09-29-15 HRC Minutes MINUTES
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
���f�. �-� Golden Valley City Hall
old�n � 7800 Golden Valley Road
' Golden Valley, Minnesota 55427
�� � �� September 29, 2015
Commissioners present: Carla Johnson, Chair
Jonathan Burris, Vice Chair
Adam Buttress
Teresa Martin
Susan Phelps
Michael Pristash
Andrew Ramlet
Commissioners absent: None
Guests: Sergeant Grant Snyder, Minneapolis Police Department
Staff: Chantell Knauss, Assistant City Manager
The meeting was convened at 6:32 pm by Chair Johnson.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 25, 2015, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Pristash, second by Commissioner Burris to approve the August
25, 2015, minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
COUNCIL UPDATES
There were no Council updates.
OLD BUSINESS
Commission Outreach Activities Uqdates
Market in the Valley (September 13, 2015)
Chair Johnson reported there was not a lot of traffic at the HRC booth. There was a couple that
stopped by that was new residents and expressed how much they like living in Golden Valley.
Golden Valley Music &Arts Festival (September 26, 2015)
Commissioner Martin reported there again was not a lot of traffic at the HRC booth but for one
woman and a couple who were former HRC members. Commissioner Martin proactively spoke with
Helene Johnson of Global Golden Valley who expressed interest in partnering with the HRC for a
future joint endeavor; Peter Knaeble who had expressed the idea of a Golden Valley Gay Pride
Day; and the Golden Valley Lions Club which is down in membership numbers.
Should the HRC decide to continue the outreach activities, Commissioner Martin suggested an
HRC business card be available for Commissioners working the booth. The card would have a
blank area for Commissioners to write their name and contact information to give to those stopping
by the booth.
Serqeant Grant Snvder - October 22, 2015 HRC Conversations Planninq
Sergeant Snyder is the lead detective on the trafficking team for the Minneapolis Police
Department. He provided the following insights into this issue:
Human Rights Commission September 29,2015
Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3
� It's difficult for law enforcement to separate between juvenile and adult sex trafficking
because there is so much overlap between the two
� There is a strong intersection between commercial sex and trafficking
� In order to reduce sex trafficking, law enforcement is targeting the demand side
� Society needs to confront male attitudes about sex and challenge men not to buy sex
� Safe Harbor(law enacted to stop treating sex trafficking victims as criminals)failed its
victims because the victims don't recognize their own complicity in the situation
� In his experience, there are young predictors in someone's life in becoming a victim of
trafficking:
o Typically a runaway
o Typically sexually abused at a young age
o Typically exposed to commercial sex
Sergeant Snyder believes with the other panelists of Terry Forliti from Breaking Free and Joan
Countryman from The Bridge for Youth, there will be a lot of information presented to attendees.
October 22, 2015 HRC Conversations Planninq Update
Dave Nuckles, No Wrong Door at Hennepin County—Vice Chair Burris reported Mr. Nuckles may
not be available as there is a conference in northern Minnesota the same week.
The Bridge for Runaway Youth — Commissioner Phelps reported that Joan Countryman is
confirmed.
Breaking Free— Chair Johnson reported Terry Forliti is confirmed.
Sergeant Grant Snyder— Commissioner Pristash reported Sergeant Snyder is confirmed.
Fred Karasov, 4th District Judge — Commissioner Pristash reported the Judge is not available as he
teaches that evening.
Commissioner Pristash volunteered to facilitate the panel discussion.
Commissioners were encouraged to share the City's facebook post of the Human Sex Trafficking
Awareness Conversations Event on their own facebook pages to get the word out via social media.
Knauss will work with Communications staff to put together a poster of the event and email it to
Commissioners as well as print copies and let Commissioners know when they are available to be
picked up and distributed throughout town. Commissioner Ramlet volunteered to advertise the
event at the Perpich Center for Arts Education.
Other ideas for marketing included: Golden Valley faith community, Business Council, Rotary,
League of Women Voters.
Adiourn
Motion by Commissioner Martin, second by Commissioner Ramlet to adjourn the meeting at
8:17 pm. Motion carried 7-0.
Human Rights Commission September 29,2015
Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
Fo/low-up Items:
• Panelist contacts will have biographies of the panelists to Knauss as soon as possible for
the poster and program
• Knauss will work with Communications staff to put together a poster of the event and email it
to Commissioners as well as print copies and let Commissioners know when they are
available to be picked up and distributed throughout town.
• Commissioner Ramlet will advertise the event at the Perpich Center for Arts Education.
Carla Jo nson, Chair
ATTEST�
Chantell Knauss, Staff Liaison
Approved by HRC: October 27,2015
Human Rights Commission September 29,2015
Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3