03-03-2015
Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2015
Members Present:
Debbie Eng
Todd Chase
Mark Westergaard
Judith Dominguez (student representative)
Sara Gumke
Elizabeth Wendt
Also present:
Michael Koob –Richfield Staff Liaison
Tim Pollis-School Board Liaison
Absent:
Jeff Wright
Chara Blanch
Mike Kuehn
Emilia Gonzales Avalos
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:33PM.
2. Approval of Agenda
a.) Debbie moved; Todd seconded; Unanimously approved
3. Approval of Minutes
i. Debbie moved; Todd seconded; Unanimously approved
4. Reports
a.) Chair’s report: Mark announced that Martin Kirsch was no longer on the commis-
sion and he introduced new member, Sara Gumke. Mark also reminded the commission
about the lecture on human trafficking taking place at the Central Library on March 11.
He thinks he may be able to get this speaker to address a future RHRC meeting.
5. Unfinished Business
a.) The Commission continued to discuss the community conversation event that
took place on January 17. A draft report is being worked on and will be further reviewed
by the community conversation subcommittee. Madeline (from the Advocates of Human
Rights) will also provide input.
b.) The commission also conferred again about the Black Lives Matter protest that
took place at the Mall of American in December. It was decided that we would take no ac-
tion as a Richfield city commission.
c.) The commission discussed conducting another tenant workshop. We will look
into the possibility of holding the event at Buena Vista or another large apartment complex.
Elizabeth spoke with the attorneys who participated in the event last time and they are in-
terested in being involved again. Interpreters will need to be contacted. A May date for the
tenant workshop was suggested and we will try finalize an exact date before or at the April
meeting.
6. New Business:
a.) Mike Koob reminded the commission about the Gene and Mary Jacobsen Award.
Nominations deadline is April 30. Debbie suggested that we should publicize the award in
Spanish as well as English.
b.) League of Minnesota Rights Commission dues in the amount of $100 are due.
Mike Koob will look into police dept. payment of these dues as it was believed the depart-
ment helped with these dues in the past.
7. Next meeting: April 7, 2015, 6:30PM
8. Adjournment at 7:52PM: Debbie moved, Judith seconded, unanimously approved
Minutes submitted by Todd Chase