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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-01 ad Hoc - Human Rights Committee Minutes Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: S� p J' 01 Ad Hoc Human Rights Com miftee Date: 2020-07-01 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Anne Landry, Carlo Bacci, Andrew Grimes, Shawn Brandt, John Parks Members - Not Present: Others Present: Patricia Calley, Sherilla Lestrade, Kyung Yu, Chris Kelley, Shawn Brandt, Josh Goldlust, John Parks, Linda Snow Dockser, Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam, Kerri Perry, Angela Mason, Bob LeLacheur, Lori Conway, David Clark; Mass Human Rights Coalition Members: Neil Osborne, Kathryn Bonfiglio, Fran Yuan, Adam LaFrance Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: The meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Anne Landry called the meeting to order at 7:36pm. Guests to tonight's meeting include Massachusetts Human Rights Coalition members: Medford Director of Diversity & Inclusion Neil Osborne, Kathryn Bonfiglio of Belmont against Racism, Fran Yuan of Belmont's Human Rights Commission, and Adam LaFrance of the Melrose Human Rights Commission. At the last meeting, Mr. Goldlust, Mr. Brandt, Dr. Snow Dockser, and Ms. Calley volunteered to do more work on the Reading Alliance for Equity and Social Justice (RAESJ) proposal. They reviewed their suggested modifications for the mission that clarify the group's ability to respond including: ensuring collaboration with the community, outreach aligned to the mission, and serving as a resource for Town government. Though the group will not be the resolution body, it will bring issues to Town agencies for awareness & resolution. A question the group had was whether to include fair housing issues, as organizations in other cities and towns originated as a result of fair housing issues. Because Reading has a Housing Authority, and a Regional Housing Services Office, the consensus was housing issues would fall under the other resources the future Executive Director and RAESJ could utilize. The Committee discussed the modifications and further clarified responsibilities including: collaborating with community partners to provide community based educational opportunities, professional development, non-monetary resources, and outreach Page I 1 aligned with the mission; advise members of the community, liaise and advocate with the Town and other agencies for issue awareness and resolution. The Committee continued to discuss the Alliance's structure and goal of having a full-time director approved and budgeted by the Town, with an advisory group to work with this director. There was debate about who would appoint the advisory board - whether it would be comprised of delegates appointed by various Town Boards, Committees, and community - organizations, or appointed by the future director. The Committee agreed that the advisory board needs to be diverse and allow non-Reading residents, as those who work, worship, or go to school in Town are considered members of the community. It also needs to not be subject to open meeting law to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Questions about the appointing process will be brought to Town Counsel for advice. The other Town organization that the ad hoc is trying to emulate is the recently reformed Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (formerly RCASA), which has a director who appoints the Coalition's advisory board. The Director reports directly to the Police Chief. The hiring and firing of the Director is handled by the Human Resources Department of the Town. The goal is for the Alliance to have a similar structure under the Library Director. Belmont accepts applications from any member of the community interested in serving on its Human Rights Committee. Fran Yuan recommended having a more open application process to support the Alliance's proposed structure. Adam La France shared that Melrose picks its members via an open process. There are non- voting liaisons from other Town groups, for example Schools and Police, that help keep and foster relationships with those groups. Being subject to Open Meeting Law, the Melrose HRC found a way to respond to events of interest more quickly with a statement or narrowly scaled public events, such as a vigil. Minutes: Ms. Landry offered some amendments to the draft of the meeting minutes from June 17, 2020. On a motion by Mr. Brandt, seconded by Ms. Calley, the ad hoc Human Rights Committee voted to approve the minutes as amended by a roll call vote of 4-0 (with the exception of Mr. Grimes as it is unknown what time he departed the meeting). Next Steps Ms. Landry, Mr. Bacci, and Dr. Snow Dockser will work with the Town Manager, Town Counsel, and Library Director Amy Lannon to Flesh out a proposal to bring back to the Library Trustees. A Doodle Poll will be sent out to determine the next meeting date. On a motion to adjourn by Mr. Brandt, seconded by Mr. Parks, the ad hoc Human Rights Committee adjourned at 10:25pm by a roll call vote of 4-0. Page 12