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02/14/08GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Minutes from the Meeting of February 14, 2008 Members Present: Marion Helland, Anne Dykstra, Theresa Jorgenson, Nikkie Purvis. Members Absent: Ron Brandon, Samuel Deputie, Jay Sandvik. Staff Present: Chief Stacy Altonen. The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Jorgenson at 7:07 pm. OPEN FORUM There was no one present requesting to address the Commission. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Dykstra moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 10, 2008; seconded by Commissioner Helland. COMMITTEE REPORTS SCHOOL EDUCATION Nothing to report. HOUSING Commissioner Dykstra inquired if there is any emergency relief for housing foreclosures in Golden Valley. Chief Altonen advised there is none available to her knowledge. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS Commissioner Helland advised the annual conference will be held in Rochester on October 4, 2008. This year's theme is "Sixty Years of the Declaration of Human Rights." SHARE THE DREAM The Share the Dream event will take place in early March. DISCRIMINATION Nothing to report. COMMUNITY EDUCATION and MULTI -CULTURAL TASK FORCE Nothing to report. PROCLAMATIONS Commissioners asked that proclamations be placed on council agendas for approval as relevant dates are approaching. OLD BUSINESS BIAS/HATE CRIME RESPONSE AND PREVENTION PLAN Commissioner Dykstra presented the revised response policy to bias/hate crimes. She stated commissioners are seeking to become more proactive than reactive in response to bias crimes. The commission will work with the council to draft a plan to work towards this goal. Commissioner Dykstra advised the commission could host seminars on discrimination, gay/lesbian rights, etc. She also stated trends should be analyzed to determine what kinds of concerns are arising in Golden Valley and surrounding communities, including high rates of foreclosure and segregation in schools. Another idea expressed was to host a music/food festival to bring people together. Commissioner Dykstra asked that feedback concerning this draft policy be forwarded to her by Friday, March 7th. A vote for approval of the final draft policy will take place on Thursday, March 13th at the regular HRC meeting. Commissioner Dykstra advised money is available for diversity training and this option should be explored further. Commissioner Jorgenson advised a list of resources should be made available to victims of bias/hate crimes where they can find information and assistance. She also expressed interest in disseminating information at Neighborhood Watch Zone Meetings. Chief Altonen advised brochures or written information could be placed on the table at those meetings. HOBBS AWARD Commissioner Helland inquired if any nominations have been received. Nomination forms and a flier outlining the Hobbs Award were mailed out to businesses on the mailing list; however, no nominations have been received. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Dykstra expressed concern regarding the November elections and asked commissioners to be mindful of the high interest and diverse opinions of voters as the election draws nearer. Commissioner Purvis advised the commission of her intent to resign from the Human Rights Commission. There was discussion about commissioners meeting with members of Human Rights Commissions in surrounding cities to exchange ideas regarding recruitment, logical places to go to recruit and strategies for attracting new members, and goals, etc. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 13, 2008 beginning at 7 pm. ADJOURNMENT MOVED by Commissioner Jorgenson, seconded by Commissioner Dykstra to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.