Human Rights Commission

MORGANTOWN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING ON September 19, 2024 At the Morgantown Public Safety Building, 300 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV ATTENDANCE: Commissioners Present: Chair, Annie CRONAN YORICK; Vice Chair, Danny TREJO; Secretary, Ashley SWANSON; Commissioner, Laura FLETCHER. [No Absences; 4 Vacancies] Liaisons: Tim HAIRSTON, State of WV Human Rights Commissions Members of the Public: Don SPENCER (arrived at 7:30 p.m.) CALL TO ORDER: A quorum was present; the Chair called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. MINUTES: Fletcher moved to approve the Minutes from the August 22, 2024, Regular meeting & Swanson seconded. Approval was unanimous. PUBLIC PORTION: Welcome our new Commissioner, Laura Fletcher! COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: • Discussed the 2024 State Auditor’s Training Seminar for County and Municipal Boards and Authorities. All HRC members plan to participate. • Liz Finklea of the Sister Cities Commission plans to work with us to draft a proclamation for Hispanic American Awareness Month (September 15th - October 15th). It may not be finished for this year’s proclamation window. • The HRC received a racial discrimination complaint about an employer. Both the complainant and employer are located in Clarksburg. The Chair advised the applicant that the Morgantown HRC has no jurisdiction over this matter and provided him with the information to file a claim with the WV Human Rights Commission. • A Parkersburg LGBTQ+ advocate contacted the HRC asking for support against the Parkersburg City Council’s refusal to permit a drag show at a private business. The Chair advised that the City of Morgantown cannot interfere with Parkersburg’s political process. She has asked the City Administration to clarify what the HRC can say or do to support the applicant. UPDATES: Chair, Annie Cronan Yorick: • She attended a gathering by the WVU Law School’s Women’s Leadership Conference to connect law students with local women attorneys. She hoped to connect with the law school for service projects. • She spoke with the Suncrest Towne Center Starbucks manager, who verified they will again donate pastries and beverages for the Human Rights Award Ceremony on December 8th. The store wants to commit to more local service projects and will work with the HRC to identify the best opportunities. • The Human Rights Campaign.Org issued a provisional assessment of our 2024 Municipal Equality Index. The score is the same as last year, keeping Morgantown among the top 15 surveyed cities in the U.S. as the most hospitable to its LGBTQ+ residents and employees. • The Human Resources Director provided DEI numbers for city employees. They are sparse and skewed. If taken on the report’s face, the City has 315 employees; 2 are Black, 1 Asian, and 2 Latino. Only one employee  identified as LGBTQ+. The City has not historically asked for this information. The Chair hopes to work with the administration to improve the questions and to find a more meaningful way to collect and compile the data to meet Morgantown’s DEI policies. • She speaks at most City Council meetings to give Human Rights Commission input. Vice Chair, Danny Trejo: (Nothing to report) Secretary, Ashley Swanson: • She attended the CCSJ Annual Picnic on September 8th, 2024. She spoke with the leaders and offered to liaise between the CCSJ and the HRC. She plans to attend their future meetings regularly. Commissioner, Laura Fletcher: • The Farmers Market Rescue Grant application was declined. She is still interested in working toward getting a food rescue service in Morgantown in partnership with a local organization. WVHRC Liaison, Tim Hairston: (Nothing to report) PRIORITY BUSINESS ADDRESSED: • The Individual Recipient of the 2024 Human Rights Advocacy/Service Award: Eve was pivotal in arranging the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 celebration. She compiled a graphic novel with the history of civil rights in Morgantown, including interviews with Don Spencer and Tim Hairston. Several years ago, Ms. Faulkes designed the logo for the HRC. Swanson nominated; Fletcher seconded. Eve Faulkes was unanimously approved as the 2024 Individual Award recipient. • Plan and Discuss Source of Income Public Forums: The HRC plans to host forums with residents who have faced rental discrimination in Morgantown because their income was derived from public benefits, alimony, disability, or other legal source. The forums are to support a proposed city ordinance banning rental discrimination based on a renter’s source of income. • Plan for International Human Rights Day Celebration: The Suncrest Towne Center Starbucks will provide refreshments. The Chair continues looking for a venue to properly host the Annual HRC Exhibition of Posters, Flags, & Artwork and the December 8th reception. She has also contacted local musicians to find a string quartet to play during the reception. We must also order the awards, compose the programs, print the invitations, and prepare the annual proclamation to recognize International Human Rights Day (December 10th). We will invite the Kingwood-Morgantown Chapter of the NAACP to join us in the event again this year. • Discuss the HRC’s role in the Human Rights Film Series: Historically, the HRC worked with the WVU Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Office, but it has since withdrawn. The Native American Studies Program now anchors the Human Rights Film Series with input from the HRC. Former Commissioner and Chair of WVU’s Native American Studies Program, Bonnie Brown, has access to the endowment and asks the HRC to suggest human rights-related films. According to Don Spencer, the endowment acts as a University/Community partnership for the Film Series. • Discuss the HRC’s role in addressing the Unhoused and Affordable Housing issues facing Morgantown: The City Council plans to commission a Housing Needs Study. The City is applying for a HUD Community Development Block Grant to help address affordable housing in Morgantown. The HRC will continue working on the Source of Income ordinance and advocating for more affordable housing in Morgantown. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, Swanson moved to adjourn; Trejo seconded. The Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m. NEXT MEETING: Scheduled for October 17, 2024. MINUTES: by Secretary Ashley Swanson for approval at the October 17, 2024, meeting.