Human Rights Commission

Morgantown Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes for December 15th, 2022 (REVISED) Commissioners in Attendance (via Zoom): Danny Trejo, Bonnie Brown, Keenan McClane, and Annie CRONAN YORICK Commissioners Absent: Ash Orr, Zoey Vilasuso, and Jena Martin Liaisons: Brian Butcher, City Council, and Tim Hairston, WVHRC ● Call to order by Danny Trejo, Acting Chair, at 6:49 p.m. ● Annie CRONAN YORICK was welcomed to her first HRC meeting as a commissioner. Public Session: N/A ● Bonnie moved to accept the October meeting minutes; Danny seconded - 3 votes in favor, one abstention – October minutes: Approved. ● Danny moved to accept the November meeting minutes; Bonnie seconded - 3 votes in favor, one abstention – November minutes: Approved. Commissioner Updates Danny Trejo ● Danny explored how best to request funds from the City to fund Spanish-speaking translation services for the drug programs. ● Brian suggested speaking with the new Monongalia County Public Defenders’ office. Annie suggested contacting professional translators available at the University and local hospitals. Keenan McClane ● No updates Bonnie Brown ● The Spring Native Leaders meeting date is Tuesday, April 11th, 2023. ● Details: It is a public event. She also explained its general purpose. Annie ● No updates Brian ● Informed members. of an official complaint made by a resident with Section 8 housing who couldn’t move out of a potentially harmful living environment. The incident is under investigation to discern if this is a discrimination case. Updates are pending. It is unlikely to be under the jurisdiction of the Morgantown HRC. Priority Items ● Human Rights Day ○ Bonnie contacted MLK Day event organizers, including the Community Coalition for Social Justice (CCSJ). The response was positive, but they may be unable to fit in an HRC presentation due to time constraints. Updates are pending.  ○ The City Council will officially recognize Human Rights Day at its December 20, 2022, meeting. Bonnie asked that someone write a paragraph to be read when the Human Rights Day award recipients are presented to the Council. Brian confirmed that the Council had already received that information. ○ Brian announced that the 2021 Municipal Equality Index score was recognized at the last City Council meeting. ○ Keenan recommended that the HRC have a backup plan if the MLK Day event or the Human Rights Day ceremony fall through. Bonnie suggested an alternative opportunity at the University's MLK Day breakfast. ○ Bonnie confirmed that the MLK Day event will be at 2 p.m. over Zoom. ○ Keenan questioned how much Human Rights Day should be combined with the MLK Day event. Bonnie advocated for heavily incorporating it possible. /Discussion followed about logistics on how the HRC might involve itself with the MLK Day events, given that the event will be online. ○ Brian advised that the HRC has money set aside for events that might help to work with the CCSJ. Bonnie suggested possibly renting a satellite location. Keenan proposed pre- recording a presentation for the MLK Day event to make scheduling easier. Action Items ● Bonnie expressed the need for a special meeting for Human Rights Day planning. January 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., was selected. Keenan moved to confirm the meeting. It was unanimously approved. Discussion ● Brian announced that Fairmont recently created an HRC and suggested that we contact them. ● Annie questioned if the hate crimes, particularly in the trans population, are being reported outside of the City in any way. ● Brian reported that the City Council was contacted by a Zionist group requesting a meeting with the HRC about City ordinances. The group focuses on a political agenda. He recommended meeting with them to discuss City ordinances related only to antisemitism. ● Brian urged HRC commissioners to go to the Legislature to speak on the HRC's behalf. Annie pointed out the separation of powers problem with potential upcoming court decisions that may nullify HRC judicial powers. Adjournment ● Danny moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m.; Bonnie seconded. ● The Meeting Adjourned at 8:22 p.m.