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01-27-14 HRC Minutes MINUTES ����,� �� Human Rights Commission (HRC) City of Golden Valley �l��n 7800 Golden Valley Road �� Golden Valley, MN 55427 �:� Managers Conference Room January 27, 2014 Commissioners present: Adam Buttress, Vice-Chair Jonathan Burris Brian Cook Carla Johnson Payton Perkins Commissioners absent: Christopher Jordan Ethan Meirovitz Debra Reisner Guests: Marti Micks, Golden Valley League of Women Voters Staff Liaison: Chantell Knauss Assistant City Manager The meeting was convened at 6:35 pm by Vice-Chair Buttress. Approval of December 17, 2013 Reqular Meetinq Minutes Motion by Commissioner Cook, second by Commissioner Burris to approve both the minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Request from the Golden Vallev Leaque of Women Voters (GVLWV) Marti Micks explained that the GVLWV is applying to be a host community for the Minnesota Humanities Center's "Toward a More Perfect Union: Talking About the Constitution" to talk about the United States Constitution. If approved, a facilitator would be in attendance to ensure civil and meaningful conversation. The host communities will be announce the week of February 3 or 10. There four major topic areas that a host community may present: Federalism, Rights, Equality, and We The People. The three topic areas that the GVLWV is proposing to host are: Federalism, Rights and Equality. Each Consfitution USA episode that the major topic areas are based on are 53 minutes long. The idea is to watch a 23 minute clip area which covers the concept of the topic area, then have people in 3-5 person discussion tables. After the initial table discussion, people would disburse to other tables for further conversation. The GVLWV is looking at the Golden Valley Library and the Perpich Center as a possible venues. The proposed dates for the topics are: end of April/beginning of May, September, and after the election in November. In accordance with the requirements of the program, all sessions must completed before November 30. Commissioners agreed to discuss this request under Old Business, Refine 2014 Work Plan. Human Rights Commission January 27,2014 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 Citv Council Updates An unsolicited donation of$200 was received by Mr. and Mrs. David and Betty Bucher in honor of Mr. David K. Bucher, M.D. and Mr. Bill Cooper who are Golden Valley residents. The Buchers requested the donation be used toward a community project that promotes and brings awareness to a Human Rights issue. The City Council accepted the donation at their January 7, 2014 regular meeting. Review of HRC Conversations, Martin Luther Kinq, Jr. Dav Event Commissioners Burris and Johnson reported there were approximately 25 total people in attendance, including City Council members, Hopkins Schools Principal and School Board member and HRC Commissioners Buttress and Jordan. The Spirit of Hope Church was a very gracious and willing partner. The consensus of the Commission that should the event be held again in the future, it should be more defined to have a program outline with a designated convener to encourage attendees to stay after the viewing and discuss the ideas brought forth by the speaker. Refine 2014 Work Plan Recognize Pride Week: Because Twin Cities Pride Week is a non-profit, if the HRC would want to do a local event associated with Pride Week, it would need to seek approval by the Pride Festival organization. Motion by Commissioner Cook, second by Commissioner Burris to remove this item from the 2014 Work Plan with consideration again in a future year. Motion carried 5-0. Domestic/Relationship Violence: It was the consensus of the Commission to host an HRC Conversations for one of the middle two weeks of May for a panel discussion on this subject. The HRC would like to see a panel of experts, possibly to include a person who has successfully removed themselves from a domestic/relationship violence situation. Commissioners also suggested contacting Mary Anderson at the Golden Valley Library for a book recommendation on domestic/relationship violence for a possible community reads event. Knauss will ask the Golden Valley Police Department on suggestions for resources for the panel. September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance: It was the consensus of the HRC to continue with the volunteer activity at Second Harvest Heartland for September 11 from 6:00- 8:OOpm. Commissioner Johnson will secure the volunteer timeslot for Golden Valley volunteers. League of Women Voters Request: It was the consensus of the Commission to possible take the lead on the November program for the topic of Equality in partnership with the GVLWV "Toward a More Perfect Union: Talking About the Constitution" since it fits with the mission of the HRC. Joint HRCs Meetinq with Neiqhborinq Communities Vice-Chair Buttress volunteered to attend the meeting on February 5 from 6:00-7:OOpm at the Rockford Road Library in Crystal. Consider Alternate Meetinq Dates for Februarv 25, 2014 The Police Department's Citizens Academy has been cancelled due to lack of enrollment and they will look at rescheduling it for Fall 2014. As a result, the HRC will NOT need to reschedule its February meeting. Election of Officers and Commissioner Terms Human Rights Commission January 27,2014 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Motion by Burris, second by Johnson to elect Commissioner Buttress as Chair. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Commissioner Buttress abstaining. Motion by Burris, second by Johnson to elect Commissioner Cook as Vice-Chair. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Commissioner Cook abstaining. There are three Commissioners whose terms are set to expire May 2014, Commissioners Jordan, Meirovitz and Perkins. Currently, the Commission has one vacancy. Commissioners asked that in conducting future interviews for HRC Commissioners, the City Council consider the balance between male and female members, as well as asking, "Are you willing to take the commitment of serving on the HRC seriously?" since the HRC is a working commission with Commissioners doing the work to host the community events. Communications The League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 22 from 11:OOam-3:OOpm at the Richfield City Hall, 6700 Portland Ave. South, Richfield, MN 55423. Adiourn Motion by Commissioner Cook, second by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 pm. Motion carried 5-0. Follow-up Items: • Knauss to contact Police Department for possible resources for the Domestic/Relationship Violence panelists. •� Cs�'"� ���s'o"'"K�r��...��,�... ..,. .. , � ����� 1 Adam Buttress, Chair ATTEST: Chantell Knauss, Staff Liaison Approved by HRC: February 25, 2014 Human Rights Commission January 27,2014 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3