I. Call to Order/Roll Call/Minutes (April 2018) Chairman Islam. II. Citizen Comment Chairman Islam. III. HRC Retreat Survey

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1 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (757) VIRGINIA BEACH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION M EM BERS: RAJEEB ISLAM CHAIRMAN RON TAYLOR VICE-CHAIRMAN BEATRIZ AMBERMAN PANKTI BAROT MICHAEL F. BERLUCCHI VIVIAN E. BLAIZE THOMASINE CUBINE DR. VIRGINIA JENKOT MARY MATHENA SYLVIA NERY-STRICKLAND E. FORTUNATO JOJO ORENCIA JR. FATHER JAMES E. PARKE WM CLIFF RICE LUIS A. RIVERA, MA Ed. TERESA STANLEY FRANCES KNIGHT THOMPSON RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN STUDENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: JOSEPH HYATT NICHOLAS DiNONNO MUNICIPAL CENTER BUILDING COURTHOUSE DRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH, VA VIRGINIA BEACH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Thursday, May 10, :00 p.m. Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library Members Present: Rajeeb Islam (Chair), Ron Taylor (Vice-Chair), Cliff Rice, Vivian Blaize, Sylvia Nery-Strickland, Teresa Stanley, Beatriz Amberman, JoJo Orencia Jr., Rabbi Israel Zoberman, Father James Parke, Thomasine Cubine, Luis Rivera, Frances Knight Thompson, and Councilmember Dyer Members Absent: Mary Mathena, Michael Berlucchi, Nicholas Dinonno, Dr. Virginia Jenkot, Pankti Barot, and Joseph Hyatt Guests: George Amberman, Michael Cloud Butler, Deanna Bettineschi (Wavy TV), Chris Hogan (Wavy TV) Staff Present: Deputy Chief Tony Zucaro (VBPD), Lt. Billy Zelms (VBPD), Rod Ingram (Deputy City Attorney), Regina Hilliard (Human Resources Director), Kathy Hinson (HRC Liaison), Howard Waldie IV (City Manager s Office) AGENDA I. Call to Order/Roll Call/Minutes (April 2018) Chairman Islam II. Citizen Comment Chairman Islam III. HRC Retreat Survey IV. College Beach Weekend Reflections All Deputy Chief Zucaro, Lt. Zelms and Kathy Hinson V. College Beach Weekend Recap Discussion All VI. Nominating Committee Presentation of Slate Commissioner Rice CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS: BOB DYER SHANNON DS KANE EXECUTIVE DIRECTO R: REGINA S. HILLIARD, HR DIRECTOR LEGAL COUNSEL: VII. Continuing Work of HRC Update Mental Health Task Force *provided in writing Pastors /Leaders Table *provided in writing VIII. Commissioner & Staff Remarks *provided in writing IX. Adjournment Commissioner Cubine Commissioner Stanley All Chairman Islam ROD INGRAM, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION LIAISON: HRC Inquiries: # s 0 Type Referral: KATHY HINSON

