Human Rights Commission Meeting

NORMAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NORMAN January 27, 2020 The Human Rights Commission of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the Municipal Complex located at 201 West Gray Street on January 27, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., and notice and agenda of the meeting were duly posted 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. Item 1, being: ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Kay Ham, Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour, Daniel Dukes, Jackie Farley, Chris Nanny, Sage Mauldin, Ellen Kraft, Christina Owen ABSENT: [None – there is currently one vacancy on the Commission.] STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Kristina Bell, Legal Admin Tech Sarah Encinias Item 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 28, 2019, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Commissioner Farley moved to approve the Minutes of the October 28, 2019, meeting, and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Kraft. Chair Ham called for a vote: all approved, and none opposed. The Minutes for the October 28, 2019, meeting were approved by unanimous vote. Item 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 20, 2020, MAYOR’S INTERFAITH BREAKFAST Commissioner Nanny moved to approve the Minutes of the January 20, 2020, Mayor’s Interfaith Breakfast, and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Dukes. Chair Ham called for a vote: all approved, and none opposed. The Minutes for the January 20, 2020, Mayor’s Interfaith Breakfast were approved by unanimous vote. Item 4, being: ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR Commissioner Mauldin nominated Commissioner Dukes to serve as Chair. Vice-Chair Seirafi- Pour seconded. Commissioner Dukes nominated Commissioner Seirafi-Pour, who declined the nomination. Commissioner Farley nominated Chair Ham to continue serving as Chair, noting her contacts within the community and appreciation for her past service as Chair. Commissioner Nanny seconded. A vote to elect Chair was taken: Commissioners Dukes, Nanny, Mauldin, Owens, and Seirafi-Pour in favor of Dukes and Commissioners Ham, Kraft, and Farley in favor of Ham; Commissioner Dukes was elected Chair. Vice-Chair Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour was re-elected as Vice-Chair by unanimous vote. Norman Human Rights Commission January 27, 2020 Page 2 Item 5, being: DISCUSSION OF 2020 INTERFAITH BREAKFAST Assistant City Attorney Bell said there were over 300 in attendance. Commissioner Farley said she liked it and heard everyone enjoyed it. She also mentioned that it flowed the best. The food was good, and there was plenty to go around. Commissioner Dukes asked about the leftover food, and Sarah Encinias advised that it was taken by McFarlin to the homeless shelter. Commissioner Mauldin also commented on the great attendance. Chair Ham stated that it was wonderful and thanked everyone for publicizing the event. Commissioner Owens suggested that for future breakfasts, more accessibility consideration is given, such as reserving specific tables. Vice-Chair Seirafi-Pour suggested that there be two separate food lines to shorten the wait time and reminded that it was duty of the HRC to help guide the crowd and stay and help clean up. Item 6, being: INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE Ms. Bell said on February 4, 2020, the Inclusive Community Subcommittee (ICS) Recommendations will be presented to City Council during Study Session. ICS Co-Chair Dan Dukes will do the presentation. Also, the Sundown Town Proclamation will be presented at the January 28, 2020, City Council meeting and will be presented to Dr. George Henderson. It was noted that comments from the public are already being received about the Recommendations, specifically regarding the Sanctuary City idea. Ms. Bell said there was a bill in the State looking to preempt this kind of action, but she did not know if it would pass. The Police Department plans on expanding Unidos and will try to help address the underreporting of crimes against immigrants. Item 7, being: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON 2019 ANNUAL COMPLAINTS REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL Ms. Bell stated that one of the new items included in the recent Civil Rights Ordinance amendments was a requirement added to § 7-102(16) that the Commission submit to City Council an annual report of complaints filed and their resolution. Ms. Bell presented the Commission with the proposed 2019 Annual Complaints Report and advised that only one written complaint was filed in 2019 and was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction as it only alleged discrimination employment actions in Oklahoma City. Ms. Bell advised that staff provided the complainant contact information for the Office of the Civil Rights Enforcement in the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office (AG) and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ms. Bell also explained that one other inquiry was withdrawn by the complaint before filing an official written complaint. A third phone inquiry alleged an employment complaint against a state agency, and City staff directed her to the AG’s Office and EEOC as well. Upon first and second motion, the proposed 2019 Annual Complaints Report to City Council was approved by unanimous vote. Norman Human Rights Commission January 27, 2020 Page 3 Item 8, being: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL TO PROCLAIM THE FOLLOWING: -MARCH, 2020 – WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH -APRIL, 2020 – SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH Upon first and second motion, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend that City Council proclaim March, 2020, as Women’s History Month and April, 2020, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Commissioner Farley suggested asking someone from League of Women Votes for a recipient for Women’s History Month. Commissioner Owens offered to help find a recipient for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Item 9, being: MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION There was no miscellaneous discussion. Item 10, being: ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m.