Commission Meeting

Present:

Commissioner Crawford

Commissioner Conde

Commissioner Salinas

Commissioner Shumaker

Commissioner Supinger

Director Michael L. Simms

Absent:

Commissioner Ashby

Commissioner Bhinge

Commissioner Bokhari

Commissioner Hudson

Commissioner Malik

CALL TO ORDER:

Commission Chair Crawford called the Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Commission Meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Commissioner Shumaker and seconded by Commissioner Salinas that the February 5, 2025 agenda be approved as presented. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Commissioner Salinas and seconded by Commissioner Supinger that the December 18, 2024 meeting minutes be approved as presented. The motion passed with majority vote with Commissioner Conde abstaining.

STAFF ISSUES: The Director, Michael Simms, informed the Commission that a Human Rights Specialist II was hired. The Office of Human Rights and Equity Program will be posting a job advertisement for the Fair Housing Manager on February 15, 2025.


COMMISSION BUSINESS:

HRC #2023062PA - Appeal - Khan v. Serenity Club: It was moved by Commissioner Salinas and seconded by Commissioner Conde that the appeal be dismissed due to insufficient evidence that a violation of the Fairfax County Fair Housing Act has occurred consistent with the recommendation of OHREP. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

HRC #2024013H/HUD #03-24-4614-8 – FIR - Lomax, Flossie v. Van Metre Management Company, LLC et al.: It was moved by Commissioner Shumaker and seconded by Commissioner Conde that the FIR be dismissed due to insufficient evidence that a violation of the Fairfax County Fair Housing Act has occurred consistent with the recommendation of OHREP. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

HRC #2023100H / HUD #03-24-4249-8 – FIR - Yamin, Anibal J. v. Legum and Norman Realty, Inc., et al.: It was moved by Commissioner Supinger and seconded by Commissioner Salinas that the FIR be dismissed due to insufficient evidence that a violation of the Fairfax County Fair Housing Act has occurred consistent with the recommendation of OHREP. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

HRC #2023031H - FIR - Matthews, Arleen v. Cityside Exchange LLC et al.: It was moved by Commissioner Conde and seconded by Commissioner Salinas that this matter be returned to staff for further investigation on the following issue(s): 1) requesting further information regarding the policy of requiring certified checks, 2) are tenants refunded the costs associated with certified checks should they be required, 3) whether any other tenants were subjected to issues from the computer glitch, 4) when did the Respondent provide notice to tenants of new online pay portal, and 5) can the complainant identify any comparators. The motion passed with a majority vote with three and two opposed.


COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Commissioner Chair Crawford commented that she would like to thank staff members Sandra Fitzgerald and Namoode Khan for their attendance and participation of the Chinese New Year celebration event on January 25, 2025.

Commissioner Conde reported to the Commission his intent to resign from the Human Rights Commission. Chair, Commissioner Crawford thanked Commissioner Conde for his commitment and time spent on the commission.


PENDING BUSINESS: None.


NEW BUSINESS: None.


The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 P.M.