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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC minutes 011215M E M B E R S P R E S E N T STAFF Gerald Ponder Monica Richard Matthew Hughes James Davis Rollin Russell Christine Kelly- Kleese Doris Brunson Pamela Reynolds Alan Jefferies Jamie Paulen G U E S T S Sheriff Charles Blackwood Daniel Bowes James E. Williams, Jr. Absent: Natalie Turner, Jilan Li, Antonia Pedroza, Dominika Baran, Joyce Preslar, Vanessa Soled, Andrea Jones and Marc Xavier L Call To Order Chair Doris Brunson called the meeting to order at 6:04p.m. II. Introductions Members introduced themselves to guest, Sheriff Charles Blackwood. Guests Daniel Bowes and James E. Williams, Jr. joined the meeting after introductions concluded. III. Minutes Approval Members reviewed the December 15, 2014 minutes. There being no quorum, the minutes were not adopted as official. Jamie Paulen made a motion to accept the minutes as drafted and to be entered as official with no additional corrections upon receiving an additional vote by one of the absent members. Monica Richard seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Members requested James Davis to send the minutes to the absent members and request a vote for adoption. Section VIII (B)(3), (B)(7) and (B)(9), respectively, prohibit voting when there is no quorum, prohibit voting by proxy, and prohibit voting by members not physically present at meetings. As such, staff did not request absent members to vote on the Decemberl5, 2014 minutes. IV. County Updates James Davis informed the board that the HOME Consortium has selected Urban Design Ventures as the consultant to conduct the County's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. James further informed the board that the HRC update regarding its efforts to address gender equity is scheduled to be presented to the BOCC on Tuesday, February 3, 2015. Matthew Hughes volunteered to present this report. With regard to Commissioner Price's request to recognize the "extended" Constitution Amendments, James informed the board that Page 1 of 3 Commissioner Price is amenable to the board's recommendation of a Constitution Day proclamation. James will communicate the board's intent to Commissioner Price. James reminded the members that there are upcoming MLK activities where a representative from the HRC should be present. Rollin Russell expressed that he plans to walk in the Hillsborough march. Other members plan to attend the lecture by activists Angela Davis at UNC- Chapel Hill. The members will promote the Human Relations Month Forum at both events. Doris Brunson volunteered to promote the Human Relations Month Forum during a radio interview on WCHL on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. V. Subcommittee Updates Executive Committee: James reminded the members that there was no action taken on the application to the board from Prof. R. Ross Holloway. There being no quorum, there was no vote of recommendation made. Andrea was not in attendance and was unable to present an update on the social media campaign or on the possible showing of a documentary on Grace Lee Boggs. The members briefly discussed the possibility of showing the documentary. The Community Relations subcommittee will address this matter. Chair Brunson made an announcement about the UNC Diversity Awards and stated that she will send information about the award to the members. Building Integrated Communities (BIC): No Report. Information was disbursed regarding El Futuro. It was recommended that the HRC invite the director of El Futuro to speak at a future meeting. Diversity Matters: Rollin provided a brief update on the progress of the upcoming Human Relations Month Forum and Community Read. Rollin will secure a date for the subcommittee to meet. Pauli Murray Awards: Gerald Ponder provided a brief update and recommended that the sole nominees for each category be given the award. James passed the trophy around for the members to see. Gerald recommended that the trophy be used instead of the plaque. A member of Pauli Murray's family will make a presentation. Gerald expressed that he also wants a representative from Duke's Pauli Murray Project and the Episcopal Church to make a presentation. Music Makers Relief Foundation might provide the music for the ceremony. James will confirm with Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe for catering the event. Essay Contest Christine Kelly- Kleese reported that the winners of the contests were clear. It was expressed that only one of the high school essays was on topic. The members agreed that the remaining two (2) Page 2 of 3 high school entries will be awarded 2nd and 3rd place. However, only the I" place winner for the middle school and high school categories will read their essays at the ceremony. Poster Contest No Report. Collateral Consequences: No Report. VL Guest Presentation James E. Williams, Public Defender, and Daniel Bowes, an attorney with the North Carolina Justice Center, presented information highlighting the destructive impact of collateral consequences in Orange County. The presentation included an account of how policies and rules regarding the Chapel Hill Public Housing office were over - burdensome on felony offenders and those accused of committing a crime although there was no conviction. The gist of the presentation was how some rules unreasonably isolate citizens with criminal records from gainful employment, affordable housing, and the resources and opportunities essential to productive citizenship. They explained that Chapel Hill officials have been relatively receptive to many of their proposed reforms and are expected to make recommendations to the council members in the next few weeks. The presenters entertained questions and were receptive to Sheriff Blackwood's expression that they and the County Sheriff Department work together on certain issues. Sheriff Blackwood recommended the members to view a video on YouTube.com entitled "The Golden Circle." VII. Other Business /Announcements Chair Brunson informed the members of the upcoming International Women's Day event and Human Trafficking Awareness Day. VIII. Adiourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: James E. Davis, Jr., Interim Director Page 3 of 3