Human Rights Commission

City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2016 Public Safety Training Room Present: Jan Derry, Chair Marlene Robinson, Vice Chair Kristen Cooper David Saville Judith Wilkinson Matthew Miller, Secretary Dave Bott (Administrative Representative) Don Spencer (Program Assistant) Meeting called to order by Jan Derry, Chair, at 6:30 PM. The agenda was distributed, Jan Derry noted that an Item needed to be added under “priority items” relating to the role of the HRC in the search for a new City Manager. Public Session: There were no public participants attending the meeting. Minutes: The commissioners discussed the minutes of the August 18, 2016 meeting, noting format issues. The Secretary was instructed to correct the formatting issues. Communications: Don Spencer updated the Commission on Municipal Equality Index Submission for the annual ratings by the Human Rights Campaign, reporting that Morgantown had earned a final score for 2016 of 46. Don noted that new ordinances to be discussed would improve Morgantown’s standing with the Human Rights Campaign and the MEI. The Commissioners discussed the CCSJ’s annual meeting discussion on “How to make our community a more livable place.” It was noted that September 21st will be International Day Of Peace. It was also noted that the WVU Peace Tree Ceremony will be on October 6th from 11:30 to 1:00 at the peace tree between E. Moore and Martin Hals on the downtown campus, with speaker Margaret Noodin, PhD. Dr. Noodin will also have a literary presentation and book signing hosted by the Native American Studies Program at 6:00 p.m. in Room G9 of White Hall. The commission discussed the plans for WVU Diversity Week to be held October 9-14. The theme will be “There is a place for you at WVU.” It is noted that the Women of Color Luncheon is to be held October 12th and that the CCSJ and Dominion Post plan to run a series of articles throughout that week. It was noted that the Greater Morgantown Interfaith Association will be having a program entitled “Co-existence and Common Challenges” on October 23, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. New Business: Don Spencer updated the Commission on drafts for an amended Article 153 and a new Article 546. Don had worked with the Human Rights Campaign on the initial language for these drafts and had taken the drafts to a Law Professor for review in order to ensure the language and format were in accordance with specific Morgantown and West Virginia requirements. The current versions of these Drafts were submitted to the Commission for review. Dave Saville suggests an ad hoc committee meet to discuss this prior to the next HRC meeting, and multiple Commission members agreed to attend a meeting at Jan Derry’s office on a date to be determined by mutual agreement. Jan Derry reported that she had been invited to a preliminary meeting with other city leaders to discuss the search for a new City Manager. She asked for input from the Commissioners on what the priorities for the HRC should be with regard to the search process, and a discussion ensued. It was suggested that each candidate for the job be provided with a copy of the most recent annual report from the HRC. Multiple commissioners expressed a desire to ensure that the search committee interviews diverse candidates, but it was also suggested that it could be important to consider the diversity of the communities in which candidates have previously worked. It was expressed that the successful candidate for the City Manager job should have a demonstrated record of enforcing pro-diversity policies both in terms of governing their cities and in terms of staffing decisions in their own offices. It was noted that experience working in a University town could be valuable. Jan Derry moved the discussion to plans for Human Rights Day. The Commission had previously expressed a desire to recognize a member of the community in observance of Human Rights Day, which will be on December 10th this year, and plans needed to be finalized. Multiple plans are discussed, but consensus builds around a plan to honor both an individual and an organization by arranging a proclamation from the City Council to that effect, to be presented at the regular meeting of the City Council scheduled for December 6, 2016, with a public reception to be held in the foyer of the City Hall. It was decided to solicit nominees from the public, with the final honorees to be determined by a special, independent committee which will be made up of one member of the HRC and a small number of qualified members of the community to be determined. Marlene Robinsion solicited names of potential committee members from the commission, and planned to contact them in order to finalize committee membership. It was agreed that it would be ideal to announce this and to begin soliciting nominations from the public during the planned WVU Diversity Week, including submitting information to the paper for publication during that week as well as making an announcement at the Women of Color luncheon. Progress Reports: Jan Derry asked the Commission members to review a “Welcome to Morgantown/New to Morgantown” packet which had been distributed. Dave Bott responded to questions about the City’s ADA Transition Plan that it had been updated and finished. He also reported that the City’s Affirmative Action and EEOC plans still need visited. The commissioners discussed these items briefly, concluding that the HRC should develop proposals for submission to the City for consideration. Marlene Robinson and Kristen Cooper agreed to continue working as an ad hoc committee on these items. Motion to adjourn was made by Marlene Robinson. The Chair called for a vote, and the motion passed. The meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 8:00 p.m.