11/14/2023 - Meeting Minutes Human Rights Commission
Salt Lake City, Utah
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
5:30 p.m.
The Human Rights Commission met in an electronic meeting pursuant to the Salt Lake City
Emergency Proclamation and determination of the Chair. Minutes are provided in conjunction
with the video/audio file.
You may also watch a recording of the meeting on the SLC HRC Meeting YouTube Channel.
CONDUCTED BY: Chair Jason Wessel
Commission Members in Attendance:
Commissioner Jason Wessel, District 1, Chair
Commissioner Will Terry, District 4
Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn, District 5
Commissioner David Leta, District 6
Commissioner Everette Bacon, At-Large
Commissioner Pamela Silberman,At-Large
Commission Members Absent:
Commissioner Esther Stowell, District 2, Vice Chair
Commissioner Olivia Jaramillo, District 3
Mayor's Office Staff in Attendance:
Michelle Mooney, Equity Manager
Maria Romero, Executive Assistant
Guests in Attendance:
Evan Goreffa, Department of Workforce Services Refugee Center
Kay McDonald, Department of Workforce Services Refugee Center
Nancy Cantor, League of Women Voters Observer
Meeting called to order at 5:32 PM.
AfZenda Items
1. Welcome
• Roll Call
• Commissioner Recognition
o Michelle Mooney,Equity Manager has commended and recognized Commissioner
Will Terry was recognized in the Utah Business Magazine for 20 in their 20's.
• Farewell to Outgoing Commissioners
o Michelle Mooney, Equity Manager has thanked Commissioner Chair Jason
Wessel and Commissioner Chair Esther Stowell for their service in the
commission.
o Commissioner Chair Jason Wessel donated a book (International Human Rights
Context) to the commission has it has guided him through his eight-year serving
the Human Rights Commission.
2. Approve and Adopt Minutes
• October 2023 -A motion has been made by Commissioner David Leta to adopt the
minutes as presented for the Tuesday, October 9th Human Rights Commission meeting.
Commissioner Jennifer Mayer- Glenn has seconded the motion. All commissioners are
in favor. Motion has passed unanimously.
3. Public Comment(5 minutes)
• Guest in attendance Nancy Cantor from the League of Women Voters did not
provide a comment as she is joining the Human Rights Commission to observe on
behalf of her organization.
• Guest in attendance Evan Goreffa and Kay McDonald from the Department of
Workforce Services Refugee Center to assist in programing for refugees and
resettlement efforts along with social services assistance.
o Commissioner David Leta directed a question towards both guests Evan
Goreffa and Kay McDonald to share what organization they represent and
what they do for their organizations.
4. Human Rights Dad(— 15 minutes)
• Equity Manager, Michelle Mooney will provide an update on Human Rights Day
Celebration planning. Following the update, the Commission will review and vote on
award nominations.
o The event currently received 131 RSVPs from community members not
including city staff, and commissioners. Michelle Mooney is conducting a
meeting the following week with the keynote speaker who will present at the
event. Awards are ordered and ready for names of awardees to be finalized.
o Michelle Mooney included an update on her confirming the funds from
Commissioner David Leta's philanthropic fund are available to be spent.
Commissioner David Leta has asked about the budget for the event. Michelle
Mooney commented that currently it is about 7,500 and waiting for a response
from additional sponsors.
o Michelle Mooney, Equity Manager,provided guidance to commissioners to
take part in the rank choice voting submit ballots before the end of this
meeting to be completed. Commissioner David Leta has proposed changing
the order of the agenda for the draft position to submit ballots before
adjourning submission in an electronic format at the end of today by
midnight. Michelle Mooney has commented for those who need more time to
submit by Wednesday,November 151, 2023, close of business day.
5. Review Proclamation for Human Rights Month (— 15 minutes)
• Equity Manager, Michelle Mooney will share draft proclamation to commissioners
for review.
o Commissioner David Leta will provide his proposed revisions through email.
Commissioner David Leta has read his revisions out loud to allow all
attendees to understand his revisions.
o Commissioner Jason Wessel asked to entertain a motion to adopt
Commissioner David Leta's suggested edits. Commissioner Bacon has made a
motion with Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn seconding the motion. All
commissioners have voted in favor of Commissioner David Leta's revisions
to the proclamation. The motion has passed anonymously.
6. Strategy/Planning Session (—30 minutes)
• This discussion will be led by Equity Manager, Michelle Mooney to review
recommendations, goals, and priorities for the end of year report. A formal vote on the
will occur at the end of discussion.
o Michelle Mooney, Equity Manager has provided an overview of the end of year
report and has requested the commission to provide highlights of 2023.
■ Commissioner Jason Wessel has stated Thriving in Place efforts should
be in place. Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn has added a comment
to create a process for the City Departments to reach out to the Human
Rights Commission to review projects prior to draft of policy as a
priority for the commission.
o Michelle Mooney, Equity Manager, has asked what the amount of community
meetings is to be listed under the Commission Goals &Priorities for 2024.
■ Commissioner David Leta commented on expanding the listening
sessions to be conducted in all district areas.
■ Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn would like the goal of the
community meeting to work up to 4 meetings a year. Commissioner
Jennifer Mayer-Glenn also proposed to add the priority for the
commission to educate the public on policy and ordinance changes.
■ Commissioner David Leta has commented to include restructuring the
commission to have individual members take responsibility for different
topics.
• A motion has been made by Commissioner Everrett Bacon to approve the end of year
report draft presented during the Human Rights Commission Meeting on Tuesday,
November 14th. Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn has seconded. Commissioner
Jason Wessel has abstained. 4 commissioners have approved. The motion has passed.
7. Upcoming Collaboration Initiative (—20 minutes)
• This discussion will be led by Equity Manager, Michelle Mooney to assist with
planning on an upcoming collaborative initiative.
• Commissioner David Leta and Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn
has volunteered to take part in planning committee with Westside
Coalition.
8. Discussion/Dialogue about Human Rights Around the World(5-10 minutes)
• Commissioner David Leta asked Commissioner Chair Jason Wessell whether he had
a comment for Israel or Palestine. Commissioner Chair Jason Wessel has added he
will abstain from expressing comments.
• Commissioner Jennifer Mayer Glenn has asked whether there are any tensions
between communities in Salt Lake City. Commissioner Chair Jason Wessel added
there was a protest and a counter protest that included inflammatory rhetoric no
violence resulted during the protests added Commissioner Chair Jason Wessel.
• Commissioner Everett Bacon added the Utah Legislator will pass a resolution on
Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Commissioner David Leta express sympathy
for those experiencing suffering.
9. Review Human Rights Commission Meetings for 2023:
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Commissioner David Leta made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Everrett Bacon has seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM
Minutes approved through consensus:January 2, 2024
MICHELLE MOONEY
SALT LAKE CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE
This document is not intended to serve as a full transcript as additional discussion may have
been held; please refer to the audio or video for entire content pursuant to Utah Code 52-4-
203(2)(b). This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes of the
Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting on November 14, 2023.