08-27-19 HRC Agenda
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Attendance/Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes
July 23, 2019 regular meeting minutes
5. Old Business
A. Day of Service Planning Update
B. Anti-Semitism Awareness and Education Event Update
C. Why Treaties Matter Exhibit Update
D. Bill Hobbs Award Nominations Update
6. New Business
A. Issue of Racially Restrictive Covenants Discussion
B. Conversion Therapy Ban Discussion
7. Adjournment
August 27, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by Chair Mitchell.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: Maurice Harris, Carrie Yeager, Jonathan Burris, Eve Clarkson, Chris Mitchell,
Kyle Scott, Leah Persky, Destiny Nathan
Commissioners absent: Teresa Martin
Staff present: Kirsten Santelices, Human Resources Director
Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Harris to approve agenda. Seconded by Vice Chair Yeager.
Motion carried 8-0.
Approval of May Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Vice Chair Yeager to approve the April 23, 2019 regular meeting minutes as
amended. Seconded by Commissioner Harris. Motion carried 8-0.
Day of Service Planning
Commissioner Persky shared that Jewish Family Children Service Meals on Wheels didn’t have a lot of
need for volunteers, but they did have a need for individuals to provide rides to senior citizens who don’t
have transportation. Commissioner Persky confirmed that the Commission could volunteer on or around
that date as part of the Day of Service. Chair Mitchell reached out to Three Rivers Park Board, who
manages Sochacki Park in Golden Valley. They stated that they were open to hosting volunteers, but it
would be the City of Golden Valley or City of Robbinsdale to manage the volunteer process. Vice Chair
Yeager shared that the Cookie Cart could still be an option if the Commission wanted to volunteer
outside the City of Golden Valley. The Commission discussed whether to offer one or multiple
opportunities for volunteering. Commissioners agreed that providing two volunteer opportunities would
be beneficial.
MOTION by Vice Chair Yeager to host up to two group volunteer opportunities: Park Clean
Up and Cookie Cart. Dates and times to be determined by availability of personnel and
organizations. Seconded by Harris. Motion carried 8-0.
Staff will put Chair Mitchell in contact with Park Supervisor to set up cleaning on or around
September 11. Vice Chair Yeager will confirm date and time opportunities with Cookie Cart and share
with the Commission via email (through Staff).
July 23, 2019 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
City of Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
July 23, 2019 – 6:30 pm
2
MOTION: Add agenda item to New Business: ICE Detention and Golden Valley. Seconded by
Burris. Carried 8-0.
Anti-Semitism Education and Awareness Event Discussion
Commissioner Harris shared a program proposal opportunity with the Commission from Ellen Kennedy at
the World without Genocide (through Mitchell Hamline School of Law). Commissioner Harris provided
the written program proposal to the Commission. Commissioner Persky recommended that they
consider having a holocaust survivor available to be a part of the programming. Commissioners agreed
that this would be a great addition to the event and if unavailable it should be considered in the future.
Chair Mitchell shared a conversation with the Center for Holocaust and Genocide with the University of
Minnesota and they provided information about the Transfer of Memory exhibit, which may be another
future opportunity. Commission agreed that the program offered by the World without Genocide would
be a great opportunity. Commissioner Harris will reach out to Ellen Kennedy about adding a speaker to
the program.
MOTION by Commissioner Burris to host the event: “Antisemitism, Xenophobia, and Hate:
Local and Global Challenges on September 25, 2019. Seconded by Commissioner Scott.
Motion carried 8-0.
MOTION by Commissioner Harris to approve the program submitted by the World
without Genocide with the opportunity to alter the program to have an additional
speaker if one is available. Seconded by Commissioner Clarkson. Motion carried 7-1.
Staff clarified for commissioners that the two separate motions approved that the commission will
host an event on September 25, and that the event will include the program outlined by the World
without Genocide with the potential addition of the testament of a holocaust survivor.
MOTION by Yeager to move the regular Commission meeting from September 24 to
September 25 from 5:45pm-6:45pm (prior to the event). Motion seconded by Harris.
Motion carried 8-0.
Staff asked for direction on the communications plan and additional hosting details. Commissioner
Harris shared that New Hope, Robbinsdale, and Crystal had previously been asked for their interest in
co-hosting the event. Commissioners Harris and Persky will follow up with New Hope and Crystal
representatives. Chair Harris will follow-up with Robbinsdale. Commissioner Harris volunteered to
reach out to CCX about recording the event. Staff suggested that Commissioner Harris first get
permission from Ellen Kennedy. Commissioners posed a question about promoting the event to
students. Commissioner Nathan shared that the school communicates with students through an
application called “Schoology” and there are opportunities to promote activities and events. Both
Commissioners Clarkson and Nathan will reach out to their schools on ways the Commission can
promote the event within their schools. Vice Chair Yeager shared that school district 281 has the
same system that the Commission can use to promote to the full district. Chair Mitchell created a
subcommittee to work with staff on development of any communications tools and promotion and
execution of the event. The subcommittee members are Commissioners Harris, Yeager, and Persky.
City of Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
July 23, 2019 – 6:30 pm
3
Why Treaties Matter Update
Commissioner Harris shared that the Commission is still on track to start promoting the event. Chair
Mitchell stated that Robbinsdale previously showed interest in wanting to co-host exhibit and will
confirm their intent to co-host.
Bill Hobbs Award Planning
Commissioners provided a brief history of the award and its meaning for the new commissioners. The
Commission agreed to start promoting and keep the usual deadline (Sep 30).
Staff will work with Communications to update the website for the award and work with them to
develop promotion materials that can be shared on social media, etc.
ICE and Golden Valley
Commissioner Scott shared a recap of the citizen’s group that shared concerns with the Commission
about the treatment of immigrants in surrounding communities. The commission worked with the PD
and City Council to make recommendations on policies and procedures. This resulted in the Commission
creating the welcome statement and updating the impartial policing policy. Commissioner Scott further
shared her experience contacting the Mayor and the City on concerns of ICE detainments in the
surrounding areas. Both the Mayor and the City were responsive to Commissioner Scott.
Commissioners were appreciative of the Mayor and Police Chief regarding the work that is done in the
City and happy to see that the work the Commission had done two years ago is making a positive impact
on the City and community.
Adjourn
MOTION by Commissioner Scott to adjourn at 7:56 pm. Seconded by Commissioner Burris.
Motion carried by unanimous consent.
________________________________
Chris Mitchell, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Kirsten Santelices, Staff Liaison
Respectfully submitted,
Kirsten Santelices, Staff Liaison