12-13-11 Special CC Agenda Packet - Human Rights Commission AGENDA
Special Meeting
of the
City Council
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Conference Room
December 13, 2011
6:30 pm
1. CALL TO ORDER PAGES
A. Roll Call
2. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 2
3. ADJOURNMENT
�� .: :" ,�`�",����u' ,
City Administration/Council
O �� �, e 763-593-8003/763-593-8109 (fax)
,,t �
Executive Summary For Action
Golden Valley Special City Council Meeting
December 13, 2011
Agenda Item
2. Human Rights Commission
Prepared By
Thomas D. Burt, City Manager
Summary
At the December 6 Special City Council meeting with the Human Rights Commission (HRC),
the Council heard Commissioners' comments and reasons for their actions at the October 13
HRC meeting.
At the October 13 HRC meeting �an official meeting of the Commission), Commissioners
made false statements that defamed police officers involved in previously settled civil lawsuits
and violated the Data Privacy Act by publicly discussing the shooting of September 22, which
is still under investigation.
To protect the City from the liability of these statements, the City Attorney has prepared the
foliowing statement that we recommend the Council discuss and put into the public record at
the City Council meeting on December 20, 2011:
The Golden Valley Human Rights Commission at a meeting in October discussed a
proposal and passed a written motion relating to certain events involving police officers
of the Golden Valley Police Department.
The Members of the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission are citizen volunteers.
All statements made and writings promulgated by them are their own responsibility as
private citizens and not statements made by or for the City. The City specifically
repudiates the referenced discussions and writings by the Golden Valley Human
Rights Commission and disassociates itse/f from any such discussions or writings.
The Council should also consider what action is most appropriate to take with the Human
Rights Commissioners. The City Attorney has identified the following actions that could be
considered:
Disciplinary actions would include censure, public repudiation of the statements, or
removal from the commission.
Because these statements have raised questions and continued circulation of misinformation,
staff will also be prepared to discuss a series of ineeting topics we would like to have with the
community to address and clarify these questions.