08-16-2016Members Present:
Mark Westergaard
Debbie Eng
Swopnil Shrestha
Will Ruckel
Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
August 16, 2016
Kirsten Klosinski
Logan Schultz
Judith Dominguez
Mike Koob — City Liaison
Guests: Courtney Poja, Director of Advancement at CornerstoneMN.
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:30P.M.
2. Agenda approved. Motion Eng/Second Dominguez.
3. July 2016 minutes approved. Motion Sunderlin /Second Gumke.
4. Open Public Comment.
None.
Sara Gumke
Ben Sunderlin
Carrie Chillman
5. Guest Speaker: Courtney Poja, Director of Advancement at CornerstoneMN.
Ms. Poja provided commissioners with the history and overview of services provided by CornerstoneMN. CornerstoneMN
was created by a group of volunteers in 1983 to provide domestic violence services to Metro Minneapolis suburban
individuals. Richfield was one of the original cities. Over the years, services have been expanded to include emergency
shelter, legal services, economic empowerment and financial literacy classes, job readiness and family/youth programs.
CornerstoneMN also works with children regarding breaking the repeating cycle of violence.
6. Welcome new commissioners Will Ruckel and Carrie Chillman.
7. Farewell to Judith Dominguez. This was Judith's last meeting as a youth commissioner on RHRC. She will be attending the
University of Minnesota next month. Chair Westergaard presented Judith with a commendation from Mayor Goettel
thanking Judith for her service on the RHRC. Other commissioners thanked her as well.
8. Reports
a. Chair's Report
Lucas Johnson (City of Richfield social media contact) will be combining all commissions FB's under one Face
Book page for the city.
- Two offensive pieces of art at the state capitol may be taken down. Mark states that the RHRC Resolution on
Offensive Art at the Capitol and the advocate group opposing offensive art may have assisted efforts to
remove the artwork.
b. Treasurer's Report
- No report as Jeff was not at the meeting.
c. Secretary's Report
- Ben has volunteered to record minutes at the September 6th commission meeting as Debbie will not be in
attendance.
d. Vice Chair's Report
No report under Vice Chair's Report as items will be discussed under Unfinished Business.
e. Liaison Reports
City Liaison: Mark asked Mike about law enforcement Bullet Proof Warrior training (It has been reported the
officer in the Castile shooting had attended a similar type of training). Mike discussed different training
seminars offered to law enforcement. Mike stated that some individuals participate in that kind of training
however he prefers Crisis Management and De-escalation training for officers. Mike also urged
commissioners to not jump to conclusions regarding the shooting but wait for the investigation to be
completed.
School Board: No Report.
City Council: No Report.
9. Unfinished Business
a. Resolution — Jeff, subcommittee chair, is not present today but Logan and Swopnil report that the subcommittee has
met since the last RHRC meeting and is waiting a draft resolution from Chara. Tabled until next month.
b. Penn Fest — Penn Fest will be held on September 18, 2016. Sara reports that representatives from all Richfield
commissions have been invited to a meeting this coming Friday to discuss coordinating efforts for Penn Fest. RHRC
subcommittee members included Sara (Chair), Mark, Jeff, Ben, and Swopnil. Will has also volunteered to help.
Commissioners discussed giveaways being something other than candy (Jeff has previously gotten pencils and other
items from the State Human Rights Department). Other ideas include tattoos or wristbands.
c. Ongoing commissions recruiting project — The timing of youth appointments per City Code (September to August) was
discussed given Judith's vacancy. Assistant City Manager Pam Dmtrenko has informed Mark that she is moving toward
using the same commissioner appointment process (January and July appointments) for youth. This creates difficulties
in filling youth vacancies as the school year calendar seems to work better for youth. Judith and Swopnil agree. Debbie
and Mark will ask Assistant Principal Teresa Rosen for her opinion during a September meeting with her. It is also
suggested that this issue be reviewed and discussed with Pam Dmtrenko.
d. 2017 Event Planning — Mark presented a draft 2017 event planning document for commissioners to look at prior to
RHRC's next meeting. Mark asked that all commissioners think of other events that should be included for planning
and contact him prior to the next meeting.
10. New/Future Business
a. 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.
b. Book reading ideas — Mark has discussed a book reading event with Augsburg Library and reports that they are
interested. Mark has asked commissioners to provide ideas to him regarding this. Leah Marks with University of
Minnesota Human Rights Library has been suggested as a possible guest speaker.
11. Open Forum and Announcements
None
12. Next meeting is September 6, 2016
13. Motion for Adjournment. Motion Eng/Second Gumke. Meeting adjourned at 8:06.
Minutes Submitted by:
Debbie Eng
Secretary