MORGANTOWN — What impact will adoption of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan have on the city’s personnel policies?
None. At least not without future action of council.
During its most recent session, council unanimously passed a pair of items tied to the plan — a resolution adopting the plan, and first reading of an ordinance implementing a diversity policy for the city.
The DEI plan is a long-term project of the human rights commission. Among other things, the plan lays out a dozen “diversity management practices” including diversity training; recruiting, screening and hiring staff from diverse minorities; formal mentoring to minority employees; a minority internship program and an annual audit of the city’s diversity statistics.
The ultimate goal is for these practices to be implemented as standing personnel policy. As it stands, it’s a “guideline document.”
“The plan is guidance intended to suggest future actions. It does not bind any actions. The only way that the city’s personnel policies can be changed is by an ordinance adopted by city council following a recommendation of the personnel board,” City Attorney Ryan Simonton said.
Human Rights Commissioner Jan Derry said adopting and implementing the plan’s recommendations is a chance for the city to “not just talk the talk, but walk the walk” when it comes to embracing diversity.
While council adopted the plan by resolution, Deputy Mayor Rachel Fetty said adopting its recommendations as policy regarding hiring or volunteer selection will take additional vetting.
“There are some concerns about some of the potential unintended consequences of some of the requirements that are currently in the plan,” Fetty said. “I think each part of that guidance is going to need to be discussed in detail.”
In particular, council members voiced concerns over recommendations that board and commission interviews be televised and open to the public and that board and commission appointments should come with term limits.
In other city news:
- Council passed a Capital Escrow budget amendment reallocating $225,000. The majority of those funds, $151,000, will go to BOPARC for the installation of playground equipment at Krepps Park.
- Passed on first reading an ordinance annexing a parcel on Liberty Street at the request of the property owner.
- Passed on first reading an ordinance opening and adopting 131 feet of alley near Melrose Street in the 3rd Ward into the city’s maintenance program.
- City Engineer Damien Davis explained that resident making the request, Alexandra Stockdale, has paid to get the alley — which previously only existed on paper — ready to open as a public right of way.
- Stockdale is the assistant city engineer.
- Presented proclamations honoring longtime city employees Gary Gregg and Kenny Holloway upon their retirement.
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