2013-06-24 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Council Liaison Reports on Boards and Commissions Ms. Carr had a letter from Mr. Dave Olander and the Human Relations Commission minutes from June 13, 2013, passed out to Council. She noted as the liaison for the Human Relations Commission, she was puzzled as there was a very lengthy discussion about a meeting with the management from Schnucks, not just the management of the local Schnucks. Ms. Carr said all of this took place without bringing it back to the Commission. She said the Commission acts by a majority of the quorum not because one of the commissioners decides that they see something, and then represent themselves as representing the Commission. Ms. Carr noted they must first have the votes for the permission to represent themselves as part of the Commission and that was the problem. She noted that it did not matter to her as to whether Mr. Olander eventually sent an email to the staff liaison and the president of the Commission. The two decided to hold this meeting at which were present: Schnucks Customer Response Specialist and several other representatives from Schnucks; Ellen Bern from the Chamber of Commerce; Elaine Williams, the Human Resource Manager; Kathy McGinnis, the Chair of the Human Relations Commission; and Dave Olander who is also the Chair. Ms. Carr said the rest of the commission did not know anything about it and did not even hear the story to vote on it. It was her understanding the Chair of the Commission could be the only one to represent the position of the Commission. Ms. Carr stated this was a behavior that should not have taken place as it made her quake that they went to Schnucks. She said the City wants Schnucks here and if there was a problem with Schnucks and feel that Schnucks is discriminating against the community; it should have been brought to the Commission first. Ms. Carr noted that maybe it should have been brought to the Council first as would the Council want a commission going off and pinning Schnucks down to something without interacting with the rest of the governing body. She stated she does not go into places saying she is representing the Council of University City. Ms. Carr noted she was not sure why Mr. Olander said “I gave her my card, told her I was a member of the U City Human Relations Commission” but he did not represent the Commission at that point. Ms. Carr stated that Council needed to give clear instructions to the boards and commissions that they must act as a result of a vote of the commission and not have any individuals take matters into their own hands. She noted contacts were made in May, emails went to the staff liaison on June 10 and the commission did not find out about it until June 15, well after the first meeting. Ms. Carr stated they are having another meeting sometime in July without the Commission or the Council having any knowledge of it. Ms. Carr said the Commission needed some guidance. She stated policy is not made at a non-meeting. Two members are not a quorum and decisions cannot be made at a non-meeting. Mr. Crow said this commission came back into existence after a prolonged hiatus and wonder if it would be appropriate for the City Manager or the City Attorney to walk back through with the members of this commission and explain the limitations on their actions. He found it disturbing that any member of our City would go to any business and represent the City in this effort. Mr. Crow said this was a very strong and inappropriate conduct and tended to think this was something that would cause the City Attorney and City Manager to determine some form of approved conduct by commission members. 9