Human Relations Commission reviews docket process and requires training before members may hear cases
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Summary
Staff briefed commissioners on the commission’s docket types, color-coding, HUD case coordination and the mandatory training requirement that members complete before being selected to hear cases.
Staff briefed the Salina Human Relations Commission at its Sept. 9 meeting on the status and procedures for the commission’s docket and on mandatory training that members must complete before serving on hearing panels.
Community Relations Supervisor Michelle Martin described the docket’s three color-coded case types: blue for employment cases, green for housing cases and a third category for public-accommodation matters. She said one employment inquiry is on hold after a request for delay, several housing cases are pending (with two expected to come before the commission before the next meeting), and a group of cases involving the same individual were elevated and waived to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for investigation under the commission’s agreement with HUD.
Martin explained the commission follows HUD’s docket year and that the local docket is reset on July 1 each year. She said the commission does not publish complainants’ names on the public docket to protect privacy.
On training, staff told commissioners that members must complete a set of training videos and pass related quizzes before they can be selected to hear cases. The commission selects three non-conflicted members to sit on hearing panels; staff said those members must confirm completion of training materials in advance. The commission will provide the training links and materials by email; the staff emphasized that members who have not completed the videos will not be eligible to serve on hearing panels.
Staff also said the annual training will be covered at the commission’s next meeting and in a follow-up study session immediately after that meeting. A make-up in-person training is scheduled for Oct. 14 for members who will be out of town on the primary study-session date.
The briefing included a recognition from commissioners that the newly produced training videos are shorter and more focused than previous iterations.
No formal action on cases was taken at the Sept. 9 meeting; staff will return to the commission as cases move forward.
