2022-08-23 CRAC Minutes
MINUTES
New Hanover County/City of Wilmington
Community Relations Advisory Committee
In-person and Virtual Meeting
August 23, 2022 @ 5:30pm
CRAC Members present:
City of Wilmington Appointees New Hanover County Appointees
☒ Courtney Horton ☒ Liz Carbone
☒ Jen Johnson ☒ Cherri Cook
☒ Kathy King ☒ Kimberly Geiger
☒ Dr. Charlrean Mapson ☒ Erin Howell
☒ Lori Wainwright ☒ Fawn Rhodes
☐ VACANT ☒ Dr. Kaari Snook
City of Wilmington and New Hanover County Support Staff present:
City of Wilmington Support New Hanover County Support
☒ Joe Conway, CEIO ☒ Linda Thompson, NHC CDO
☐ Lynn Hartley, WPD Officer (Absent)
☒ Melissa Huffman, Asst. City Attorney
☒ Amy Schlag, E&I Specialist
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 PM.
A quorum was established as noted above for attendees.
The minutes from July 26, 2022, meeting was unanimously approved, with a motion by Kathy
and seconded by Kaari.
The agenda was not presented for approval with a motion and vote, but was followed as
written.
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Establish recurring monthly sub-committee meeting times:
After a discussion of meeting dates and times it was determined that 4:30 p.m., on the same
day as the regular CRAC meeting, would be put to a motion and vote. A motion was made by
Fawn and seconded by Kathy. A vote was done resulting in 9 yes and 2 no. The subcommittee
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will meet on the 4 Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
Old Business:
a. Update from City staff on data collection methods for reports of discrimination.
1. Joe Conway reported there was 1 case filed through Code Enforcement. The
case was reviewed by Code Enforcement, himself, and the City Attorney. The case is
under investigation and no decision was determined yet. It was an alleged event within
the City’s limits.
2. Discussion revealed the complaint was reportedly filed online at the City’s
website.
3. Jen stated the complainant stated the complaint was submitted on the City’s
website. Response from Joe explained the methods for filing a complaint as by email,
fax, or print to mail or drop off. There is no Submit option on the website feature.
Further it was stated assistance for the complainant is readily available to file a
complaint. Further discussion ensued. The complaint needs to include a point of
contact for follow-up by City staff.
4. Melissa reported a complaint came in just before 5:00 p.m. today.
5. A question was raised about marketing to the public for filing complaints – Joe
reported that the City’s website is currently undergoing redesign for user-friendliness
and simplicity. There is or will be on option at the Facebook site.
b. Linda Thompson reported there were 12 employee discrimination complaints filed.
There is 1 inquiry. Ten of the complaints pertain to 1 employer.
1. It was further stated that New Hanover County does not investigate, but refers
complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), State Human
Relations Commission (NCHRC) and the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP).
c. Joe reported there were no Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO) reports to bring forth.
1. The consequences for NDO violation were explained by Melissa – For first
nd
offense there is education for the defendant, 2 offense would result in a fine of $250 -
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$1000 per incident. The 5 offense would result in an injunction and court appearance.
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New Business:
- Presentation by Fawn, Dr Mapson and Courtney – The topic was “Issues and Barriers for
individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities.”
- Dr Mapson described her experiences with schools for her 17-year-old child who was
diagnosed with Autism at an early age.
- Courtney described her professional experience with children transitioning to adulthood
going into vocational employment. She further stated that New Hanover County has the
greatest (out of 23 counties she serves in the region) incidence of employment
discrimination for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities.
- From these presentations it was determined that parents and the public need to be
educated.
- Action steps - Fawn suggested CRAC could advocate for or facilitate listening sessions
among parents affected. Linda commented about training and classes on how to advocate
for children and others.
Announcements:
- Liz stated the following –
- This is Lori’s last CRAC meeting and thanked her for her service.
- Fawn was recently awarded an Equity Award for her work in Public Health.
- The Community Endowment learning session is tomorrow and anyone interested is
encouraged to attend.
Public Comment opened: – no comments.
Adjournment: It was moved by Liz and seconded by Fawn to adjourn the meeting. The
meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:05 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Kathy King, Secretary
The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 27, at a location with a hybrid option.
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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