2020-10 minutesRichfield Human Rights Commission
Monthly Meeting Minutes
October 6, 2020
Members Present: Heather Eastlund, Katie Goodemote, Carrie Chillman, Michele
Thompson, Kris Anderson, Todd Diede, Tasha Ostendorf, Mara Glubka
Public Safety Liaison: Mike Flaherty
City Council Liaison: Mary Supple
School Board Liaison: Allegra Smisek
Note: meeting held via WebEx
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Eastlund at 6:33pm.
2. Motion to approve Agenda: Anderson/seconded Chillman; motion carried.
3. Motion to approve Minutes: Thompson/seconded Glubka, motion carried.
4. Open Public comment: None
5. Reports:
a. Chair’s report: noted that the November HRC meeting was moved to Thursday,
Nov. 5 due to Election Day
b. Vice Chair’s report: none
c. Secretary’s report: none
d. School Board Liaison report: Students in grades 3-5 who opted in to the hybrid
education model in Richfield will be transitioning from 2 days a week in school to
4 days a week in school. The school board is in the process of drafting an equity
policy and Smisek asked for HRC feedback on the current draft. She will send
the draft to HRC members and it will be discussed at the November meeting.
e. City Council Liaison report: The city is in the process of hiring an equity
coordinator.
f. Public Safety Liaison report: none
6. New Business
a. Housing committee event: Eastlund attended an event on September 17 at
Richfield Towers. Food was delivered and information about the 2020 census
and mail-in voting was provided.
b. 2020 Work plan: Eastlund noted that the bylaws are due to be updated in 2021.
Eastlund also noted that there will be some membership turnover on the HRC in
2021 and encouraged commissioners to start thinking about the future of the
HRC. Eastlund will put together a draft 2021 work plan, to be discussed at the
November meeting. Eastlund suggested coming up with an equity vision for the
HRC, which could coincide with associated bylaws updates. Regarding diversity,
equity and inclusion, Councilmember Supple mentioned that a consultant
working with the city recommended a book called “Waking Up White” by Debby
Irving for city leadership to read. Deputy Chief Flaherty mentioned that once the
city hires its equity coordinator, an equity vision for the city will be set out and
that person will likely be a good resource for the HRC.
c. 2021 Vision: The HRC will discuss a draft 2021 work plan at the November
meeting.
d. RHRC Annual Report: Eastlund will prepare a draft of the annual report to be
reviewed and discussed at the November meeting.
e. Outstanding Citizen Award Process/Criteria Review: Eastlund suggested adding
this to the 2021 work plan but that work should begin in 2020 as the
process/criteria would likely need to be finalized in February 2021. Eastlund will
circulate the current application information.
7. Unfinished Business
a. Partnerships: Anderson will re-send her partnership survey in advance of the
November meeting.
b. Census: Councilmember Supple will check with the city to see whether further
activities are planned in which the HRC can participate. She will contact Eastlund
with information
c. Naturalization Ceremony: Most ceremonies have been canceled for 2020. The
HRC has been invited to reach out in 2021 to determine whether a ceremony
could be held in Richfield.
8. Announcements/Open Forum: Supple mentioned that Light up the Night is happening in
lieu of Night to Unite which was canceled for 2020. All residents are encouraged to turn
on porch lights. Eastlund mentioned a perception that crime has recently increased in
Richfield. Deputy Chief Flaherty confirmed that there has been an increase in lower level
crime. Thompson asked about the status of Trick or Treating in Richfield. The city does
not have an official position because Trick or Treating is not organized by the city.
Glubka encouraged HRC members to attend Neighbors Together in Solidarity at the Dar
Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington Fridays at noon.
9. Next meeting: Thursday, November 5th, 2020 at 6:30pm (via WebEx)
10. Motion for adjournment: Glubka/seconded Chillman, motion carried. Meeting adjourned
at 7:39pm.
Submitted by Todd Diede 10/14/2020