01-05-2016Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
January 5, 2016
Members Present:
Debbie Eng
Mark Westergaard
Todd Chase
Shrestha Swopnil (student representative)
Judith Dominguez (student representative)
Sara Gumke
Mike Kuehn
Jeff Wright
Kirsten Klosinski
Simon Trautmann
Also present:
Mike Howard -City Council Liaison
Mike Koob-Richfield Staff Liaison
Tim Pollis-School Board Liaison
Absent:
Chara Blanch
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:30PM.
2. Approval of Agenda
a.) Todd moved; Debbie seconded; Unanimously approved
3. Approval of Minutes
i. Jeff moved; Debbie seconded; Unanimously approved.
4. Scheduled guest speaker, council member, Tom Fitzhenry unable to attend
5. Reports
a.) Chair's report: Mark noted that Katie Eagle and Emilia Gonzalez Avalos have re-
signed. Todd Chase is also leaving the commission as his term ends.
b.) Vice -chairs report: Debbie presented the RHRC property inventory to the commission
c.) Treasurer's report: Jeff reported that there is $134.02 in the
account.
d.) Secretary's report: Todd presented the 2015 attendance report to the commission.
e.) City Liaison's report: Mike Howard reported that the paid parental leave plan for city
employees will be approved at the next city council meeting.
f.) School Board Liaison's report: Tim reported that 2 newly elected school board
member attended their first school board meeting the previous evening.
6. Unfinished Business
a.) Naturalization event: Mark announced that the the naturalization ceremony will be
held at city hall on February 16 at 10am. 35 people will become naturalized citizens. A singer
has been procured to sing the national anthem.
b.) Tenant's rights workshop: No update.
c.) Capitol Rights Resolution: after some suggestions were made to change some of the
wording, the resolution was passed. Jeff moved; Sara seconded; Unanimously approved.
d.) RHRC webpage/annual calendar: Mark presented the updated RHRC annual calen-
dar of events that was based on feedback from the commission.
7. Election of Officers: Mark (Chair), Debbie (Vice -chair), and Jeff (Treasurer) retained their of-
fices. Mike Kuehn was elected as secretary.
8. New Business:
a.) Simon will draft a resolution in support of Muslim citizens in Richfield. It was sug-
gested that the resolution should be completed by the end of the month so that it can be approved
at the next commission meeting. Mark asked commissioners to begin to think about ideas for
some type of RHRC event regarding Muslims in our community.
b.) Debbie spoke about changes in commission bylaws. She suggested a committee to
discuss these changes. Jeff, Mark, and Mike Kuehn have agreed to join Debbie on this commit-
tee
9. Next meeting: February 2, 2016, 6:30PM
10. Adjournment at 7:50pm: Debbie moved, Sara seconded, unanimously approved
Minutes submitted by Todd Chase