03-31-16 HRC Minutes MINUTES
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
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o ld en 7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, Minnesota 55427
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Manager's Conference Room
�- March 31, 2016
Commissioners present: Carla Johnson, Chair
Jonathan Burris, Vice Chair
Adam Buttress
Teresa Martin
Susan Phelps
Michael Pristash
Nabil Pruscini
Andrew Ramlet
Commissioners absent: Nabil Pruscini
Staff: Chantell Knauss, Assistant City Manager
The meeting was convened at 6:33 pm by Chair Johnson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Martin made a request to add Sweet Potato Pie event under New Business.
Motion by Commissioner Burris, second by Commissioner Pristash to approve the agenda
with the following addition under New Business: Sweet Potato Pie Event. Motion carried 7-0.
APPROVAL OF February 23, 2016 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Pristash, second by Commissioner Martin to approve the February
23, 2016 minutes with one correction: Motion by Commissioner Buttress to adjourn the
meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
COUNCIL UPDATES
2015 Annual Report and 2016 Work Plan — March 8, 2016
Chair Johnson provided the HRC with an update of her presentation to the City Council at their
March 8, 2016 Council/Manager meeting. Vice Chair Burris was also in attendance. The City
Council was very complimentary about the activities and programs the HRC has undertaken and
supportive of the HRC's 2016 Work Plan. The 2015 Annual Report and 2016 Work Plan will be on
the City Council agenda April 5, 2016 for approval.
OLD BUSINESS
Golden Vallev Pride Festival (GVPF) Update
Commissioner Burris reported the official name of the event is "Golden Valley Pride Festival:
Celebrating Community, Family and Friends." The event will be held Sunday, June 12 from Noon —
4pm. The Committee continues to work on coordinating an event for Saturday evening, June 11.
There is a Festival planning meeting being held at Byerly's at the same time as this HRC meeting.
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The Festival planning committee is planning for an attendance of 500 people. Their thought is that
for an inaugural event, that is a good number to anticipate and can plan for grow for future events.
The Festival has submitted an application to march in the Twin Cities Pride Parade. Twin Cities
Pride has committed to donating $500 toward the Golden Valley Festival.
Commissioner Burris took the initiative to contact OutFront MN to inquire if they would have a
representative available to speak at the GVPF. OutFront MN committed to having a representative
at the GVPF. This is proposed to be the HRC's sponsored activity during the GVPF. "Hot Topics"
was suggested as a potential topic, especially given the nature of the proposed bill on restroom use
that has been introduced this legislative session. Commissioner Burris will talk with OutFront MN
about their expectations for an honorarium and bring that information back to the HRC meeting in
April.
Golden Vallev Guidina Principles
Commissioners had questions regarding the impetus for the Guiding Principles and specific
language and meaning of ordered bullets. Knauss explained the Guiding Principles are one of the
action items that resulted from the City Council's Strategic Plan goal of Good Governance. The
Strategic Plan was adopted by the City Council in July 2015. Knauss explained the Council had
adopted the Guiding Principles and directed they be distributed to the Boards/Commissions. Board
and Commission members have the option to sign to agree and abide by the Guiding Principles or
there is also an option to decline.
Leaque of Minnesota Human Riqhts Commissions Questionnaire, Item #8 (Requests or
suqqestions on how the Leaque could assist vour commission in 2016)
Commissioners provided the following suggestions to respond to the League's questions:
• The restroom bill introduced at the legislature
• A speakers bureau as a resource to local HRCs for programming
• Ideas for funding sources
• Coordinate and facilitate local/regional meetings
• Outreach to new immigrant populations and resources on how communities can connect
with them
2016 Work Plan
Knauss updated the HRC on her meeting with Communications staff and timeline for getting three
articles, based on the State Demographer's information, in future CityNews newsletters.
Communications staff provided a timeline of July/August, September/October,
November/December issues. There was discussion on the process for getting the articles written in
a timely manner. Knauss will draft the articles and email it out to the HRC for comments, then the
articles will be edited by the State Demographer's Office and Communications staff.
There was discussion on having a follow-up forum in early 2017, following the publication of the
three articles. It was suggested that a potential panelist is the Director of Immigrant Populations at
Hennepin County.
There was a question of household income information for the City of Golden Valley. Knauss will
contact the State Demographer's office to see if that information is available.
Commissioner Martin volunteered to look into volunteer opportunities for the HRC to be involved
and promote for the September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance event.
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NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on International Refuqees
It was the consensus of the HRC that this would be addressed in the "Growing Diversity" article
based on the State Demographer's Office presentation.
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie
Commissioner Martin stated she is interested in having the HRC host a speaker or something
during the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie event in January 2017, but would address it at a future
meeting, given the late time.
ADJOURN
Motion by Commissioner Burris, second by Commissioner Martin to adjourn the meeting at
8:17 pm. Motion carried 7-0.
Fol/ow-up Items:
• Commissioner Burris will talk with OutFront MN about their expectations for an honorarium
and bring that information back to the HRC meeting in April.
• Commissioner Martin will look into volunteer opportunities for the HRC to be involved and
promote for the September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance event.
• Knauss will contact the State Demographer's office to see if Golden Valley household
income information is available.
• Knauss will draft City News newsletter articles for HRC review and comment.
Carla John on, Chair
ATTEST:
Chantell Knauss, Staff Liaison
Approved by HRC:April 26, 2016
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