Human Rights Commission Meeting

CITY OF NORMAN, OK HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Municipal Building, Executive Conference Room 201 West Gray St., Norman, OK 73069 Monday, November 27, 2023 at 5:30 PM MINUTES The Human Rights Commission of the City of Norman, Oklahoma, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the Municipal Complex located at 201 West Gray Street on November 27, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., and notice and agenda of the meeting were duly posted 24 hours prior to the meeting. PRESENT Commission Chair Jackie Farley Commission Vice-Chair Aisha Ali Commissioner Chris Nanny Commissioner Christopher Tall Bear ABSENT Commissioner Stephen Machovic Commissioner Michael Ridgeway STAFF PRESENT Maylon Wesley, Culture and Social Responsibility Anthony Purinton, Assistant City Attorney Sarah Encinias, Legal Admin Tech OTHERS PRESENT Helen Grant, Ward 4 Councilmember John Scamehorn (Two additional visitors) ROLL CALL A quorum was present. MINUTES 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2023, REGULAR MEETING A correction to the Minutes was made to show Commissioner Machovic was present at the September 25 meeting and not absent as reflected in the draft Minutes. Motion was made by Vice-Chair Ali to approve the Minutes as amended for the September 25, 2023, regular meeting and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Tall Bear. A vote was taken with the following results: all approved and none opposed. The amended Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, November 27, 2023 Page |1 ACTION ITEMS 2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RECOGNITION AWARD PROCESS This item was tabled for discussion at a future meeting. 3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS This item was tabled for discussion at a future meeting. 4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING 2024 INTERFAITH BREAKFAST Vice-Chair Ali provided copies of the draft program for the breakfast. A saxophone soloist will play the song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”. Commissioner Tall Bear will lead a Native American prayer in his native language. Commissioners wish to have mostly Norman-based speakers. The theme is “Community of Prayers for Togetherness”. It was suggested that the quote at the end of the program be changed to a quote from Dr. King instead of being a bible passage. Vice-Chair Ali suggested that the program be changed to list speakers by name first, followed by their organization. Mr. Wesley said the breakfast will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024, at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church with tentative plans for food to start at 8:30 and the program to start at 9:00 am. It is suggested that City staff and Commissioners arrive at 8:00 am to help prepare. Mr. Wesley will get with Ms. Vrska to finalize the invitation and RSVP method so those notices can be sent out as soon as possible. Notices will also be published on the City’s internet resources. An image of the finalized invitation will be emailed to Vice-Chair Ali so she can make posters and distribute them. 5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD Commissioner Nanny read aloud the draft rubric from last year’s award process. Commissioner Tall Bear suggested that a story be placed on social media regarding the winner of the award. Commissioners held group discussion regarding the 3 nominations received and it was proposed that an award be given both to an individual nominee and a group nominee. Commissioner Tall Bear motioned to proceed with this suggestion and Commissioner Nanny seconded. A vote was taken naming 2 award recipients with the following results: all approved, and none opposed. The recipient for the individual award was chosen as District Judge Michael Tupper and the recipient for the group award was chosen as the Red Dirt Collective. The award is scheduled to be presented to the winners at the City Council meeting on December 12, 2023, with additional recognition at the Interfaith Breakfast. 6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING 2024 HRC MEETING CALENDAR HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, November 27, 2023 Page |2  Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed 2024 meeting calendar with monthly meetings being held on the fourth Monday of every month, with the exception of January, May and December. The fourth Monday in May falls on Memorial Day so this meeting was rescheduled to the Monday prior, or May 20, 2024. A Schedule of Meetings will be completed and submitted to the City Clerk’s Office for filing. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, November 27, 2023 Page |3