11-06-2017Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
November 6th, 2017
Members Present: Sara Gumke, Carrie Chillman, Mark Westergaard, Sarah Musgrave,
Chara Blanch, Matthew Kiflu, Grace Verbrugge, Ben Sunderlin
Mike Howard - City Council Liaison
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Sara Gumke at 6:40pm
2. Motion to approve agenda Blanch/seconded Westergaard; agenda approved.
3. Motion to approve 10/2017 minutes Westergaard/seconded Musgrave; minutes
approved.
4. Open Public Comment: none.
5. Reports
a. Chair’s report: Sara welcomed our new Youth Commissioners, Matthew and
Grace.
b. Secretary’s report: none, but it was mentioned a few mistakes on the current
roster, Carrie will correct and update.
c. Vice Chair’s report: not in attendance.
d. Liaison Reports:
i. City Council Liaison: Mike H reported on a recent productive HRA work
session, there was community attendance and people agreed on
importance of affordable housing in Richfield.
ii. Sarah M reports from the last Transportation Commission meeting that
work is being done for a Metro Transit D line in 2022 with stops in
Richfield; there is another Transportation Commission open house on
11/29 at Wood Lake to discuss the Lyndale reconstruction, Mike H
encouraged HRC members to attend.
iii. Chara is no longer available to attend the Community Services
Commission, Grace volunteered to take over attending those meetings.
iv. Sara reports that there was no Comp Plan Advisory Committee since the
HRC last met.
v. Jeff was not in attendance to report on the HRA meeting.
6. Committee/Project Reports
a. Trafficking presentation update: Mark confirmed details of venue and passed out
flyer for HRC members to share, Sara G will send all commissions the flyer as
well; HRC members are encouraged to share the event on social media and
other networking sites, the flyer was also posted at a number of local businesses.
HRC members are encouraged to attend, is it expected that RPD will be in
attendance to show support and field questions/concerns from community
members.
b. Community Engagement update: dates and location haven’t been confirmed for
commission recruitment outreach efforts, email will be sent when these details
are set.
c. Commission Demographic Survey update: there was a brief discussion of what
the survey is and why it’s done, Mike H talked about how helpful this survey is in
assisting with city goals; the changes that were discussed at the last meeting
were done, Ben suggested rearranging the opening statement to start with “this
survey is voluntary”. Sara G will make the last small changes and have the final
draft done soon with the goal to have all commissions complete the survey by
mid-December.
7. Unfinished Business
a. ……..
b. PMAC update: no new info, Mike H will follow-up soon.
c. Naturalization Event update: Mark let us know that the date is set for Feb 20th,
2018 but the venue has not been secured, subcommittee is looking at City Hall or
Holy Angels; Carrie will join subcommittee.
d. ACLU pamphlets update: Deb was not in attendance to give any info on this.
8. New Business/Open Forum
a. Discussion of next year’s events: Mark suggested book reading at library with Dr.
Jason Sole for Black History month; Sara G welcomed ideas for Women’s
History month as well as Pride; Grace suggested event for April’s Genocide
Awareness month involving an art exhibit tent with historical information; Sara G
suggested event for Native American History month; Ben suggested guest
speaker to discuss racial equality, Chara has a colleague whom she will contact.
9. Next meeting is Tuesday, December 5th at 6:30pm.
10. Motion for adjournment Westergaard, seconded Sunderlin; meeting adjourned at
7:50pm.