Human Rights Commission

MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES for the REGULAR MEETING on February 15, 2024 (As Amended) Morgantown Public Safety Building, 300 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV Attendance: Commissioners Present: Chair, Annie CRONAN YORICK; Vice Chair, Bonnie BROWN; Commissioners Bronson HERR and Ashley SWANSON Liaisons: City Councilor Brian BUTCHER; WVHRC Commissioner Tim HAIRSTON Members of the Public: None Commissioner(s) Absent: Commissioner Danny Trejo (2 Vacancies) Call to Order: There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to Order at 6:35 p.m. Introductions & Welcomes: Commissioner Ashley SWANSON was appointed by the City Council on February 6, 2024. She introduced herself, spoke of her HRC interests and human rights passions, and was welcomed by the HRC. Vote to Fill the Vacancy for the HRC Secretary: The Chair verified with Commissioner HERR that he was willing to serve as HRC Secretary. SWANSON moved to nominate HERR as Secretary. BROWN seconded. HERR was unanimously elected. Public Portion: N/A Consideration of Minutes and Other Documents: • SWANSON moved to adopt the Minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 22, 2023; HERR seconded. They were unanimously adopted. • Minutes for the Regular Meeting on November 9, 2023, were amended by consensus: the “Priority Business” wording was changed to “We decided to use the awards to encourage people.” BROWN moved to adopt the Minutes as Amended; SWANSON seconded. They were unanimously adopted. • Minutes for the Regular Meeting on January 18, 2024, were amended regarding Liaison & Volunteer Updates. BROWN moved to adopt the Minutes as Amended; SWANSON seconded. They were unanimously adopted. • FY 2024/25 HRC Budget Request: BROWN inquired how the amount for the Grant Funding Request was calculated. CRONAN YORICK responded that this was the first time the HRC was asked to submit its Budget Request as part of the City’s Fiscal Year Budget process; the numbers are rough estimates. SWANSON moved to adopt the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year HRC Funding Request; HERR seconded. It was adopted with three affirmative votes and one abstention. • BROWN moved to adopt the 2022/2023 Fiscal Year Annual Report; SWANSON seconded. The Annual Report was unanimously adopted. Communications: • The HRC received two messages last month on the call line. The HRC was unable to assist in the first caller’s case. The second caller was referred to WVHRC Commissioner Tim Hairston; the applicant did not contact him. Commissioner Updates: Chair, Annie CRONAN YORICK • She and Volunteers Hawa Diawara and Don Spencer tabled at the “I Belong” WVU Women's Basketball game on Jan 30, 2024. • The Human Rights Calendar lists events to promote and celebrate. Some of the notable celebrations for the second quarter of the Calendar Year 2024 are Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), PRIDE Month (June), and Juneteenth (June 19). The calendar should be reviewed for updates. • We will ask Danny Trejo about local plans to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day or Cinco de Mayo. • April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. • Morgantown can improve its youth services. The MEI awards FLEX points for LGBTQ+ homeless youth services. She also expressed the need for a daytime program facility for the Unhoused to get social services and safe facilities for teens to assemble after school. Commissioners are also concerned about these needs. • HRC records must be kept current for City record-keeping requirements and the Fiscal Year Annual Reports. • The HRC should work to integrate with local social justice groups to raise awareness of our existence and support the causes of those groups. She suggested co-sponsoring events with the NAACP, WVU’s Center for Black Culture, and others to integrate with the community. Vice-Chair, Bonnie BROWN • Spoke about the WVU Human Rights film series and reviewed the history of the program’s funding under the DEI office. This is the first year that Native American Studies will administer the program. The website landing page is under construction. The films are open to the public and can be viewed remotely. 1. Madar Sera is on March 27, 2024, at 7 p.m., in G-21 Ming Hsieh Hall. The film examines the tradition of Haitian women who collect and distribute food to their communities especially when the government fails to do so. 2. AMA is on April 11, 2024, at 7 p.m. in G-20 Ming Hsieh Hall. It explores the involuntary sterilization of Native American women (and others) in State-run medical facilities through the late 20th Century. The Elder-in-Residence, Jean Whitehorse of the Navajo Nation, will speak to the film and address current issues facing Native Americans and the harmful events of the past. Brown extended an offer for HRC members to attend and offered to take HRC brochures for distribution. • Leadership Studies is co-sponsoring a human rights film with Native American Studies, Imagining the Indian. It examines the appropriation of Native American culture and imagery and screens on April 2, 2024, at 6 p.m. in G-21 Ming Hsieh Hall (in-person only). • She shared an op-ed from a local newspaper opposing the West Virginia Women's Bill of Rights; its name is purposefully misleading, and the new law threatens human rights. • She mentioned that WVU may be having a Juneteenth celebration. Secretary, Bronson HERR • He inquired about involvement in these programs and the roles to be filled.  Commissioner Trejo – Not Present (attending MDT with a client) Commissioner Ashley Swanson • She mentioned an acquaintance who works with the government and could be a potential resource for the HRC; she may reach out to inquire about support. Liaisons: Tim HAIRSTON (WVHRC): • April is Fair Housing Month. The annual WV Fair Housing Conference will be in Morgantown on April 18, 2024, at One Waterfront Place. Its purpose is to educate landlords, real estate agents, and consumers about Fair Housing rights and regulations. It is tentatively set to begin at 9 a.m. • CCSJ may be interested in coordinating a Juneteenth celebration. • July 2, 2024, is the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. CCSJ is planning a major city-wide celebration. • There has been no quorum for most recent WV Human Rights Commission meetings. By law, the Commission shall have nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. There are currently five members, but all five must attend a meeting for there to be a quorum. The members continue to push for a fully-seated commission so the WVHRC can conduct its meetings and duties. The Governor has not appointed any new commissioners. • The WV Legislature continues its efforts to eliminate all human rights commissions in the State. • The Morgantown HRC is widely regarded as the best municipal commission in the State. Brian Butcher (Morgantown City Council): • The WV Legislature passed the Women's Bill of Rights. He provided background on the course of the legislation and read the Bill description. He advised that this new law will adversely affect human rights law at all levels of government in WV. • Other legislative bills potentially threaten human rights; he does not expect any of them to move. February 28th is Crossover Day, the deadline for the 2024 WV Legislature to get a Bill before both Chambers for passage. • The U.S. Supreme Court will consider the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson (an ordinance passed by the city of Grants Pass bans sleeping, lying down, or eating outside in public places). Oral arguments will be on April 22, 2024; he is trying to arrange a bus for people to the rally in D.C. New Business: None Adjournment: There was no further business; SWANSON moved to adjourn, and BROWN seconded. The Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. Minutes by HERR and edited by CRONAN YORICK. Adopted as Amended at the March 21, 2024, Regular Meeting.