2022-01-25 CRAC Minutes
MINUTES
New Hanover County/City of Wilmington
Community Relations Advisory Committee
Zoom Virtual Meeting
January 25, 2022 @ 5:30pm
CRAC Members present: Jen Johnson, Lori Wainright, Kimberly Geiger, Kathy King, Courtney Horton, Scott
Whisnant, Liz Carbone, Fawn Rhodes; absent: Charlrean Mapson, Michael Wentworth. Others: Melissa
Huffman, Asst. City Attorney (COW); Suzanne Rogers, CRAC Liaison (COW); Linda Thompson, CRAC Liaison
(NHC); Anne Eitelman
Jen Johnson, Chair, called the meeting to order and called the roll to establish a quorum. Jen asked that
two items be added to the agenda – Kathy King report out on the plan for the committee retreat in March
2022 and Lori report out on NCHRC Resolution and request for letter of support. Courtney made a
motion that the minutes be accepted as presented and that the agenda be accepted with the additions
requested. Liz seconded, and the motion carried.
Suzanne made a presentation on the City of Wilmington Housing programs and upcoming planning efforts
for the CDBG and HOME 5 Year Plan for Community Development.
The following updates were provided:
Kathy informed the group about the intention for the March committee retreat – to develop our areas of
focus and a work plan for the next several years.
Jen reported that she had submitted recommendations for changes and additions to the City of
Wilmington’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance to the Mayor’s task force for NDO. She also updated the
group on meeting with Linda Thompson, NHC DEI Office to make plans to participate and support DEI
training for homelessness service providers. Jen updated the group on meeting with employees of local
and corporate Novant offices regarding provision of DEI training to hospital staff to address equity and
inclusion in general and specifically related to service provision for LGBTQ individuals. In addition, NHC
DEI will be offering a webinar series on Racial Equity in Education.
Linda reported that the County had received two complaints regarding face masks, and she has reached
out to address those. She will follow-up with NHC and City Communications regarding plan to inform the
public on how to submit complaints.
Liz provided a brief update on efforts to host a service providers training and let the group know that a
preliminary agenda has been discussed with a small ad hoc committee. She will provide more information
at the next meeting.
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Lori briefed the committee on a request from NCHRC for a support letter in favor of a Resolution on
Affordable Housing that called for continued rental assistance for tenants impacted by Covid, sealing
eviction records, increase legal support available to tenants, increased protections for mobile home rental
spaces, strategies to protect persons on fixed incomes from increasing property taxes, and other relevant
concerns. Kathy made a motion to approve a support letter and requested Lori prepare the letter. Liz
seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
Scott shared that in conversation with Jerry Hancock, Public School Forum, in which Mr. Hancock
recommended a nonprofit be formed to advocate for re-segregation of NHC Public Schools. Scott’s next
step is to get a meeting with NHCS Board Chair to learn more about the schools plans to address racial
disparity in education and school segregation. Kathy King will join Scott in that meeting.
Other business and announcements:
Jen briefed the committee on plans to have a retreat in March and a meeting with Bo Dean who will
facilitate the meeting. She asked everyone to make plans to attend, and to take time to think about goals
and activities the CRAC should focus on in the next year or so. More details to come.
Jen acknowledged the City of Wilmington passed a resolution in support of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Fawn Rhodes announced she as the Equity Coordinator with NHC Health Department. She asked to be
included in planning for the CRAC retreat. Fawn shared concerns about the displaced residents from
WHA. A discussion ensued about experiences the residents are sharing concerning management at the
hotels where they are temporarily housed.
Suzanne reported that attendance is reported to the City Clerk and informed the committee of the policy
that results in removal from a City Committee if a member has three unexcused absences. She also
agreed to send out a calendar invite with all the meetings for 2022, so that they are on everyone’s
calendars.
Lori moved the meeting adjourn, Scott seconded, motion carried.
Minutes prepared by Suzanne Rogers
PURPOSE: The committee was established by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and
Wilmington City Council for the purpose of addressing community issues involving prejudice or
discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, creed or religion, age, gender, sexual orientation,
disability or medical condition; informing the Appointing Authorities and other organizations of their
findings; and making recommendations, in an advisory capacity, to the Appointing Authorities and other
organizations, as necessary.
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