Thread by @JenniferConn9

Hi, I covered Akron Civil Rights Commission for #AkronDocumenters @SignalAkron

Commission members are:
Ellen Lander Nischt, chair
GinaKaye Maddox, vice chair
Jane-Lore Gambrell
Dr. Sheldon B. Wrice
Bruce Alexander 
Casey Miller (absent)

Kristin Smith and John Skakun from Akron’s law department also were in attendance.

The Civil Rights Commission is appointed by Mayor Shammas Malik and approved by City Council. The commission was created to investigate and mediate complaints to give Akronites the opportunity to resolve discrimination issues locally.

Today’s agenda:

Meeting started at 4:06
Minutes were approved and on to old business. The commission discussed the status of each agenda item under old business.

Item 23ACRC – 1 is a source of income/ housing complaint against West Group, Dominion Townhomes. Nischt said conciliation is being scheduled.

23ACRC – 2 & 3, source of income/housing are still under investigation, Nischt said. Hurston Properties is the respondent in case 2 and Jeff Dylan, Remax crossroads is the respondent in case 3.

23ACRC-4, is a source of income/ housing complaint. Nischt said a conciliation session and 6 calls with the parties has brought no resolution.

The commission set a hearing date for Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.

23ACRC-5, is a source of income/housing complaint against Larkin Street homes, Divvy Homebuyer. Alexander said he has spoken to the complainant and respondent who have agreed to a conciliation session via zoom, as the respondent is in California.

23ACRC-6, is a source of income/housing case, naming Akron Quality Properties. Gambrell said a zoom conciliation is scheduled for Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.

23ACRC-9 is a race (Crown Act)/employment case against VanDevere Chevrolet. A hearing date is scheduled for Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Akron passed the CROWN Act in late 2020. CROWN stands for, “Creating a respectful and open world for natural hair.”The act prohibits race-based discrimination based on natural hairstyle and texture at work and in schools.

Nischt appointed commissioners Gambrell, Wright and Alexander as the hearing panel. Nischt expressed concern about the length of time the hearing could run based on numbers of witnesses and length of time witnesses could speak.

Commissioners agreed more conversation would be needed to establish those constraints if any.

Next was 24ACRC-1, a disability/race/source of income/housing case against David & Norma Jean Ridenhour. Nischt said investigation is ongoing.

24ACRC-3 is a disability/public accommodation case naming Portage Path Behavioral Health, for which there is also no change in the case.

The final case under old business, 24ACRC-5, concerning race and employment names Summa‘s Home Infusion.

Nischt said initially Maddox was assigned to the case, but because of a conflict of interest, Nischt asked for a volunteer to assume the case. Gambrell took the reassignment.

Moving to Commission Process & Procedures, Nischt said the commission presented to City Council’s Rules Committee Monday regarding the need for resources, including updated printed materials.

Nischt said since the commission was created, city administration has changed and new laws passed impacting the commission’s work. The group also discussed presenting at ward meetings to help the community understand its work.

Commissioners then discussed upcoming training, Fundamentals of Mediation, set for Dec 3-5. All members said they plan to attend.

Under new business, 24ACRC – 6 is a case naming the city as the respondent. The complaint involves the lack of an interpreter for the hearing impaired during a recent press conference.

Nischt said the commission has no jurisdiction to address that issue and said she would respond to the complainant to explain that.

With no further discussion needed, Nischt adjourned meeting at 4:36 p.m.