03-06-2018Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
March 6th, 2018
Members Present: Mark Westergaard, Carrie Chillman, Brett Stursa, Cathy Stephens,
Husniyah Dent Bradley, Will Ruckel, Grace Verbrugge, Sarah Musgrave.
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:35pm.
2. Motion to approve agenda Chillman/seconded Ruckel; motion carried.
3. Motion to approve 2/18 minutes Chillman/seconded Verbrugge; motion carried.
4. Open Public comment: none.
5. Reports
a. Chair’s report: Mark recapped the Naturalization Event that went very well; 35
people from 21 countries were represented. The city staff was helpful, there
were articles in the SunCurrent and on Facebook.
b. Secretary’s report: none.
c. Vice Chair’s report: not in attendance.
d. Liaison reports: no city liaisons in attendance.
6. New Business
a. 2018 Planning Calendar: Long discussion of the year’s proposed activities;
Pride event on 6/9 at Augsburg Library, screening of the movie “Moonlight” with
discussion to follow; Better Angels event also at the library, featuring a
moderated discussion of opposing views; Islam 101, Will will take lead with
Cathy, Husniyah, and Carrie joining sub-commission; Human Trafficking event at
RHS in November, Mark will lead with Grace and Cathy joining sub-commission;
Penn Fest, discussion of need for activities and other things to engage attendees
(wheel spin, jenga game, mobile art exhibit, ACLU cards), Brett to take the lead
with Carrie and Grace joining sub-commission.
b. Discussion of HRC liaisons to other Commissions; discussed whether or not it
provides a benefit to the HRC, group felt it was a value building a connection with
other commissions, idea of looking at city-wide calendar to see what else we
could attend, will discuss further at next meeting.
c. Citizen of the Year discussion: Applications are open April 1st-27th, wukk
chosen in May and will be presented to City Council in June. Mark encouraged
HRC members to submit apps, Will will put out a statement in the SunCurrent
and Facebook with a link to the application, Mark will edit app to reflect current
year and chairperson.
d. Sarah spoke about her work with the Advocates for Human Rights who connects
LGBTQ immigrants with human rights support, talking briefly about what people
faced in their home countries; if you know anyone who may benefit from this
please let Sarah know and she will connect with that person.
7. Unfinished Business
a. Community Engagement Committee
i. Commissions demographic survey; Mark will present results at City
Council meeting on 3/27, Brett offered to assist with design for
presentation. Anyone who still hasn’t brought the survey’s to the
commissions they were assigned to are encouraged to do so and bring
them to Mark.
8. Reports from liaisons to other Commissions:
a. Transportation: Sarah reports there is a public meeting on 3/20 to discuss their
on-going work.
b. Community Services: Grace didn’t have any info to report, no current meeting.
c. HRA: Jeff was not in attendance.
9. Announcements/Open Forum: Grace announced the MN State High School march at the
Capital on 3/7 at 11:00am supporting change in gun control laws; walk is from Central
High School to the Capital. Sarah announced the TPT website highlighting Muslim
women’s stories and asked if we could partner with other commissions to highlight
diversity/cultural events.
10. Next meeting: Tuesday, April 3rd at 6:30pm.
11. Motion for adjournment: Verbrugge/seconded Stursa, motion carried, meeting adjourned
at 8:15pm.