09-04-2018Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
September 4th, 2018
Members Present: Mark Westergaard, Carrie Chillman, Sarah Musgrave, Ben Sunderlin,
Heather Eastlund, Brett Stursa, Bob Mulcahy…, Katie…..
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Mark Westergaard at 6:33pm.
2. Motion to approve agenda Stursa/seconded Sunderlin, Musgrave wanted to add the
topic of single stall bathrooms in City buildings to agenda; motion carried.
3. Motion to approve 8/17 minutes Chillman/seconded Eastlund; Stursa motioned to
remove line 8c as it was not addressed during meeting, motion carried.
4. Open Public comment: none.
5. Mark gave a welcome to new commissioner Robert Mulcahy, introductions were made.
6. Guest Speaker: Scott Hvizdos, board chair from the Richfield Foundation. Mr. Hvizdos
gave brief presentation covering the work the all-volunteer run Foundation does
including maintaining an endowment to support the community of Richfield and can
serve as fiscal sponsor to new or struggling organizations. Visit
www.richfieldfoundationmn.org for more info.
7. Reports
a. Chair’s report: Mark brought to the attention of the group an article in the Sun
Current regarding recruiting youth commissioners, Deb has been working on this
for us, and we can expect the two new members in October. The sex-trafficking
event will be canceled due to the timing with the new youth commissioners.
Also, Mark announced his resignation after the 1/19 meeting, one year early.
b. Secretary’s report: none.
c. Vice Chair’s report: not present.
d. Liaison reports: none present.
8. New Business
a. Drag Storytime with Miss Richfield 1981 ib 10/23 at 6:30 pm at Augsburg Library
will be geared toward children and will be addressing dressing up, gender fluidity,
and self-expression; group was all in favor of co-sponsoring event.
b. Partnering with the Bloomington HRC on MDHR 2018 Community Forums-
Reconciling our Vision; date is to be determined, group was all in favor to attend
and co-sponsor.
c. 2019 event planning discussion; for Black History Month in February there will be
a children’s reading at Augsburg Library; Ben suggested a disability awareness
event; Mark invited commissioners to think of events and will be discussed
further.
d. Sarah brought to the group’s attention that the City of Minneapolis has passed a
resolution for bathrooms to be labeled unisex and suggested we do the same in
Richfield.
9. Unfinished Business
a. PennFest planning: Review of tasks and sign-up sheet, Brett has postcards
printed, Carrie has other pamphlets, everything seems to be in place.
b. Proclamation team: Brett explained propose and process, suggested starting with
3 for 2019, marking Black History Month, the ADA, and Hispanic Heritage Month.
c. By-laws committee: not discussed.
d. 2019 Speaker series: A follow-up meeting with High School administration was
held discussing logistics and it was determined that a smaller event held after
school focusing on kids as the main audience, they can support with marketing
and connections with student and community groups but not funding which is still
needed. The next step is for subcommittee to draft proposal and then school will
decide their level of support, meeting 9/30 at 1:00pm at Lakewinds. Then a f/u
meeting with school in October.
e. 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.
10. Announcements/Open Forum: Heather brought up topic of how the HRC is using its
Mission Statement to steer the work being done, would like to discuss further.
11. Next meeting: Thursday, October 2nd at 6:30pm.
12. Motion for adjournment: Strusa/seconded Sunderlin, motion carried, meeting adjourned
at 8:00pm.