Commission on Human Rights

CITY OF ALBANY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS MEETING MINUTES CITY HALL 24 EAGLE STREET, ALBANY, NY JANUARY 19, 2023 Opening: The September 15, 2022, meeting was called to order at 6:13pm by Chair Aaron Moore. Present: Aaron Moore Tom Mueller Kate Shelly Celia Evers Valerie Alexander-Moseley Jasmine Higgins (City of Albany) Raisi Mobele (City of Albany) Absent: Natisha Alexander, Rosie Love, Thomas Richards Quorom: Yes Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes: No minutes to approve Business from the Prior Meeting: Update from New Executive Director New Business: Chair Moore started a discussion regarding the Commission on Human Rights annual awards ceremony and whether a planning committee should be formed to discuss this year’s events with the intent of making the event larger. Commissioners Moore, Mueller, and Shelly expressed interest in being on a planning committee. Director Higgins provided an update that the 2023 City of Albany budget includes a stipend of $1,200.00 for each Commissioner on Human Rights, similar to the stipend provided to other members of City of Albany’s boards and commissions. Higgins asked how commissioners would like to receive their stipend disbursement – monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually. Commissioners Mueller, Alexander-Moseley and Chair Moore requested that Director Higgins and Corporation Counsel Mobele gather information about how other City boards and commissions pay-out Commissioners and Board Members. Commissioner Alexander-Moseley expressed some concerns regarding the stipend given some of the attendance challenges the Commission on Human Rights has experienced over the last two years. Commissioner Alexander-Moseley expressed that individuals should not be collecting a stipend amount if they are not attending meetings. Commissioner Alexander-Moseley’s comments regarding the stipend prompted a discussion about the CHR’s bylaws and whether attendance requirements are explicitly delineated in the bylaws or in the CHR chapter of the City Code. Corporation Counsel Raisi Mobele stated he would review the bylaws to determine if any such attendance requirement exists and share that information with the CHR. Additionally, the Commission discussed a potential Commission sponsored Black History Month celebration. Ideas discussed included an African dance tutorial, a skit/presentation of sorts, and finally, a poetry slam. Final comments and questions from Chair Moore and Commissioner Mueller included mention of updating the CHR website and being given access to the CHR social media accounts. No public comments were received before or submitted during the meeting. Adjournment: This meeting was adjourned at 6:52pm. Minutes Submitted by: Jasmine Higgins, Chief Equity Officer Minutes approved on: February 17, 2023