07-11-2016Members Present:
Mark Westergaard
Debbie Eng
Swopnil Shrestha
Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
July 11, 2016
Jeff Wright
Logan Schultz
Chara Blanch
Mike Howard — City Council
Guests: Pastor Ben Sandin, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield, MN
Sara Gumke
Simon Trautmann
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:28P.M.
2. Amended agenda approved (added 8f. New/Future Business—Senseless Killing resolution). Motion Eng/Second Trautmann.
3. Approved Amended June 2016 minutes (CORRECTION: 7c Unfinished Business - Applications and appointment process will
be 2 times per year). Motion Gumke /Second Schultz.
4. Open Public Comment
None.
5. Guest Speaker: Pastor Ben Sandin, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield, MN
Ben provided commissioners with a 3 page handout that he has also shared with Richfield Police Department regarding his
Richfield Resident Research Project. 145 Richfield residents were interviewed regarding their individual experience of
living in Richfield. Key themes found:
- Those who felt most connected to Richfield had strong neighborhood connections.
- Neighborly practices increase connection. Neighborhood best practices included block parties, talking, walking, etc.
- The diversity of cultures, races, and languages in Richfield is a barrier to community connection even for those who
value it.
6. Reports
a. Chair's Report
- Annual report to the City Council went well. Mark will send copies to Commissioners.
CornerstoneMN will be our guest speakers in August. They work with trafficked and abused individuals.
- We may partner with another group for a future Holocaust event.
- Trafficking event will be at Richfield High School on November 3rd at 2:45pm. Guest speaker will be Michelle
Garnett McKenzie from The Advocates for Human Rights.
- Still planning next year's Naturalization Ceremony. Event will be at the Richfield High School on February 21,
2017. We will be planning for about 200 prospective citizens.
Mark discussed the July 7th Richfield Sun Current article regarding RHRC's Citizen of the Year ideological
differences with RHRC in regard to same sex marriage. Mark suggested that the commission review
selection criteria prior to next year's process.
b. Treasurer's Report
RHRC account balance is $134.77.
Continuing difficulties regarding RHRC's bank account with the Richfield Bloomington Credit Union. Issue will
need to be resolved.
c. Secretary's Report
- No report under Secretary's Report as items will be discussed under Unfinished Business.
d. Vice Chair's Report
No report under Vice Chair's Report as items will be discussed under Unfinished Business.
e. Liaison Reports
City Council: Mike states that Commissioner Interviews will be on July 16th with appointments starting in
August. Mike also discussed Night to Unite events for August 2nd. City Council and Richfield Police will be
attending a number of Richfield block parties. Mike will check to see if RHRC commissioners could be added
to the block party schedule. Block party attendance by commissioners is seen as an opportunity to connect
with citizens and provide information and materials regarding Richfield's different boards and commissions.
Mike will get back to RHRC regarding attendance.
- School Board: No Report.
- City Liaison: No Report.
7. Unfinished Business
a. Citizen of the Year recap. Commissioners discussed selection process.
b. 4th of July Parade Update —Jeff and Sara report that the 4th of July parade went well. It is suggested that planning begin
early next year and that RHRC hand out something besides candy (stickers/tattoos?). There has been some speculation
that the parade may not happen next year due to the difficulty of finding volunteers for the Parade Committee.
c. Reschedule September meeting. Will stay with September 6th date.
d. Penn Fest — Penn Fest will be held on September 18, 2016. Sara will chair a sub -committee regarding RHRC's
participation in this event and will be having a sub -committee meeting to discuss planning details.
e. Update on commissions recruiting team — Sub -committee (chaired by Jeff) will continue to meet to discuss ideas for the
December recruiting process, including demographics.
f. Trafficking Event — see Chairs report.
8. New/Future Business (items tabled from May meeting)
a. Guest speaker for August meeting is CornerstoneMN.
b. Guest Speakers for October 4 meeting tentatively Senta Leff, Executive Director of the Minnesota Coalition for the
Homeless and Dan Kitzberger, Policy Director at the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. Dan is also on the Richfield
Planning Commission.
c. Book reading ideas — Mark asked commissioners to think about book suggestions. Will also look to Augsburg Library for
suggestions. Leah Marks with University of Minnesota Human Rights Library has been suggested as a possible guest
speaker.
d. Event/Activity ideas for LGBT history month in October. Commissioners began discussion of ideas.
e. Planning lead time for future activities. Commissioners are feeling very rushed in planning commission activities,
annual and special events. Given that we have an events calendar, it is suggested that we begin planning many of
these events earlier than we have in previous years. It is suggested that the October speakers be cancelled and time be
set aside at that meeting to discuss RHRC's 2017 Work Plan and Calendar of Events.
f. Jeff is recommending that RHRC develop a resolution regarding senseless killing of black men in Minnesota. He will
chair a sub -committee to develop draft language to be reviewed at our August meeting.
9. Open Forum and Announcements
None
10. Next meeting is September 6, 2016
11. Motion for Adjournment. Motion Trautmann/Second Wright. Meeting adjourned at 8:17.
Minutes Submitted by:
Debbie Eng
Secretary