Human Rights Commission Meeting

CITY OF NORMAN, OK HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Municipal Building, Executive Conference Room 201 West Gray, Norman, OK 73069 Monday, July 24, 2023 at 5:30 PM MINUTES 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 July 24, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., and notice and agenda of the meeting were duly posted 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. PRESENT Commission Chair Jackie Farley Commissioner Chris Nanny Commissioner Tall Bear Commissioner Michael Ridgeway ABSENT Commission Vice-Chair Aisha Ali Commissioner Michael Kihega Commissioner Stephen Machovic STAFF PRESENT Maylon Wesley, Chief Diversity & Equity Officer Anthony Purinton, Assistant City Attorney Sarah Encinias, Legal Admin Tech OTHERS PRESENT John Scamehorn ROLL CALL A quorum was present. MINUTES 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE MAY 22, 2023, REGULAR MEETING Motion was made by Commissioner Ridgeway to approve the Minutes for the May 22, 2023, regular meeting and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Nanny. A vote was taken with the following results: all approved and none opposed. The Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. ACTION ITEMS 2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROCLAMATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, July 24, 2023 Page |1  Mr. Wesley gave an update to the HRC regarding the status of City Council proclamations relating to human rights issues. Mr. Wesley mentioned that the Mayor suggested the HRC issue their own proclamations and award them during HRC meetings. The Mayor wishes to focus proclamations on those that recognize public service or public safety activities. This suggestion would cut down on council meeting times and streamline the council agenda. Commissioners asked if the Mayor would be amenable to the HRC limiting their requests to just one proclamation per council meeting and Mr. Wesley said he would inquire with the Mayor. Commissioners discussed arranging a meeting with the Mayor to discuss ideas on how the HRC could proceed with proclamations during council meetings. Mr. Purinton asked commissioners not to gather more than 3 members at a time so as not to form a quorum. 3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Commissioner Tall Bear said they were still working on putting goals into plain language, linking goals with City departments that could give updates and listing a single contact number of someone that could keep track of updates and keep them current. They continue to work on creating a final document. 4. DISCUSSION REGARDING OU MOTEL Commissioner Nanny requested an update on the relocation of the residents that had to move from this building due to it being sold to another entity. She said residents from this building often ride City buses and some had asked her for information. She worried they would be unable to find affordable housing arrangements. Mr. Purinton said he did not have information about individual renters in a private building but that the City is currently working on building 75 units of affordable housing at Imhoff Road and Oakhurst Avenue. The land for this investment was recently purchased and a developer will be chosen soon. This project was awarded tax credit incentives and grants and is expected to take approximately 3 years to complete. Mr. Purinton said the City is also trying to find a new location for a permanent, larger homeless shelter. 5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING HRC LISTENING SESSIONS AND POTENTIAL KETTERING FOUNDATION TRAINING Commissioner Ridgeway said the Kettering Foundation is a private foundation that works for the protection of peoples’ rights, among other things. They also serve as public moderators and offer a variety of perspectives on various public issues. Commissioner Ridgeway said several years ago, a Kettering Foundation representative met with the Human Rights Commission and helped them conduct inclusive community forums. He suggests they be asked to provide training for listening sessions. Training is free and they are willing to come to Norman. Commissioner Ridgeway will reach out for available times and report back. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS Commissioner Farley would like to reach out and meet members of the recently re-established Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission. Mr. Wesley said Norman members can come up with dates of availability, mornings preferred, and he will facilitate scheduling a meeting. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, July 24, 2023 Page |2 Commissioner Tall Bear said he is attending the Oklahoma Academy Town Hall (https://okacademy.org/get-involved/#townhalls) in October in Tulsa and this year’s topic is housing. After he attends this meeting, Commissioner Tall Bear will share information with HRC for further discussion. Commissioner Ridgeway said he is a board member of Food & Shelter. Their current project is a Share Center which is about 2 months away from opening. It will be located at the site of 201 Reed Avenue. He also asked for an update regarding the building at 718 North Porter. Mr. Purinton said it will cost approximately $1 million to make the building suitable as a shelter and the location must still be rezoned. The majority of City Council wants to move forward with this project and a Pre-Development meeting is scheduled Thursday to begin the process. Commissioner Nanny said the University Lutheran Church in Norman has a Styrofoam Station where they collect and recycle Styrofoam. Material can be dropped off at the church on 914 Elm Avenue. (https://www.ulcsc.org/green-team) Also, she asks that the Women’s restroom in the City Hall building be made more accessible as the door is hard to open and the soap dispenser is too high to reach. Mr. Purinton said the restroom was made a work order item and he and Mr. Wesley will check for an update. Commissioner Farley wishes to begin discussing the Interfaith Breakfast at the next meeting. The item will be listed on the next meeting agenda. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, July 24, 2023 Page |3