05-03-2016Members Present:
Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2016
Mark Westergaard Jeff Wright
Debbie Eng Kirsten Klosinski
Swopnil Shrestha
Mike Howard - City Council Liaison
Mike Koob - City Liaison
Sara Gumke
Logan Schultz
Guests: Isela Gomez — Community Liaison Richfield Joint Community Police Partnership
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:30P.M.
2. Agenda approved. Motion Eng/Second Wright.
3. Approved April 2016 minutes. Motion Gumke /Second Schultz.
4. Open Public Comment
None.
Chara Blanch
Ben Sunderlin
5. Guest Speaker: Isela Gomez — Community Liaison Richfield Joint Community Police Partnership
Ms. Gomez discussed her role as the JCPP Community Liaison in facilitating conversations with police and the Richfield
community. JCPP has a Multicultural Advisory Committee acting as an operating arm of JCPP which meet monthly with
police personnel to discuss topics that are important to the Richfield community. JCPP sponsors a number community
programs, including Information sessions on laws/curfew/children home alone, JCPP Youth Academy, Heros and Helpers,
and the New Americans Academy which has a Tenants Rights component. Ms. Gomez is open to partnering with RHRC in
the future on various human rights issues.
6. Reports
a. Chair's Report
Mark reports that he has come across a number of interesting books regarding human rights, including Gender
Justice, History of Black Baseball in Minnesota, Life and Times of Joseph Godfrey, and A Good Time for the
Truth.
❖ Mark needed to leave commission meeting at this time and Sara assumed Chair for the remainder of meeting.
b. Treasurer's Report
RHRC account balance is $160.77 (Checking $134.02 and Savings 26.75), not $137.00 as reported in April
2016 minutes.
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 Old Business.
d. Vice Chair's Report
No report under Vice Chair's Report as items will be discussed under Old Business.
e. Liaison Reports
City Council: Mike H. reported that Richfield's board and commission recruitment process is currently
underway. Ideas presented by Jeff's workgroup to improve the process include: easy accessible application,
review language on the website, having a table at Richfield's Farmer's Market, using social media more
effectively, inter -commission outreach, and sponsoring a Meet and Greet. Creating an intentional
recruitment flyer to be distributed to Richfield organizations is also suggested.
Mike also spoke about the Richfield Redevelopment efforts and community members having a voice.
Developments will include affordable housing components. Planning efforts include a open house and city
council work sessions.
School Board: No report
City Liaison: No report
7. Unfinished Business
a. Resolution in support of Muslims in our community — Jeff presented a revised draft resolution. After much discussion
and language clarification, motion was made (Eng) and seconded (Blanch) to end debate and vote immediately.
Motion passed.
Motion (Eng) Second (Wright): Approve revised resolution 2016-1 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF OUR MUSLIM SISTERS
AND BROTHERS — Motion passes.
b. Islam 101— Event co-sponsored with the Islamic Resource Group and United Methodist Church of Richfield will be held
tomorrow, May 4th, 6pm, at Richfield United Methodist Church, 5835 Lyndale Ave South, Mpls, MN.
c. Changes to the RHRC by-laws — The commission reviewed proposed revised by-laws including Appendices regarding
City Code changes and Council Memorandum No. 107 Staff Guidelines for Removing Commissioners.
Motion (Blanch) Second (Gumke): Approve revised RHRC By -Laws with Appendices — Motion passes.
d. Tenants right session update — Debbie met with Ruth Evangelista, Assumption Church LA MISION Social Ministry
Director and discussed holding a Tenants Right workshop at the church. Ms. Evangelista stated that they were very
busy right now but would discuss this matter with her board. She stated that the Board of LA MISION meets the
second Tuesday of the Month and HRHC was invited to attend a meeting for further discussion.
e. Outstanding Citizen Award — Six nominations (3 individuals and 3 organizations) were submitted and reviewed by
Commissioners. Commissioners set the following selection criteria:
Impact in Richfield
Direct Connection to Richfield Community
Human Rights emphasis
Timeliness of efforts
Commissioners conducted a paper vote and selected Andy Gray, Richfield resident and lead pastor at The Urban Refuge
Church for Richfield's 2016 Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizen Award. Pastor Gray will be contacted
regarding the award, the date/time of city council presentation and reception, and his availability to participate in the
Fourth of July parade.
f. Fourth of July Parade — Jeff, Debbie, Sara and maybe Logan, Kirsten and Mark will assist in planning participation in the
Fourth of July parade. Details will need to be determined, including 1) Will Andy Gray will be riding in parade as our
Outstanding Citizen [Debbie has vehicle] 2) who will be walking in the parade 3) Registration 4) Candy or other items to
hand out.
8. New Business (items tabled until June meeting)
a. Guest speaker for June meeting is John Woods, Program Director, New Perspectives
Behavioral Health Systems
b. Holocaust survivor event — possible reschedule
c. 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.
d. Possible guest speaker for a future meeting: Leah Marks with University of Minnesota Human Rights Library
9. Open Forum and Announcements
None
10. Next meeting is June 7, 2016
11. Motion for Adjournment. Motion Eng/Second Gumke. Meeting adjourned at 8:27.
Minutes Submitted by:
Debbie Eng
Secretary