Human Rights Commission

Minutes for the September 21, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission Location: Morgantown Public Safety Building Training Room, 300 Spruce Street, 6:30 pm Commission Members: Chair: Annie CRONAN YORICK; Vice Chair: Bonnie Brown; Secretary: Cal Carlson Commissioners: Danny Trejo and Zoey Vilasuso (Absent), 2 Vacancies Ex Officio Liaisons: Tim Hairston, State of WV Human Rights Commission (Absent) Brian Butcher, Morgantown City Council Members of the Public Present: Brian Hendricks, Don Spencer Call to Order: Chair Annie Cronan Yorick called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. Minutes: Motion to Adopt the Regular Meeting Minutes for 24 August 2023, 22 June 2023, and 5 June 2023  Danny Trejo moved to accept the minutes of the August 24th meeting, and Cal Carlson seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0-1, with Bonnie Brown abstaining.  Acceptance of the minutes from the June 22nd and June 5th meetings will be deferred due to the previous secretary not turning over documents. Public Comment  Dr. Brian Hendricks, from the WV Coalition to End Homelessness, gave an overview of the work he does with the Coalition and services they are working to provide for the homeless population in the region. Communications and Updates:  Correspondence: Annie Cronan Yorick received emails from Project Rainbow; an individual from the University of Virginia who is contacting HRC’s around the country; Eric Roy from MyBank regarding potential volunteer opportunities for employees; Ellen Rodriguez from the WVU LGBTQ+ Center; Jill Hess from WVU DEI; and provided information about the MAC poster contest. Liaison Updates  Brian Butcher shared that City Council conducted 3 interviews for Human Rights Commission, with 2 more interviews to come. The Pride Parade will be held on October 27th. Volunteer Update   Don Spencer helped staff the Human Rights Commission table at the Community Coalition for Social Justice Fair with Bonnie Brown and Danny Trejo. He pointed out that International Human Rights Day is on December 10th and passed along the criteria for the annual awards. Commissioner Updates  Danny Trejo talked with the owner of Monarca, who would like to have a celebration for Las Posadas and wanted to know what was required to get a permit.  Annie Cronan Yorick will be giving a fiscal year report to City Council on October 30th. She noted there was not an annual HRC report completed for 2022, shared MEI report findings with the group, and shared there are 9 hate groups highlighted by the Southern Poverty Law Center.  Bonnie Brown recounted the HRC events she participated in for the past year. She represented the HRC and Native American Studies tables at the Social and Environmental Justice Fair. Priority Business: Indigenous People’s Day Proclamation  Bonnie Brown prepared the proclamation for 2023 and shared it with the commission. Brian Butcher suggested changing the proclamation language from being in the first person. Danny Trejo moved to accept the Indigenous People’s Day proclamation as amended, and Cal Carlson seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.  Bonnie Brown also shared the Indigenous People’s Day celebrations that would be happening at WVU on October 9th and 10th. Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation  It was noted that Hispanic Heritage Month is not on the HRC calendar of observances. Diversity Equity & Inclusion Report on 2022  Annie Cronan Yorick found the numbers for the DEI regarding demographics of city workers. She noted that the last DEI was from 2020. FY 2022-23 HRC Annual Report required by the City Code  Annie Cronan Yorick will be presenting to City Council on October 30th, 2023, and is waiting for members to submit items for the Annual Report. Decide the questions, form, and timing for the City-wide Population Needs Study  This item was deferred until a later meeting. Update the 2023/24 Human Rights Celebrations Calendar  This item was deferred until a later meeting. Update the 2023/24 Legislative Schedule   This item was deferred until a later meeting. New Business:  Discuss Awards and Recipients for International Human Rights Day o Annie Cronan Yorick asked commission members to think of individuals to nominate, and to spread the word. There will be individual and organization awards.  Renew Proclamation for International Human Rights Day o This item was deferred until a later meeting.  Organize Annual Poster/Flag Competition with the MAC for International Human Rights Day/Month o There was a discussion about finding a suitable venue as well as date/time for the exhibit. Brian Hendricks suggested the School of Public Health host the exhibit. There are posters at the city building that were provided by Don Spencer that could be used. Unresolved Business: Policy for Commissioner Absenteeism from HRC Meetings  It was noted that the HRC follows Robert’s Rules regarding commissioner attendance and absenteeism. HRC website inaccuracies  Annie Cronan Yorick sent a list of website inaccuracies to the City Clerk’s office to be addressed. Social Media updates  Nobody has been working on the social media for the HRC. Recommendations for new HRC Commissioners to fill current vacancies  Annie Cronan Yorick shared for members to tell people to apply for the Commission, ensure they live within city limits, and to attend a meeting. Re-examine the City Code’s expectations from the HRC  This item was deferred until a later meeting. Adjourn: Annie moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 pm. Respectfully submitted, Cal Carlson October 13, 2023