HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-2025 Meeting MinutesPaducah
Human Rights Commission
November 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes
Paducah City Hall
1st Floor, Suite 106
300 South 5th Street
P.O. Box 247
Paducah, KY 42002-
0247
(270) 444-8643/8644
Fax (270) 443-8680
TDD (270) 800-247-
2510
HR
Commissioners
Robert Hernandez,
Chair
Jana Dawson
Charles Gurley
Irhonda Lovelace
Rachel Robinson
Anthony Walton
Kimberly Yates
Board Members Present: Chair Commissioner Robert Hernandez, Commissioners
Jana Dawson, Charles Gurley, Irhonda Lovelace, Rachel Robinson, and Anthony
Walton
Board Member(s) Not Present: Commissioner Kimberly Yates
Meeting called to order by Chair Commissioner Hernandez at 5:01 p.m.
Roll Call by Chair Commissioner Hernandez at 5:02 p.m.
Quorum established by Chair Commissioner Hernandez at 5:02 p.m.
Invocation led by Commissioner Walton at 5:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair Commissioner Hernandez at 5:04 p.m.
No visitors to acknowledge
October 9, 2025, Meeting Minutes Motion for Approval by Commissioner Gurley with
second approval by Commissioner Dawson and unanimously approved.
School Presentation (Commissioner Yates) – Commissioner Yates is waiting for follow
up from Paducah Tilghman
Fairness & Justice Event (Commissioner Walton) – No new updates as of
11/13/2025. Chair Hernandez requested that Commissioner Walton reach out to
J.W. Cleary again to review possible collaboration with PHRC. (9/11/225 -
Commissioner Walton spoke to J.W. Cleary (NAACP) about PHRC collaborating with
them in the future. Commissioner Walton has committed to attending the next
NAACP meeting to establish a connection with NAACP for future projects.
Fair Housing Event (Commissioner Gurley) – No new updates as of 11/13/2025.
Discussed having a speaker at the event to address current housing situation in
Paducah, KY. Commissioner Gurley shared a spreadsheet via email to document
updates on this event. April 14, 2026, at the Robert Cherry Civic Center has been
confirmed as the date for this event.
Paducah Pride Event (Commissioner Lovelace) – Commissioner Gurley &
Commissioner Lovelace attended a Pride Event at the 1857 to discuss venue for the
Pride Festival. There is still no official date yet (early part of June 2025).
Paducah Human Rights Commission
Meeting Minutes – November 13, 2025
Page 2
Paducah City Hall
1st Floor, Suite 106
300 South 5th Street
P.O. Box 247
Paducah, KY 42002-
0247
(270) 444-8643/8644
Fax (270) 443-8680
TDD (270) 800-247-
2510
HR Commission
Robert Hernandez,
Chair
Jana Dawson
Charles Gurley
Irhonda Lovelace
Rachel Robinson
Anthony Walton
Kimberly Yates
Juneteenth Event (Commissioner Dawson) – No new updates as of 11/13/2025.
Commissioner Dawson reached out to J.W. Cleary to set up a meeting to discuss. She
was informed that the Juneteenth committee would reconvene in
November/December 2025 to start discussing 2026 Juneteenth. Commissioner
Dawson has committed to attending that meeting if granted the opportunity from
committee members.
PHRC Video presentation/marketing update (Commissioner Gurley) – Commissioner
Yates reached out via email to Phillip Madison and Robin Castleman at WPSD TV to
inquire about doing some type of public service announcement for the PHRC. Still
awaiting a response from one of them. The cost of video advertising at Cinemark
theatre is $1400.00 for 28 days (for 12 Cinemark theatres). Commissioner Gurley will
find out if there is a discount for nonprofits. There is no update on Maiden Alley
Cinema re: running PHRC video.
Potluck – Commission discussed a potluck (100-person event) to assist with current
food insecurity crisis. Commissioner Walton agreed to determine a date for this
event after Thanksgiving. Specialist Johnson will get a quote for PHRC on 100
caps/gloves and ChapStick/hand sanitizer for gift bags.
Budget Report presentation by Commissioner Dawson – No expenditures to date.
The PHRC has a budget of $16,000 until June 30, 2026.
Chair Commissioner Hernandez will relinquish his duties on December 31, 2025. He
stated that if anyone wanted to fill his position, to reach out to him. Otherwise,
someone will be appointed.
Discussion to change PHRC Meeting time from 5:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. effective
December 2025. Motion for Approval by Commissioner Dawson with second
approval by Commissioner Gurley and unanimously approved.
No update on this as of 11/13/2025 - The PHRC marketing material has been
updated. Specialist Johnson stated that she would forward updated material to the
Commission via email.
Commission discussed the possibility of members of certain Commissions being
compensated $75.00 per meeting starting January 2026.
Report from Specialist Johnson – Specialist Johnson reported that she attended a
statewide call on the Tenants Landlord Act. Owensboro/Paducah, KY, are getting
more details pertaining to Tenants Landlord Act.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m. with approval by Commissioner Dawson, a
second approval by Commissioner Gurley and unanimously approved.