08-26-14 HRC Minutes MINUTES
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
City of Golden Valley
7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Council Conference Room
August 26, 2014
Commissioners present: Teresa Martin, Chair
Adam Buttress
Carla Johnson
Payton Perkins
Susan Phelps
Michael Pristash
Commissioners absent: Jonathan Burris
Staff: Chantell Knauss, Assistant City Manager
Judy Nally, Administrative Assistant
The meeting was convened at 6:30 pm by Vice-Chair Martin.
Introductions
Commissioners and staff introduced themselves.
Approval of June 24, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Pristash, seconded by Commissioner Buttress to approve
the June 24, 2014 minutes. Motion carried 6-0.
Council Updates
Resiqnation from Commission Chair Cook
Knauss acknowledged an email from Brian Cook which stated he was moving out of the
City and his resignation is effective immediately.
Teresa Martin, Vice-Chair will take over as Chair due to the resignation of the former Chair.
The Commission will need to elect a new Vice-Chair.
Motion by Commissioner Pristash, second by Chair Martin to table consideration of
electing a Vice-Chair until the September meeting. Motion carried 6-0.
Old Business
Planning for September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance
Commissioner Johnson stated she attended the August 19 City Council meeting where the
Council adopted a proclamation for Hunger Action Month. Johnson promoted the Human
Rights Commission (HRC) September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance event.
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Johnson stated that forty spaces are reserved at Second Harvest Heartland West for
volunteers. The event is scheduled from 6-8 pm. Johnson encouraged HRC members and
their families to register for the event. For registration go the City's website under the
Human Rights Commission Conversations and register.
Knauss stated the event was advertised in the City newsletter. The City will also put
information on the front page of the website after Labor Day. Commission Members could
write a letter to the SunPost Editor, using your own name, to highlight the event and/or post
information on the City's or their own Facebook page.
The two hour volunteer shift will start with an orientation and information on how to sort and
pack the food. Anyone over the age of 8 can participate.
Knauss stated that Channel 12 filmed a video spot on the September 11 and October 9
events. Council Member Snope was the spokesperson for the video as it was after Chair
Cook had resigned.
Planning for October 9 HRC Conversations Event
Knauss confirmed the attendance of Ken Barlow, KSTP Meteorologist as a panelist for the
event. Knauss distributed an article from the White Bear Press, regarding his attendance at
a Stomp Out Suicide Event in Wyoming, Minnesota.
Hugh Aylward, President, Kelly-Norton Programs, and Outpatient Therapist at Headway
Emotional Health Services (formerly Oasis) has confirmed as a panelist.
Cynthia Fashaw, Director of Children's Programs and Multicultural Outreach, NAMI
Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has confirmed as a panelist.
Mary Weeks, Executive Director, Walk-In Counseling Center is also a panelist.
Martin will introduce the Robin Williams' YouTube video where he talks about mental
illness.
Martin will try to find the link to the Robin Williams YouTube video and send it to Knauss
and Knauss will forward the link to the entire HRC.
Martin will welcome and introduce the dignitaries and elected officials.
Pristash will have the panelists introduce themselves, panelist will talk about their
organization, educational background and open it up for questions.
A brief bio of the panelists will be listed in the program.
Martin will close out the program, talk about resources and request that everyone fill out
a survey.
Knauss will contact Ken Barlow and let him know he is first on the agenda and he can
leave whenever he wants and inform him who the other panelists are.
Informational materials from the panelists will be made available on the tables outside
the Council Chamber.
The event starts at 6:30 pm but Commission Members will be there at 6 pm to help set-
up.
Panel members should come at 6-6:15 pm to meet the HRC members and other
panelists.
Coffee and cookies will be provided. Johnson will pick up cookies and will be
reimbursed from HRC funds.
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HRC members will forward questions for the panelists for Pristash to ask just in case
there is a lull in the program. The questions will be discussed at the September
meeting.
Staff will prepare the survey for distribution, with the following amendment:
How did you learn about tonight's event?
Was tonight's HRC Conversation Program worth your time in attending?
What other Human Rights issues t0pis(s) would you be interested in having
the HRC host a Conversation event?
Additional comments:
Update on GV League of Women Voters (GVLWV) Plans for "Toward a More Perfect
Union: Talking About the Constitution," Equality Event
Knauss confirmed with Marti Micks, President, GVLWV, the date of the event as Thursday,
November 20 at the Brookview Community 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.
Knauss will email any additional information out to HRC members about the event.
New Business
Golden Valley Citizen Police Academy
Johnson stated she signed up to attend the GV Citizen Police Academy, which runs
Tuesdays from September 16 to October 26, and she will not be able to attend the
September and October HRC meetings if they are held on their regular dates of the fourth
Tuesday of the month. The Academy is held in the Police Training room from 6-9 pm. The
Academy provides a greater awareness and understanding of law enforcement's role in the
community through education. Knauss invited all HRC members to attend the Academy.
