HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.25.23 - Minutes (FINAL) 4CHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Cultivating Community Through Social Justice
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
6:00 pm —7:30 pm
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
https://orangecountync.zoom.us/i/85782134210
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF
Allison Mahaley Melvyn Blackwell, Civil Rights Specialist
Jenn Sykes Courtney McLaughlin, Community Engagement& Outreach
Coordinator
Josh Ravitch Shameka Fairbanks, Chief Equity& Human Rights Officer
Ruby Garcia
Jameelah Merritt
Anjail Taylor
Deborah Baker
Michael Fath
MEMBERS ABSENT
Ana Garcia-Turner
Nathalie Volkheimer
Lynn McGee
I. Call to Order I Commissioner Mahaley, Chair
A. The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m.
II. Minutes Approval I February 28, 2023 & March 28, 2023
A. Commissioner Sykes motions to approve February minutes. Commissioner Fath seconds.
Commissioner Ravitch and Baker abstain. All other commissioners are in favor. Motion
passes.
B. Commissioner Sykes motions to approve March minutes. Commissioner Fath seconds. All
commissioners are in favor. Motion passes.
III. Executive Committee Report
A. Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition I Commissioner Mahaley expresses
that there may be a need to revisit the MOU and/or appoint a HRC member to be a liaison
to the Coalition.
Commissioner Mahaley will work with Dr. Fairbanks to review the MOU to determine it's
current viability and provide any recommendations for moving forward.
B. North Carolina Human Relations Commission I A survey was sent out to all local HRCs to
identify five (5) primary human relations issues emerging locally. Commissioners will send
responses to Mr. Blackwell & Dr. Fairbanks in order to emerging concerns and priorities.
IV. County Updates
A. Juneteenth Celebration I Orange County Public Library will be coordinating a Juneteenth
Celebration on Saturday, June 17 from noon to 4:30 p.m. Dr. Fairbanks invited
Commissioners to come out and support the event if they can.
B. Intake Specialist I OCOEI has completed interviews and hopes to have an intake specialist
announced by the May meeting.
C. Strategic Planning Efforts I Dr. Fairbanks invites commissioners to participate in the
community survey and share any additional stakeholder groups with her so the consultants
can be in contact with them.
D. Events I OCOEI will be hosting a virtual Fair Housing Basics training on Wednesday, April
26th and a Building a Healthy Community Roundtable Discussion and Resource Fair on
Monday, May 22na
V. HRC Applications
A. Commissioner discuss applicants to fill the one open seat on the Commission.
Commissioners vote to recommend Mark Goldner to be appointed to fill the open HRC
seat.
VI. BOCC May 2023 Meeting
A. Letter to BOCC—Commissioner Mahaley has sent a draft of the letter to Commissioners to
review as agreed upon in March session. Commissioner Mahaley read the draft to HRC
members for feedback. No major changes were suggested by the commissioners.
Commissioner Ravitch motions to accept the text of the letter in spirit, pending in minor
change or editorial changes that may come up in the process of finalizing the letter.
Commissioner Baker seconds. All commissioner are in favor. Motion is approved.
VII. HRC Events & Committee Reports
A. Committee Report
i. Freedom Celebration I Commissioner Sykes
1. Commissioner Sykes shares an update on all of the celebrations that will be
occurring between Juneteenth and July 4th. Recommends the sponsorship
of the Orange County Public Library, Chapel Hill Arts, and Carrboro and
funding of Orange County Public Library celebration. Commissioner Baker
&Taylor have volunteered to join committee.
ii. Community Read I Commissioner Garcia
1. Commissioner Garcia has narrowed the book selection to approximately
ten (10) books. The subcommittee will be able to narrow down the book
selection to 2-3 books to bring forward to the larger group and are
empowered to make decisions about format and venue. Commissioner
Ravitch has volunteered to serve on this committee.
VIII. Commissioner Check-in (2 mins each)
A. Other Business/Announcement/Upcoming Event
i. Chapel Hill Human Services Advisory Board I have completed their allocations
process and their recommendations have been submitted. There will be a
particular emphasis on food insecurity this coming year.
ii. Community Dinner I Tickets are live and available for purchase. Commissioners are
invited to attend and support. Flyers will be sent out to the commissioners
following the meeting.
iii. Chapel Hill Housing Standards Review I Looking at adding duplexes and triplexes
and addressing the missing middle component to their standard plans.
IX. Adjourn
A. Motion to adjourn at 7:24 pm by Commissioner Sykes. Second by Commissioner Baker. All
in favor. Motion passes.
NEXT MEETING: May 23, 2023, on Zoom
(https:Horangecountync.zoom.us/I/83832021326?pwd=OFdLT2FINlZYUENmZnl2Z1BTTEJUZz09)