Human Rights Commission

City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes for August 18, 2016 Public Safety Training Room Present: Jan Derry, Chair Marlene Robinson, Vice Chair Kristen Cooper Billie Murray David Saville Judith Wilkinson Matthew Miller Dave Bott (Administrative Representative) Tim Hairston (State HRC Liaison) Meeting called to order by Jan Derry, Chair, at 6:30 PM. Jan Derry introduced herself, explaining that she is the Executive Director of the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living. She discussed a passion for activism. She welcomed new members and asked each person present to introduce themselves to the group. Matt Miller introduced himself, discussing his family and noting that he was recently laid-off, but has worked in the oil and gas industry. Dave Bott introduced himself, explaining that he is a not a voting member of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) but more of an adviser. He stated that his role is the Administrative Rep, the function of which is to liaise between the city management and the HRC. He discussed that he has a goal of working with City Council to “add teeth” to the HRC. Billie Murray then introduced herself, noting that she is enrolled as an undergraduate Psychology major at WVU, with plans to attend Law School. Kristen Cooper then introduced herself, noting that she is a publicist and works with the Red Cross. Judith Wilkinson then introduced herself, reporting that she has lived in Morgantown for 10 years, is a licensed professional counselor and is involved with the WVU Women and Gender Studies Visiting Committee. She says that she likes to listen. Tim Hairston then introduced himself, explaining that he is the liaison between this group and the State HRC, of which he has been a member since 2006, and vice chair since 2008. He noted that he has been active with the Morgantown HRC since it was first organized. He works with the Mon-Preston Labor Council. He expressed that his “focus is truly on Human Rights,” saying that whatever he can do to help, he will be glad to do. Dave Saville then introduced himself, reporting that he is from New York state, near Buffalo, where he grew up on a farm. He said that he came to WVU in 1977 and then never left. He said that he has been active in the community, working on such projects as the Cheat Lake Trail and Dog Parks. He supports the WV Land Trust, and describes himself as an environmentalist. He reported that he is employed by the WV Highlands Conservancy, and is a forester but also works a lot on water quality projects. He noted that he spends some time each year working on forestry issues in Kenya. Jan Derry noted that Marlene Robinson will be late, mentioning that Marlene had worked for Consol but now worked with Jan as a Fair Housing Coordinator. The agenda was approved as distributed. Jan Derry explained that the agenda tonight was lighter than normal because she wanted to use the meeting as an orientation for new members. Public Session: There were no public participants attending the meeting. Matt Miller asked about the level of involvement by members of the public in the past. Jan Derry summarized that there has been good participation in events promoted as “public” but that public attendance at meetings of the HRC is rare. Dave Bott suggested that there is a general lack of awareness of the HRC in town. Communications: Jan Derry directed the members’ attention to the distributed Orientation Booklets, and proceeded to discuss each section within the booklet: A. The Annual Report included a priority list which drives goals and agendas. It also included the internal operating procedures of the HRC. It is noted that the HRC is not an “authority,” we can hear complaints but cannot take authoritative action. It is further noted that the State HRC IS an authority and issues can be forwarded to them. Dave Bott described how he can take concerns from the HRC and present them to the City Manager, who may have the ability to act if he or she chooses to do so. Tim Hairston noted that the state HRC encourages everything that can be handled at the local level to be kept there, then described how the state HRC enforces its decisions through action of the Attorney General’s office. B. Jan Derry moved to the section in the booklet which covers the Municipal Equality Standards and the annual ratings of the Human Rights Campaign. Jan Derry noted that a new report on updated information is due to the Human Rights Campaign in just a couple of weeks, and explained that former commissioner Don Spencer had been in charge of handing this project. Jan Derry then explained that Don had moved outside of the city limits and so had to resign as a member of the commission, but that he had expressed a desire to continue on in an informal, volunteer role. Judith Wilkinson made a motion that Don be added to the list of ad hoc members in a volunteer role, and Dave Saville seconded. Dave Bott reported that the City would have no objection to this. Jan asked for a voice vote and declared that the motion passed unanimously. Jan then asked for commissioners to help Don complete the upcoming submission, Matt Miller and Dave Saville volunteered to do so. C. Jan Derry then moved to the section in the booklet describing the HRC’s human rights survey and focus groups. The results of each were discussed, and it is noted that the participation and results were good, but that the HRC’s follow-up was less than ideal. Dave Bott recommends holding new public hearings to renew interest and update results. Jan agrees that it would be good to keep that on the agenda. D. Jan Derry moved to the Human Rights calendar in the booklet, noting that it may need updated. Dave Saville recommends submitting it to the CVB for addition to their public calendar. E. Jan Derry noted the page in the booklet which includes the meeting schedule for the HRC. A Video was shown: entitled “The Story of Human Rights,” it was a short historical summary of the evolution of and fight for what are now called Human Rights. The Commission members discussed why Morgantown hasn’t had more Human Rights problems. It was suggested that the black community in town now interacts a lot with black students and that the University brings in a lot of diversity to the community. There was a discussion of whether Morgantown is a segregated community, both in terms of race and class. It was also discussed that there is a separation between University students and the community. Reference was also made to the research titled “Black, White and Green” relevant to this topic. It was asserted that some credit for a lack of problems like are being seen elsewhere should be given to the local Police. It was suggested that, from a student’s perspective, there does not appear to be segregation or related problems on campus. Members discussed how there is a generational divide over racial issues, including some personal and historical examples, including the historical role that coal played in fomenting racial distrust. Parking passes were distributed to commissioners. New Business: Jan Derry discussed the HRC’s goal of doing something to recognize Human Rights Day, including honoring some person or entity from the community for work done on the human rights front. Jan reported that this will be December 10, 2016. Dave Saville volunteered to help. Jan Derry called for elections of new officers for the HRC. Jan Derry is nominated to serve as Chair, Marlene Robinson is nominated to serve as Vice Chair, and Matt Miller is nominated to serve as Secretary. The commissioners approved all three nominations by acclamation. Jan Derry asked if there are any objections to continuing to meet on the third Thursday of each month, and heard none. The meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Matt Miller, Secretary