Michigan City Human Rights Commission approves $770 in gift cards, $200 sponsorship for Black History Month

The Michigan City Human Rights Commission on Feb. 3 voted to sponsor the city’s Black History Month Committee and to allocate $770 in gift cards for contest prizes, actions commissioners said they budgeted and approved by voice vote. "The January balance in the human rights account is $5,159.08," Bonnie reported during the finance update, and commissioners then moved to accept the finance report.

Commissioner Tyra Walker moved to donate $200 to the Black History Month Committee; the motion was seconded and commissioners voted in favor. Later in the meeting Commissioner Albertine Allen "moved that we approve $770 for the black history month contest gift cards and I seconded it," a motion the commission approved by voice vote.

Commissioners discussed logistics for the awards and how the city’s payment process affects timing. Don (staff) and Bonnie described that procurement and disbursement may require board-of-works or controller processing and that gift cards might not be issued until minutes are posted and payment forms processed. Commissioners agreed to have minutes and required paperwork submitted promptly so vendors can be paid before the awards ceremony.

The meeting also included extensive planning for the commission’s annual dinner, including venue options, potential security detail costs (discussed informally at about $55 per hour for police detail), and ticketing or sponsorship strategies. Daryl Borton volunteered to maintain a sales list to reduce service fees if the commission avoids a third-party ticket platform.

The meeting ended with scheduling reminders and community-program updates; commissioners set the next meeting for March 3 and adjourned at 12:54 p.m.