By Liz Moomey

liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The city’s Human Relations Council met Thursday night to discuss final plans for several events scheduled for early 2019, including the Elizabeth Duncan Koontz banquet and the Martin Luther King Jr. parade and breakfast.

Chairman Dennis Rivers asked for volunteers from the council and the community to help set up the MLK parade on Jan. 19. He said organizers are looking for more bands to participate in the parade.

He said volunteers are needed to help with breakdown for the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Jan. 21.

Dora Virginia Wood announced that the Elizabeth Duncan-Koontz banquet will be Feb. 28 at the Salisbury Civic Center. Two humanitarian awards are presented at the banquet.

Lilliana Spears said the city is interested in having a Chit, Chat & Chew session for the Hispanic community.

City Human Relations Manager Anne Little spoke about the formation of the Fair Housing Committee, which will have four members from the Human Relations Council.

“Initially, this group will work to help us as we develop our report for HUD, the analysis of impediment for fair housing,” Little said. “That is one charge of the committee. Moving forward, once that analysis is done, this group will be looked at to start to develop and shape resources and processes and systems for people who have housing needs.”

Applications to be an at-large council member on the Fair Housing Committee are now open. Little said anyone is welcome, especially landlords, tenants and lessees.

The next Human Relations Council meeting is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 17.