The Human Relations Committee set a target date and location for a community conversation on homelessness and housing: Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the public library. Committee members said the earlier start time (5:30 p.m.) is intended to improve transportation access for attendees.

Committee members discussed aligning timing with existing national or local observances but agreed to proceed with a Nov. 6 session and to frame the conversation using the term "homelessness." The committee discussed pros and cons of alternate phrasing ("unhoused" vs. "homelessness") and said for the event they would list the topic as "homelessness" on outreach materials to match existing partner language.

A three-person subcommittee (Katie, Joan and Marabella) was asked to meet before the committee's next meeting to draft invitations, identify potential panelists and prepare a press/letter template. Members said they typically aim for five panelists with backups and expected to produce a roster of primary and backup speakers for committee approval.

Logistics discussed included a library booking (staff reported the library room was available for Nov. 6), decisions about whether to stream the event, and where to hold panelists (panel seated on dais vs. neutral floor seating); members favored the library as a neutral, accessible site and noted the library's media/streaming capability as a deciding factor.

Committee members recommended outreach to community coalitions and existing service providers to identify panelists and suggested making the invitation letters explicit about the event purpose and expectations for panelists. The committee discussed connecting with the homelessness coalition and other community partners and asked staff to share the committee's list of community contacts to aid invitations.

No formal policy was adopted at the meeting. The actions taken were procedural and preparatory: booking the library for Nov. 6, creating a subcommittee to vet and invite panelists, and drafting outreach materials. The subcommittee will return with proposed panelists for full-committee approval.