Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission Minutes Meeting #21 Wednesday, April 26, 2023 / 6-7PM ACC Gov Planning Department (120 W Dougherty St, Athens, GA 30601) ACCGov Staff in Attendance: 1. Niki Jones (he/him) - Assistant Manager, Manager’s Office 2. Dr. Remy Epps (she/her) - Inclusion Officer, Inclusion Office 3. Gino Cyrus (he/him) - Marketing & Outreach Analyst, Inclusion Office 4. Cameron McGlothen (he/him) – Equity and Engagement, Inclusion Office AJMP Members in attendance: 1. Julita Sanders (she/her) 2. Brandon Baker (he/him) 3. Jayivey Brown (she/they) 4. Tucker Duval (he/him) 5. Cameron Jay Harrelson (he/him) 6. Ke’Marcis Howard (he/him) 7. Sharon McDaniel-Miller (she/her) 8. Myung Cogan (she/her) Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com  9. Ed Moore (he/him) 10. Callie Moore (she/her) 11. Danielle Gillmer (she/her) 12. Alejandra Villegas Lopez (she/her) 13. Darius Binion (he/him) 14. Tameka Curry (she/her) 15. Kathleen “Megan” Westbrook (she/her) Non-Members who were in attendance: 1. Nneka Omama (attended with Callie Moore) Minutes • The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Sanders at 6:00 p.m. • Chair moved to amend tonight’s agenda. Chair’s amendment is to have subcommittee updates under Old Business and an announcement under New Business. Cameron Jay seconded. All were in favor. The motion approved. • Tameka made a motion to approve the March 22nd, April 4th and April 19th HRC minutes. Ke’Marcis seconded. All were in favor. The motion approved. • Chair provided her update in regards to community input for Juneteenth. Chair said she received a call from the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, who requested to have a table at the 2023 Hot Corner event inside of the Human Relations Juneteenth event. Chair Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com said that the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints plan to provide free genealogy at their table. Chair said the Community Outreach subcommittee could vote on whether they want to do this or not. Chair said she got input from Athens Area Black History organization. Chair stated that the Athens Area Black History organization wanted to know if the HRC or Inclusion Office would provide funding for a sound system, photographer, food, vendors, and prizes for the Black History Bowl. Chair advised Athens Area Black History organization to apply for the RFP. • Chair stated that Broderick Flanigan’s organization would like to host their event inside of the Rolling Ridge community. Chair said Broderick Flanigan’s organization will be applying for the RFP. • Dr. Epps went over the Juneteenth RFP document shared. Dr. Epps asked the body to go over the scope and services of this Juneteenth RFP. • Cameron Jay asked if marketing would fall on the organization or person applying. Dr. Epps replied that it is the organization’s or individual’s responsibility to do the core of the marketing. • Dr. Epps provided an update for the following standing events: Pride and Juneteenth • Chair requested for each subcommittee to provide an update. • Brandon spoke on behalf of the Unlawful Discrimination subcommittee. Brandon said the Unlawful Discrimination subcommittee is currently looking at the process of making a Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com report. Brandon also said that the Unlawful Discrimination subcommittee is thinking of ways to simplify the process of making a report. Brandon mentioned how it is a rule for a notary to sign any submitted discrimination complaint. • Chair recommended that a list of notaries should eventually be posted on the ACC Gov website. • Cameron Jay mentioned that a commissioner came up with an idea that the Unlawful Discrimination subcommittee could try to implement. The idea is to put kiosks Downtown throughout Athens where complaints can be filed. • Cameron Jay provided the update that the 4-19-23 Recommendation Policy meeting was preempted by the 4-19-23 Special Called meeting. • Chair provided an update for the Community Outreach subcommittee. Chair stated that this subcommittee is reviewing ideas for SWAG. The Community Outreach subcommittee is also still waiting on the agenda from Mr. Fred Smith for the Morton Theatre event. • Myung shared a draft of a HRC flyer/informative document. Myung said she’ll email this to the entire body. • Dr. Epps mentioned that all print materials need to be brought to staff in two weeks. Dr. Epps stated that any SWAG items with branding needs to be provided as soon as possible. • Dr. Epps said an official vote by the entire body has to be made regarding all HRC items. