Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Human Rights Commission (HRC)
August 4, 2016 Minutes
Regular Meeting Midway City Hall 6:30 P.M.
Present: Marilyn Daniel, Dan Brown, Donald Morton, Tony Wilhoit, Angelica Muniz, Sheila Harris, Mary Raglin
Absent: Lauren Graves (work related absence), Sherry Brown (Midway Road blocked due to wreck)
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Donald Morton, Chairperson. The Commission recognized and thanked Mayor Vandegrift for arranging and allowing us to meet in Midway City Hall. Harris and Daniel made a motion to amend the agenda to include Midway Fall Festival. Motion passed.
Approval of Minutes
Daniel and Harris made motions to approve the June 2, 2016 minutes. Motion passed.
Comments/Questions from Members of the Public: Mayor Vandegrift welcomed the Commission to Midway
Treasurer’s Report
July Balance: $1456.66
Expenditures: $5.00 (Google)
$75.00 (Twilight Festival)
Income: $0.14
Expenditures: $5.00 (Google)
$384.52 (Twilight Festival Supplies/Muniz reimbursement)
Income: $0.11
Budget Status: A check from the city of Versailles for $250 was received. It will be deposited and reflected on September’s balance.
Reports from Committees:
Education (Scholarship Committee): No Report
Fairness Ordinance Committee: No Report
Old Business:
Book Program: D. Brown updated the Commission on progress of gathering data and making contacts in order to begin the Imagination Library Book Program. After some discussion, consensus was reached and it was decided to set a tentative goal to begin fundraising January 2017 with program implementation at the start of the 2017-2018 school year. D. Brown will make contact with Superintendent Hawkins and Principal Cook to inform them of project progress. D. Brown will also contact Garet Wells to secure literacy data to show Simmons Elementary is an appropriate choice regarding where to begin the Imagination Library Program.
VMWC HRC Website/Google Phone System: After some discussion regarding recent website updates and the Google phone system, it was decided that the Commission needs to invite Misty Gonzalez to an upcoming meeting to give a brief training regarding current HRC technology. Daniel volunteered to contact Gonzalez. Daniel and Brown made motions to invite Misty Gonzalez to an upcoming meeting. Motion passed.
Update on HRC Promotional Items: Muniz noted that items for the Twilight Festival were ordered and have arrived. Muniz has submitted invoices for her reimbursement of HRC promotional items.
Twilight Festival: The Versailles Twilight Festival will be August 19 from 12 noon until 9:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet was distributed and plans were discussed. Morton volunteered to take the lead setting up and organizing booth materials.
Update on More Than A Bakery (Mr. Quigg): Mr. Quigg has emailed Daniel and stayed in touch. Quigg noted that to date there are no employee policies in place.
Reappointment of D. Brown and Morton: D. Brown and Morton need to contact Judge Coyle if they desire reappointment to the HRC. Brown and Morton’s terms expire October 22, 2016.
Midway Fall Festival: The HRC decided to discuss promotional materials and booth organization at the September 1, 2016 meeting. It was noted that the HRC would like to have the same location in front of St. Matthew’s AME Church on the concrete porch for a fee of $75.00. Daniel and Harris made motions that $75.00 be submitted to secure this location.
New Business:
Basic HRC Training: Raglin explained the need for basic HRC training for new Commissioners. It was decided to wait until the end of the meeting after Daniel’s review of the By-Laws and Interlocal Agreement to discuss this item further.
Midway Renaissance Possible Donation: As a result of a $500 returned band fee after an incident at the June Midsummer Nights in Midway, the Midway Renaissance group is looking for a LGBT organization to receive these funds. D. Brown suggested that the HRC could possibly accept the donation, if given, and earmark the funds for LGBT project fundings. For example, the HRC was approached earlier in the year and asked to support Safe Zone Training at the High School. If this Safe Zone Training occurs, money will be needed for High School signage. In addition, money might be used to help print HRC Fairness Ordinance Brochures. Mayor Vandegrift noted that he would outline the HRC discussion and suggestion to the Midway Renaissance Committee.
Review of By-Laws: Daniel reviewed the current Interlocal Agreement and HRC By-Laws, and suggested amendments to the HRC By-Laws. The suggested changes will ensure the By-Laws more closely match the Interlocal Agreement as well as current HRC functions. After discussion, the Commission agreed to review the suggested By-Laws changes and be prepared to discuss suggested changes as well as the need for further HRC training at the September 1, 2016 meeting.
ESL Program: Daniel reviewed the Commission’s interest in the Woodford County ESL program and Carmen Wilcox’s response to our request. D. Brown will talk to Graves and make contact through Garet Wells. Wells has served as our contact with Woodford County Schools in the past and may be able to help identify a staff member for the training in order to plan the ESL Program presentation to the HRC.
Next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2016 in the Woodford County Courthouse Fiscal Courtroom
Respectfully submitted, Dan Brown, Secretary