Minutes 04-08-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

She said the manager's recommendation is that the Board receive this information and allow the HRC the additional time to explore their role in addressing women's issues, in order to give a written report to the Board at the May 20th, 2014 regular meeting. James Davis said the HRC continues to discuss the options, and this has been an ongoing topic of discussion since October 2013. Commissioner Pelissier asked if the HRC currently has any sub committees. James Davis said yes, and one of them is the Diversity Matters subcommittee, which is tasked with addressing outreach and programs that address an array of issues regarding equality. He said this group recently facilitated a discussion on inter-racial marriage, and it also was responsible for the Human Relations Forum that occurred in January. He said another subcommittee is the Building Integrated Communities committee, which addresses issues with relationships with the immigrant population. Commissioner Pelissier requested more information when this comes back in May regarding which other women's organizations the committee has contacted. Cheryl Young said she has had conversations with these groups, and she said each of them would be interested in being included in future discussions if the Board decides to re- create another Women's Commission. Chair Jacobs arrived at 7:08 pm. Commissioner Price said she is pleased that there is interest in this with the HRC, but originally when the Board worked on this there was discussion about the economic development aspect. She wondered why nothing was heard from the economic development department. She asked if this is something that the HRC wants to take on again. James Davis said the HRC does not want to focus on one particular class. He said since the HRC is charged with addressing issues of equality for all classes then they would address gender inequality as part of this sub-committee. He said the group would increase awareness and provide outreach. He said if it is a matter of addressing an issue with a finite resolution, then the committee would ask the Board to hire a consultant to find out what those issues are and help define how to address them. Commissioner Price said when she talked with women in the community they were very concerned about women in the workplace with regard to salary, promotions and the ability to get loans from banks. She suggested highlighting women that have been successful, and examining whether schools are encouraging young women to take the STEM courses. She said this is about empowerment. She said it may be good for Orange County to look at what Durham is doing, and she noted that Durham recently highlighted 30 prominent business women. Commissioner Gordon said she supports what Commissioner Price has said regarding the establishment of some type of women's group or commission. She said this is necessary, and many things have changed since the Women's Commission was eliminated and an agreement was set up with the Women's Center. She said there is no longer a separate Women's Center. She said women are not a minority, and the basis of discrimination is different from other protected classes. She said some of the things that were expectations when the group was eliminated have not been fulfilled. She said feels this needs to be taken from the HRC, and the manager and staff should come back with a proposal on what it would take to set up a separate Women's Commission. She said she would accept the recommendation that this could go under Human Rights and Relations instead of Economic Development. She would like to see staff come up with a recommendation of what resources it would take to set this up. She urged the Board to give this to staff. Commissioner porosin said he is not in favor of setting up another commission. He said the Board needs to give specific guidance to the HRC. He said the HRC has a broad charge