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HomeMy WebLinkAbout26.02.09 - Minutes, Diversity and Inclusion Committtee1 Diversity & Inclusion Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes Commissioners Administrative Building – Room 1301 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740 [**Meeting was attended via Zoom link] Monday, February 9, 2026, 7:00 p.m. I.Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm. II.Attending: Terence Ngwa (Chair), Angela Yamashita (Vice Chair), Jeanine Salifou (Secretary) Fatima Sakarya, Allenia Washington, and Tiara Burnett (ex officio, Hagerstown City Council), (quorum reached) Absent: Eric Schwartz, Derek Harvey (ex officio, Washington County Board of Commissioners), and Darrell Evans (ex officio, WCPS Board of Education) III.Agenda approved (Fatima motioned and Angela seconded) IV.Review, approval, and adoption of January minutes with corrections (Fatima motioned and Allenia seconded). December minutes were approved via email on Friday, 2/6. V.Introduction of Guests/Public Comments – There were no guests. VI.Liaison Reports ●WCPS – Darrel Evans (absent) ●City of Hagerstown – Councilwoman Tiara Burnett o Reported on Rent Stabilization Townhall Meeting ▪Landlords, property owners, and tenants were in attendance ▪Landlords & Property owners spoke on reasons for Rent increases. ●Property Tax ●Utilities ●Insurance cost ●Security Deposit ●Pet Deposits 2 ▪Key point: What is a reasonable increase? ▪Review of Tenant Rights Agreements ●County – Commissioner Derek Harvey (absent) VII.Old Business ●NAACP Black Market update ●Update – D&I Committee vacancy ●Creation of a youth member position ●“Excellence in Diversity” award – Attitudes of America award, next steps Terence will reach out to the County on how to market the Award on social media, providing copy for how to submit nominations, deadlines, etc.) ●Confirmed purchase of the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Washington County and community relations VIII. New Business ●Draft 2025 D&I Committee Report for adoption - This is a public record; it should be included on the county’s agenda for the March meeting. The committee agreed to present the report in a public meeting. ●The Committee sent a letter opposing the ICE detention center to the County Commissioner. The Committee did not receive a response. The Committee discussed including the letter responding to the detention center in the minutes. (Angela motioned and Fatima seconded). IX.Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. 3 Sent via Electronic Mail to: ContactCommissioners@washco-md.net January 30, 2026 Washington County Board of Commissioners 100 W. Washington Street Room 1101 Hagerstown, MD 21740 Re: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Facility Dear Commissioners, On behalf of the Washington County Diversity and Inclusion Committee, we are writing to share our thoughts regarding the proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Washington County. We believe this issue carries significant implications for the well being of our community, and we want to present our perspective in a spirit of constructive engagement and public service. Our committee acknowledges the complexity of local economic development and public safety decisions. At the same time, we feel compelled to raise concerns emanating from some community members and advocacy groups about the potential impact of an ICE detention center within our county, particularly given the documented human costs associated with immigrant detention nationwide. The community’s concerns are rooted in the tangible effects that such a facility may have here at home: Community Trust and Public Engagement Many residents and local leaders report feeling excluded from meaningful conversation about this proposal. Public statements from both County and Hagerstown officials suggest that there has been limited communication between federal authorities to city or county government about the plan, leaving residents with uncertainty about potential impacts. Infrastructure and Services Reports that we are aware of so far suggest that the site is not currently zoned for overnight habitation and that the scale of the facility would require discussions around utilities, water and sewer capacity, and emergency services at the local level. These are issues of local infrastructure that could materially affect county planning and budgets. Economic and Social Impact Detention facilities can create perceptions that affect workforce attraction, community reputation, and local investment priorities. There may also be implications for neighboring property values and residential quality of life. Public Safety and Well Being 4 We are already aware of cases where local residents or community members have experienced the detention system’s consequences firsthand, impacting families, small businesses, and neighborhoods. One widely publicized case involved a Hagerstown area mother whose detention drew significant community support and underscored the personal toll these systems can have on families who are part of our community. National civil rights organizations and ICE oversight reports showing that deaths in custody have risen in recent years and that many individuals held in immigration detention have no criminal convictions and are awaiting civil immigration proceedings. These realities raise important questions about how a detention facility would align with our community values and public health objectives. Last, but not least, there are concerns about how the presence of such a facility could affect immigrants, their families, and broader perceptions of safety and inclusion in Washington County. Fear of detention can lead to reduced engagement with essential services, including healthcare, education, and law enforcement, weakening overall community well being. In light of these considerations, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee respectfully recommends thatthe Commissioners : VII.Express formal opposition to the proposed ICE detention facility. A resolution or statement from the Board would make clear the county’s stance and the values we uphold as a community. VIII.Request that federal and state representatives halt plans for the facility while transparency and community impact assessments are conducted. This should include an analysis of social, economic, and public health effects on residents, especially vulnerable populations. IX.Engage in broad community consultation. Before moving forward with any action that could materially affect residents’ sense of safety, dignity, and inclusion, we encourage robust public dialogue and input, including forums, surveys, and outreach, especially with immigrant communities to capture diverse perspectives on the subject Our committee stands ready to support the county in assessing potential impacts and identifying inclusive alternatives that advance shared goals for economic growth, safety, and community well being. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued service to Washington County. We are available to discuss our recommendations further at your convenience. Sincerely, Washington County Diversity and Inclusion Committee