Anti-Racism Task Force

Name: Anti-Racism Task Force — Middletown, CT
Start: 2024-10-15
End: 2024-10-15
Location: Middletown, CT

Regular Meeting

Middletown, CT · October 15, 2024

Agenda Minutes

Minutes

Anti-Racism Task Force Regular ARTF Meeting Minutes October15th, 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 o Linda Salafia Absent- Pat Alston Absent-Reverend Anderson Quorum: Yes_X___No____ Start Time: 6:14 pm Stop Time 8:11 pm Tuesday October 15th 2024 Anti-racism Taskforce regular meeting. Co-Chair Armstrong Crockett called the meeting to order at 6:14 pm. Acceptance of April 8th minutes-Brian Gartner first Co. Chair Ford second. All agreed. Public Comment: No Public comment. Correspondence and announcements: Maria Scarlett responded, an article regarding GIFTS was included in the packet for the members. Work Groups. There were no updates on the workgroups.  Co. Chair Armstrong Crockett gave an update on Labor Equity and what the Task Force has accomplished so far. 1. Hiring the Recruitment Specialist. 2. More BIPOC hiring. Discussion on moving forward with DEI Recruitment. Progress has been made in the area of labor equity, including hiring a diversity initiatives leader and investing in recruitment portals targeting communities of color. Labor Equity: Sacha Armstrong-Crockett and Councilman Ford will coordinate with Maria Scarlett to schedule a meeting for the labor equity workgroup before the end of October. Criminal Justice: The status of the civilian review board recommendation in criminal justice is pending review by the Mayor. Co. Chair Ford will reach out to the Mayor to inquire about the status of reviewing the Civilian review Board language and he will recommend having a conversation with the Mayor to discuss any further steps. Kirk Hart will be the anchor person for scheduling a meeting for the Criminal Justice workgroup by the end of October. Kirk will also schedule a meeting with Merrick to start working on the Affordable housing plan.  Scholarship Committee: The Q Williams scholarship had low applicant numbers last year and efforts are being made to improve for the next cycle. The committee will schedule a meeting for the Q Williams committee to review the document for the 2025 scholarship. Membership: Discussion on creating a process for selecting new task force members, including considering diversity and experience levels. The process may include submitting an essay and reviewing applications with the Task Force. Submit two questions for the application process to Maria Scarlett for review. Further discussion at the next meeting. Housing: Co. Chair Armstrong Crockett said, the data on black homeownership in Middletown has become unavailable, indicating a worsening racial housing gap. Affordable housing plan for the city was released without feedback from renters, highlighting the need for community input. Recommendation that the Task force work with the director of land use to ensure the affordable housing plan reflects the needs of the community. Community Outreach: Co. Chair Armstrong Crockett said the Jones fund is serving a need in Middletown and the task force should explore ways to expand or create a similar program. Consider utilizing an existing system for allocating funds to the community instead of creating a new one.  Miss Cheryllyn White from the Middletown High (GIFTS) has requested a partnership for her mentoring program, focused on predominantly black girls.  Explore the possibility of applying for grants to fund community improvement projects. Co-Chair Armstrong Crockett discussed creating a process for applying to the Task Force and consider stipends for members.

Agenda

Municipal Building 245 deKoven Drive Middletown, Connecticut 06457 ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE Agenda REGULAR MEETING Meeting will be Virtual only. October 15th, 2024 6:00 P.M. MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 15th, 2024 BEGINNING AT 6:00 PM. THE MEETING WILL BE IN VIA WEBEX ONLY-VIRTUAL ONLY JOIN WEBEX MEETING https://middletownct.webex.com/middletownct/j.php?MTID=mc8a1e595819126748ce191686fd176c6 Meeting number (access code): 2336 293 1487 Meeting password: x56yQvqs2SR TAP TO JOIN FROM A MOBILE DEVICE (ATTENDEES ONLY) +1-408-418-9388,,23362931487## tel:%2B1-408-418-9388,,*01*23362931487%23%23*01* United States Toll If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. Agenda A. Call meeting to order B. Approval of Minutes: April 8th 2024 minutes. C. Public comments D. Correspondence and Announcements E. Work Groups Reports. 1. Labor Equity A. A brief line review of pas recommendation and a discussion on what’s next. 2. Criminal Justice A. A Brief line review of past recommendation and where CRB recommendation is going next. B. Housing Segregation A. Review of data provided, email correspondence with Marek Kozikowski, Director of Land Use and AH action plan B. What is the Jones Fund? How can we provide immediate aid in a similar manner? C. Education Equity A. Discussion on termination of Director of Equity and where that work is now while position is open. B. Q Williams Scholarship C. Introduction to GIFTS (HS Mentoring Program) D. Discuss Dr. Waters as an education consultant. D. Community Building A: Crosswalk-Discussion on creating a contest for a new design for next summer (youth or young adult) F. Old Business A. Membership-Vacancies, discussion on process for applying B. Revisiting stipends for Task Force members G. New Business 1. New Job Description Human Resources Positions 2: Community Calendar events A: Create a community focus group 1: Community engagement and participation B: Review current established events Ex: Schools, Churches, Youth groups, Advocacy groups. … Etc. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. C: Focus group to plan/create event participation 6 months or more in advance following ARTF approval H. Adjournment Attachments Outline of housing data decline Action Plan for affordable Housing Email from Director of Land Use Jones Fund * THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE * If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.

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