Human Rights Commission

City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission Thursday, April 20th, 2023 Regular Meeting Hosted in person in Public Safety Building, 1st floor conference room and via Zoom – 6:30 pm – 8:30pm https://wvu.zoom.us/j/91289404539 Dial in: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) 1. Commission Membership: Approval of Agenda; Personnel Update Commissioners: Open Position, Chair  Danny Trejo, Vice Chair  Keenan McClane, Secretary  Bonnie Brown  Annie Cronin-Yorick  Jena Martin  Cal Shamberger  Zoey Vilasuso  Liaisons: State HRC: Tim Hairston  City Council: Brian Butcher  Volunteers: Ash Carr, Kristen Cooper (MEI et al), Don Spencer 2. Call to Order and Run through of Agenda (w/ Attachments) – Keenan McClane, Secretary 3. Public Session 4. Minutes: Move to Accept December 2022 and February 2023 Minutes ^^ - Keenan McClane, Secretary 5. Communications:  Commissioner Updates  State Human Rights Commission Update – Tim Hairston  Fellow Commissioner Updates 6. Priority Items:  Nominations and Elections for Chair Position  Religious Freedom Restoration Act  Human Rights Film & Discussion Event  City ADA Inspector/Enforcer position  Discussion of Racial Equity Strategic Plan 7. Progress Reports: Not Applicable 8. Looking Ahead: Proposed Commissioner Retreat Next Commission Meeting: May 18th, 2023 9. Adjourn ^^Indicates Attachments  ATTACHMENTS HRC Meeting Minutes for February 16, 2023 Attendees: Bonnie Brown, Keenan McClane (Secretary), Annie Cronan Yorick, Tim Hairston (State HRC Rep.), Ash Orr (Chair), Danny Trejo (Vice-Chair), Jena Martin Liaisons: Brian Butcher ● Call to Order 6:33p.m. Public Session: N/A Commissioner Updates Tim Harrston (state commissioner update) ● The state commission is still short 3 commissioners, awaiting new administrative law judge Ash Orr ● Ash brought up house bill 2125 to dissolve HRC, and mentioned that it has not seen much movement. He also mentioned that there are rumors that there will be more anti-lgbt bills to be introduced, but that there is nothing official ● Ash Orr has submitted formal resignation to focus on other priorities ● Ash spoke to City Council about commissioners being recognized at next city council meeting (Tuesday February 21) Bonnie Brown ● Update on forum for displaced tribal leaders is to be moved to the fall so that it can take place on indigenous People's Day. Official event name was determined as “This Land Was Already Loved” Priority Items ● Commissioner resignations and restructuring: ○ Ash described the last time something like this happened, and invited conversation. Jena Martin clarified some points on restructuring procedures ○ Keenan McClane agreed to reach out to commissioners about restructuring in advance of elections and appointment next meeting ○ Discussion was had about having the city create a more official digital space for handling documents ○ Jena asked if the commission would like to move to in person meetings moving forward. Some discussion followed about logistics. Bonnie Brown agreed to email the city about scheduling a physical room for meeting  ○ Ash affirmed that all templates and documents for future meetings are in the existing google drive, and agreed to send out a link ○ Jena Martin agreed to handle the agenda for next March ○ Annie and Jena can likely not make it to the March meeting. Brian Butcher confirmed that hybrid meetings are allowable, as that might facilitate them Looking ahead ● Commissioner outreach - Ash Orr reiterated that with the resignation, it would be helpful to reach out to potential commissioners ● Commissioner retreat - Bonnie Brown suggested a more social gathering between commissioners to better get to know each other, and discuss potential new commissioners. Suggestion was well received. Jena Martin commented that she could not make it to a Saturday. Adjournment ● Next Commission Meeting: March 16, 2023 ● Meeting Adjourned at 7:17 p.m. HRC Meeting Minutes for December 15th, 2022 Attendees: Danny Trejo, Bonnie Brown, Keenan McClane, Annie Cronan Yorick Liaisons: Brian Butcher ● Call to order: Danny calls to order 6:49 PM Public Session: N/A ● Bonnie moves to accept October meeting minutes, Danny seconds - 3 votes in favor, one abstention - minutes accepted ● Danny moves to accept November meeting minutes, Bonnie seconds - 3 votes in favor, one abstention - minutes accepted Commissioner Updates Danny Trejo ● Spoke on requests to the city for funding for spanish speaking help with drug programs ● Brian suggested speaking with the new city public defender's office ● Annie suggested a few places with professional translators, such as local hospitals, and said she would look into contacts Keenan McClane ● No major updates Bonnie Brown ● Spring Native Leaders meeting date set to Tuesday April 11th ● Bonnie elaborated on some details, such as it being a public event and its general purpose Annie ● No major updates Brian ● Brought up an official complaint with an individual with section 8 housing that was unable to move out of a potentially harmful living environment. Requests were made to figure out if this was a case of discrimination, but updates are pending. Brian mentioned that it is unlikely to be under jurisdiction of HRC Priority Items ● Human Rights Day ○ Bonnie mentioned contact with organizers (Mike Atfield, CCSJ (community coalition for social justice)) of the MLK day event. The  response was positive, but they may have too much planned to be able to fit it in. Pending further updates. ○ Reminded attendees that city council would officially recognize Human Rights Day at meeting on December 20th ○ Confirmed with Brian that MEI score was recognized at last city council meeting ○ Bonnie questioned if someone needed to write a paragraph to be read out when Human Rights Day recipients receive award, Brian confirmed that council had already received that ○ Keenan questioned if we should have a backup plan if plans to work with MLK day for Human Rights Day ceremony falls through. Bonnie suggested university MLK day breakfast ○ Bonnie confirmed that MLK Day event will be at 2pm over zoom ○ Keenan questioned how incorporated Human Rights Day wants to be into MLK day. Bonnie advocates incorporating heavily if possible, Keenan and Annie agreed ○ Some discussion was had about logistics, especially how commission might involve themselves with MLK Day events, especially given that the event seems to be online ○ Brian mentioned that HRC has money set aside for event that might help with working with CCSJ ○ Bonnie mentioned possibly renting out a satellite location. Keenan suggested possibly filming something for the MLK Day event ahead of time if that makes scheduling easier Action Items ● Meeting proposed for January 5th 6:30 for Human Rights Day planning ● Keenan moves to confirm meeting - unanimously accepted Commissioner announcements ● Brian mentioned that Fairmont recently made an HRC, some discussion was had about getting into contact with them ● Annie questioned if the hate crimes, particularly in the trans population, were being reported outside of the city in any way ● Brian mentioned that the city council was contacted by the American Jewish Community to meet with HRC about ordinances. In full disclosure, he mentioned that the group was a Zionist group with a focus on national and international policy, but recommended meeting with them as it is worth looking into ordinances related to antisemitism ● Brian urged commissioners to go to capital to speak on commission's behalf ● Annie mentioned a separation of powers problem with potential upcoming court decisions that might effectively nullify HRC judicial powers Adjournment ● Danny Moves to adjourn meeting at 8:22, Bonnie seconds ● Meeting Adjourned at 8:22