03-08-2017
Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
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March 8, 2017
Members Present: Sara Gumke Jeff Wright Carrie Chillman
Debbie Eng Kirsten Klosinski Will Rukel
Swopnil Shrestha Ben Sunderlin Yamilez Ordonez
Sarah Musgrave
Mike Howard – City Council Liaison
Mike Koob – Public Safety Liaison
Guests: Heather Polivka, Margret Scheirman, Birgit Johnson, Steve Lavictoire
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Sara Gumke at 6:31pm.
2. Agenda approved; motion Eng, second Wright.
3. February minutes approved; motion Eng, second Klosinski. Ms. Scheirman pointed out
that she was misquoted in the February minutes, secretary agreed to change the notes
to reflect the correction. Motion to correct the mistake and revise the minutes; Eng/
second Wright; all present agreed.
4. Open public comment:
Ms. Johnson recited poem written by Fred Amram that was written to be included in a
petition against the Richfield band shell and was published in the Sun Current as a letter
to the editor on 4/25/14; copy given to secretary.
5. Reports:
a. Chair’s report:
-Sara was approached by the city planner to represent the HRC on a comprehensive
task force plan, meeting time to be announced when Sara knows more, all
commissioners are encouraged to attend.
-Discussion of a leave of absence by Kirsten to address family need; by-laws do not
address this specifically but all agreed to support Kirsten in her decision.
b. Secretary’s report:
-none
c. Vice Chair’s report:
-none
d. Liaison Reports:
-City Council Liaison: Mike Howard announced the election of Pat Elliot, Mr. Elliot
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will likely be sworn in at the March 28 City Council Meeting. Mike recapped his
state of the city address and expressed excitement for the positive direction that
Richfield is headed by actively addressing local issues; particularly housing and
economic development, community trust in the police department, and creating an
equity task force.
-City Liaison: no report
-School Board: not in attendance.
6. Committee Reports:
a. Naturalization event recap: Swopnil reported that the event was a big success, with
approximately 170 representing 40 countries were sworn in as naturalized citizens;
Swopnil, Mike Howard, the Richfield Superintendent, and the judge presiding the
event spoke; the event was covered by WCCO and the Star Tribune.
b. Black History Month book discussion of Frank White’s book: All who attended
enjoyed the discussion and thought it went well despite a small attendance.
c. Black Lives Matter resolution: no update, committee is planning to meet soon.
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d. Islam 101: Scheduled for May 10, 6:30-8pm at House of Prayer Lutheran Church,
7625 Chicago Ave, in the hall off the lobby. There is a regularly scheduled fellowship
dinner the hour before; the public is welcome. There was further discussion as to
the best way to inform the larger Richfield community and how to get an estimate of
people interested, this will be discussed further at the next meeting.
e. Yard signs/community outreach/sanctuary city: The original topic of yard signs
morphed into a conversation of how to develop a plan that shows support of all
Richfield communities that is more concrete. Group would like to have a
conversation with local policy makers to ask what the HRC can do to develop
partnerships and support our community. There was discussion of what a sanctuary
city is and the role of the RPD in federal immigration law enforcement; will have
further discussion on this topic.
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f. CEDAW resolution: This will be on the March 28 City Council agenda, Jeff and
possibly Mark will present.
7. Unfinished Business:
a. Social media officer role: Group met and was thought that this would be best as a
separate role from the secretary; Will volunteered for this, he will meet with Lucas
Johnson to clarify role/expectations/best way to communicate with community; Will
will update the commission when he has more info.
b. Reminder of upcoming events: Read-in of Sabing Zimering’s memoir on 4/24 from
4-8pm (Swopnil will forward schedule for reading to more contacts); UofM Center
for Holocaust and Genocide Studies presentation at Augsburg Library on 4/26 from
6:30-8pm, discussing how the media plays a role in the coverage of genocide and
human atrocities; Irene Colston photo presentation at Augsburg Library on 4/27
from 2-4pm; Fred Amram speech at Augsburg Library on 4/29 from 1:30-3pm.
8. New Business/Announcements/Open Forum:
a. Call for Jacobson Award nominations: The Gene and Mary Jacobson Outstanding
Citizen Award is given yearly to a family, individual, organization or group to
recognize outstanding community service or commitment to human rights in
Richfield. Deadline for nominations is 4/30/17, form is found on the city’s website
and can emailed, faxed, or printed and sent in. Kirsten will create Google Form for
the application to have in advance of the April meeting when this will be on the
agenda for a larger discussion.
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b. Create 4 of July Parade sub-committee: Volunteers-Sara, Jeff, Ben, Sarah, Yami.
Jeff will complete the registration. Further discussion at future meetings.
c. Sara reminded us of a meeting with Maria Regan Gonzalez from the City Council at
Caribou at Cedar Point Commons on 3/25 at 1:00 to discuss several topics including
increasing the inclusiveness/diversity measures on City Boards and Commissions.
d. Sara recognized Ms. Scheirman for the info on the Richfield Historical Society,
highlighting women’s role in saving Bartholomew House as well as the area
surrounding Wood Lake. Ms. Scheirman will write a short description of the story
and send it to Mike K who will forward it to Sara and Will for distribution.
e. Deb announced film and speaking event at Holy Angels on 3/15 at 3:00pm. This
event is sponsored by the Richfield Social Justice Group and will feature the film
“Documented” and will be followed by a Q&A and discussion.
f. Ben stated that he as BLM signs for sale, proceeds will go to the Neighborhoods
Working for Change. He also states that he will find more info on the “All are
Welcome” signs.
g. Jeff would like to add to next month’s agenda a discussion of how the HRC can
address affordable housing issues in Richfield. Mike H. reminded of, and
encouraged attendance by the HRC members, of the Advisory board meeting on
3/20 at 6:00pm to discuss and encourage community involvement on this topic.
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9. Next meeting is April 4, 2017.
10. Motion for Adjournment. Motion Eng/Second Sunderlin; meeting adjourned at
8:27pm.
Minutes submitted by:
Carrie Chillman
Secretary