11-26-19 HRC Agenda
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Attendance/Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes
October 22, 2019 regular meeting minutes
5. Old Business
A. Commission Communications/Open Meeting Law Discussion
B. Racially Restrictive Covenants Update and Project Scope Discussion
C. Conversion Therapy Ban Council/Manager Meeting Update
D. MLK Literary Contest Update
E. MLK Breakfast Tickets
6. New Business
A. Human Rights Day (Dec 10) Discussion
B. December 2019 Meeting and 2020 Calendar
7. Adjournment
November 26, 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 6:38 pm by Chair Mitchell.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: Maurice Harris, Jonathan Burris, Chris Mitchell, Kyle Scott, and Destiny
Nathan
Commissioners absent: Teresa Martin, Leah Persky, Eve Clarkson, and Carrie Yeager
Staff present: Kirsten Santelices, Human Resources Director and Maria Cisneros, City
Attorney
Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Burris to approve agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Harris.
Motion carried 5-0.
Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Harris to approve the September 25, 2019 regular meeting
minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Burris. Motion carried 5-0.
Antisemitism, Xenophobia, and Hate Event Recap
Commissioners recapped the event and agreed that the event had a good turnout, the topic was
interesting, and had powerful messages. Commissioners received positive reviews of the event and were
appreciative of the mix between dialogue and education and the opportunity for individuals to ask
questions. Commissioner Nathan asked if the presentation could be shared with the group, and
Commissioner Harris agreed to reach out and ask Ellen Kennedy. Commissioners would like to consider
inviting Ellen Kennedy and World without Genocide to speak again in the future.
Commissioners discussed advertising for events and reviewed the many ways the City promoted the
event. Chair Mitchell suggested that the Commission consider a more coordinated effort amongst
Commissioners to advertise, using social media and other networks to promote HRC activities.
Commissioner Burris suggested that advertisements include the benefits and “take away” items from
each event.
Racially Restrictive Covenants Update
Chair Mitchell reviewed the presentation the subcommittee created for the Council-Manager Meeting
on November 12. Commissioners provided input on the slides, and focused specifically on why these
covenants still matter, and even though they are unenforceable, people should take time to renounce
them. The Commissioners discussed how the existence of these covenants directly conflicts with the
October 22, 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
October 22, 2019 – 6:30 pm
2
City’s Welcome Statement. The Commission will present the topic and provide the project scope to
Council and if approved, the Commission can begin work immediately.
Conversion Therapy Ban Update
City Attorney Cisneros shared some items to consider for their presentation to the Council at the
November 12 meeting. The Commission considered what to recommend to the Council and considered
the following:
1. Propose the Council add “Research Conversion Therapy Ban” to the Council’s 2020 Goal Session.
2. Propose the Council add “Conversion Therapy Ban” to the 2020 legislative priorities.
3. Focus on educational opportunities on the harmful effects of conversion therapy.
Commissioner Burris suggested that the Commission recommend that the Council consider the topic as
part of their 2020 goal session. Commissioners agreed. Commissioner Burris will work on a presentation
to include: details of conversion therapy, the negative impacts, and a recommendation to the Council.
Staff will have presentation details by November 7 in order to draft a memo for the meeting.
Bill Hobbs Award Nomination Update
Commission reviewed the two nominations that were received. Several Commissioners shared that both
nominees were deserving. The Commission discussed whether or not to award more than one person.
MOTION by Commissioner Scott to award both nominees the 2019 Bill Hobbs Award.
Seconded by Commissioner Harris. Carried by unanimous consent.
Staff will provide the contact information to Chair Mitchell. Staff will ensure the awards are ordered
and the Commission will welcome all to recognize the winners at the December 17, 2019 Council
meeting.
MLK Literary Contest Discussion
Commissioner Scott suggested the theme, “Injustice Anywhere” based on the Martin Luther King Jr.
quote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere… Whatever affects one directly, affects
all indirectly.” The Commission discussed whether or not the proposed prompts would be difficult for
students to respond. Commissioners agreed to keep the prompts as they are, and use the submission
details from the previous year. Commissioners discussed the appropriate timeline and agreed to
begin promotion early November with a submission deadline of Jan 3, 2020. Commission will review
the details closely and send feedback to Staff by Fri, Oct 25. Staff will send the completed flier to the
full Commission. Commissioners will coordinate advertising efforts. Staff will also send the list of
school contacts to the subcommittee to use.
MOTION by Commissioner Harris to approve up to $150 for cash prizes for the MLK
Literary Contest. Seconded by Commissioner Scott. Motion carried 5-0.
City of Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
October 22, 2019 – 6:30 pm
3
Commission Communications/Open Meeting Law Discussion
Staff reminded that the Commission that a member requested that the Commission discuss
opportunities to communicate between meetings without violating the open meeting law. Chair tabled
the topic until the next meeting due to timing, and lack of attendance by full commission.
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Funding
Staff shared a request by a Commissioner to consider funding an educator or speaker at the 2020 Sweet
Potato Comfort Pie event. Commissioners provided an overview of the Sweet Potato Pie event for new
Commissioners.
MOTION by Commissioner Scott to approve up to $500 for speakers or facilitators for the
2020 Sweet Potato Comfort Pie event. Seconded by Commissioner Burris.
Motion carried 5-0.
MLK Breakfast Tickets
The Commission discussed how many tables they should purchase for the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr
Breakfast. Several Commissioners shared interest in attending the event and the group will continue the
discussion at the November meeting.
Adjourn
MOTION by Commissioner Harris to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Scott. Motion
carried 4-1. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
________________________________
Chris Mitchell, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Kirsten Santelices, Staff Liaison
Respectfully submitted,
Kirsten Santelices, Staff Liaison
Dr Martin luther King JR
Literary Contest
Deadline: Fri, Jan 3, 2020, 4 pm
Sponsored by: Golden Valley Human Rights Commission
HRC Community Outreach
“Injustice anywhere is a
threat to justice everywhere
. . . Whatever affects one di-
rectly, affects all indirectly”
— Dr Martin Luther King Jr
In honor of the birthday and
legacy of Dr Martin Luther
King Jr, the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission
presents the second annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Literary Contest.
The contest is open to students in grades 7-12 who live
in Golden Valley, attend a school in Golden Valley, or
attend a Robbinsdale Area District or Hopkins District
school.
Winners will be announced Jan 10, 2020. They will
receive a $50 cash prize and will be asked to present
their piece at the Martin Luther King Jr Day celebra-
tion Sun, Jan 19, 2020, at Brookview Golden Valley
(316 Brookview Pkwy). Winners will also receive tick-
ets to the General Mills/Minneapolis MLK breakfast
Mon, Jan 20, 2020.
2020 Theme
Building on Dr King’s passion and leadership, students
are asked to creatively respond to one of the follow-
ing questions based on the theme “Injustice Any-
where”:
1. How does our country’s treatment of refugees,
immigrants, and asylum seekers impact our
various communities?
2. How does the denial of voting rights or voter
suppression efforts impact our various commu-
nities?
Submissions
Written (essays, poetry, song, etc): Submit on stan-
dard 8-1/2˝x11˝ paper, double spaced, not to exceed
900 words.
Audio and Video: Submit through YouTube or other
multi-media platforms, accompanied by a transcribed
version.
Submissions will be judged on inspiration, clarity, cre-
ativity, and content applicable to the theme. Entries
must include:
• students name, address, phone/email, and grade
level
• parent name, phone/email
• school name and teacher contact information
Email
ksantelices@goldenvalleymn.gov
Mail/Drop-Off
Kirsten Santelices, 7800 Golden
Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN 55427