Human Rights Commission

City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes for December 20, 2018 Present: Jan Derry, Chair Kristen Cooper, Secretary Karen Kunz Kate Levine-Freedman Don Spencer (Program Assistant) Judith Wilkinson (Volunteer) Ramsey Kinsella (Volunteer) Meeting called to order by Jan Derry, Chair, at 6:35 PM. The agenda was distributed. It was approved with no changes. Public Session: No one from the public was in attendance. Minutes: The minutes for November 2018 were distributed and reviewed. Karen Kunz moved that the minutes be accepted as written. The motion was seconded by Kate Levine-Freedman, and the motion passed unanimously. Communications: Judith Wilkinson mentioned that she will be considering ways to make Morgantown a more compassionate city. Jan Derry announced that the two compliant inquiries have not seen any action or progress. The recent criminal complainant (from the incident in downtown Morgantown) has not followed-up with the Commission, Cris Mayo did not follow-up on her recent plans to file a complaint against the Police Chief, and there has been no response from the patient at Mon Health Hospital who made an inquiry a few months ago. A person from the local beauty school contacted us about filing a complaint for racially- driven expulsion but has not followed up with any further information or complaint form. Tim Hairston was not in attendance to report on the State Human Rights Commission. The Annual Human Rights Awards were presented on December 18th and a general discussion took place. It was stated that the low attendance was an issue that needs addressed before next year. It was 1 noted that being close to a holiday was not ideal and that there were only 3-4 people from the League of Women Voters in attendance. Priority Items: Recent expenses were reviewed and need to be submitted to the City for reimbursement. Expenses included $90.00 for award plaques, $369.17 for posters, and $400.00 for pamphlets. Karen Kunz moved that the bills be submitted to the City for reimbursement; the motion was seconded by Kate Levin- Freedman and passed by a unanimous vote. Don Spencer presented an Annual Projects Status Update form that tracks the progress of the projects the Commission has undertaken in the past few years as well as those currently in the works. The form tracks the projects from their adoption to the draft, approval, council approval, implementation, and evaluated status. Among the projects reviewed were the Human Rights Needs Survey, Welcome to Morgantown Resolution, Welcome to Immigrants, Refugees and Asylees, State Employment/Housing Non-Discrimination Support, Human Rights Observance Calendar add to the website, Housing Code Enforcement Resolution, Non-Discrimination Ordinance/Commission Complaint Procedure, DEI Plan for the City, Inclusive City Plan, Housing Authority Access Resolution, Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution, Universal Design Incentive Ordinance, Gun Violence Legislation Resolution, Inclusionary Housing/Zoning Resolution, “New to Morgantown” website Information, compassionate City Resolution/Program, HRC Violent Protest Protocol, Inclusive Merchants Campaign, Anti-Bullying Ordinance, Land Acknowledgement Resolution, and an Immigration Information Referral Guide. The form also included a list of accomplishments by the Commission over the past several years. Karen Kunz volunteered her students to work on one of the projects. Further work will be done on the Open To All Campaign for which Kristen Cooper will enlist help from other commissioners. Jan Derry and Don Spencer recently worked on the 2018 Annual Report and the 2019 Budget Request. These will be submitted in January. The Commissioners reviewed the Annual Report and made slight revisions that will be incorporated into the final draft. It was suggested that we add to the priorities for 2019 an effort to the opioid crises consequences. For the Budget Request, the Commission will be submitting the same request as last year with the removal of the DEI printing request and addition of Welcome to Morgantown materials. Judith Wilkinson reminded us to approach hotels to purchase and display the Welcome Statement. It was suggested that we work with the Chamber of Commerce on this type of effort. Ongoing Projects: The various projects were covered during the discussion of the Annual Projects Status Update Form. Announcements: 2 It was agreed that the Commission will have an information table at the MLK event that is being hosted by the CCSJ. Karen Kunz, Judith Wilkinson, Jan Derry, Don Spencer, and Kate Levine-Freedman expressed interest in attending the event and manning the table. The next meeting of the Human Rights Commission will take place on January 17th, 2019. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 pm. Submitted by Kristen Cooper 3