HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2021 HRC Minutes t 101. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
MINUTES
Monday, August 9, 2021
6:00 pm—7:30 pm
Virtual Meeting
via Zoom
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF
David LaBarre Melvyn Blackwell, Intake Specialist
Ellis Driver Annette Moore, Director
Tomeka Ward-Satterfield (unexcused)
Frances Castillo
Dion Graham
Samantha Beecham
MEMBERS ABSENT
Ana Garcia Turner(unexcused)
Allison Mahaley
Stephanie Harrell (excused)
GUESTS
I. Call to Order—Frances Castillo, Chair
A. Commissioner Frances Castillo called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
II. Minutes Approval —August 09, 2021
A. Commissioner David LaBarre motioned for the minutes from the June 14, 2021, HRC
meeting to be approved. Commissioner Ellis Driver seconded the motion.All were in favor
of approving the minutes.
III. Executive Committee Report
A. Commissioner Francis Castillo discussed the Orange County-wide Racial Equity Plan (REP)
and the opportunity she and Ms. Annette Moore discussed regarding the REP
presentation. The HRC collectively decided to participate individually with community
members. If HRC members cannot make the presentations, then an in-house
presentation will be requested for the HRC.
IV. County Updates
A. Ms. Moore informed the HRC August 10, 2021, and August 17, 2021 are the dates for the
Racial Equity Plan. She reported how the county will develop an internal Racial Equity plan
in the near future.
B. Ms. Moore reported the department is still trying to staff the Civil Rights Specialist
position. She also reported that the department would be charging two Fair Housing
cases. She reported how the Eviction Diversion program is still going well, and the
Expeditor position will be posted soon.
V. Terms & Re-Appointments
A. Commissioner Castillo identified that many current HRC members' terms do not expire
until 2022. She recognized that her term expires at the end of September 2021.
VI. HRC Applications & Recommendations
A. Commissioner Castillo discussed the current number of open seats on the HRC. Mr.
Melvyn Blackwell confirmed there were a total of three open seats, and one of the seats
has to be approved by the Chapel Hill Town Council.
B. Commissioner Dion Graham inquired about other boards and determining how diverse
they are.
C. The HRC discussed the applicants and their addresses collective concern of which
township or city limits each applicant resides. HRC members were also concerned if
applicants were still interested in serving. Mr. Melvyn Blackwell will follow up with
applicants to confirm their residential addresses and if they still have interest in serving
on the HRC by the September meeting. The HRC will plan to make applicant
recommendations at the September meeting.
D. .
VII. HRC Events & Committee Reports
A. Committee Reports
1. Commissioner David LaBarre provided a status report on the Pauli Murray
Carolina K-12 initiative on behalf of the Communication Committee. He will
reach out to Ms. Kristy to follow up with her regarding the professors'payment
paperwork. He will also follow up on the promotional materials for the event.
Ms. Moore explained how HR&R staff could assist with promoting the event
once the promotional materials are shared.
2. Commissioner Castillo also provided a report on behalf of the Communication
Committee. She noted how the committee plans to republish the Fair Housing
information and community resource information they had translated into
multiple languages for Fair Housing month 2021. She also noted how the
committee plans to do some education around health resources and health
disparities. She commented on how the committee will discuss collaborating
with Orange County's Health Department to develop programing for this
initiative in November 2021.
3. Commissioner Graham and Commissioner Ward-Satterfield acknowledge that
the committee is on schedule to provide its October 2021 update regarding the
Board Diversity Committee.
4. Commissioner Castillo provided an update on the Community Book Read
Committee. She announced that event would be on October 17, 2021. She
explained how it was originally planned for 3 pm-4:30 pm, but that conflicted
with the 4 pm Northern Orange NAACP event. The HRC collectively agreed to
have the event 2 pm-3:30 pm, and the book will be Cast, by Isabel Wilkerson.
The committee has also chosen a graphic novel. They will send the title of the
graphic novel to HR&R staff.
Vill. Other Business/Announcement/Upcoming Events
A. .
IX. Adjourn
A. Commissioner Castillo adjourned the meeting.
B. NEXT VIRTUAL MEETING: September 13, 2021, call-in info to come