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08/19/09GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Minutes from the Meeting of August 19, 2009 Members Present: Christopher Jordan, Marion Helland, Anne Dykstra, Jay Sandvik and Debra Yahle. Members Absent: Bob Hoyt and Roger McConico. Staff Present: Chief Stacy Altonen and Mayor Linda Loomis. The meeting was called to order by Chair Jordan at 7:03 pm. OPEN FORUM There was no one present requesting to address the Commission. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Helland moved to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2009 meeting; seconded by Commissioner Yahle. The minutes were unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS: Review of Commission Bylaws and Guidelines There was discussion about the various subcommittees outlined in the bylaws. Chair Jordan inquired about a commission budget. Chief Altonen advised $3,000.00 is budgeted for educational events for the commission. COMMITTEE REPORTS Executive Committee Chair Jordan gave an overview of this committee, advising it should be comprised of the chair, vice -chair and two other commissioners. Appointments to this committee will be postponed to the next meeting when all commissioners are present. II. Nomination and Governance Committee There was discussion of this committee's responsibilities, including nomination and recruitment of new commissioners, orientation of new commissioners and overseeing attendance issues with current commissioners. Appointments of two commissioners to serve with the vice chair on this committee will be postponed to the next meeting when all commissioners are present. League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission Commissioner Dykstra reported on the Anoka -Hennepin School District settlement of a suit filed by a student who was being harassed by teachers and peers due to perceptions regarding his sexuality. Discussion ensued concerning community education about the Human Rights Commission and the local assistance that is available. Commissioner Helland distributed a flier for the conference being held December 4tH between the MN Department of Human Rights and the League of MN Human Rights Commission. The next League of MN Human Rights Commission meeting is in Red Wing on August 23`d Commissioner Dykstra advised a conference on racism will be held in November. More details will be forthcoming. IV. Program Committee Chair Jordan gave an overview of this committee and the various topics that would be discussed as part of this committee's responsibilities. Human Rights Community Issues Chief Altonen advised no issues have been reported to the police department. Commissioner Dykstra inquired about the Taser lawsuit article in the Sun Post newspaper. Chief Altonen advised litigation is ongoing in this matter. A settlement conference is scheduled for September 4th and if a settlement is not reached, a trial date has been set for September 28th. Commissioner Dykstra inquired if the officer involved is still employed as a police officer and Chief Altonen advised the officer involved is still an active employee. Bills Hobbs Human Riahts Award Chair Jordan advised a subcommittee should be formed to handle this award. Commissioner Helland advised nominations are due by December 1St Share the Dream Chair Jordan expressed interest in having a series of Share the Dream events throughout the year. Nominations to this subcommittee will be postponed to a future meeting when more commissioners are present. Census Project Mayor Loomis advised there is a DVD that encourages participation in the Census that may be able to be played on Channel 16. Chair Jordan is working with Joe Hogeboom to organize a system for receiving submissions of various census project entries. Commissioner Dykstra expressed interest in helping with the census project. Chair Jordan advised the Bremer Grant funds have to be accepted by September 30tH NEW BUSINESS GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CALENDAR Chair Jordan expressed interest in creating an electronic calendar so commissioners will know when various events and deadlines are approaching. Once it is developed it will be e-mailed to commissioners as it is updated or will be listed in a shared file so all commissioners can access it. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th, beginning at 7PM. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Dykstra, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 pm.