HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC minutes 091415Orange County Human Relations Commission
Minutes
Monday, September 14, 2015
Orange County Animal Services Building Conference Room
M E M B E R S P R E S E N T
STAFF
Vanessa Soleil
Christine Kelly- Kleese
James Davis
Rollin Russell
Matthew Hughes
Pamela Reynolds
Alan Jefferies
Monica Richard
Gerald Ponder
Robin Criffield
Joyce Preslar
G U E S T S
Ashley Givens
Ashton Merck
Excused Absence: Scott Goldsmith, Natalie Turner, Andy Cagle, Jamie Paulen and Susie Enoch
Unexcused Absence: Marc Xavier
L Call To Order
Chair Gerald Ponder called the meeting to order at 6:05p.m.
II. Introductions
Members introduced themselves to guests Ashley Givens and Ashton Merck. Ashley introduced
herself as an HRC applicant and doctoral student at UNC- Chapel Hill. Ashton introduced herself
as a Duke graduate student who is working on a research project on poverty and inequality in
Orange County.
III. Minutes Approval
Rollin Russell made a motion to accept the August 2015 minutes as drafted. Christine Kelly -
Kleese seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
IV. County Updates
James Davis provided an update on the proposed plaque which will list all Pauli Murray Award
honorees. James stated that his recommendation to the Asset Management Services Dept. was
for each plaque to list honorees for three (3) decades (1990 -1999, 2000 -2009 and 2010 - 2019).
He also recommended that there be a separate plaque containing a bust of Dr. Pauli Murray and
information about her contribution to the fair and equitable treatment of women and people of
color. The members commented on the cost associated with these plaques and recommended that
funding should be provided by the BOCC since this was a recommendation proposed by the
BOCC.
James reminded the members of the Constitution and Citizenship Day proclamation to be
presented on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 in Chapel Hill, and the correlating event on Saturday,
September 19th in Hillsborough.
Page 1 of 3
Gerald Ponder presented an update on the County's Accessibility Subcommittee. He stated that
the subcommittee will be performing assessments of barriers to services for persons with a
disability.
James presented information about the draft Analysis of Impediments to fair housing choice
(A.L). The draft A.I. was projected on the screen for all members to view. The members
discussed the identified impediments and correlating proposed remedies. The issue of
inclusionary zoning was presented. James stated that Chapel Hill is the only township within the
County with inclusionary zoning. It was questioned whether Carrboro also has an inclusionary
zoning ordinance. James will discover this information.
The status of HRC applications was discussed. All current applicants indicate "Caucasian" as
his /her race. The members expressed the need to have racial and ethnic diversity on the board.
Rollin made a motion that James convey this concern to the BOCC. Robin Criffield seconded the
motion which passed unanimously. With regard to the current vacancies, Rollin made a motion
to recommend the appointment of Ashley Givens and not to recommend the appointment of
Colin O'Banion. Christine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
V. Officer Voting
Rollin nominated Gerald to the office of Chair and made a motion to that effect. Gerald accepted
the nomination. Monica Richard seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Rollin
nominated Monica to the office of Vice Chair and made a motion to that effect. Monica accepted
the nomination. Robin seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Natalie Turner is
currently serving as Secretary. Rollin made a motion for Natalie to continue to occupy the office
of secretary. Christine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
VL Subcommittee Breakout Session
In the interest of time, Chair Ponder opted not to ask the subcommittees to break into smaller
work meetings.
VII. Subcommittee Updates
Executive Committee:
James informed the members that past youth Pauli Murray Award honorees Emma Catanzaro,
Emma Morris and Desaray Rockett were invited to apply to the HRC as a youth ambassador.
James said that Ms. Morris declined the invitation due to her enrollment in a specialized school,
Ms. Catanzaro did not respond, and Ms. Rockett verbally accepted the invitation.
Building Integrated Communities (BIC):
No Report. The issue of whether the BIC subcommittee should continue to exist will be
discussed at a later meeting.
Diversity Matters:
Page 2 of 3
The need to select musicians for the Human Relations Month Forum was discussed. James will
send a chart to the members to solicit names of musicians or entertainers to consider. The
members discussed the need to secure $500 for Alice Elliott's honorarium. James reported that a
general category to financially support HRC events will be added to the County Giving Fund.
Among other things, the monies collected can be used to pay the honorarium.
Community Relations:
Joyce Preslar recommended the members to consider a dance troop to provide entertainment at
the Pauli Murray Awards ceremony. Joyce will get additional information to James. With regard
to the Fair Housing Poster Contest, Monica made a motion for James to unilaterally reword the
application as necessary. Vanessa Soleil seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Collateral Consequences:
Robin reported that the members are considering expanding the scope of the subcommittee. She
stated that a lot of information has been gathered and there is a need for the subcommittee to
discuss where to focus its energy.
VIII. Other Business /Announcements
None
VIII. Adiourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
James E. Davis, Jr.,
Civil Rights Specialist
Page 3 of 3