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Home My WebLink AboutHRC minutes 050817Depa rnent of 1- lor�sing, �� °usnoin Il3ugtits and � Orange County Human Relations Commission Minutes Monday, May 8, 2017 6:00 pm -7:30 pm Orange County Animal Services Conference Room 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill NC MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF Robin Criffield Annette Moore, Interim Director Scott Goldsmith Uvonka Mercer, Civil Rights Specialist Joyce Preslar Tara May, Intake Specialist Monica Richard Rollin Russell Deborah Stroman Marc Xavier MEMBERS ABSENT Jessica Aguilar e (excused Delvena Jones (ex GUESTS *Action items in bold L Call to Order Chair Monica Richard called the meeting to order at 6:06pm. A Quorum was present. IL Introductions The new Intake Specialist, Tara May, introduced herself and described her educational background and experience in Housing, as well as her role within HHRCD and staff for the HRC. Members of the HRC introduced themselves and gave some background on their affiliation with the commission. III. Minutes Approval — March 13 & April 10, 2017 A. Approval of the March minutes was moved to June to incorporate discussion of employment discrimination and website changes. B. A motion was made to approve the April minutes with the correction of Dr. Stroman's name throughout [Russell, Stroman] IV. County Updates A. Annette Moore gave an update on FY 17 -18 budget process. She stated that the County Manager gave a recommended budget on April 2, which included the $200,000 recommended by the HRC. Two new positions will be coming into HHRCD: A Housing Rehabilitation Specialist and a Housing Resource Specialist; both with a recommended start date of January 1, 2018. HHRCD got everything requested in some capacity in the Manager's recommended budget. However, some cuts were made to staff travel and temp budgets. Temps are usually utilized as front desk staff and to fill vacancies. Currently temps are finishing up fair housing cases and working on section 8 as well. HHRCD was fortunate compared to some other departments this budget cycle. The $5,000 for the HRC stands. Public budget hearings are May 11 & 18, budget work sessions begin June 8. Staff should have more information on final budget next meeting. B. Ms. Moore also updated the Commission on the status of HHRCD director search. The director search is ongoing. There were 25 applicants total. Applicants are currently being asked a series of questions to determine final interview candidates. Interview candidates should be determined mid - May, with an announcement coming in June. The new director should be in place beginning July 1. C. Rollin Russell gave an update on the Hate Free Schools coalition. The Town Hall Meeting "A Conversation about the Confederate Flag in Orange County Schools" will be held at 7:OOpm June 8 at Whitted. He stated that the goal for promotion of the conversation was to prevent the title from presupposing the outcome, so that everyone feels open and comfortable participating in the conversation. Unfortunately, the flyer was distributed before the HRC notified the school district, prompting an apology on behalf of the HRC and staff for pre- emptively releasing information before it was discussed by all parties. Mr. Russell explained that at last month's school board meeting, a motion to amend this month's agenda to include making a decision about Confederate flag /apparel on school grounds. However, the motion died for lack of a second. An African American member of the school board wrote a member to the chair asking that the dress code be put on the agenda for the school board meeting tonight, May 8, during open board session. Representatives from both school districts in Orange County as well as the Sheriff's department should be invited to attend the meeting. Monica will prepare a letter of invitation. Ms. Richard and Ms. Moore discussed the importance of Sheriffs department's presence to be non - threatening and unintimidating. The suggestion was made to request deputies be dressed out of uniform for the event. A panel will be present at the meeting, with the goal of including all perspectives. Panelists will have 7 minutes each to give point of view, and then the public will be invited to discuss. The importance of having a neutral panel was discussed. The Commission will notify Rollin Russell with names of other potential panelists. The argument is freedom of speech vs. right to an education without intimidation and in between is school board's right/responsibility to keep intimidating /distracting content out of the learning environment. The goal is to get folks in the room who really want to talk about it in a civil and conversational manner. Ms. Moore commended the HRC, stating that the Manager and Board of Commissioner's believe the HRC is doing what they are meant to be doing. However, they were not as pleased with the way the information was distributed —room for improvement in the future. Another conversation sponsored by NAACP will be held on May 20 at 10:00am at Hargraves Center titled, "A Teach in on the Confederate Flag." D. Trainings for HRC members were discussed. Uvonka will ask what challenges there are for holding the Anti - harassment training with DSS. Scott Goldsmith asked for an update about the Hate Crime Hotline. Ms. Moore stated that training for staff will be the first step, with training for HRC members coming at a later date. Ms. Moore will talk with Fran about getting this set up. Mr. Goldsmith also stated the importance of Fair Housing training for HRC to be prepared in case Commissioner's Charge is required. Ms. Moore agreed and stated staff would begin preparing training for August. V. Subcommittee Updates VL Other Business /Announcements /Upcoming Events A. The election of officers was moved to June meeting B. Debbie Stroman suggested Caucasian should be changed to White on the HRC application. Staff will contact the Register of Deeds about this change. C. Dr. Stroman also expressed difficulty getting in contact with someone from UNC's summer reading program. Ms. Moore will get in touch with her contact. VII. Adiourn Chair Monica Richard adjourned the meeting at 7:08pm. Respectfully submitted, Tara May, Intake Specialist