Human Rights Commission

Minutes for the August 24th, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission (Rescheduled from August 18th, 2023) Location: Morgantown Public Safety Building, Training Room Commission Members Present: Cal Carlson, Annie Cronan Yorick, and Danny Trejo Members Absent: Bonnie Brown, Zoey Vilasuso 2 Vacancies Ex Officio Liaisons: Tim Hairston, State of WV Human Rights Commission (Absent), Brian Butcher, Morgantown City Council (Absent) Members of the Public Present: None CALL TO ORDER: Annie Cronan Yorick called the meeting to order at 6:36 pm. PUBLIC PORTION: None MINUTES:  Motion to Adopt the deferred Regular Meeting Minutes for December 15th, 2022, February 16th, 2023, and April 20th, 2023. o Danny Trejo moved to approve the meeting minutes from December 15th, 2022, and Cal Carlson seconded. The motion passed 3-0. o Cal Carlson moved to approve the meeting minutes from February 16th, 2023, and Danny Trejo seconded. The motion passed 3-0. o Cal Carlson moved to approve the meeting minutes from April 20th, 2023, and Danny Trejo seconded. The motion passed 3-0.  Motion to adopt the Regular Meeting minutes for July 20th, 2023 o Danny Trejo moved to approve the meeting minutes from July 20th, 2023, and Cal seconded. The motion passed 3-0. COMMUNICATIONS & UPDATES:  Liaison Updates o No Liaisons were present; however, Tim Hairston sent a report saying the State HRC had meeting in July with officer elections.  Commissioner Updates o Danny Trejo provided an update on the case that was referred to him the prior month. He also brought up the need for awareness/enforcement of the disability ordinances and proclamations. o Cal Carlson shared that he still does not have access to an HRC Google Drive. He attended the WV Center of Budget and Policy’s Summer Policy Institute at Fairmont State University. Mr. Carlson also recommended the HRC write a letter to City Council as a status update of the commission. Danny Trejo moved to draft a status letter to City Council regarding the HRC, and Annie Cronan Yorick  seconded. The vote passed 3-0. o Annie Cronan Yorick shared about finishing the Municipal Equality Index and appreciated the assistance from city departments on receiving the necessary documentation as well as how educational completing the survey was. She also expressed to the city to ask people interested in serving on the HRC to attend a meeting to learn how the commission operates. PRIORITY BUSINESS:  DEI Report on 2022 O Annie Cronan Yorick is working on the DEI report.  Draft the 2022 HRC Annual Report required by the City Charter O Annie Cronan Yorick asked for members to send her what events commission members have attended in the past fiscal year, as the annual report is due to City Council and the City Manager by December.  Decide the questions, form, and timing for the City-wide Population Needs Study O Annie Cronan Yorick found a survey template that could be used and implemented for the study.  Discuss the Indigenous People’s Day Declaration O Danny Trejo shared about past experiences proposing the declaration. The declaration will be discussed at the next HRC meeting. NEW BUSINESS:  Discuss Awards for International Human Rights Day o Discussion was tabled until the next meeting. UNRESOLVED BUSINESS: None ADJOURN: Cal Carlson moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Cal Carlson September 11, 2023