2023-07-25 - DEIC Agenda Packet July 25, 2023 — 6:30 PM
Council Conference Room
Hybrid Meeting
1.Call to Order
2.Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and honor the Dakota nation, on whose ancestral land the City of Golden Valley
is built, and whose land resources we use. We commit to counteracting the erasure of the
cultural practices and presence of the Dakota people through education and by amplifying a wide
range of indigenous voices.
3.Commissioner Oath of Office
4.Roll Call
Chair, Lee Thoresen Vice Chair, David Scheie Nyre Chester
Ajani Woodson Drew Jones Joelle Allen
David Berry Ruth Paradise Imara Hixon
George Kannenberg
4.A.Check In: What is one value that's important to you?
5.Approval of Agenda
6.Approval of Minutes
6.A.Minutes of June 27th, 2023 Meeting
7.Staff Updates
7.A.Questions about Being a Commissioner - Request from Mel
7.B.Newsletter Deadlines
DEI COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission meetings are being conducted in a hybrid format
with in-person and remote options for attending.
Remote Attendance Options: Members of the public may attend this meeting by streaming via
WebEx, or by calling 1-415-655-0001 and entering access code 2461 935 1376.
Questions/Comments: Members of the public who have questions about the commission or any items
on the agenda should contact the staff liaison - Seth Kaempfer at (763) 593-8045.
City of Golden Valley DEI Commission Meeting July 25, 2023 — 6:30 PM
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7.C.Naming-Renaming Publicly Owned Assets Process
8.Subcommittee Updates
8.A.City Systems
8.B.Communication and Networking
8.C.Events
9.Discussion Items
9.A.Reimagining MLK Contest
9.B.Reimagining Bill Hobbs Award Process
10.Adjournment
City of Golden Valley DEI Commission Meeting July 25, 2023 — 6:30 PM
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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Call to Order
Chair Allen called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge and honor the Dakota nation, on whose ancestral land the City of Golden Valley is built,
and whose land resources we use. We commit to counteracting the erasure of the cultural practices and
presence of the Dakota people through education and by amplifying a wide range of indigenous voices.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: Joelle Allen, Ruth Paradise, Nyre Chester, Lee Thoresen, Drew Jones
Commissions absent: Ajani Woodson, David Scheie, David Berry, Imara Hixon
Staff present: Seth Kaempfer, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Thoresen for the approval of the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner
Paradise. Motion carried.
Approval of May 23, 2023 meeting minutes
Motion by Commissioner Thoresen for the approval of the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Paradise. Motion carried.
Staff Updates
DEIC Commissioner Contact Information
Staff member Kaempfer reminded Commissioners to let him know if they would like to share their
contact information within the Commission, Commissioners Jones, Thoresen, and Paradise verbally
agree. Staff member Kaempfer confirmed everyone has agreed and he will send it out.
Golden Valley Equity Plan
Staff member Kaempfer confirmed assessment of the Equity plan has been submitted to the City
Management Team and the City’s Equity Advancement Team. Managers are expected to send their
assessments of their departments to Staff member Kaempfer by July 19th. The Employee Equity
Survey will be sent to all staff on July 17th, and the results will inform the Equity Plan.
June 27, 2023 –6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
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City of Golden Valley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission Regular Meeting
March 22, 2022 – 5:30 pm
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Haha Wakpadan
Staff member Kaempfer was contacted by the Hennepin History Museum to request the DEIC’s
participation in their events. He advised an email had been sent to the Commissioners with links
and encouraged them to attend. Chair Allen adds that she has viewed a draft of the pronunciation
video.
Staff and Commissioner Communication
Staff member Kaempfer reminded Commissioners to continue to use City email accounts for all
Commission-related communication.
Subcommittee Updates
City Systems
Staff member Kaempfer informed the Commissioners that the DEIC was granted a budget by the
City for the upcoming year, so the Commission will have funds to better engage with the
Community going forward.
Discussion Items
Events
Commissioners discussed the Forum for Aging and the need for information to be more
widely available to the community. Commissioners agree to add this to next year’s work
plan.
Commissioners discussed the idea of hosting a diversity festival in 2024, possibly
partnering with other cities like Hopkins.
Staff member Kaempfer created a logo for the DEIC and invited Commissioners to give
feedback. Commissioner Thoresen motioned to approve the logo, Commissioner
Chester seconded. Motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Jones against. Chair Allen
requested a note in the minutes that another discussion should happen when it is time
to reprint materials.
Staff member Kaempfer told Commissioners about a meeting held by City staff with the
Golden Valley Pride organizers, noting the overall success of the Pride festival and the
appreciation of planners and the community for the City’s involvement. He
recommended a continued partnership going forward.
Renaming Public Assets Process
Commissioners discussed the progress of creating a renaming public assets process and agreed that
the OSRC should write a proposal before they could provide more feedback.
Subcommittee Selection
Staff member Kaempfer requested that each Commissioner serve on at least one subcommittee to
ensure the work plan will be carried out. Commissioners Scheie, Thoresen, and Paradise volunteer
for the City Systems subcommittee. Commissioners Hixon and Paradise volunteer for the
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City of Golden Valley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission Regular Meeting
March 22, 2022 – 5:30 pm
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Communications subcommittee. Commissioners Allen and Chester volunteer for the Events
subcommittee. Staff member Kaempfer will ask those not in attendance.
Elections
Chair and Vice Chair positions are up for election. Commissioner Thoresen nominated herself for
Chair. No other names were placed in nomination. Commissioner Paradise Motioned,
Commissioner Chester seconded. Motion passed 5-0.
Commissioner Thoresen nominated Commissioner Scheie for Vice Chair, Commissioner Paradise
seconded. Motion passed 5-0.
Adjourn
MOTION to adjourn at 7:37 PM.
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Date
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Seth Kaempfer, Equity and Inclusion Manager
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Date
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Lee Thoresen, Chair
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