Commission on Human Rights

CITY OF ALBANY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CITY HALL 24 EAGLE STREET, ALBANY, NY KATHY M. SHEEHAN MAYOR MEETING MINUTES Meeting Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Meeting: 6:00pm Location: Mayor’s Conference Room Meeting Facilitator: Aaron Moore, Chair – Present Invitees: Thomas Mueller, Vice Chair – Present Kate Shelly, Secretary – Present Valerie Alexander-Moseley, Commissioner – Present Natisha Alexander, Commissioner – Absent Richard Conti, Commissioner – Present Celia Evers, Commissioner – Present Rosie Love, Commissioner – Present Kimberly Young Wilkins, Commissioner– Present Ann Marie Salmon, Commissioner of Administrative Services – Present Tatiana Diaz, Director of Human Resources – Present Marissa Tuszynski, Human Resources Information Systems Analyst – Present Raisi Mobele, Assistant Corporation Counsel – Present Jessica Smith, Project Manager – Present • Meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Commissioner Moore. I. Approval of September 28, 2023 Meeting Minutes • Commissioner T. Mueller made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the September 28th CHR meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner R. Love. II. Updates from Commissioner of Administrative Services a. Staffing and Supporting the Commission  • Commissioner Ann Marie Salmon from the Department of Administrative Services provided updates to the CHR on continued administrative support to the Commission. She informed the Commission that a job offer has been made for the Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance Officer position. Administrative Services staff will be a resource and provide support during this transition. Offered assistance with CHR’s upcoming annual event. • Commissioner V. Alexander- Mosely expressed concerns with lack of longevity with City staff that supports the CHR. • Commissioner R. Love commented on the timeliness of equity reports and information being sent to the CHR. Commission not provided enough time to review report and data thoroughly. Commission needs more time to review and provide comment and recommendations. • Commissioner Salmon explained that support staff for the CHR has been expanded in an effort to increase continuity. Administrative Services to propose a timeline for the 2023 equity agenda report. III. Old Business • None reported. IV. New Business a. Equity Agenda Annual Report & Recommendations • Commissioner Mueller noted that Jasmine Higgins asked each member which area of report they wanted to review and asked for written comments/recommendations. Equity Agenda Assignments Street Repairs: Commissioner V. Alexander-Mosely & Commissioner N. Alexander Parks: Commissioner K. Young Wilkins Street Lights: Commissioner V. Alexander-Mosely & Commissioner C. Evers Capital Improvements: Commissioner V. Alexander-Mosely & Commissioner R. Conti Violence Prevention: Commissioner V. Alexander-Mosely & Commissioner T. Mueller Budget: Commissioner N. Alexander & Commissioner K. Shelly • Commissioners provided comments on equity agenda. o Merge Appendix 3 – Parks List and Appendix 4 – Park Amenities together into one document o Include a map of the City and drop a flag where each of the parks are located  o Present data in a way that makes it easier to compare year to year, provide templates to departments o Departments should provide more involved narratives, such as administrative policies and procedures o Discuss how each of the sections address equity and parity throughout the City o Invite departments to CHR meetings to discuss what data is needed and what the context should be o Provide more explanation and context along with the appendices o Present data in a way that allows the reader to be able to see the levels of investments by ward more clearly o Departments should be more transparent about how they measure progress and what goes into prioritization o CHR would like to see information related to health and education, specifics TBD o Include information on budgeted funds and individuals and wards served for Violence Prevention Task Force • Commissioner R. Conti asked if CHR should provide format for submitting data. • Commissioner Salmon proposed adjusting timeline of when equity agenda is submitted to the CHR for review so that Departments are able to present their data and engage in Q & A. • Commissioner Love commented that she reviewed the equity agenda legislation and noticed areas that are not included in the draft report: education, health and service equity. Commissioner Salmon noted it would be helpful to know what data the CHR would like to see in these areas and that the City does not have a public health or education data to report on, but can facilitate those discussions with other government agencies when we are given direction from the CHR. • Commissioner R. Conti recommended presenting equity agenda data by City neighborhoods instead of wards. • Commissioner A. Moore provided a 12/15 deadline for Commissioners to submit written comments and recommendations. b. Establishing 2024 Meeting Calendar • Proposed meeting calendar presented to CHR. Commission agreed to continue meeting the third Thursday of every month. Commission noted they do not meet in July and August. August meeting held to plan for the year. Official meetings to resume September after summer break. V. Updates from Commission on Human Rights Subcommittees Subcommittees: Community, Nonprofit Engagement & Events, Investigation, Communications & Social Media Aaron Moore: all three Sub-Committees  Thomas Mueller: to confirm via email Kate Shelly: Investigations Valerie Alexander: Community/Nonprofit Engagement & Events and Investigations Natisha Alexander: Communications & Social Media Richard Conti: Community, Nonprofit Engagement & Events and Communications & Social Media Celia Evers: Community/Nonprofit Engagement & Events and Investigations Rosie Love: will follow up on sub-committee participation Kimberly Young Wilkins: Investigations & Community/Nonprofit Engagement & Events VI. Public Comment (limited to 5 minutes per person) • None VII. Adjournment Commissioner Love made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:14pm