Motion by Commissioner Pristash, second by Commissioner Buttress to change the
September and October Human Rights Commission meetings to Thursday,
September 18 and Thursday, October 23, 2014. Motion carried 6-0.
HRC Banner
Martin asked if the City has a banner for use in marketing, visibility and if one is available if
the HRC marches in any parades.
Knauss informed the HRC that a banner could have the City logo but would have to be
approved by the Communications staff. The HRC Conversations logo can only be used for
those specific HRC Conversations events and not on a general HRC banner. Knauss
reviewed the Donation Policy and also advised the Commission that any donations would
need to be approved by the City Council.
Martin will bring back cost estimates for a banner/table runner at the September meeting.
Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival
The festival will be held at the City Hall campus on Saturday, September 13. The City does
not have a booth at the festival. There will be craft beers, food trucks, live music, local
artists, information sharing and games for children.
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2015 Work Plan
The Commission discussed having Council Member Snope attend the next meeting to
provide an overview of the issues facing the City and what the Council thinks the NRC's
work plan should include.
Knauss will contact Council Member Snope and invite him to attend the September HRC
meeting.
Martin will contact her sister, who now works for the Human Rights Campaign in
Washington DC, to see if there are any hot topics or topic suggestions.
Knauss will email the May 8, 2014 HRC Conversations survey results to the HRC
members.
After the HRC Conversations held on May 8, 2014 the survey asked what additional topics
at a future event. The topics suggested are as follows:
Helping people who end up being incarcerated
Mental health and vets
What parents can do to continue with their child's care and treatment (i.e.: re-
evaluate)
Cult or class oppression and its effects on mental health
Trauma and its effects on mental health
How could we advertise mental health and physical health as equals
Other mental health topics
Adult mental health
CIT officers information
How to get school-linked mental health disorders with Robbinsdale district. It
appears to already be in Hopkins - but not sure.
The changing demographics of GV.... Who are our neighbors and how can we make
them welcome.
Knauss stated that the Commission should start the discussions for the 2015 Work Plan.
The 2015 Work Plan and 2014 Annual Report will be presented to the Council at their
January Council/Manager meeting. The Work Plan includes two HRC Conversations a year
which are generally held in May and October and service events.
Staff prepares the Work Plan and Annual Report and brings it to the HRC for discussion
and approval before it goes to the City Council.
Knauss will send the 2014 Work Plan to the HRC members.
Knauss stated that not everything needs to be finalized for the Work Plan but the HRC
should decide on a general topic. The topic for 2014 was going to be the broad issue of
Abuse, but was put on hold when the Council requested the topic be changed.
The HRC decided to start the discussions for the 2015 Work Plan at the September and
October meetings.
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Youth Members
Payton was asked how to reach the youth population in order to get more interest in the
HRC. Payton suggested contacting or sending information to the high school guidance
counselors, government/economics teachers, and service organizations. Payton will
prepare a youth member marketing strategy and present it to the HRC.
Upcoming Events
2014 Youth & Addiction Conference - Cultivating Resilience Information
Knauss provided information on the conference which is being sponsored by the Hazelden
Betty Ford Foundation. The conference will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at
the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest in Minnetonka from 7 am - 4 pm. Knauss stated HRC
Members could attend the conference and asked that Members let her know if they wanted
to attend. This topic could also be a possible topic for an HRC Conversation in the future.
League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission Annual meeting
Knauss distributed the invitation to the Annual Meeting which will be held on October 25,
2014 from 1-3 pm at the Maplewood Public Library.
Adjourn
Motion by Chair Martin, second by Commissioner Phelps to adjourn the meeting at
7:38 pm. Motion carried 6-0.
Follow-up Items:
• Knauss will contact Ken Barlow and let him know he is first on the agenda and he
can leave whenever he wants and inform him who the other panelists are.
• Martin will find the link to the Robin Williams YouTube video and send it to Knauss
and Knauss will forward the link to the entire HRC.
• Knauss will email any updated information out to HRC members about the League
of Women Voters Constitution Event.
• Martin will bring back cost estimates for a banner/table runner at the September
meeting.
• Knauss will contact Council Member Snope and invite him to attend the September
HRC meeting.
• Martin will contact her sister, who now works for the Human Rights Campaign in
Washington DC, to see if there are any hot topics or make topic suggestions for the
2015 Work Plan.
• Knauss will email the May 8, 2014 HRC Conversations survey results to the HRC
members.
• Knauss will send the 2014 Work Plan to the HRC members.
• Payton will prepare a youth member marketing strategy and present it to the HRC.
Teresa Martin, Chair
ATTEST:
Chantell Knauss, Staff Liaison
Approved by HRC: October 23, 2014
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Nally, Administrative Assistant
Human Rights Commission August 26,2014
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