HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC Minutes 0212181
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Minutes
February 12, 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
Joy Preslar Tara May, Civil Rights Specialist
Jackie Podger Melvyn Blackwell, Intake Specialist
Matt Case
Debby Stroman
Ana Garcia-Turner
Marc Xavier
Alicia Reid
Rebecca High
MEMBERS ABSENT
Elizabeth O’Quinn
Nora Spencer (excused)
April Chang (excused)
Scott Goldsmith
Allison Mahaley (excused)
Nancy White (excused)
GUESTS
B Pat Revel
I. Call to Order
A. The meeting was called to order at 6:10pm by Dr. Debby Stroman, Chair. A quorum was
present.
II. Introductions
A. Human Relations Commission (HRC) members, staff, and new member [Ms. Alicia
Reid] introduced themselves, gave good news, and did an ice breaker.
2
III. Minutes Approval – January 9, 2018
A. HRC members reviewed the minutes prior to this meeting via email. Ms. Jackie Podger
made a motion to approve January minutes. Mr. Marc Xavier seconded the motion.
Minutes for January were approved.
IV. County Updates
A. Ms. Annette Moore announced that Orange County’s Department of Human Rights &
Relations (HR&R) has completed the Performance Improvement Plan with HUD, and are
currently awaiting our results. Ms. Moore will keep the HRC updated. She explained the
focuses surrounding the Performance Improvement Plan were; Organizational Structure
and ensuring we had the capacity to enforce the Fair Housing Act and local ordinance,
Planning how to utilize HUD related funds ideally (e.g. for trainings, outreach &
education); Close cases within the expectations of 100 days.
B. Ms. Moore emphasized the new department’s [HR&R] focus is on closing cases
effectively and in a meaningful way. She noted that HR&R staff has been able to close
eight (8) of thirteen (13) cases. She noted that this has cut down the average case
processing time. Ms. Moore recognized Ms. Tara May for her diligent work to conciliate
cases over the past couple of months. Ms. Moore shared examples of cases that Ms.
Mayhas recently conciliated and cases that were closed in a meaningful way.
C. Ms. Moore noted that HR&R staff office spaces will begin construction in the next month
[March 2018].
D. Ms. Moore discussed the mobile homes that will be closing in the county. This will leave
some residents and families displaced. She explained that in response to these mobile
home parks closing, the county has created a rapid housing task force, which HR&R is a
part of.
V. Subcommittee Updates
A. Pauli Murray Awards
1. Dr. Stroman led the discussion on updates for the upcoming Pauli Murray
Awards. The deadline for the Pauli Murray Award nominations and youth contest
submission is February 12, 2018. Tara reported that HR&R staff has received
two (2) youth nominations, four (4) adult nominations, and two (2) contest
entries. There has been no business nominated.
2. The HRC decided not to nominate a business due to time constraints. A
discussion was had on whether to extend the submission deadline and whether or
not to nominate a business. Ms. Moore suggested the deadline should not be
extended for the sake of continuity, preparation, and publicity. Ms. Podger made a
motion to keep the nomination deadline of February 12, 2018. Mr. Xavier
seconded the motion. The motion was passed.
3
3. Ms. Moore encouraged Subcommittee members to meet and decide winners
sooner than later, because she would like to have winners publicized via local
press and various media outlets.
4. Mr. Matt Case made motion was made to have Ms. Joy Preslar join the
Subcommittee to evaluate awards nominees and youth contest entries. Ms. Ana
Garcia-Turner seconded the motion. The motion was passed.
5. Ms. May informed the HRC the guest speaker for the Pauli Murray ceremony will
be, Davidson M. Douglas, Dean of William & Mary Law.
B. HRC Forum
1. Dr. Stroman led the discussion on the upcoming HRC forum. Ms. Podger
reported that the forum’s Subcommittee met last week. The Subcommittee
discussed but has yet to determine what particular scope of harassment should be
the focus. Upon determining the scope and targeted talking points, the
Subcommittee would then chose a key note speaker and/or panelist for this years’
forum. Dr. Stroman suggested that the scope or talking points of the forum be
driven by the speaker or panelist and their back-grounds.
2. The Subcommittee is scheduled to have a conference call this Thursday at 6pm.
3. Mr. Xavier announced the Subcommittee decided to have the HRC forum on
Sunday April 15th, 2018 from 1pm to 5pm. Ms. May will check the availability of
Whitted Building’s room 230 for the site to have the HRC forum. Ms. Moore
suggested the HRC to have the forum in another month. She explained how April
is Fair Housing Month, and that HR&R staff may be too occupied to thoroughly
assist the HRC with organizing and /or planning for the forum. Dr. Stroman
assured Ms. Moore the HRC will not need as much involvement from HR&R
staff as they do with the Pauli Murray Awards.
VI. Other Business/Announcements/Upcoming Events
A. Ms. Podger and Dr. Stroman will get together off-line to discuss parameters and agenda
for a Hate Free Schools visit at the March 2018 HRC meeting.
B. Orange County has formed a task force to address the issues for the displacement of
many mobile home residents in the county. County Commissioners will set funds aside
to assist in efforts to assist displaced residents.
VII. Adjourn
A. The meeting was adjourned at 7:31pm.
B. NEXT MEETING: March 12, 2018 6:00pm at the Link Building