Human Rights Commission

City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes for December 10, 2020 Present: Jacob Powers, Chair Kristen Cooper, Secretary Jan Derry Ramsey Kinsella Jena Martin Don Spencer, Volunteer Dee Dee McIntosh, PFLAG Liaison Meeting called to order by Jacob Powers, Chair, at 6:36 P.M. The meeting took place online due to pandemic restrictions. The agenda was distributed and approved with the additions of Reimbursement Requests, Indigenous People Notes, and Letter to WVU Athletic Department. Public Session: No one from the public was present at the meeting. Minutes: The November 2020 minutes were reviewed. Jan Derry moved that the minutes be approved as written; Jacob Powers seconded the motion. The minutes where approved unanimously. Communications: Jan Derry reported that the Human Rights Poster Display is at the MAC and it looks amazing. Jacob Powers announced that he is resigning from the HRC effective next week after the Awards events. He said that he would still be around as a volunteer when time permitted. Kristen Cooper thanked Jacob for his leadership and service to the HRC, and others agreed that he will be missed. The need to elect a new Chairman of the HRC will be addressed at the January meeting. Ramsey Kinsella mentioned that there is a possibility that he may be moving to Alabama; he will keep us posted on his possible departure. 1 Jacob Powers reported that the HRC 24/7 phone line is back up and working. Whenever someone leaves a message on the phone line an email will be sent to the Chairman. Kristen Cooper volunteered to contact the city and set up the message on the phone line. Ash Orr sent a message saying she would be willing to set up an Instagram page for the HRC. Jena Martin said that it was a good idea and moved to set up an Instagram page with Ash Orr as the creator and keeper of the page. The motion was seconded by Jan Derry and the motion passed unanimously. Tim Hairston was not present to make a report about the State HRC. Priority Items: The HRC Awards are set for the 17th in front of the MAC. Jacob will introduce the recipients and the mayor and city clerk are aware of their roles for the recognition of the awards at the City Council meeting on the 15th. Jan Derry will pick up the awards and send photos to the city clerk for use during the Webex City Council meeting. Jan Derry volunteered to send everyone an email with a link to the Webex meeting. Jan Derry read the Human Rights Day proclamation to the group. Don Spencer reported on progress with the Land Acknowledgement Statement and Indigenous Peoples Day. The Land Acknowledgement Statement was reviewed by the NAACP, the CCSJ, and the WVU Native American Studies Department. Suggestions and edits from each group were discussed and the following statement was selected: We begin by acknowledging for ourselves and our Morgantown community that we are on the traditional lands of Native peoples, including, over time, the Shawnee, Delaware (Lenape), the Seneca of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, and others. We acknowledge these people, their traditions, and our shared history as we work together: respecting the contributions of all; responding to each other with civility, kindness, and gratitude for our community’s rich diversity; and striving to treat the environment with care. Jan Derry moved that the revised statement be accepted and presented as a proclamation to the City Council. Ramsey Kinsella seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Don Spencer relayed information about the City of Buffalo’s approach to Indigenous Peoples Day with the creation of an Italian American Heritage monument and celebration in connection with the change to the new Indigenous Peoples Day. He mentioned that we need to get other groups to support this effort to rename Columbus Day, and Don will reach out to other groups and the WVU Division of DEI for their support. Ramsey Kinsella moved that Indigenous Peoples Day resolution be sent to the City Council for their consideration at their January 26th meeting. Jan Derry seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 2 There is a Community Police Review and Advisory Board will be meeting next Monday. Jacob Powers will arrange for Jena to get on the circulation list for future meetings. Progress Reports: In regards to “Open to All”, Don Spencer suggested we set the program aside in light of the existing “All Kinds are Welcome Here” program and the fact that creating our own program might take more time that the Commission is able to give to it. Kristen Cooper reported on the results of the MEI report. The score for this year is 77. It reflects the addition of 14 points the city gained with the institution of new programs. However, the city lost 12 points in the category about reporting hate crimes to the FBI. A discussion ensued about the lack of reporting of hate crimes by the police. There was no solid reason found for the loss of the point. Kristen Cooper said that she has already contacted the MEI to ask for them to review that item as well as the lack of points for inclusive workplace (based on the DEI). Kristen will keep everyone posted on the progress of getting points reassigned. Kristen thanked all of the commissioners and volunteers who were important in compiling the MEI document for 2020. New Business: The Annual Report is due in January. Jan Derry and Don Spencer offered to create an outline of accomplishments as well as the work being considered for the coming year. Ongoing Projects: The HRC Calendar was reviewed. It was noted that the MLK Day celebration will be presented via Zoom and there are no particular responsibilities for the HRC. Law Enforcement Training will be revisited at a later date once the DOJ is focused on this type of program. The Project Review List was reviewed and Jacob Powers said he would continue to work on the Gun Safety project as a volunteer. Jan Derry, Don Spencer, and Dee Dee McIntosh will work on implementation of the DEI. Don mentioned this to the interim City Manager recently. It was noted that the Mayor may be interested in working on the Accessible Housing Project. The Minority Liaison project should also be a priority. Jan Derry volunteered to invite the Mayor and the new City Manager to the February HRC meeting. Jan Derry and Don Spencer incurred expenses in relation to the HRC Awards and the Poster Exhibit in the amount of $585.00. Jacob Powers moved that reimbursement should be made for the expenses. The motion was seconded by Jena Martin and passed unanimously. 3 A letter written by Dee Dee McIntosh on behalf of the HRC was reviewed. The letter recommended that WVU retire the jersey number of Fritz Williams who was one of the first Black athletes on the WVU Basketball team. There was a discussion, and it was agreed that the letter would be sent to Shane Lyons (WVU Athletic Director) with copies to Kathy Martin, Gordon Gee, and Mesha Poore . The names of all of the Commissioners will appear on the letter. Kristen Cooper moved that the Fritz Williams letter be sent to WVU on behalf of the HRC. Jan Derry seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The next meeting will take place on January 21, 2021 and will be via video conference. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm. Submitted by Kristen Cooper 4