2 May 10, I. Call to Order/Roll Call/Minutes (April 12, 2018) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Islam at 4:04 p.m. Roll was taken of the Commissioners, staff and guests in attendance. The minutes from the April meeting were reviewed; Commissioner Blaize made a motion to approve the meeting minutes and Commissioner Rice seconded the motion. The meeting minutes from April 12, 2018 were approved unanimously. II. Citizen Comment No Citizen Comments III. HRC Retreat Survey Howard Waldie IV, the facilitator, provided a brief overview of the schedule moving forward in order to complete the Human Rights Commission Work Plan for FY19 by June 14. The Commission utilized the turning point technology to go through the objectives, initiatives and committees currently listed on the HRC Work Plan for FY 18 and quickly decide what should be kept, removed, or revised. Howard stressed that the answers should be based on the work that the HRC should focus on as a group. Once the survey was complete, Howard explained that the HRC was split into two groups, one that would meet on Thursday, May 17, and a second that would meet on June 7. The purpose of these two meetings was to provide an opportunity for discussion while analyzing the results from the survey and the additional information provided by the commission concerning additional objectives, initiatives or committees or revisions to any of those areas to try and formulate a draft of the Work Plan for FY19. A request was made to have more than just two sessions for the commission to discuss the items on the work plan. Kathy Hinson agreed open the two meetings already established, to the entire commission and create a third meeting, after sending a doodle poll to determine the best date, which would also be open to the entire commission. This would allow the commissioners to choose one or all of the three dates to participate in creating a draft of the Work Plan for FY19, while still adhering to the timeline for completion. IV. College Beach Weekend Reflections Deputy Chief Zucaro provided a presentation entitled reflections on College Beach Weekend. The data provided in the presentation was updated as of Monday, May 7, Four shooting victims, report of a robbery, and report of a sexual assault, with 11 guns recovered in the Oceanfront Area. Of note was that 80% of the offenders who were issued a summons or misdemeanor or felony charge lived outside of Virginia Beach, and the largest amount of total charges were issued against people between the ages of 18 and 21 (80 total charges). The charge data, (80% African American) also reflects the racial demographics of the crowd for college beach weekend, which is predominately African American. Lt. Zelms highlighted the tremendous outpouring of support from the community observers. The expectations of the program were to provide independent observations during the weekend and to provide a public education opportunity with first - hand experience of the environment. The observer program had a diverse group of individuals and groups who participated with: 48 individuals registered, 56 individuals observed, which meant that registered observers, participated, and because of their experience, decided to invite others to join them, and 84 (2 hour) time slots were filled. Kathy Hinson shared an overview of the data that was gathered. The observers were asked to complete a survey through the online service, survey monkey, and as of Thursday, May10, 34 surveys were completed. Some observers had difficulty with the online service, and provided comments through or a hard copy of the survey document. The survey was designed to assess the adequacy and quality of City Services as well as the atmosphere of the weekend.

3 May 10, There was space for observers to provide comments if they chose, and through those unsolicited comments three common themes arose: 1. the need for activities or events for the students 2. Praise for the patient, balanced and timely response by the VBPD and 3. Observers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the program. Kathy also mentioned that the observer program was suspended early on Saturday evening during the 11:00pm 1:00am shift due to safety concerns for our observers, so no data was collected for the 1:00am -3:00am or the 7:00am -9:00am shifts on Sunday. Deputy Chief Zucaro shared that the overall corporate approach by the City, including the communications office, VBPD, the City Manager s office and engaging the community and the HRC was effective in creating as safe an event as possible. Chairman Islam asked how much overtime was spent for the entire College Beach Weekend. Deputy Chief Zucaro commented that the numbers were still being calculated, but he would pass the information along once complete. V. College Beach Weekend Recap Discussion There was discussion regarding the City Manager hosting a follow - up community meeting with HRC observers, other community partners and City Leadership to discuss the findings during college beach weekend. Councilmember Dyer agreed to take that request to the City Manager on behalf of the HRC. There was also concern raised about the response of the media for the weekend. Commissioner Rivera asked what role the VBPD or City could play in ensuring that a broader perspective regarding the weekend was shared to the public. Deputy Chief Zucaro mentioned that VBPD has taken proactive steps towards engaging the community beyond sending press releases to the media. He mentioned that they utilize the VBPD Facebook page, community outreach and engagement efforts including the Citizens Advisory Committees and groups such as the Pastors / Leaders Roundtable to engage the community directly. Commissioner Rice mentioned that the conversation over the past several years has centered around the lack of events or other entertainment venues available for the College Students, while the City continues to spend large amounts of money on overtime for the police department. He felt that this causes the VBPD to bear all or most of the burden for this weekend. Chairman Islam shared that the City will soon issue a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for entertainment and events programming, as the current contract expires early next year. The current contact provides a wide range of general, family entertainment and activities hosted daily beginning the Friday before Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and including strolling boardwalk entertainment, small-scaled performances in event-friendly venues such as the Oceanfront stages and connector parks, and BeachStreet USA. Chairman Islam said he would entertain a motion that the HRC send a letter to Council requesting that they include dates prior to Memorial Day in the new RFP that is issued Commissioner Ney-Strickland asked for the HRC to hold off on making a decision on the motion until after the Joint meeting of the Resort Area Commission and the HRC. She further requested that the HRC ask for input from those in the CVB office regarding the process for planning, funding and permitting events through the City. She shared that if the business community thought that the weekend was going to take place without violence and they could have an opportunity to make money, then they would be behind sanctioning events for the weekend. There was further discussion regarding the perception that the Oceanfront is not welcoming to people of color, and that the message being sent to the community through petitions calling for the beach to be closed as well as the lack of events or other activities available for the weekend support the perception of racism.

