Human Rights Commission Meeting

CITY OF NORMAN, OK HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Municipal Building, Executive Conference Room 201 West Gray, Norman, OK 73069 Monday, April 22, 2024 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 April 22, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., and notice and agenda of the meeting were duly posted 24 hours prior to the meeting. PRESENT Commission Chair Aisha Ali Commissioner Jackie Farley Commissioner Chris Nanny Commissioner Michael Ridgeway ABSENT Commission Vice-Chair Christopher Tall Bear STAFF PRESENT Grace Holloman, ADA Technician, Culture & Social Responsibility Anthony Purinton, Assistant City Attorney Sarah Encinias, Legal Admin Tech ROLL CALL A quorum was present. MINUTES 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 26, 2024, REGULAR MEETING Commissioner Nanny requested time to submit her own amendments to the Minutes that more accurately described the intense importance of item #5 and her emotional toll as she felt the Minutes left this out. She will submit her suggested amendments at the next meeting for a vote by the Commission. 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE MARCH 25, 2024, REGULAR MEETING Motion was made by Commissioner Ridgeway to approve the Minutes for the March 25, 2024, regular meeting and the motion was duly seconded by Commission Farley. A vote was taken with the following results: all approved and none opposed. The Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, April 22, 2024 Page |1 ACTION ITEMS 3. DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL FUTURE PRESENTATION REGARDING OKLAHOMA'S 988 MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE Chair Ali requested that this presentation be rescheduled for the next Human Rights Commission meeting on May 20, 2024, since the presentation originally scheduled for March had to be cancelled due to not having a quorum. 4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ADOPTING MEETING AND DECORUM RULES FOR COMMISSION MEETINGS AND/OR AMENDING Chair Ali suggested the Commission follow Robert’s Rules for meeting decorum. She especially would like members to not talk over one another but to take turns when speaking so all can be heard. Mr. Purinton suggested that the HRC Bylaws be modified to incorporate specific rule changes. Chair Ali will work with Commissioner Ridgeway for suggested changes and to present them at the next meeting. 5. DISCUSSION REGARDING HRC VACANCIES Chair Ali received conflicting information from City staff and representatives regarding the appointment of new commissioners for the HRC. Chair Ali said she intended to enlist the help of fellow Commissioner Tall Bear and both would try to speak to the Mayor personally. She will report findings at the next HRC meeting. 6. DISCUSSION REGARDING COMMISSIONERS SHARING TASKS Chair Ali announced her intentions to form subgroups of commissioners to handle yearly tasks, such as initiatives, HR Award, Interfaith breakfast planning, etc. She also wishes to table this subject until after she is able to speak with the Mayor regarding item 5 as the formation of subgroups would require more people to be in the HRC. 7. ADA COMMITTEE UPDATE Chair Ali asked Commissioner Nanny to announce updates but Commissioner Nanny was not aware that she would be giving the update, so no updates were given. Commissioner Nanny asked about the restroom doors of City Hall and Mr. Purinton said he was able to speak to City Maintenance staff and witness the measurement in person. Mr. Purinton verified he witnessed the doors test result at 5-pounds per square inch. Grace Holloman, ADA Technician, also said maintenance staff will now re-evaluate the doors on a monthly basis. Commissioner Nanny said she tested the doors herself and noticed no measureable difference in their difficulty to open. She stated she would gather members from the ADA Committee she serves on to test all doors and make self evaluations. Chair Ali suggested if Commissioner Nanny remains displeased at the results, she can submit her complaint to the HRC. Mrs. Holloman asked that ADA issues remain with the ADA Committee and that Mr. Nelson be contacted regarding the same as he is the chair person for the ADA Citizen’s Advisory Committee. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, April 22, 2024 Page |2  8. DISCUSSION REGARDING MLK BREAKFAST Chair Ali said she still has the results from the surveys received after the interfaith breakfast in February but still has to compile them for presentation to the HRC. She will work on this and email them to City staff for forwarding to HRC Commissioners. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS Commissioner Ridgeway suggested removing Miscellaneous Comments from the agenda in order to avoid Open Meetings Act violations. Commissioner Farley suggested changing it to Announcements similar to what is listed on City Council agendas. Mr. Purinton said the change would be implemented on the next agenda. Mr. Purinton announced that a new Legal Department liaison would be assigned to the Commission next month. He also stated that City Council is about to resume consideration of updates to the City’s Boards and Commissions ordinances, which may impact the HRC. He drew attention the Children’s Rights Commission and their history, as that Commission has not been active and will be formally removed from the City’s ordinances. He suggested that the HRC take a more active approach to its mission to avoid similar issues. The Commissioners expressed renewed interest in a joint meeting with OKC and Tulsa’s human rights commissions, and wanted discussion at the next HRC meeting where the item can be listed specifically on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING - Monday, April 22, 2024 Page |3