Human Rights Commission

MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING ON May 30, 2024 At the Morgantown Public Safety Building, 300 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV Attendance: Commissioners Present: Chair, Annie CRONAN YORICK; Vice Chair, Bonnie BROWN; Secretary, Bronson HERR; Commissioner, Danny TREJO Liaisons: Tim HAIRSTON, State of WV Human Rights Commission Members of the Public: None present Absent: Commissioner Ashley SWANSON (excused) 2 Vacancies Call to Order: There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to Order at 6:30 p.m. Minutes: The Minutes for the Regular Meeting on April 18, 2024, were reviewed in advance. Changes were discussed and agreed to. Herr moved to adopt the April 2024 Minutes; Brown seconded. The Minutes were unanimously approved. Herr moved to adopt the Cinco de Mayo Proclamation; Trejo seconded. The Proclamation was approved unanimously. Public Portion: None Communications: Annie received an approval letter from Morgantown’s city budget office for one thousand dollars for the HRC’s 2024/25 fiscal year. She also received confirmation from Heather Carl, Deputy City Clerk, that the PRIDE Month Proclamation has been submitted but has not yet received a copy. Annie reached out to the Community Coalition for Social Justice (CCSJ) about the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and our commitment to help with P.R.; everything is on track. Updates: Chair – Annie Cronan Yorick • Brian Butcher read and presented the Cinco De Mayo Proclamation. Annie was joined at the podium by Lola Contreras; they dedicated the proclamation to the recently deceased George Lies, Chair of the Sister Cities Commission. • She advised that she is in the process of updating the HRC business cards. • The PRIDE Proclamation is scheduled to be read at the June 4th City Council meeting, and the Juneteenth Proclamation will be presented at the June 18th City Council meeting. Vice Chair – Bonnie Brown • Her trip to the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School went well. She met with Chuck Hoskin Jr., the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. • This will be her final meeting with the HRC. Brown told the commission that serving as commissioner, vice chair, and secretary has been a privilege, and she wishes everyone well.  • She will continue to facilitate the Native American Indigenous perspective for the HRC in the future. Secretary – Bronson Herr • None Commissioner – Danny Trejo • He asked the Civilian Police Review and Advisory Board about the disproportionate minority arrest rate in the year 2018. They didn’t have an immediate answer. The CPRB shares his concerns and will investigate further. Commissioner – Ashley Swanson • Absent Liaisons: Tim Hairston • The last West Virginia Human Rights Commission meeting was the first in a long time with all five commissioners present. Cases are coming through quickly, and one may be complete by July; it is currently in the appeals process. • The Fair Housing Commission is fully staffed. The April Fair Housing event was well attended. Priority Business: • 2024 Municipal Equality Index: a city administrator stated that no more policy changes will likely be made to cater to the MEI standards. • The 60th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act Reception will be on July 2nd at the library, starting at 6:00 pm. The exhibit will run all of July. Adjournment: As there was no further business, Brown moved to adjourn; Trejo seconded. The Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the HRC is scheduled for June 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Building. Minutes by Secretary Bronson Herr for approval at the June 20, 2024, meeting.