10/16/08GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes from the Meeting of October 16, 2008
Members Present: Marion Helland, Anne Dykstra, Christopher Jordan, Roger McConico & Debra
Yahle.
Members Absent: Ron Brandon and Jay Sandvik.
Staff Present: Chief Stacy Altonen and Council Member DeDe Scanlon
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Dykstra at 7:05 pm.
OPEN FORUM
There was no one present requesting to address the Commission.
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Yahle moved to approve the minutes of the September 11, 2008 meeting; seconded
by Commissioner McConico. The minutes were unanimously approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
SCHOOL EDUCATION
There was nothing to report.
HOUSING
Commissioner Jordan advised he would like to reach out to residents in multi -housing or rental
housing units and advise them the City has a Human Rights Commission should they have any
concerns they need assistance with. Commissioner Jordan also expressed interest in providing
training or supplying information to property managers. Commissioner Dykstra advised topics could
include: temporary shelter, transportation for medical care and services for children. Chief Altonen
advised the City has the Star Program, where the Police Department and Inspections Department
meet quarterly with approximately 12-20 property managers to discuss a variety of topics. She
advised the HRC could prepare fliers to distribute at those meetings if desired. Council Member
Scanlon advised of a foreclosure meeting at the Golden Valley Library. Scanlon will forward
information on the meeting to commissioners.
LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS
Commissioner Helland advised 9 new members were elected to the board and the next meeting will
be on October 26th in Red Wing. A meeting schedule for 2009 will be established at this meeting.
More than 100 people attended the annual conference in Rochester.
SHARE THE DREAM
There was nothing to report.
DISCRIMINATION
Chief Altonen is still working on gathering the information on Affirmative Action. Information will be
forwarded to commissioners via e-mail before the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
BREMER GRANT
Commissioner Helland advised the grant form has been submitted for the cities of Golden Valley,
Crystal, Plymouth, New Hope & Robbinsdale. A meeting has been scheduled for January 26th at
7PM in the Crystal Community Center to decide what kind of training the commissions would like to
have and who should provide the training. The training will be offered to commissioners, council
members and mayors of the five cities.
NEW BUSINESS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Commissioner McConico motioned to elect a temporary chair to preside over the meetings through
the end of January; seconded by Commissioner Helland. A temporary chair will be elected at the
November meeting.
MENTORING PROGRAM
Chief Altonen advised the police department would like to start a mentoring program for youth
where police and fire personnel participate in monthly activities and social/civic events with
approximately 12 kids who otherwise would not have exposure to those kinds of events. She asked
commissioners to forward contact information to her for any children they know that would benefit
from this sort of program.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 13th, beginning at 7PM.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Yahle, seconded by Commissioner McConico to adjourn the meeting at
7:51 pm.