Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC Minutes 0109181 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Minutes MAKE-UP January 9, 2018 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Orange County Animal Services Conference Room 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill NC MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF Sue Kinzer Annette Moore, Director Nancy White Tara May, Civil Rights Specialist Jackie Podger Melvyn Blackwell, Intake Specialist Matt Case Debby Stroman Ana Garcia-Turner Scott Goldsmith April Chang Marc Xavier MEMBERS ABSENT Elizabeth O’Quinn Daniel Ryan Nora Spencer (excused) Joy Preslar (excused) GUESTS I. Call to Order A. The meeting was called to order at 6:05pm by Dr. Debby Stroman, Chair. A quorum was present. II. Introductions A. Human Relations Commission (HRC) members and staff introduced themselves, gave good news, and did an ice breaker. III. Minutes Approval – December 11, 2017 A. HRC members reviewed the minutes. 2 B. It was noted to clarify “marketing the HRC on the website” in the minutes [addenda item IX, line A]. A motion was made to approve the minutes from December 11, 2017 with clarification to referenced agenda item. [Podger, Kinzer]. IV. County Updates A. Ms. Annette Moore announced that the Orange County Department of Human Rights and Relations (HR&R) has become its own department with its own budget. This also includes the HRC’s budget. She informed the HRC their budget is $5,000 dollars. Ms. Moore encouraged the HRC to not feel constrained by their budget. She explained that depending on the matter she could work to have funds allocated to support any HRC initiatives. B. Ms. Moore explained how the HRC stands as a public body. She continued to explain how the HRC must provide public notice in the event a meeting is changed. She noted that the HRC must make decisions and/or vote in a public domain by sub-committee or quorum. She emphasized the importance of the HRC being transparent when conducting business. C. Ms. Moore discussed HRC meeting minutes and agendas. She stated that HR&R staff will have the goal of getting the agenda for upcoming meetings 2 weeks in advance as well as the meeting minutes from the previous HRC meeting (two weeks prior to next meeting). D. Ms. Moore discussed the Fair Housing Improvement Plan. She noted that everything is going well so far, and our monitor is pleased with our progress. She noted how HR&R being its own department and having the HR&R staff in one building has put a better focus on Fair Housing and the way cases are processed. The improvement plan ends at the end of January 2018. Ms. Moore highlighted that Tara May recently conciliated her first case, and is currently working to conciliate others. V. Subcommittee Updates A. Dr. Stroman revisited the previous HRC discussion of having a Hate Crime Hotline for residents to call and report Orange County (OC) hate crimes and human relations issues. Members discussed options and alternatives of this topic. The HRC will continue to think on this idea. One of the concerns raised was if there was a hate crime hotline, the HRC should first have a goal and a plan of action in place on how to deal with complaints. Ms. Moore will reach out to OC law enforcement and Emergency Services to find out how they address hate crimes or complaints, or to whom they are referred. B. Matt Case inquired about the nature of the relationship of the HRC and HR&R. Ms. Moore explained how the HRC is an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). She noted how HR&R is support staff and ultimately a resource for the HRC. 3 C. Ms. Moore explained to the HRC why OC is on the Fair Housing Improvement Plan. She clarified how former staff of HR&R did not make enough of their resources available and/or known to generate Fair Housing cases. Ms. Moore noted there will be more efforts to advertise and educate the public on Fair Housing. She also explained the functional differences between Fair Housing and Affordable Housing. She announced how there will be opportunities for HR&R staff and HRC members to attend trainings this year. VI. HRC Events A. Dr. Stroman led a discussion on the 28th Annual Pauli Murray Awards. The awards ceremony will be held at the Whitted building (2nd floor) on February 25, 2018 from 3pm to 5pm. The group discussed planning and logistics. Ms. Moore pointed out that HR&R staff will seek out advertising and promotional platforms to reach the youth. Dr. Stroman suggested advertisement via schools in the County. Dr. Stroman led a discussion on the Pauli Murray Award Youth Contest. The HRC decided that, in honor of the Frederick Douglass bicentennial, the contest topic will be something related to Frederick Douglass. Scott Goldsmith suggested the topic be “Fredrick Douglas and The Power of Words”. Mr. Case suggested that youth contestant entries be open to spoken word, rap, dance, as well as essays. Dr. Stroman will get with HR&R staff to finalize specifications for the youth contest. Dr. Stroman invited members to volunteer to be a submission judge for the youth contest. Ms. May referenced that there were three submission judges last year. Jackie Podger referenced that there were six submissions last year. Matt Case, Sue Kinzer, and Jackie Podger volunteered and will judge this year’s contest submissions. Dr. Stroman discussed marketing the adult applications for the Pauli Murray Awards. Ms. Moore discussed getting more people to come out to the awards and more people nominating and applying for someone to receive a Pauli Murray Award. HR&R staff and HRC will look into platforms to market the Pauli Murray Awards (i.e. County social media, HR&R website, other Orange County departments, newspapers and/or newsletters). HR&R staff will be responsible for making the food arrangements for the Pauli Murray Awards Ceremony. Ms. Moore noted HR&R staff will also take care of the administrative and meager tasks for the ceremony. She encouraged the HRC to focus on “big picture” items. HRC agreed to have music again this year. Mr. Case, Ms. Moore, and Nancy White will be the first, second, and third option, respectively for booking musical entertainment. B. Ms. May reported that Nora Spencer corresponded with her stating she forgot about the location change of HRC meeting and will not be present. 4 Dr. Stroman reminded sub-committee members to respond to Nora about plans moving forward. [Joy Presler, Jackie Podger, Nancy White, and Marc Xavier]. The topic will be on sexual assault and sexual harassment. VII. Other Business/Announcements/Upcoming Events A. HRC Subcommittee will meet later this month to discuss the HRC Forum B. Hate Crime Hotline-could be same line as Fair Housing Complaint line C. Question-what can be done when complaints are made? D. HRC meeting sites will begin to alternate monthly between Animal Services & the Link Building. VIII. Adjourn A. The meeting was adjourned at 7:33pm. B. NEXT MEETING: February 12, 2018 6:00pm at Animal Services