01-02-2018Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
January 2nd, 2018
Members Present: Sara Gumke, Carrie Chillman, Jeff Wright, Mark Westergaard,
Sarah Musgrave, Grace Verbrugge, Will Ruckel, Debbie Eng,
Ben Sunderlin, Matthew Kiflu.
Mike Koob - Public Safety Liaison
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Sara Gumke at 6:31pm.
2. Motion to approve agenda Westergaard/seconded Sunderlin; motion carried.
3. Motion to approve 12/17 minutes Eng/seconded Sunderlin; motion carried.
4. Open Public comment: none.
5. Reports
a. Chair’s report: Sara reports that the commission has 4 open seats with one
person seeking reappointment.
b. Secretary’s report: Carrie mentioned having another attempt at a Google Doc
training; Deb and Carrie will follow up before brought back to the group.
c. Vice Chair’s report: none
d. Liaison report’s: none
6. New Business
a. Matthew spoke about the Reimagine Richfield initiative from the school board to
encourage and involve students thoughts and opinions on their school. He
discussed the process of students sharing their ideas and voting on them and
came up with topics to address in the short and long terms, a student planning
committee was formed; Matthew also shared a copy of the notes from the
meeting, group asked for copy for HRC records. Deb offered support from the
commission, Matthew said they are open to ideas on how to be most effective;
he will update the commission as the student planning committee meets further.
b. 2018 new Officer voting: Mark Westergaard was voted new Chairperson, Debbie
Eng Vice-Chair, and Carrie Chillman Secretary.
7. Unfinished Business
a. Update on the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Grace had concerns with
some of the wording in this and will seek clarification and research other
agencies that are supporting this and will follow-up at the next meeting.
b. Update on Dr. Sole for Black History Month: no new info, will discuss at next
meeting.
c. No Update on Genocide Awareness exhibit from Grace, commission needs to
choose date and location, Grace will write up description of exhibit and present to
Mike Koob and Mark to discuss if can be held at City Hall or possibly the library.
d. Joe Hoover as speaker update: Sara suggested reaching out the the Richfield
Historical Society for ideas.
e. No new info on Racial equity speaker, Ben will follow-up and discuss at next
meeting.
f. Sarah has been attempting to contact speaker on Native American treaty rights
for later in year, has back-up plan and will follow-up.
g. Jeff reports that someone from Planned Parenthood will attend next meeting to
recognize our resolution.
h. No current info on PMAC, Sara will contact them to let them know she will no
longer be on RHRC.
i. Previous plans remain in place for Naturalization Event scheduled for 2/20/18, no
new info at this time from Mark, Deb contacted Holy Angels and secured singers
to perform.
j. Deb secured copies of ACLU pamphlets in English and Spanish, will scan and
add them to Google Docs for future use.
8. Committee/Project reports
a. The demographic survey is completed, HRC members who attend other
commissions will bring them to their next meetings to have them filled out, others
volunteered to bring them to the remaining meetings.
9. Reports from liaisons to other Commissions
a. Sarah reported discussion from the lastest Transportation Commission meeting
on Lyndale Ave project, specifically the difficulty it posses, there will be an open
house in spring to hear community concerns.
b. Community Services - last meeting was canceled.
c. Comp Plan Advisory Committee - next meeting will be in Feb, Sara will follow-up
to secure replacement as she will no longer be on HRC.
d. HRA - Jeff reports no new info.
10. Announcements/Open Forum
a. Deb announced that Edina sponsored an essay contest for high school students
and suggested working with local teacher to do the same; Matthew volunteered
to bring up the idea at the next student council meeting. Deb will research the
details of the project.
11. Next meeting is Tuesday, February 6th at 6:30pm.
12. Motion for adjournment by Chillman, seconded Wright, motion carried, meeting
adjourned at 7:40pm.