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4 Ad <br /> HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION <br /> Cultivating Community Through Social Justice <br /> Meeting Minutes <br /> Tuesday, May 27,2025 <br /> 6:00pm—7:30 pm <br /> Solid Waste Management Conference <br /> Room <br /> Member Role Attendance <br /> Commissioners <br /> Jemm Merritt(JM) Commissioner, Chair Present <br /> Rhian Carreker-Ford (RCF) Commissioner, Vice Chair Present <br /> Tonya Jones, (TJ) Commissioner, Secretary Present <br /> Jen Sykes (JS) Commissioner Present <br /> Josh Ravitch (JR) Commissioner Present <br /> Cory Hogans (CH) Commissioner Present <br /> Shane Lukas (SL) Commissioner Present <br /> Wendy Calvin (WC) Commissioner Present <br /> Krista Caraway(KC) Commissioner Present <br /> Orange County Staff <br /> Paul Slack(PS) Chief Civil Rights Officer Present <br /> Courtney McLaughlin (CM) Community Engagement& Outreach Coordinator Present <br /> I. Call to Order—Commissioner Carreker-Ford called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. <br /> II. Introduction of new Human Relations Commissioners Wendy Calvin and Krista Caraway <br /> III. Agenda Approval — Motion to approve by Commissioner Sykes, Second by Commissioner Jones, <br /> Unanimous Approval. Minutes approved. <br /> IV. County Updates-OCOEI Staff(6:10p--6:25p) Paul Slack&Courtney McLaughlin <br /> A. Youth Leadership pilot program—15 Orange County students will start in July. Final project on July 24, <br /> 2025. Requesting the presence and support of the Human Relations Commission <br /> B. Name Change: Official office name is now Orange County Office of Civil Rights & Civic Life <br /> C. The office is recruiting for an investigator for Fair Housing investigations. Katherine Mathias will be the <br /> Acting Intake Coordinator until someone is hired. State HUD is handling cases right now and there is a <br /> delay in responses to cases. 2 cases are pending. <br /> D. Juneteenth Event—June 13, 2025,the office is requesting volunteers to assist with various tasks during <br /> the event please reach out to Paul Slack or Courtney Mclaughlin if you can assist. <br /> V. Blackwood Farms (6:25p-6:35p)—The marker will be paid with current fiscal year funds. Paul Slack <br /> and Peter Sandbeck to identify a supplier and will report back with character limitations, cost, etc. <br /> Table discussion for June meeting <br /> VI. Executive Committee Report (6:35p-7:00p) <br /> A. The following annual trainings for the commission will need to be scheduled: Civil Rights and Fair <br /> Housing Training and Reconsideration Training. Proposing that if possible this be included in the August <br /> retreat over a two (2) day period. Commissioner Carreker-Ford will be sending out a doodle poll for <br /> Commissioners availability for the dates in August.This will consist of building a calendar, setting FY26 <br /> goals, team building, and trainings. <br /> B. Executive Board elections are open and nominations will begin at the June meeting. To ensure a <br /> transition period and allow time for the incoming board to prepare for the August Retreat. If you are <br />