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: Thursday, February 29, 2024 Meeting Time: 6:00pm Location: Mayor’s Conference Room & YouTube Meeting Facilitator: Aaron Moore, Chair - Present Invitees: Thomas Mueller, Vice Chair - Present Kate Shelly, Secretary - Excused Valerie Alexander-Moseley, Commissioner - Present Natisha Alexander, Commissioner - Present Richard Conti, Commissioner - Present Celia Evers, Commissioner - Present Rosie Love, Commissioner - Absent Kimberly Young Wilkins, Commissioner - Present Ann Marie Salmon, Commissioner of Administrative Services - Present Raisi Mobele, Assistant Corporation Counsel -Present Melanie Woodward, EEO Compliance Officer - Present Bailey Walz, Project Manager - Present Meeting called to order by Chair Moore at 6:03PM I. Approval of January 18, 2024 Minutes  Commissioner Alexander requested that the meeting minutes reflect that she was absent at previous meetings due to missed communication as a result of an incorrect email address.  Chair Moore requested a motion to approve the requested amendment to the 01/18/2024 meeting minutes by the general consent of the Commission on Human Rights (“CHR”). Motion approved by Vice Chair Mueller, seconded by Commissioner Young Wilkins. The CHR voted unanimously to pass the motion. II. 2024 Human Rights Recognition Reception and Forum  Chair Moore verified that in prior years, each Commissioner nominated three City of Albany residents who have demonstrated a commitment to human rights to be recognized at the awards ceremony. The CHR then reviewed all suggestions and voted on award winners prior to the event. 1   Vice Chair Mueller reminded the CHR that Commissioner Conti recommended that this year they solicit public comment for award nominations (similar to the Henry Johnson Award). Then, once the public recommendation period closes the CHR selects honorees from the pool of recommendations.  Commissioner Conti noted that there is not a defined description of the award or what is required for candidacy beyond a focus on community service, activism and education, and there is no specification regarding the eligibility of past award winners. He requested that criteria and language be defined prior to a public call for nominations and recommended that this be addressed by the Community and Non-profit Engagement and Events Committee. Once the criteria is defined it should then be voted upon by the full body. Commissioner Conti offered to draft a definition in advance of the next meeting.  There was discussion regarding the date for this year’s reception. o In 2022 and 2023, the event was held in June, while prior events were held in March or April. There was general consensus that June would be a preferred date to correlate with Juneteenth and Pride month. o There was consensus that the Black Chamber of Commerce would be an ideal location for this year’s event. Vice Chair Mueller offered to contact the venue to determine their availability in June to host an event for at least 75 attendees which will not clash with other public events, Council meetings and graduations. o It was noted that the CHR should actively encourage Common Council members to attend this year’s event.  Commissioner Conti requested that the CHR circulate the list of past recipients prior to the selection process.  Events Committee should meet to begin planning details of the annual reception. III. New Business a) Upcoming Events  March 6 Collaboration event at SUNY downtown campus regarding gun violence reduction, workforce development, etc. More information will be circulated.  March 6, 6:00 pm at the Opalka Gallery - Staged reading of “Taking A Stand”, honoring Shirey Archie’s anti-racism work  March 16, 12:00-3:00 pm at Giffen Memorial Elementary, 274 Pearl St. Albany, NY - Black Family Wellness Expo o This event is free to the public and is sponsored by Albany District Links, Albany Med Health System and will provide free refreshments, a health series, games and activities, a DJ and over $15,000 in giveaways.  March 12, 2:00-4:00pm at Albany Law School & Online – Fair Housing Training for Service Providers & Tenants  June 8 - In Our Own Voices BIPOC Pride Event o Commissioners agree this event may be an opportunity for tabling and community engagement.  June 9 - Capital Pride Event o Commissioners agree this event may be an opportunity for tabling and community engagement. 2   June 15 - African American Cultural Parade  Commissioner Salmon requested that all Commissioners send their upcoming Community Event reminders to Project Manager Bailey Walz to create a calendar.  Commissioners agree that it would be helpful to have T-Shirts, business cards and a tablecloth for events. Project Manager Walz will work with the Commission to create the appropriate collateral.  Commissioner Conti shared a draft brochure and requested Commissioners respond back to him with their feedback prior to the next CHR meeting. Administrative Services can assist with the production and layout of the final brochure once edits are received. b) Commission on Human Rights Bylaws  Assistant Corporation Council Mobele noted that the CHR bylaws were last updated in 2016. He has restructured the bylaws for clarity, added a clause to amend the bylaws and updated language for inclusivity. He will share a word version with the CHR to allow for review and edits. Once edits are complete the CHR can proceed with a vote.  Commissioner Conti reminded the CHR about drafting a resolution to update Commissioner Term expiration dates to the same date on staggered years to eliminate confusion on term lengths and dates. He noted that this change will require a Local Law. o Vice Chair Mueller inquired this update will require a change to the election process for officers outlined in Article 8. o Assistant Corporation Council Mobele advised that he research Commissioner and Officer Terms dates and requirements, and will draft a resolution for review at the next meeting. IV. Discussion  Vice Chair Mueller complimented the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute for their Youth Builders mentorship program.  Commissioner Salmon informed the CHR that the Chief City Auditor will soon publish the Equity Audit Report. This report will likely include some recommendations for the CHR related to the Annual Equity Agenda Report and can be discussed at an upcoming meeting.  Commissioner Salmon informed the CHR that Administrative Services is currently meeting with City of Albany departments to collect data for the 2023 Equity Agenda Report to be presented to the CHR this spring. 3  V. Updates from Commission on Human Rights Subcommittees  Chair Moore reminded the CHR that Subcommittee Chairs must be appointed and requested that Subcommittees meet at least once a month prior to The CHR’s regularly scheduled meeting.  Please send Chair Moore nominations for Subcommittee Chairs to be voted on at an upcoming meeting.  Assistant Corporation Council Mobele informed the Commission that Subcommittees can meet virtually, per Open Meetings Law a) Community and Non-profit Engagement and Events  Commissioner Alexander-Moseley volunteered to Chair Subcommittee and asked if the CHR should table at Tulip Festival. o Commissioner Salmon advised that she can work with Cultural Affairs to have the CHR added as a participant. She also recommended Commissioners email Project Manager Walz with any upcoming events they would like to attend as a body so Administrative Services can create a volunteer calendar. If Commissioners have any photographs of The CHR at events, please share them with Project Manager Walz to include on the website and brochure. b) Investigations  Commissioners Young Wilkins expressed concern that the Subcommittee’s mission is unclear, and they don’t have the appropriate resources and training to act as an investigative body. She requested clarification from Corporation Council on the Commissioners level of authority and their role in processing complaints.  Commissioners requested that Assistant Corporation Council Mobele draft a memo describing the scope, role, and responsibilities of the CHR regarding investigations. This memo will guide Commissioners in deciding whether they would like to remain on this subcommittee c) Communications and Social Media  Vice Chair Mueller volunteered to Chair the Subcommittee. VI. Public Comment (limited to 5 minutes per person)  None VII. Adjournment  Chair Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:02pm. Motion seconded by Commissioner Alexander-Moseley. The CHR voted unanimously to pass the motion. Minutes Approved on: March 21, 2024 4