Human Rights Commission Meeting

NORMAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES – SPECIAL MEETING November 15, 2017 The Human Rights Commission of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the Municipal Complex located at 201 W. Gray Street on November 15, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., and notice and agenda of the meeting were duly posted 48 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. PRESENT: Commissioners Mary Lou Drywater, Daniel Dukes, Kay Ham, Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour, Jackie Farley, Mary Womack, and Chris Nanny ABSENT: Commissioners Kirsten Edwards STAFF PRESENT: Major David Teuscher, Officer Ali Jaffrey, Assistant City Attorney Kristina Bell, and Sarah Encinias Item 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 24, 2017, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Commissioner Farley moved that the minutes of the July 24, 2017, Human Rights Commission meeting be approved, and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Drywater. A vote was taken with the following result: all in favor and none opposed. The Chair declared the motion carried, and the minutes of the July 24, 2017, meeting were approved. Item 3, being: APPROVAL OF 2018 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING DATES Members reviewed the Schedule of Regular Meetings for the 2018 Calendar Year, which included quarterly meetings on the fourth Monday of January, April, July, and October. Those dates for 2018 are: January 22, April 23, July 23, and October 22, 2018. Commissioner Farley moved to approve the minutes, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Drywater. A vote was taken with the following result: all in favor and none opposed. Item 4, being: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON FUTURE PROCLAMATIONS Commissioner Farley motioned for the approval of the following proclamation recommendations with said motion seconded by Commissioner Nanny. A vote was taken with the following result: all in favor and none opposed. January 2018 – Slavery and Human Trafficking Month February 2018 – Black History Month Norman Human Rights Commission November 15, 2017 Page 2 Item 5, being: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON 2018 INTERFAITH BREAKFAST Chair Ham stated she was continuing work on the program in order to include a variety of faiths. Commissioner Seirafi-Pour suggested the possibility of including a Muslim woman to offer prayer, with members then discussing additional faiths that could also be represented. McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church was reserved as the location, and arrangements have been made with the caterer. A Press Release will be sent in January, and an invitation would be emailed to previous attendees. Chair Ham also advised that Jabar Shumate, Vice President for the University Community at the University of Oklahoma, is going to present the keynote speech. Commissioner Nanny advised that because the breakfast is on Martin Luther King Day, a holiday, CART does not run, and some members of the disability community may not be able to attend due to this lack of public transportation. Commissioner Nanny requested that the Commission consider moving the breakfast to a different date and/or explore other alternative transportation options. Item 6, being: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD Three nominees for the annual Human Rights Award were reviewed by the Commissioners and after discussion regarding the accomplishments of these nominees, Commissioner Dukes motioned that the Human Rights Award for 2017 be presented to Gene McKown for his philanthropy and dedication to the citizens of Norman, specifically the needy and homeless. He championed a project from the roots up that built cottages and amenities for the residents of Food and Shelter, Inc. of Norman, which serves as a safe place for the homeless. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Farley and a vote was taken with the following result: all in favor and none opposed. The award is to be presented to Mr. McKown at the City Council meeting on December 12, 2017. Item 7, being: MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Ms. Bell introduced newly appointed Commissioner Chris Nanny, who shared information regarding her background and interest in serving the citizens of the City of Norman. She expressed her excitement and appreciation of being involved with the Human Rights Commission. Item 8, being: ADJOURNMENT At this time, the Chair moved that the meeting be adjourned and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Farley. A unanimous vote was taken, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.