4 May 10, The discussion centered around the impact that the RFP request might have on concerns raised in regards to safety and the perception of racial discrimination. It was explained that the intention for the request was to provide an opportunity for the City, business community and community partners to foster small entertainment events in lead up to the normal beach season, and to work towards the City s goal of making the resort area available, welcoming and active year-round for visitors and residents alike. Commissioner Blaize made a motion that the HRC send a letter to City Council recommending that the City evaluate the impact of including a soft start in the RFP that would extend entertainment opportunities to, Fridays and Saturdays only, starting from the second weekend in April until the Friday before Memorial Day. Commissioner Knight Thompson seconded the motion, the motion passed with one abstention by Commissioner Nery - Strickland The Commission also agreed to have a letter sent to the City Council with City Manager, Police, EMS, Fire and Sheriff s office on copy expressing the HRC s thanks to all our first responders and Sheriff s office for their support during College Beach Weekend. VI. Nominating Committee Presentation of Slate Commissioner Rice shared that the Nominating Committee met today before the regular meeting to discuss and determine a slate of nominees for Chair and Vice Chair. The entire Commission was sent the Nominating Questionnaire form to complete and return to Kathy. Commissioner Rice shared that the committee used those to have a lively discussion and determine the following slate: Proposed Candidate for Chair: o Raj Islam Proposed Candidates for Vice Chair: o Sylvia Nery Strickland o Ron Taylor o Frances Knight Thompson Per the HRC s by - laws: election shall be by a majority of the members of the Human Rights Commission and shall be held during the June meeting VII. Continuing Work of HRC Update Chairman Islam asked that the updates for the continuing work of the HRC be tabled until next month. Mental Health Task Force No other comments, other than those provided in writing Pastors/ Leaders Table No other comments, other than those provided in writing. VIII. Commissioner & Staff Remarks Commissioner Cubine reminded the Commission that May is Mental Health Month; she has provided a green ribbon to everyone present to show their support. Commissioner Stanley asked her fellow Commissioners to please sign the petition she brought in support of Medicaid Expansion before they left today. Rabbi Zoberman shared that he was contacted by the media concerning a swastika that was spray painted in the Hilltop Area, behind a pizza restaurant. He said the swastika was accompanied by language that said Jew Go plus the numbers 88 - Neo-Nazis use the number 88 as an abbreviation for the Nazi salute Heil Hitler. Chairman Islam asked for Kathy to follow up with the VBPD on the investigation.

5 May 10, Councilmember Dyer shared that through interaction with himself, Councilmember Kane and Chairman Islam, the budget has been approved along with an increase to cover travel, professional development, memberships and other expenses for the Commission. Commissioner Blaize reminded her fellow Commissioners of the VAHR Conference, scheduled for June 1 June 3 at the Wyndam Hotel located at 5700 Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach, VA Friday will be a brief meeting over dinner; the Conference will begin on Saturday, June 2 at 8:30 a.m. with registration; and Sunday will conclude with an impromptu breakfast gathering. She further shared that VAHR membership dues for all HRC Commissioners have been paid. Please let Kathy know if you would like to attend the conference, so she can complete the registration. Commissioner Orencia shared that Asian Fest 2018 will be at Waterside in Norfolk on Saturday, May 26, 2018 from 10:00am 6:00pm. Commissioner Amberman invited her fellow commissioners to attend VACOLAO - Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations annual meeting with the consuls of Latin America and the Latin leaders of Virginia on May 23, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA. The aim of this meeting is to coordinate efforts to help the migrant population Latina in Virginia. Participants will be able to address a number of important topics, such as the health services available to the migrant community, TPS and other migratory processes. Commissioner Amberman also shared that she was elected as Chair for the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations. Commissioner Islam thanked the Commission for their vital and proactive work in the community towards advancing human rights. IX. Adjournment Commissioner Blaize made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Rice seconded; meeting was adjourned at 6:19 pm.