12-17-19 HRC Agenda
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Attendance/Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes
November 26, 2019 regular meeting minutes
5. Old Business
A. MLK Literary Contest Update
6. New Business
A. Land Acknowledgement Discussion
B. Impact of Climate Change on Human Rights
7. Adjournment
December 17, 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 6:34 pm by Chair Mitchell.
Roll Call
Commissioners present: Jonathan Burris, Chris Mitchell, Kyle Scott, Destiny Nathan, Teresa Martin,
Leah Persky, Eve Clarkson, and Carrie Yeager (arrived 6:36 pm)
Commissioners absent: Maurice Harris
Staff present: Kirsten Santelices, Human Resources Director
Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Scott to approve agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Burris.
Motion carried 7-0.
Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Martin to approve the October 22, 2019 regular meeting
minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Burris. Motion carried 8-0.
Commission Communications/Open Meeting Law
The Commission discussed opportunities to communicate with each other without breaking the open
meeting law. Presently, having nine members, four or more members communicating with each other is
considered a quorum. The Commission believes that the communication is good, though at times
difficult when they cannot directly discuss things with each other. The Commission's goal is to ensure
the momentum continues between meetings. At the Commissioners’ request, staff will share email
addresses with the Commission. Staff reminded them they can communicate as long as they do not
break the open meeting law, this includes serial communications on business items. The Staff Liaison
will continue to receive all communications from Commissioners and share with the entire group. Staff
also requested that the Commissioners send agenda items to the liaison and the Chair and Vice Chair
the Thursday prior to the meeting so there is time to publicize in the agenda packet.
Racially Restrictive Covenants Update
Chair Mitchell provided an overview of the presentation to the City Council at the Council/Manager
meeting on November 12, 2019, including the feedback given by the Mayor and City Council members.
Some suggestions include: expanding the research to other restrictive covenants, beyond racially
restrictive, partnering with existing community groups and initiatives, such as Sweet Potato Comfort Pie,
the Golden Valley Historical Society, the Rising TIDES Task Force, and the University of Minnesota.
Commissioner Scott suggested that the Commission make some sort of announcement at the event to
invite individuals who may be interested in working with the City on this topic. Commissioner Martin
November 26, 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
November 26, 2019 – 6:30 pm
2
will discuss with Sweet Potato Comfort Pie leaders. The subcommittee will meet to discuss next steps,
including connecting with other agencies and fleshing out the project scope. Chair Mitchell will reach out
to the subcommittee to schedule.
Conversion Therapy Ban Update
Commissioner Burris provided a recap of the Council/Manager meeting presentation on November 12.
The City Council shared support of the issue and will add the topic of researching conversion therapy ban
to their 2020 goal session. Commissioner Burris shared that the City of Minneapolis has passed an
ordinance to ban conversion therapy for minors. The commission discussed the legal implications of
these ordinances and that other cities have not yet been sued because there has not been any
enforcement. The Commission continued to discuss the logistics of forming a complaint and enforcing an
ordinance.
The Commission discussed other opportunities to engage with the City Council on the topic and will
continue collecting information for the Council to have at their goal session. If the City Council moves
forward with the topic in 2020, the Commission would also like to consider adding vulnerable adults to
the protected group under a conversion therapy ban ordinance. The subcommittee will continue to
collect this information and pass to Staff Santelices.
MLK Literary Contest Update
Staff shared that the contest has been shared through the City’s communication channels and with
the library. Commissioner Nathan shared that the contest was posted through the “Schoology” site
at school and has received positive attention. Commissioners encouraged each other to share the
contest information with their networks, communities, and social media sites, etc. The
Commissioners also discussed printing and posting the fliers at locations around the City.
MLK Breakfast Tickets
Staff shared that the tables are now available for purchase at a rate of $500 per table (10 tickets each
table). The Commissioners discussed whether or not to order one or two tables, including the number of
attendees in the past and the ways tickets are advertised. The Commission agreed that the Bill Hobbs
award winners should receive at least two tickets, as will the winner(s) of the MLK Literary Contest. The
Commission decided that it would be best to purchase multiple tables to allow for more guests, including
current members of the HRC. The Commission agreed that to best advise the City Council, it is helpful
and important for Commissioners to attend events and advance their knowledge of human rights.
MOTION by Burris to order two tables for the MLK Breakfast at a value of $1000. Seconded
by Commissioner Scott. Motion carried 7-0 (Commissioner Yeager abstained).
Chair Mitchell will reach out to the Bill Hobbs Award recipients to offer tickets. Several Commissioners
also voiced their interest in attending.
Human Rights Day
The Commission discussed what the HRC has prepared for human rights day in the past.
Commissioners asked that the City post something on social media. Commissioner Persky
City of Golden Valley Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
November 26, 2019 – 6:30 pm
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volunteered to email ideas to staff. The Commission suggested using language in the post to
advertise for the upcoming Commission opening.
December 2019 Meeting and 2020 Calendar
Commission discussed alternative dates for the December meeting scheduled for December 24,
2019.
MOTION by Commissioner Yeager to move the December 24 meeting to December 17,
immediately following the presentation of the Bill Hobbs Award, approximately 6:45
pm. Seconded by Commissioner Martin. Motion carried 8-0.
Staff Santelices shared that the annual Joint Board, Commission, and Council meeting will take place
on February 26, 2020 in the place of the Tuesday, February 25, 2020 regular HRC meeting.
Adjourn
MOTION by Commissioner Scott to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Yeager. Motion
carried 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm.
________________________________
Chris Mitchell, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Kirsten Santelices, Staff Liaison
Respectfully submitted,
Kirsten Santelices, Staff Liaison