11-01-2016Members Present:
Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
November 1, 2016
Mark Westergaard
Debbie Eng
Yamilez Ordonez
Will Ruckel
Mike Koob — City Liaison
Jeff Wright
Logan Schultz
Carrie Chillman
Chara Blanch
Sara Gumke
Ben Sunderlin
Simon Trautmann
Guests: Justin Graves and Eiryn Headlund — Observers
Kevin Lindsey—Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:33P.M.
2. Agenda approved. Motion Eng/Second Wright.
3. October 2016 minutes approved with the caveat that Debbie will ensure spelling errors are corrected prior to posting the
minutes. Motion Blanch/Second Ruckel.
4. Open Public Comment.
None.
5. Guest Speaker: Kevin Lindsey — Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Commissioner Lindsey stated that under the Human Rights Act, his office is charged with 19 duties regarding human rights.
Ensuring contract compliance, workforce goals, and equal pay (specifically in state contracts); eliminating discrimination;
and ensuring equal opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota are major duties. His office handles over 1,000 complaints
per year with 98% settled or resolved within 245 days. The number of days (245) it takes to resolve a complaint has been
greatly reduced over the past three years. Commissioner Lindsey provided RHRC with a recent report titled MDHR
Enforcement Case Summaries — Cases with Probable Cause Determinations 2011-2015, which provides a comprehensive 5
year review of case determinations of probable cause made by MDHR. Other documents provided to commissioners
included the 2015 Women's Economic Security Act Annual Report from the MN Department of Labor and Industry and a
flyer regarding MDHR's upcoming Human Rights Symposium to be held December 8th in St. Paul, MN.
6. Welcome new youth commissioner Yamilez Ordonez.
7. Reports
a. Chair's Report
- Mark met with Joe Hoover to discuss partnering with Richfield's Human Services Commission in regard to
LGBT— Pride events and issues.
Mark informed commissioners that RHRC would be able to get free space at the Richfield Historical Society if
we would like to hold an event there.
Reminder — RHRC Officer Elections will be conducted at our January meeting. Current officers will discuss their
roles at our December meeting. RHRC's By-laws also outline officer responsibilities and commissioners are
encouraged to review responsibilities per the by-laws and consider an officer position for 2017.
b. Treasurer's Report
- $160.77. RHRC discussed liquefying this account under the Unfinished Business (8.c) agenda item.
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 Liaison: No Report.
School Board: No Report.
City Council: No Report.
8. Unfinished Business
a. Ongoing commissions recruiting project — A survey of all Richfield's Boards and Commissions is in the process of
completion and will be reviewed at our December meeting.
b. RHRC Resolution 2016-03 Supporting Cities for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) Initiative and Support of the Principles of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women at a Local Level was presented, moved for approval, and passed. Motion Westergaard/
Second Gumke.
c. Liquefying RHRC Checking Account - The City and City Council discourages Richfield's Boards and Commissions from
carrying separate bank accounts as funding for boards and commissions is provided for under the city budget. Current
funds are the result of a grant made to RHRC a number of years ago and RHRC has been encouraged to eliminate this
account. Commissioners discussed different spending ideas in order to eliminate RHRC's bank account and agreed that
RHRC will purchase RHRC T-shirts to be worn at our planned activities and events to promote RHRC's visibility and
community engagement. Will continues to agree to coordinate obtaining the T-shirts and asks that each commissioner
email him with preferred size.
d. 2017 Event Planning — Mark provided an updated 2017 RHRC Calendar/Workplan to commissioners.
e. Trafficking Event Update - Trafficking Event will be held this coming Thursday (November 3rd) at Richfield High School.
All commissioners are encouraged to attend if able.
f. Naturalization Event update — On-going. RHRC sub -committee (Swopnil, Mark and Debbie) will meet in December to
continue to finalize the event. The Federal Marshals will be conducting a walk-through of RHS a few weeks prior to the
event.
9. New/Future Business
a. Guest Speaker for December 6 meeting will be Amanda Koonjbeharry, MSW, MPP, Hennepin County Administrative
Manager — No Wrong Door Initiative
b. Reminder that RHRC Officer Elections will be in January. Current Officers will discuss their roles at the December 6th
meeting.
10. Open Forum and Announcements
None
11. Next meeting is December 6, 2016
12. Motion for Adjournment. Motion Blanch/Second Schultz. Meeting adjourned at 8:02.
Minutes Submitted by:
Debbie Eng
Secretary