HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.27.26 HRC Approved Minutes Quorum was met.
3. Approval of Agenda by HRC Members
4. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Minutes Reviewed: January 27, 2026
Motion: Josh Ravitch
• Second: Jenn Sykes
Vote Result:Approved
Vote Count: 8 For/0 Against/0 Abstain
5. Public Comment
Public Comment Guidance & Disclosure
Mr. Paul Slack reminded attendees that public comment should not include
confidential information, personal identifying information, or details of active
complaints or investigations. Mr. Paul Slack noted that sensitive matters may be
redirected to the appropriate staff or complaint process in order to protect due process
and confidentiality.
Speakers
o Holly Meschko, community member, spoke regarding housing: she
appeared at the beginning of the meeting to share that she had filed a
Housing Complaint with Orange County Office of Civil Rights. She was
informed that the HRC board members are responsible for final
reconsideration should her case need to go through that process and was
cautioned not to say anything specific as not to jeopardize that process. She
gave a general statement regarding her character and excused herself from
the meeting.
6. County Updates
County Staff Presenting: Paul Slack&Courtney McLaughlin, OCRCL Staff
Summary of Updates:
o Blackwood Farms Marker
o Three options to choose from to mark the cemetery at Blackwood Farms
• Discussion Summary:
o Commissioners discussed which marker would be best suited for the
commemoration of the Blackwood Farms gravesite.
o HRC will have final vote on language for marker at future HRC meeting
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o Commemorative stone is estimated to take 4-6 weeks for completion,
which fits with the timeline of the June 2026 Ceremony at Blackwood
Farms
Decisions or Motions:
o Motion: Rhian Carreker-Ford
o Second: Shane Lukas
o Vote Results: Non-Symmetrical Stone Approved Unanimously
Action Items:
o Confirm with Mr. Peter Sandbeck(Dept. of Environment, Agriculture,
Parks & Recreation-DEAPR) liaison for Orange County Historical
Preservation Committee for statement options on stone
o Confirm with manufacturer for character allowance
■ Assigned to: Paul Slack
■ Due: Next Month
7. Commission Updates
7.1.Community Events& Programs
Summary of Discussion:
o Community Conversation; "Building Resilience Together"
o Saturday, February21, 2026, at 10:00 am-12:00 pm
o HRC members arrive by 9:00 a.m. for set-up, and to greet the community, as
well as break down and clean up.
o Two Panelists are confirmed; other organizations will be coming to table at
the event
7.2.Outreach & Engagement
Summary:The Commission discussed progress on the potential upcoming youth
engagement initiative with a tentative March 3, 2026, date.Youth will have a day off
from school, and the goal is to do a half-day event where the discussion could be
held at The Drakeford. Courtney was reaching out to previous contact for the Youth
Summer Academy. Shane,Wendy, and Krista, are the members planning the event,
with a goal of gauging interest for the future. If facility and speaker are not located in
time, the event will be rescheduled to a future date.
7.2.1. New Member Outreach
Discussion Summary:
■ The Executive Committee is still in need of a Secretary
■ There are four vacancies on the board
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7.2.2. Tabling and Community Presence
Discussion Summary:
■ Department of Social Services (DSS) Event in May, Latino Pride in
June, and Hog Day in September
■ Materials not yet needed
Action Items:
■ Finalize event list where the HRC sub-committee will table at.
• Assigned to: Shane, Wendy, and Krista
• Due: Next Meeting
8. Old Business
8.1.Proclamations for Women's History and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,were sent
to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
Summary: BOCC will enter and present them at their next meeting on February 3,
2026. If any HRC members want to be present that would be welcome.
o Krista and Cory offered to go to the BOCC meeting.
9. New Business
9.1.Social Justice Vision
Will discuss at next meeting.
10. Emerging Issues/Community Concerns
Commissioner shared the following emerging issues:
o Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ongoing issue for community
o Cold Weather/Storms
11.Announcement/ Reminders
• The Annual Mildred Council Community Dinner will be on April 26, 2026, at 1:00
p.m.
12.Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Motion: Krista Caraway
Second: Shane Lukas
Vote Result:Approved
Next Meeting: In-Person, February 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. 306 Revere Rd. Hillsborough,
NC, 27278
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Attachment 1
Excerpt from the Human Relations Commission Policies and Procedures Document
(Approved 11/8/2012, Amended 12/5/2022)
C. Charge
1. The charge of the Human Relations Commission is as follows:
a. study and make recommendations concerning problems in the field of human
relationships.
b. anticipate and discover practices and customs most likely to create animosity
and unrest and to seek solutions to problems as they arise.
c. make recommendations designed to promote goodwill and harmony among
groups in the County irrespective of their race, color, creed, religion, ancestry,
national origin, sex, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, or
status with regard to public assistance.
d. monitor complaints involving discrimination.
e. address and attempt to remedy the violence, tensions, polarization, and other
harm created through the practices of discrimination, bias, hatred, and civil
inequality; and
f. promote harmonious relations within the county through hearings and due
process of law.
SECTION II: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES A. Goals
1. The Human Relations Commission shall seek to prevent and eliminate bias and
discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex,
affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public
assistance.
2. Advise the Orange County Board of Commissioners with respect to matters relating to
human relations and/or social justice issues.
3. Cooperate with and seek to advise and coordinate the activities of persons or groups
interested in human relations and/or social justice issues.
4. Conduct inquiries and hear appeals as may reasonably appear necessary to find the facts
with respect to allegations of discrimination.
B. Objectives
1. The Human Relations Commission shall by means of education, persuasion,
conciliation, and enforcement and utilize all of the powers at its disposal to achieve
its goals.
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