave background information about her business. Mr. Tyrell Hundley, Joliet Kreamers, gave background information about his business. 

Mr. Mays explained where they see this going in terms of strategic partnership and strategic priorities. 

Councilwoman Quillman thanked all of the veterans present at the meeting. 

NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION  

Councilman Guerrero requested copies of the presentations as well as the diagrams that were used. 

PUBLIC COMMENT  

This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Committee members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 

None.

ADJOURNMENT  

A motion was made by Cesar Guerrero, seconded by Councilwoman Jan Quillman, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: Councilwoman Gavin, Councilwoman Quillman and Guerrero 

https://joliet.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=991162&GUID=4701FCFB-33F3-49F6-B96B-AF2624DB29F1