Loading...
04/18/08GOLDEN VALLEY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Minutes from the Meeting of April 10, 2008 Members Present: Ron Brandon, Marion Helland, Theresa Jorgenson, Jay Sandvik and Anne Dykstra (via conference call). Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Chief Stacy Altonen. The meeting was called to order by Chair Brandon at 7:02 pm. OPEN FORUM There was no one present requesting to address the Commission. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Jorgenson advised of an addition to the minutes; essays were due to review the third week in March and should be added under "Education." Commissioner Helland moved to approve the meeting minutes of February 14, 2008; seconded by Commissioner Jorgenson. COMMITTEE REPORTS SCHOOL EDUCATION Ninety one essays were received and have been judged. Awards will be given to the winning 6th grade Sandburg students during the first or second week of May. Awards will be given for 15t, 2nd and 3rd place as well as some "Honorable Mentions." Fourteen essays have been received so far for the state league contest. Awards for the state league essay contest will be presented at the Crystal Community Center on May 17tH The Community Collaborative Council distributed surveys to students in grades 4-12 to determine what the student experience has been in District #281. Survey results were distributed to commissioners and a brief overview was given. HOUSING Chief Altonen advised Golden Valley does not have a financial assistance package for homeowners, but all utilities are kept on during the foreclosure process to help provide some relief to homeowners. Commissioner Dykstra inquired about a meeting of staff from Crystal, Golden Valley and Plymouth concerning group home density/spacing in neighborhoods. Commissioner Dykstra requested an update from Mayor Loomis or Council Member Scanlon at the next meeting. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS Commissioner Helland distributed the flier for the annual conference, which will be held October 4tH in Rochester. Commissioner Dykstra advised the league extended an invitation to the Genocide Intervention Network to send a representative to speak about divesture of city resources to ensure none are used in any way to support the genocide in Darfur. Commissioner Helland distributed a letter with information regarding a planning meeting to raise awareness about the Darfur genocides. The meeting is scheduled for April 24th at the Minnesota Council of Churches. SHARE THE DREAM The Share the Dream event did not take place in March. Further discussion about circulating informational brochures at Juneteenth will take place at the May 15th meeting. DISCRIMINATION Chair Brandon inquired about the appeal proceedings in the Hixon case. Chief Altonen advised the case has been settled. OLD BUSINESS BIAS/HATE CRIME RESPONSE AND PREVENTION PLAN Commissioner Jorgenson proposed a couple revisions to the draft policy: 1) Page #1, Sentence #1: "The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and responsibilities for the reporting of and response to violations..." 2) Page #5, Section 1: St. Louis Park should be added to the list of neighboring cities Commissioner Dykstra proposed one revision: 1) Page #1, Paragraph #1: change "sex" to "gender" Commissioner Jorgenson moved to approve the revised draft policy; seconded by Commissioner Helland. Motion carried. HOBBS AWARD Commissioner Helland advised one nomination was received, but the nominee does not live or work in Golden Valley. Commissioner Helland will follow-up with the person who submitted the nomination to get more information pertaining to the nominee. DIVERSITY TRAINING Commissioner Dykstra requested this item be added to next meeting's agenda. NEW BUSINESS STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP Commissioner Dykstra suggested devising a strategy for recruiting new members. Commissioners Jorgenson and Dykstra will work on drafting a strategy and will present the draft at the next meeting for discussion. Chair Brandon and Commissioner Helland would like to participate in the draft via e- mail. PUBLIC HEARING FOR STATE VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNCIL Commissioner Dykstra advised the council will conduct hearings on June 25th from 9am to 8pm for persons with disabilities regarding how services are being rendered. Commissioner Helland motioned to request that the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission host the public hearings for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Council on June 25th from 9am to 8pm, and the rehabilitation council be permitted to use the Council Chambers and Council Conference Room for the extended evening hours; seconded by Chair Brandon. Motion carried. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 8, 2008 beginning at 7 pm. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Jorgenson, seconded by Commissioner Sandvik to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 pm.