Minutes 10-2013Richfield Human Rights Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2013
6:30pm City Hall
1) Attendance
P = Present A = Absent O = Open
Commissioners
P Todd Chase
P Deborah Eng
P Emilia Gonzalez
P Teresa Kruse
P Sean Hayford Oleary
P Philip Lowe, Jr.
A Lall Ram
P Nancy Roberts
A Ranee Skinner
A Jeffrey Wright
P Elizabeth Wendt
Youth Members
P Mirza Baig
O Open Position
Liaison(s)
P Jay Henthorn – Police
P Pat Elliot – City Council
A Unknown – Richfield School Board
Guest(s)
Amy Dusek – Community Police Liaison
Drew Schaffer – Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Larry McDonough – Dorsey and Whitney
2) Welcome Everyone
The Commission offered a special welcome to new Commissioner, Emilia Gonzalez and
new Youth Member, Mirza Baig
3) Guest Speaker(s)
Mr. Schaffer and Mr. McDonough attended the meeting to provide the Commissioner
with a better understand of MN tenant laws, including the following:
i. Overview of MN tenant and landlord laws
ii. Explained habitability, lock-out and withholding rent issues
iii. The State of MN has retaliation laws, Richfield may create more stringent laws, if
they so choose, however this is not required as we fall under the MN umbrella
iv. Reviewed steps tenants should take if they have concerns
v. Free advice clinics at Mid-MN Legal Aid take place downtown Mpls on a regular
basis, we are encourage to provide this information as needed
4) Reports:
Chair Report (Nancy Roberts)
i. Penn Fest went well
ii. David Eldridge resigned his position as a Commissioner
iii. Brittany Janke – prior youth member
a. Had a term that ended June of 2013, when the school year ended
iv. HRC Banners – vote on reimbursement
a. Tabled until November meeting
Commissioner Reports
i. Parent Conversation Meetings (Sean Hayford Oleary)
a. Rescheduled a couple times, new date 10/8/2013
b. Venue change, final is planned for Augsburg Library
ii. Treasurer: $311
iii. Liaison(s) report
5) Old Business
6) Looking Ahead
Navigate Annual Conference (Emilia Gonzalez)
i. Navigate is a leadership development program for immigrant young adults in MN
facing financial, social and legal barriers to achieve their dreams
ii. Annual Conference is being held October 12, 2013 – all are welcome
Housing Workshop Details
i. What: Presentation of housing laws and 1:1 legal advice to help individuals with
their personal situation
ii. When: October 29th or 30th
iii. Where: City Hall--large room
iv. Time: 6:30
7) Next meeting – November 12, 2013
The first Tuesday of November is Election Day; therefore, the next meeting will take place
on the 2nd week of the month.
8) Adjournment