BAAB Minutes 10/23/2017 - Not Signed 1
MINUTES
BLACK AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Board of County Commissioners Chambers
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor,
Naples, FL 34112
October 23, 2017 / 6:00 PM
Members Present
Jennifer Williams
Lis Esquilin
Brandon Cooper
Gary Petitidor
John Paul
Members Absent
Arthur Boyer (Absence excused)
Debra Johnson Hubbard (Absence excused)
Michelle D’Annibale (Absence excused)
Staff Present
Mike Sheffield, Communication & Customer Relations, Director
Maria De Jesus, Community Relations Specialist / Staff Liaison
Colleen Greene, Assistant County Attorney
Public
I. Call to Order & Welcome
Maria De Jesus called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m., a quorum was present. Mike Sheffield
thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for their continuous support and commitment to
the BAAB. Mike Sheffield introduced new board members John Paul. All other board members
introduced themselves. Colleen Greene was invited to give a Sunshine Law presentation. The
presentation covered how to apply the Sunshine Law when interacting with other members of the
board, and Public Records. The presentation lasted the remainder of the meeting concluding at
7:20 p.m.
II. Approval August 19, 2017 meeting minutes
Motion to approve: Brandon Cooper
Motion seconded: John Paul
Motion carries; Unanimously; 5-0
III. Old Business
Mike Sheffield discussed the future of the BAAB and gave a brief synopsis of the August 19, 2017,
meeting to members, where discussion continued if the name and mission of the Black Affairs
Advisory Board should change. No motion was reached at the time. Mike suggested putting the name
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change on hold for a least six months to give new members on board the opportunity to decide if the
name change is something they envision for this board. Brandon Cooper, Gary Petitidor, and Lis
Esquilin commented that waiting six months would be too long and that it would prevent the board
from moving forward. Also, they mentioned that this would not change the existing member's minds.
Jennifer Williams indicated that waiting for the new members to analyze the new vision and mission of
the board would be most appropriate. Brandon Cooper presented a suggestion memo describing an
overview of the boards new mission and vision (see attached). Due to the lack of agreeance within the
board, Mike suggested he would prepare recommendations to be presented to the Board of County
Commissioners. From the four proposals, the board would discuss and chose which recombination
best fit the new mission and vision of the Black Affairs Advisory Board. All members agreed.
IV. New Business (Vote on Chair and Vice Chair)
A motion was made to select following member as Chair:
Brandon Cooper
Motion to approve: Liz Esquilin
Motion seconded: John Paul
Motion carries; Unanimously; 5-0
A motion was made to select following member as Vice Chair:
Lis Esquilin
Motion to approve: Jennifer Williams
Motion seconded: Brandon Cooper
Motion carries; Unanimously; 5-0
V. Vote on removal of Vaughn Young due to lack of attendance
Motion to approve: John Paul
Motion seconded: Brandon Cooper
Motion carries; Unanimously; 5-0
VI. Public Comment
VII. Member/Staff Comments
VIII. Upcoming Meetings
The next meeting will be held November 27, 2017, at the Board of County Commissioners
Chambers at 6:00 p.m.
IX. Adjourn
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 pm.
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Respectfully Submitted: Approved by:
______________________ _____ ____________________________
Maria De Jesus, Brandon Cooper,
Community Relations Specialist Chairman