07-25-17 HRC Minutes MINUTES
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
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July 25, 2017
Commissioners present: Kyle Pettersen-Scott, Chair
Maurice Harris, Vice Chair
Adam Buttress
Teresa Martin
Andrew Ramlet
Isaac Mintzer
Gloria Peck
Commissioners absent: Jonathan Burris
Staff: Kirsten Santelices, Human Resources Director
The meeting was convened at 6:37 pm by Chair Pettersen-Scott.
Introductions
Commissioners, including new Student Commissioner Mintzer, and Staff introduced themselves.
Student Commissioner Ramlet stated this is last meeting as a Student Commissioner. Guest
Citizens introduced themselves as Kathy Vaaler and Barb Frindle.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Martin added an announcement to New Business. Motion to approve agenda with
addition by Commissioner Peck, second by Commissioner Ramlet. Carry 7-0.
APPROVAL OF May 23, 2017 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Peck to approve amended minutes reflecting corrections. Second Martin.
Carry 7-0.
OLD BUSINESS
ACLU Model State and Local Law Enforcement Policies and Rules
Petersen-Scott recapped the homework for commissioners to review the nine proposed policies
from the ACLU and the Golden Valley policing policies, and come today to discuss and decide if the
commission would like to make any recommendations at the Council/Manager meeting. Martin
asked for point of clarification on what type of recommendations the HRC can make. Staff
Santelices clarified that the HRC can make any recommendations for the Council to review.
Petersen-Scott followed up that the HRC can make an explicit recommendation, and would like to
see the commission have a discussion and make a thoughtful and meaningful recommendation.
Petersen-Scott further stated that the commission cannot mandate or require the Council to do
anything, but can make a recommendation to review.
Commissioner Peck stated she reviewed items one and two from the model policy and did not see
a downside to implementing those items. Commissioner Martin asked for clarification on the term
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"policy," rather than a "practice." Santelices confirmed that "policies and procedures" are standards
or expectations that others are held accountable to hold. Vice Chair Harris followed up that policies
and procedures can lead to disciplinary action if not completed, while practice is something that is
done, but there are no consequences. Santelices further stated that a "practice" is less formal than
a "policy," which typically has a procedure attached.
Petersen-Scott requested Citizen Vaaler to share any updates on additional cities who have
adopted these policies. Vaaler stated, "I still don't know." Vaaler continued to share an article from
an ACLU magazine stating over 633 counties had adopted policies nationwide. Commissioner
Martin asked for clarification on the term "freedom city" rather than "sanctuary city." Vaaler stated
that a freedom city is one that adopted all nine of the policies, though some cities have already had
similar policies in place. The nine model policies were written because violations had happened,
and mostly in highly populated areas such as California and Arizona.
Vice Chair Harris shared that Massachusetts passed statewide the inability to hold anyone on
detainer based on immigrant status. Harris read from Impartial Policing Policy and recommended
adding "immigrant status" to the policy under item 1 B of the Impartial Policing Policy. Petersen-
Scott requested confirmation of Harris' recommendation, to which Harris confirmed
recommendation of adopting ACLU model policies one and two.
Commissioner Martin shared Impartial Policing policy that references to fourth amendment, which is
mentioned in ACLU model policy one. Martin further shared 1 B and noted that it does not include
"immigration status," which gives the opportunity to add to the current policies in place.
Commissioner Peck asked for clarification on Fourth Amendment and its applications to "non-
residents and/or illegal aliens." Commissioners Harris and Martin researched and read the
amendment, which confirmed it was applicable to "persons," with no mention of citizenship or legal
status.
Commissioner Martin requested Citizen Vaaler to speak to whether or not the Fourth Amendment
had been brought up in previous conversations with City Manager or Police Chief, and how it
applies to the suggested model policies. Vaaler stated belief in the Golden Valley Police
departmenYs current practices, including that as a practice the GV Police do not ask about
immigration status. Martin pointed out that policy does not specifically refer to immigration status.
Chair Petersen-Scott stated would like to recommend numbers one, two, and four from model
policies. Number four pertaining specifically to ICE, not local law enforcement departments.
Commission members discussed implications of implementing number four in Golden Valley and
how that would impact the department's ability to work with other jurisdictions, as well as the
implications of officers not identifying themselves as agents. Commissioner Mintzer recommended
the policy apply only to federal jurisdictions.
Commissioners continued to discuss potential recommendations, and which of the nine policies
should be included in the final recommendation to the Council. It was confirmed that item six would
not be included, and that items five, seven, and nine could be addressed with a statement added to
an existing policy. Further, Commissioner Ramlet suggested not focusing on item three, as it was
explained to have happened very rarely, or would be highly unlikely. Citizen Frindle stated that
sometimes it is best to make preventative policies, rather than wait until the situation calls for it.
Commissioners asked next step in the process to make recommendations to Council. Santelices
stated that the HRC can write out recommendations to be read before Council, but must be voted
upon tonight to be considered at the Aug 8 meeting. Santelices shared recap of recommendations
stated by the Commissioners in order of stated importance. Santelices read the four
recommendations to Commissioners, who made slight language changes. Final reading secured a
motion to vote, made by Commissioner Martin, and second by Commissioner Mintzer. Vote to
approve recommendation to Council, as read by Santelices, carried 7-0.
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Co-Sponsor PTSD Event
Petersen-Scott requested Peck to recap the request of Crystal/New Hope League of Women Voters
to co-sponsor a program on post-traumatic stress disorder, showing the film "Buried above
Ground,"with discussion after. Commissioners Peck and Petersen-Scott shared experience
watching the film, and Commissioner Martin motioned to co-sponsor the event. Second by Peck.
Motion carried 7-0.
Staff Santelices will request due date for Newsletter, and Commissioner Peck will send information
that HRC would like to include about the event in the Newsletter.
The HRC will continue the conversation about potential contributions, beyond sharing in the
newsletter, and including financial, at the August HRC meeting.
Comprehensive Plan
Chair Petersen-Scott requested the plan be emailed to all Commissioners, be reviewed, and come
back together to make recommendations, if any, at a future meeting. Santelices will send plan or
link to the website to Commissioners, and determine deadline for Commission recommendations.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Martin shared item of interest on Women's Congress Conference Nov 3-5. Martin
will send information to interested Commissioners. Martin also requested adding the following to the
August HRC agenda: Martin Luther King Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Day and 2017-2018 HRC
budget.
Commissioner Ramlet shared appreciation for time spent on HRC, and Commissioners shared
gratitude for service, and praise for dedication.
OLD BUSINESS
Auqust Aqenda Topics
Comprehensive Plan Discussion
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Event
ADJOURN
Motion by Commissioner Peck, second by Commissioner Harris to adjourn the meeting at
8:27 pm. Motion carried 7-0.
Kyle Petersen-Scott, Chair
ATTEST:
Kirsten Santelices, Staff Liaison
Approved by HRC: , 2017
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