Anti-Racism Task Force

Anti-Racism Task Force Regular ARTF Meeting Minutes April 8th 2024 Attendance o Kirk Hart o Darnell Ford-Co Chair o Michelle Clay o Brian Gartner o Colleen Alleyne o Sacha Armstrong Crockett o Sam Rival o Dr. Lee Morgan o Ahmad Daniels Absent- Pat Alston Absent-Reverend Anderson Absent –Josh Cotton Absent-Linda Salafia Quorum: Yes_X___No____ Start Time: 6:20 pm Stop Time: 8:00pm Call to Order: Co-Chair Darnell Ford called the meeting to order at: 6:20 pm Monday April 8th 2024 Anti-racism Taskforce, Co-Chair Ford called the meeting to order at 6:20 pm. Public Comment: No Public comment. Old Business: Q. Williams Scholarship update. Co. Chair Crockett said the Scholarship essay questions and flyer were sent off the Middletown High schools. Maria Scarlett confirmed that the information was also emailed to Vinal Tech. and to Xavier. One essay has already been submitted for review. Black Lives Matter Crosswalk: The plan is still in place to complete the crosswalk for the Juneteenth celebration. Member Clay said she had a conversation Ujima Alliance Erica Hunter regarding including the Crosswalk in the Juneteenth celebration. Rev. Cotton is also going to follow up. Miller Bridge Community Farm. Purpose lease is currently going through the various committee. Economic Development plans to present at the May Common council meeting. Co. Chair Ford believes this will be a great space. Member Gaunter was not yet in attendance to comment on the Miller Bridge Community Farm. Housing Segregation April is Fair Housing Month. Co-chair Crockett, thought the April meeting will be a good time to discuss affordable housing. Affordable housing is a racial matter. The majority of renters are people of color. The City of Middletown is not meeting the demographics that is needed. She said the Affordable Housing plan went out to home owners in Middletown and not renters. Co. Chair Crockett passed out the Affordable Housing Plan. She said they will be reviewing the Affordable Housing Plan so they can make recommendation or plan the Task Force objective in the Housing Segregation theme. The members asked what the definition of Affordable housing is. They discussed how unaffordable, “affordable” housing may be. Member Krik Hart brought up the statistics on minimum wage, he discussed the overall income and how much rent “labeled as “affordable” may be in term of CT minimum wages. He referenced a 40 hour work week, an account one third of the overall housing, you will end up getting around 850.0 Co. Chair Crockett said a large population of resident of color are “Housing Cost burdened” she said they are spending more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. The suggestion was made by the members to have the report redone by an independent company. MOTION to adjourn made by Member Morgan. Second motion made by Michelle Clay. The Motion passed unanimously