Human Rights Commission

City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes for June 15, 2017 Present: Jan Derry, Chair Kristen Cooper David Saville Judith Wilkinson Don Spencer (Program Assistant) Tim Hairston (Liaison with State HRC) Meeting called to order by Jan Derry, Chair, at 6:35 PM. The agenda was distributed. There were some additions to the agenda, specifically in the New Business section. Pubic Session: Douglas Soule, a reporter from the Daily Athenaeum, was at the meeting taking notes for an article he is working on for the newspaper. Minutes: The minutes for the last meeting were unavailable so they have been tabled until our next meeting. Communications: Jan Derry asked if there was any interest in meeting with the new City Council members. It was discussed that perhaps we should partner with the CCSJ to do a joint event. Jan will talk to the City Manager about arranging a meeting. Don Spencer suggested we meet from 5:30 – 6:30 at the Aull House (prior to the first City Council meeting in July). Don and Jan will look into making arrangements. Jan Derry distributed the CCSJ newsletter and commented on the affinity between that group’s work and what we are doing at the Human Rights Commission. She also pointed out that World Refugee Day (June 20) and United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June 26) will be observed. Priority Items: Bonnie Brown from the WVU Native American Studies Department attended the meeting and discussed the Indigenous Peoples Day efforts. She expressed disappointment that the resolution is not going before the City Council in time for the change to take effect before this coming October. Don Spencer 1 explained that there is a great deal for the new council to digest at their first meeting(s). He advised that it would be better to bring it up at the Committee of the Whole on October 31st. Bonnie Brown pointed out that November is Native American History Month and hoped the resolution and the observance of the month would coincide. At the Peace Tree ceremony they want to discuss the conversion of Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day and perhaps mention that efforts are in the works for that to happen in Morgantown. She invited the Human Rights Commission to be part of the ceremony. Bonnie expressed her approval of the resolution as it is now written. There was a general discussion of the use of “Native Americans” vs. “Indigenous People.” Jan moved to adopt the resolution. This lead to a discussion about waiting to have a Native American present when we adopt/sign the resolution. Jan withdrew her motion. Don and Tim Hairston will work on contacting a Native American representative at the next Commission meeting. It was agreed that the resolution be put on the agenda for July for adoption (with or without the witness). Once adopted, the Native American Studies Department will promote it through their online resources. It was also agreed that we need a white paper and an op-ed for the newspaper on the topic to educate the community. The Commission asked Bonnie’s assistance in those efforts. Dave Saville discussed the resolution for the city to honor the Paris Climate Agreement. Dave ran into some resistance with the city’s Green Team. It was initially intended that the Human Rights Commission would sponsor the resolution, but the Green Team wanted the resolution written so that it comes directly from the City Council. Don Spencer pointed out that the effects of climate change on human beings should be included in the resolution. More discussion occurred around the addition of the Human Rights Commission’s name to the resolution and other concerns. Though this is not the proper procedure for a resolution, it was determined that we would not be able to convince the Green Team to make changes to their resolution. Jan Derry moved that the Human Rights Commission simply endorse the Green Team’s resolution. The motion was seconded by Judith Wilkinson. The motion passed unanimously. Jan Derry reported that she has received no response from Fran Whitman regarding her participation in the MEI report. Don Spencer, Kristen Cooper and Dave Saville will move forward with the reporting process at a meeting on June 16th because the report is due in August. Don Spencer reported on the Scotts Run concert at the Metropolitan Theatre. The presentation included mentions of Human Rights and the recently adopted Welcome Statement. The League of Women’s Voters now has a social justice committee. Since Don and Judith are members of the League it was suggested that they serve on the committee and represent the Human Rights Commission. The Universal Design Incentive Ordinance will be presented to the City Council Committee of the Whole on July 25th. Jan Derry will have the ordinance reviewed by the Center for Universal Design and then it 2 will be given to Ron Delaney (Councilman) to gain his support during the Committee of the Whole meeting. Progress Reports: Marlene Robinson was not present to report on the 24/7 Human Right Phone Line. Jan Derry reported there were no emails sent to the Commission. Jan encouraged the reporter from the Daily Athenaeum to include information about the phone line and email options for the general public to register concerns about human rights. New Business: Jan Derry reported that at our July meeting it will be necessary to elect new officers for the Commission. The Commissioners should be thinking about who should step up to be the Chairman. It was also mentioned that the new City Council may decide they want to re-interview or reassign members to the Human Rights Commission. We will know more at our next meeting. Don Spencer suggested that we ask Eve Faulkes to develop a poster or signage that features the Welcome Statement so it can be posted at various locations in the city. It was agreed that this would be a worthwhile effort. Tim Hairston reported that a Human Trafficking Program is being planned at WVU and he wants the Human Rights Commission to sponsor the event. He is currently working with Barbara Fleischauer on this program. He will report more information at the next meeting. Regular Meeting Items: There was no review of the annual calendar and no Commissioner Reports. Dave Saville moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Kristen Cooper and passed unanimously at 8:45 pm. Minutes submitted by Kristen Cooper 3