10-02-2018Richfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
October 2nd, 2018
Members Present: Debbie Eng, Carrie Chillman, Sarah Musgrave, Ben Sunderlin,
Heather Eastlund, Brett Stursa, Bob Mulcahy, Katie Goodemote, Cathy Stevens, Luz
Luna Apodaca
Public Safety Liaison: Police Chief Jay Henthorne
1. Meeting called to order by Co-Chair Debbie Eng at 6:35pm.
2. Motion to amend agenda to add the topic of gender neutral bathrooms as item 8d,
Sunderlin motioned for approval of amended agenda, Eng seconded; motion carried.
3. Motion to approve 9/17 minutes Sunderlin/seconded Musgrave; motion carried.
4. Open Public comment: Mr. Jared Shepherd, Richfield community member, attended the
meeting to observe.
5. Deb gave a welcome to new youth commissioner Luz Luna Apodaca, introductions were
made.
6. Reports:
a. Chair’s report: Debbie took over Mark’s duties as chair as he was unable to
attend; Mark thanks Brett for taking his place on the MN Dept. of Human Rights
commissioners group, a brief discussion followed of the purpose of local HR
commissions and who hears complaints of violations which is a just a few cities
in the state.
b. Secretary’s report: none.
c. Vice Chair’s report: Deb offered new member orientation Oct 14th from 12-1pm
at Lakewinds, all are welcome to attend.
d. Liaison reports: Chief Henthorne spoke about the HRC’s ability to receive grants
for events such as the speaker series; after speaking with City Staff he says the
group can receive grants that don’t need auditing or reporting per the City
Attorney’s guidelines, and also obtains approval of the City Council; Chief
Henthorne will speak to the City Attny further for more info.
7. New Business
a. MDHR 2018 Community Forums are not scheduled at this time, Sarah will
contact Bloomington to find out more info and will report in Nov.
b. Rescheduling the Nov meeting due to the election; motion to move the meeting
to Thursday, Nov 8th at 6:30pm Eastlund/seconded Stursa, motion carried;
Debbie will inform City staff of change.
c. Remaining money in budget: We have $156.43 left for the year, group discussed
spending it on T-shirts or a tent for events, group thought we’d order the shirts
now and see if tent could be borrowed or purchased next year, Deb will follow up
with shirt vendor.
8. Unfinished Business
a. PennFest recap: Well-staffed by the commission, location was good being next
to the Arts Commission and the Richfield Foundation, lots of leftover materials.
There was some concern over residents asking what kind of advocacy work the
commission does and we didn’t have a clear answer.
b. Drag Storytime with Miss Richfield 1981, will be 10/23 at 6:30 at Augsburg
Library: Ben or Brett will say a few words about the HRC, Brett will bring some of
our literature.
c. 2019 Events Planning:
i. Proclamation team will meet 11/18th at 11am (Lakewinds) to draft first
proclamation focusing on Black History Month, Brett will follow-up with
City Council to bring to their attention and as also reached out to
Bloomington HRC for resources and templates. Bob will join Brett,
Carrie, and Husniyah in this sub-committee.
ii. By-laws committee: revisions are nearly complete, copy will be emailed
soon with notes of changes, look over and be prepared with questions
and a vote at November meeting.
iii. 2019 speaker series: Ben gave brief history of projected and updated
group on the work with community groups for support and resources.
Project needs formal approval from HRC and City Council then will be
brought to School Board for approval. Ben spoke of the crucial need for
more commission members to participate (Carrie has left the sub-
committee, Heather, Husniyah, and Katie offered to help); Ben went on
the state some concern over the scope of project and the involved
process, Deb suggested doing one speaker event as pilot project. Motion
to move forward with the project as proposed by Ben, seconded by
Husniyah, motioned carried.
iv. Naturalization Ceremony: 2/19/19 at Holy Angels, no updates at this
time.
d. Gender Neutral Bathrooms: Brett suggests reaching out to City Council to draft
resolution to support gender neutral bathrooms in City buildings, she will send a
copy of the Mpls resolution to group to look over, also see outfront.org for more
info. Will be put on Nov. agenda.
9. Announcements/Open Forum: Sarah went to the Complete Count Committee, gave
brief description, more info will come from Jared Voto later in the year. Ben wanted to
add time to the November agenda to discuss HRC direction.
10. Next meeting: Thursday, November 8th at 6:30pm.
11. Motion for adjournment: Eastlund/seconded Sunderlin, motion carried, meeting
adjourned at 8:25pm.
Submitted by Carrie Chillman 10/29/18