HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC minutes 031317Orange County Human Relations Commission
Minutes
March 13, 2017
Orange County Animal Services Conference Room
1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC
M E M B E R S P R E S E N T
STAFF
Scott Goldsmith
Annette Moore
Jacqueline Podger
Uvonka Mercer
Monica Richard, Chair
Joy Preslar
Rollin Russell, Secretary
Robin Criffield
Delvena Jones
M E M B E R S A B S E N T
Deborah Stroman
Jessica Aguilar
Marc Xavier
Andy Cagle
G U E S T S
Matt Case
Keith Cook
Latamdra Strong
Ana Garcia Turner
John Podger
L Call To Order
Chair Monica Richard called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
IL Introduction
Members of the HRC introduced themselves and gave some background of their
affiliation with the commission. Visitors introduced themselves and gave the organization
they were affiliated with.
III. Minutes Approval
The minutes for January 17, 2017 and February 13, 2017 were approved as presented.
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IV. County Updates
1. Annette Moore extended congratulations to the members of the HRC from the BOCC
and County Manager for an outstanding event.
2. Ms. Moore stated that Uvonka Mercer is the first line of contact for the commission,
but that she is always available. She also reported that Pam Reynolds is retiring at the end
of April and recruitment for the position has already started.
3. Ms. Moore discussed staffing for all three of the boards that HHRCD is responsible for
staffing.
4. It was discussed that an email should be sent to Ms. Moore and cc. Uvonka Mercer
regarding any requests for events /sponsorship with the HRC.
5. FY 2017 -2018- Outside Agency Funding: Ms. Moore explained to the HRC the
process for reviewing outside funding applications. She said that the HRC has two
applications for review, El Centro and the Refugee Center. A subcommittee was
appointed (Rollin, Joy and Monica), to review the applications and then one member will
report back to the BOCC.
6. Request for Sponsorship: Jean Bolduc wants the HRC to cosponsor a conversation on
the Confederate Flag. The HRC voted to cosponsor the event and be a part of the
planning.
V. Subcommittee Updates
A. Executive Committee
1. Plan of Action for Year
2. Goals for Subcommittee
3. Budget
(Chair, Monica Richard, said that these items were not yet ready for discussion and
would need to be discussed at a later date.)
B. Diversity Matters: Community Read was cancelled.
C. Community Relations:
1. Pauli Murray Award Ceremony — August 2017 was discussed as the targeted
start date for planning the 2018 event.
2. Human Relations Essay Contest for middle and high school students: The
winning students received certificates and cash prizes. They will also be invited to
the April 4, 2017 BOCC meeting.
D. Community Justice
VI. Other Business /Announcements
A. Employment discrimination cases
1. Ordinance states that department processes employment discrimination
complaints too. However, in 2002, there was a challenge to the Employment
portion of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, and the North Carolina
Supreme Court declared this portion unconstitutional. Before that time the
department was a Fair Employment Practice Agency, substantially equivalent
to EEOC. However, with that ruling the department lost its substantial
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equivalency. Thus, it's no longer able to process employment discrimination
complaints, only housing discrimination complaints.
2. HRC Charge and website still state HRC is able to deal with employment
cases
i. Changes need to be made to these items
a. BOCC will need to make appropriate changes to the Orange
County Civil Rights Ordinance
b. HRC can make recommendations to the BOCC
VII. Adiourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Pamela T. Reynolds, Intake Specialist
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