02-03-2015
Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2015
Members Present:
Debbie Eng
Todd Chase
Mark Westergaard
Jeff Wright
Chara Blanch
Mike Kuehn
Martin Kirsch
Judith Dominguez
Also present:
Michael Koob –Richfield Staff Liaison
Mike Howard-City Council Liaison
Absent:
Katie Eagle
Emilia Gonzalez Avalos
Elizabeth Wendt
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:33PM.
2. Approval of Agenda
a.) Jeff moved; Debbie seconded; Unanimously approved
3. Approval of Minutes
i. Jeff moved; Debbie seconded; Unanimously approved
4. Reports
a.) Chair’s report: Mark introduced new commissioners, Chara Blanch, Martin
Kirsch,
Mike Kuehn, youth representative, Judith Dominguez and new city council liaison,
Mike
Howard.
b.) Vice-chair’s report: Debbie brought up the community conversation event that
took place on Jan. 17. The commission agreed that the turnout by Richfield
residents was good and that the event was a successful beginning but that we
that we need to keep the communication going. Jeff suggested another
subcommittee meeting as a followup to discuss next steps.
5. Unfinished Business
a.) The commission continued the discussion from the January meeting regarding
the Black Lives Matter protest at the Mall of America. The commission decided not to
compose a resolution but that we would write a letter to MOA requesting that they not
attempt to collect monetary penalties from the defendants for lost profits, police pay, etc.
Motion made by Jeff, Todd seconded, unanimously approved. Jeff will compose a letter and
send it to other commissioners for revision suggestions.
b.) The discussion concerning Indigenous People’s Day will resume at the next
meeting when Emilia is in attendance.
6. New Business:
a.) The commission decided that we would hold another Landlord/tenant workshop
to be held in May at perhaps a location away from city hall such a church, library, or
apartment complex. Debbie will contact Elizabeth for her legal contacts that participated in
previous workshops.
b.) Mark brought to the attention of the commission, a presentation that will be held
at Minneapolis Central Library on the problem of human trafficking in the 21st century.
Mark thought he would attend the talk and encouraged others to do so as well.
c.) The commission has decided it would become active again in the League of
Human Rights Commissions. Jeff and Chara will begin attending meetings at their earliest
convenience.
d.) Deb notified the commission that minutes, bylaws and listings of city advisory
boards and commissions would now be published on the city website in both Spanish and
English
7. Next meeting: March 3, 2015, 6:30PM
8. Adjournment at 7:42PM: Debbie moved, Todd seconded, unanimously approved
Minutes submitted by Todd Chase