HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/08/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - Regular
St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518
Human Rights Commission
Minutes – August 21, 2018
Westwood Room, City Hall
I. Call to Order
Chair Wilhelm-Garbers called the meeting to order at 7:03.
A. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Sara Wilhelm-Garbers, Katherine Arnold, Maria Eustaquio,
Justin Carlson, BethAnne Stolp, Todd Sandler and Jack Ostrovsky
Staff Present: Lt. Garland and Staff Liaison Breanna Freedman
B. Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Sandler made a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Stolp and
Commissioner Ostrovsky seconded. 7-0 approve.
C. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Stolp made a motion to approve the June meeting minutes.
Commissioner Ostrovsky seconded. 7-0 approve.
II. City Council Request to Discuss the matter of Immigration and Separation
of Families
Chair Wilhelm-Garbers gave a brief recap of where the request originated, from the Allies
of St. Louis Park group, who asked city council to look into making a recommendation on a
statement. The city council gave direction for the Human Rights Commission to look into
assistance for making a recommendation and advise the city council on this.
Commissioner Stolp made a motion to form a subcommittee to take charge of this
request. Commissioner Arnold seconded. Commission voted and passed 7-0.
III. BWC Update
St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518
Commissioners Carlson, Ostrovsky and Sandler attended the city council study session and
public comment session where the police body worn cameras were discussed and gave an
update of the conversation.
Most of the comments and questions from the sessions were regarding officer disgression
and the definition of that in the policy.
The commission will seek clarification if the city council would like additional comments
from the HRC. Chair Wilhlem-Garbers asked the commission about forming a
subcommittee and the commission discussed this possibility for creating the final
statement for city council.
Chair Wilhelm-Garbers, Commissioners Eustaqio and Carlson will be on the subcommittee
for forming this subcommittee.
The commission discussed the current draft of the policy that Chief Harcey shared with
the commission.
Commissioner Eustaquio asked about input from communities of color and been
consulted on the policy and what kind of outreach will be done once the body worn
cameras are
The commission discussed and will ask how the HRC will work with the Police Advisory
Commission and Multicultural Advisory Committee in the future of this policy.
IV. League of Women Voters potential collaboration
Chair Wilhelm-Garbers received communication from the League of Women Voters
regarding if there would be anything in the near future where the commission would like
to partner with on an event before the midterm elections.
The commission discussed possible opportunities for assisting the League of Women
voters with any potential outreach in addition to some other possible community
organizations.
Commissioner Stolp had the idea to reach out t o a few local organizations to connect with
to see where the commission can support current work.
The commission voted on commissing Commissioner Stolp to do some research and
inquire on collaboration with community organizations. Commissioner Sandler made a
motion to approve. Commissioner Carlson seconded. Commission voted and approved 7 -
0.
St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518
V. City Code Sec 2. Human Rights Commission
Commissioner Kornblit (not present) asked the commission to review the document.
The commission briefly discussed if there were any questions regarding City Code Sec. 2.
VI. St. Louis Park Racial Equity Collaboration meeting
Commissioner Stolp and Arnold attended the July meeting organized by City Staff Racial Equity
Manager Alicia Sojourner. The commissioners gave a brief recap of the meeting and shared what
the group is working on.
Commissioner Carlson attended a joint-city meeting in Hopkins, a discussion with other
regional municipalities on collaborating and learning from each other to advance
improvements towards racial equity. He gave a brief overview of the discussion and plans
to attend meetings in the future.
Commissioner Arnold made a motion to assist with promoting the Heart of the Matter
event happening on October 11. Commissioner Carlson seconded. The commission voted;
passed 7-0.
VII. MN Dept. of Human Rights Weekly Digest Bulletin
Staff Liaison Freedman shared the most recent bulletin released by the MN Dept. of Human Rights
announcing the upcoming Symposium in December. The HRC showed interest in the event and
Staff Liaison Freedman will continue to share information on the event.
VIII. New Business
Commissioner Carlson noted that the city engineering department will be working on
making sidewalks ADA compliant. The commission will be alerted on any other
happenings around this matter.
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.