Administrative BriefCITY COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
November 8, 2012
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM GINA MCDONALD
HUMAN RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
The Human Relations Department has been busy teaching diversity training programs in
schools throughout Salina. We have also offered diversity presentations sponsored by CAPS
and the annual Kansas League of Municipalities conference.
We completed implementation of the two HUD Partnership Grants. Staff developed materials
and worked with community partners. Human Relations partnered with the Salina Adult
Education Center by making presentations on fair housing for their GED and English as a
Second Language classes. Materials were made available in both English and Spanish
electronically. Through this grant we received 10 Sed de Saber computerized language-
learning units. We are offering them to families to learn English at their own pace. We will
continue this service after completion of the grant through our department.
The second HUD grant was a partnership with OCCK to get information regarding fair housing
to surrounding counties that currently have no local resources. Materials with an emphasis on
laws concerning people with disabilities, Fair Housing Act, Kansas Landlord Tenant Act and
other forms and materials to agencies in Beloit, Belleville, Abilene, Ellsworth, and Concordia.
Staff has been invited back to do training in Abilene, Concordia and two presentations in Beloit.
Darrin Stineman and Dina Giron are continuing to work on emergency management activities to
aid in communicating in different languages and people with disabilities. They also continue to
provide training on tenant rights and responsibilities to clients at the Ashby House.
Darrin Stineman has been publishing a monthly e-newsletter, maintaining our department’s web
page, writing articles on major topics for the City of Salina’s website, monitoring our Twitter
account and editing news releases that go out from City staff.
The Youth on Board program is up and running. The City of Salina currently has youth
members participating on the Arts and Humanities Commission, Heritage Commission, Human
Relations Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Solid Waste Management
Committee. There are still positions available on the Accessibility Advisory Board, Board of
Zoning Appeals, Building Advisory Board, Heritage Commission, Human Relations Commission,
Solid Waste Management Committee, and Tree Advisory Board. Darrin continues to recruit
from high schools and colleges in town.
Dina was invited to participate in the Kansas Leadership training program with an emphasis on
Faith based organizations. She brought back some very useful materials and information and
there was no charge to us for her participation.
MONDAY’S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot attend
the meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage, City Manager