Human Rights Commission asks council to enforce DEI reporting, ADA and anti-bullying policies and improve communications

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — At the July 1 Morgantown City Council meeting, Annie Cronen York, speaking for the Human Rights Commission, urged the council to restore enforcement and reporting for several long‑standing local policies, including a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) plan and ADA compliance measures.

Cronen York said the commission is charged with meeting with the city manager on DEI and that a DEI plan passed in 2019–2020 has not had reports filed since 2020, leaving the commission without recent material to guide its work. She also said the commission is having difficulty getting city staff to enforce ADA code provisions tied to a 2015 resolution and requested better enforcement.

Cronen York raised additional compliance issues, saying the city’s anti‑bullying plan (adopted in 2019–2020) required Beau (presumably Beau Park) and the city library to submit plans showing how they would enforce the policy; she said those plans have not been produced to the Human Rights Commission despite multiple requests. She asked for copies if they exist or for the city to produce them.

She also said an anti‑discrimination addendum tied to LCID contracts (language-contract/incentive document referenced) exists but commission members have had trouble getting responses from staff about enforcement or access to the addendum. Additionally Cronen York reported a service complaint — she said Republic (recycling contractor) refused to pick up recycling at 520 Pocahontas (her address) and asked the council to help resolve pickup and communication failures.

Cronen York closed by asking the council to improve lines of communication with the commission so the Human Rights Commission can perform its duties and said she would welcome staff contact to provide the missing materials the commission needs.

(Ending) Councilors acknowledged the requests; no formal action was taken at the meeting but the comments were asked to be shared with city staff for follow-up and better communication with the Human Rights Commission.