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Cameron Jay asked if SWAG ideas are initiated by the body or ACC Gov staff. Dr. Epps responded that is the HRC’s responsibility to come up with SWAG ideas. • Dr. Epps said that the HRC has to agree upon the details for the RFP tonight. Dr. Epps stated that the Juneteenth RFP will close on May 8th. Dr. Epps said a Special Called Meeting needs to take place, where RFPs are reviewed and approved. Staff will make recommendations at this Special Called Meeting (May 11th). • Ed moved to go forward with the Juneteenth RFP. Tucker seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed. • Cameron Jay asked where the Juneteenth RFP will be accessible. Dr. Epps said it’s sitting in procurement currently. Dr. Epps said once the Juneteenth RFP is approved it will be posted on the state procurement and ACC Gov website. Niki said the Juneteenth RFP will be sent out to the neighborhood leaders. The link will be sent out to the HRC. • To avoid having to deal with this last minute again, Dr. Epps said a discussion needs to be had soon about preparing for Juneteenth next year. • Megan asked if Juneteenth preparation is being mandated upon the HRC for next year. Sharon said that the Juneteenth preparation did indeed sound like a mandate. Dr. Epps said in the HRC work plan that Juneteenth would fall under the community outreach and engagement category. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Dr. Epps advised the body to actively listen to the community’s wants for community outreach and engagement. Dr. Epps said that info can eventually be provided back to Mayor and Commission. • Niki interjected that there is not a mandate of Juneteenth for HRC. Niki said if the HRC does not see a role in facilitating Juneteenth coordination then the HRC doesn’t have to mandate Juneteenth. • Alejandra asked if the work plan could be reviewed with staff. Alejandra said that this would provide staff the opportunity to provide insight on what they believe fits their work plan. Dr. Epps responded yes, but it is ultimately up to the HRC. • Ed summarized why Juneteenth is an opportunity for HRC to take lead. • Chair stated that the scope of the HRC is in the process of being defined by the HRC. Chair believes that the HRC shouldn’t have been handed the task of Juneteenth at the very last minute. Chair believes the HRC had a different idea in mind in regards to community outreach. • Dr. Epps said the Inclusion Office cannot make decisions on behalf of the HRC. Dr. Epps said the Inclusion Office can provide resources to the HRC. Dr. Epps reminded the body that they are an advisory group. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Cameron Jay asked if it was under the HRC’s scope to form a Juneteenth planning committee that is made up of community members that serve on the HRC. Niki responded yes. • Chair recommended that a list be made of participants in Juneteenth, which included a list of Juneteenth participants from last year. Dr. Epps asked who on the HRC has started that list. Chair said that this list can eventually be created. • Danielle asked if the HRC has a share drive. Dr. Epps said everyone needs to make sure everyone is using their ACC Gov email before the body utilizes a share drive. • Tameka asked if a SharePoint could be set up for the HRC. Dr. Epps responded yes. • Alejandra asked if the body could eventually hear directly from the community. Dr. Epps responded yes, while providing examples such as focus groups and listening sessions. • Cameron Jay asked if the Inclusion Office had the collective data in regards to these types of issues. Niki responded that the Inclusion Office has only listened to only specific topics. • Cameron Jay asked if subcommittees could meet at full HRC meetings. Niki responded yes. • Megan mentioned how she worked on needs assessments with former Inclusion Officer Krystal Cobran. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com • Niki asked about which needs assessments have already been conducted. Chair responded Envision Athens. Megan also mentioned Athens Well Being Project, Family Connection, and School of Social Work. • Cameron Jay asked how the HRC can access those needs assessments. Megan responded that the needs assessment information is online. • Dr. Epps announced that the Data & Policy Coordinator will be hired soon. Dr. Epps stated that the incoming Data & Policy Coordinator can help with obtaining needs assessment. Niki stated that staff can provide copies of those assessments. • Chair made an announcement that she is resigning from her Chair position. Chair mentioned that the by-laws state that the Vice Chair will now become Chair. Tameka is now Chair. • Dr. Epps stated that an election of Vice Chair needs to take place. Cameron Jay said the vote should take place today. • Ed nominated Cameron Jay for Vice Chair. • Chair asked who would like to be Vice Chair. Darius volunteered to be Vice Chair. • Due to majority vote, Cameron Jay was voted on as Vice Chair. • A general consensus was made to adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com  Inclusion Office THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA P. O. Box 1868 ∙ Athens, Georgia 30603 (706) 613-3015 ∙ Email: inclusionoffice@accgov.com www.accgov.com