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07-12-2018Richfield Human Rights Commission Monthly Meeting Minutes July 12th, 2018 Members Present: Mark Westergaard, Carrie Chillman, Debbie Eng, Husniyah Dent Bradley, Sarah Musgrave, Ben Sunderlin, Heather Eastlund, Brett Stursa. 1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:30pm. 2. Motion to approve agenda Stursa/seconded Eng; motion carried. 3. Motion to approve 6/17 minutes Stursa/seconded Eng; motion carried. 4. Open Public comment: none. 5. Guest Speakers: Pam Dmytrenko and Jared Veto from the City of Richfield came to discuss the City’s efforts to include every resident in the 2020 census. A “Complete Count Committee” will be created to communicate the importance of and how to complete the census. At this time the committee hasn’t be formally created as of yet but the goal is to have one formed by the end of summer or shortly after, Ms. Dmytrenko and Mr. Veto opened the discussion to inquire ideas and interest of the RHRC in participating. Further discussion of this will be added to the 8/17 agenda. 6. Reports a. Chair’s report: Mark announced to resignation of Will Ruckel effective immediately due to scheduling conflicts; Brett will take over Will’s social media role. Mark updated the group on his recent attendance and speaking at the MN Dept of Human Rights summit in June, where he spoke on a panel addressing how to best engage community groups and commissions, he also attended discussions on the ADA and HR violation cases, sexual harassment and mediation. Ben also used this time to update the group on the Red/Blue event, he reports that it went well and was a good launching off point for further community discussions, there are workshops in the fall in the area, contact Ben if interested in attending. b. Secretary’s report: Carrie asked Debbie to take meeting minutes in August while she is gone. c. Vice Chair’s report: Debbie expressed concern over having two vacancies on the commission and says she will request the City Council to fill them as soon as possible with existing applicants. d. Liaison reports: none present. 7. New Business a. Recap of Pride event at Augsburg library: Attendance of the screening of the movie Moonlight was low with one person staying for the discussing after. Mark suggested children’s book reading for next Pride month. b. Recap of Citizen of the year ceremony and submission of the Annual Report to the City by Mark: Turnout to the event was high, Dr. Joyce Marie had many friends and family attending, as well as Police Chief Henthore and Deputy Koob. Dr. Marie recited a poem at the reception as well as at the City Council Meeting. A big thank-you to City staff who arranged and provided refreshments and a plaque to be give to Dr. Marie. Mark then presented the City with the Annual Report and synopsis of the HRC’s work over the past year. c. Proclamation team: First meeting to discuss and establish framework will be 7/22 at 10am at Lakewinds. Brett, Carrie, Debbie and Husniyah will attend. d. HRC brochure: Brochure is outdated, Brett will review and suggest updates/changes and bring back to group to discuss at a later date. 8. Unfinished Business a. Islam 101 event: Due to Will’s resignation this is on hold, Husniyah will contact Will to see current progress and go from there. b. Human Trafficking Event: No current update, some concern was presented that without youth commissioners high school might not host. c. By-laws committee: Debbie will lead committee to review/update, Heather and Sarah will join and they will meet 7/16 at 7:15pm at Lakewinds. d. 2019 Speaker series: Ben was able to be in contact with the high school principal and is available week of July 24th for further discussion, Ben will let subcommittee know when the final time is scheduled. e. PennFest planning: Next subcommittee meeting is on 7/22 at 11:00am at Lakewinds for further planning. f. Youth Commissioner recruitment: Deb will follow up with City staff on this. g. Naturalization Ceremony: Will be at Holy Angels, Tuesday Feb 19th, 2019, Mark has requested the time be 9:30 or 10am, Deb will follow up on size of venue. 9. Announcements/Open Forum: Husniyah asked to clarify a resolution the HRC past last year regarding inclusiveness but failed to mention the LGBTQ commuinty, Mark will follow up on this. Husniyah also mentioned she has been contacted by community members with complaints regarding disability access, it was mentioned that these complaints can be brought to the HRC or the State for human rights violation reporting. Group will discuss further. 10. Next meeting: Thursday, August 9th at 6:30pm. 11. Motion for adjournment: Eng/seconded Sunderlin, motion carried, meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.