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10-23-14 HRC Minutes MINUTES ���,�, �J Human Rights Commission (HRC) City of Golden Valley �ld�J � 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 va �� Council Conference Room October 23, 2014 Commissioners present: Teresa Martin, Chair Adam Buttress Simon Gotlieb (new member) Carla Johnson Payton Perkins Michael Pristash Sue Phelps Commissioners absent: Jonathan Burris, Guest: Andrew Ramlet (new youth member, to be sworn in November 5) Staff: Chantell Knauss, Assistant City Manager Judy Nally, Administrative Assistant The meeting was convened at 6:30 pm by Chair Martin. I ntroductions Commissioners and staff introduced themselves. Additions to Aaenda Election of Officers and Discussion of November and December Meeting Dates. Approval of June 24, 2014 and Auqust 26, 2014 Reqular Meetinq Minutes Motion by Commissioner Pristash, second by Commissioner Johnson to approve the June 24, 2014 and August 26, 2014 minutes. Motion carried 7-0. Council Updates No updates were presented. Old Business Election of Vice-Chair Martin asked for any volunteers to serve as Vice-President. Martin nominated Johnson for Vice-Chair. Motion by Chair Martin, second by Commissioner Pristash to elect Commissioner Johnson as Vice-Chair. Motion carried 7-0. Human Rights Commission October 23,2014 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 Review of September 11 Dav of Service and Remembrance Johnson stated this is the 2nd year of holding the event at Second Harvest Heartland for the evening shift from 6-8 pm. This year there were 11 people who registered and 39 volunteers that participated. The volunteers sorted and packed 4,470 pounds of food to be distributed to local food shelves. The Commission plans to conduct another event in 2015. Martin volunteered to start a scrapbook of events and meetings conducted by the Human Rights Commission (HRC). Review of October 9 "Mental Illness in Adults" HRC Conversations Event and Survev Results A total of 56 people attended the event, including Council Members HRC Members, panelists and staff. The Commission and staff received positive comments from the public about the event. The speaker and panelists were very well-received. � Thank you notes were sent to the speaker and panelists. � Martin stated that 21 surveys were returned with positive comments. � The StarTribune put an article about the event in the metro section. � Martin suggested possible appointment in the future of a retired or handicapped person in the future. The Commission discussed holding a Human Rights Commission at Calvary or multi- family facility to get input from residents who are not as able to get to meetings or who have a lack of opportunity to be heard. Some issues discussed were: if a regular meeting was held but nothing specific was on the agenda for discussion how would the public participate; how would a public forum be conducted; what is the benefit of conducting the regular meeting at an off-site facility; suggested a possible program/activity/volunteer opportunity be conducted at an off-site location to solicit information and comments. The Commission will table discussion to the November meeting. Reminder on GV Leaque of Women Voters Plans for "Toward a More Perfect Union: Talkinq About the Constitution," Equality Event: Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Brookview Communitv Center The HRC is co-sponsoring the event. The event will run from 7-9 pm. HRC members are requested to come at 6:30 pm to help set-up, greet visitors and help with clean-up after the event. New Business Sweet Potato Comfort Pie The Commission received information about using Sweet Potato Comfort Pie in conjunction with the MLK day event. The Commission discussed possibly making the pies during the event and serving them or distributing them to people in need; reviewed the potential conflicts with promoting the use of a private, for-profit company without giving other companies the opportunity to also participate; suggested that this be used in a different venue such as the Farmer's Market to allow people to contact the business owner directly if they are interested; suggested that organizations that deliver door-to- door meals or faith-based organizations who serve meals may be an alternative; discussed if distributing of the pies meets the HRC goals or if it relates to human rights issues specifically; suggested the owner may want to donate the pies at a MLK day Human Rights Commission October 23,2014 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 event; suggested promoting the idea of pies without promoting the company; and make pies as a community event and share the pies at the event. Motion by Commissioner Pristash, second by Commissioner Phelps to table the discussion with the recommendation that the Chair talk with the Mayor and Rose McGee to discuss the use the pies and suggest other venues for their participation and report back to the HRC. Motion carried 7-0. 2015 Work Plan Knauss reviewed the Work Plan process. The HRC discussed potential themes for 2015 such as: elder abuse, both physical/mental and financial; minority children school expulsions; access to education; gay/lesbian/transgender school issues; teen prostitution; sex-trafficking; intimate partner abuse; co-sponsor senior resource fair with abuse information; teen prostitution play (Blank Slate Theatre, St. Paul) with discussion after; community read book discussion of Crazy Love, by Leslie Morgan Steiner, speaker and round table discussion regarding abuse. Motion by Commissioner Pristash, second by Commissioner Phelps to approve the 2015 Work Plan theme as abuse. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Chair Martin, second by Commissioner Johnson to table the 2015 Work Plan detailed discussion to the November meeting. Motion carried 7-0. • Knauss will provide copies of the Human Rights Commission by-laws to members via email. Discussion of November and December Meetinq Dates The HRC discussed meeting dates for November and December. The Commission will determine at the November meeting if a December meeting needs to be held. Motion by Chair Martin, second by Commissioner Pristash to change the meeting time for the November 25 meeting to 6 pm; and change the meeting date from December 23 to December 18 (if needed). Motion carried 7-0. Leaque of MN Human Riahts Commissions Annual Meetinq Reminder The Annual Meeting will be held on October 25, 2014 from 1-3 pm at the Maplewood Public Library. Martin and Pristash plan on attending. Adiourn Motion by Chair Martin, second by Commissioner Pristash to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 pm. Motion carried 7-0. Follow-up Items: • Martin talk with Mayor Harris and Rose McGee regarding Sweet Potato Comfort Pie. • Knauss provide copies of the Human Rights Commission by-laws to members via email. • HRC to finalize details Abuse topic for 2015. • HRC discuss off-site meeting or event. Human Rights Commission October 23,2014 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Teresa Martin, Chair ATTEST: Chantell Knauss, Staff Liaison Approved by HRC: November 25, 2014 Respectfully submitted, Judy Nally, Administrative Assistant Human Rights Commission October 23,2014 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4