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Home My WebLink About2022/02/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - Regular Human rights commission February 15, 2022 7:00 pm If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call (Ali Timpone, 952.928.2846) or the administration department at 952.924.2525. Human rights commission Members present: Virginia Mancini, Katie Lawler Turnbull, Astein Osei, Li Livdahl, Andre Barajas, Thomas Scott, Emily Buchholz, Paul Baudhuin (joined at 7:18pm) Members absent: Jaime Chismar, Avi Olitzky Staff present: HR director (Ali Timpone), Police Lieutenant (Mikael Garland) Guests: None 1. Call to order Chair Mancini called the commission to order at 7:00 pm. Ms. Timpone conducted roll call. 2. Approval of minutes – Human rights commission of November 9, 2021 Minutes were approved as distributed. 3. Approval of agenda Agenda was approved 4. Bias Motivated Crime Review Lt. Garland presented information from the St. Louis Park Police Department (SLPPD) on bias motivated crimes, slides attached. The materials showed a marked increase in bias motivated crimes in 2020 which Lt. Garland said may be attributed to hate crimes against Asian-American Pacific Islanders, Muslims, or other groups stemming from political divides. Lt. Garland noted that only a small number of suspects are ever prosecuted for the crimes listed in the report. What the HRC can do with this data is to reach out to the PD to get more data when a bias motivated crime occurs. The HRC can reach out to the victims with a letter of support. The HRC can use the data to build awareness of citywide trends and design education/outreach in response to crime statistics. Chair Mancini asked Lt. Garland if the Police Advisory Commission and Human Rights Commission could partner and attend each other’s meetings to share resources and collaborate, Lt. Garland agreed and indicated the PAC’s next meeting is March 2, 2022. 5. Election of 2022 Chair and Vice Chair The commission discussed selecting a chair and vice chair for 2022. Co-chairs was also discussed but the commission bylaws require a chair and vice chair. Commissioner Lawler Turnbull indicated willingness to serve as vice chair. The election was tabled until the March meeting as members were encouraged to consider volunteering to provide leadership for the commission. 6. Kudos  Chair Mancini gave kudos to Commissioner Barajas for an outstanding swim season, and Commissioner Livdahl for her college admissions progress.  Commissioner Barajas gave kudos to Chair Mancini for being in the running for an open school board seat.  Commissioner Baudhuin gave kudos to Commissioner Olitzky on his marriage in recent months, and to the St. Louis Park high school theater program for their performance in the one act festival. 7. Review of 2021 The commission reviewed the great work they accomplished in 2021. This information will be presented to council during the annual meeting.  George Floyd Memorial Walk  Friends of the Arts Art Walk  Twin Cities Film Fest climate film showing  HRC Award presented to Perspectives  Jim Crow of the North film screening and panel in support of Just Deeds  Seeds Feeds event  Fire Dept event and other neighborhood outreach events 8. Human Rights Award Ms. Timpone notified the group that it’s time to start soliciting nominations for the 2022 Human Rights Award recipient. The commission requested to view the form (attached) and will discuss at the next meeting to confirm timelines. 9. Staff Report Ms. Timpone provided the staff report:  The city council had passed a mask mandate and remote meeting requirement, both are scheduled to end at 11:59pm on February 22, 2022. This means the next HRC meeting will most likely be in person. In the future, the staff liaison will send these types of citywide policies under consideration to the HRC for awareness and to gather feedback as needed.  Just Deeds project is going well, with about 75 inquiries from property owners to staff about discharging the racial covenants on their properties.  The city has hired a consultant located in SLP (Racially Conscious Collaborations) to reimagine the work they do surrounding racial equity, inclusion and belonging, which includes a report on recommended staffing structure. Boards and commissions are identified as stakeholders and will be involved in the process in the coming weeks.  The city requires interview panelists to complete a training course and become certified. HRC members are invited to take the course and get certified to serve on future interview panels for city staff if needed. Ms. Timpone will provide the link for training to commissioners. 10. Chair Report Chair Mancini provided what she thought would be her final update, but since the election has been tabled to March, she has agreed to continue to serve as chair until a successor is identified. Chair Mancini identified four main areas in which she wanted to address during her tenure as chair, and work that could be ongoing:  Communication channels with council to provide support. Would like to invite a council member to be a guest at a future meeting on a routine basis.  Supporting partnerships with other boards/commissions and stakeholders. Would like to connect with the Police Advisory Commission and local businesses. Would also like to have speakers come to future HRC meetings on a rotating basis.  Using technology to improve communication among commissioners. Better onboarding of new commissioners is needed and access to documents and archives is needed.  Creating standing task forces for recruiting/retaining HRC members, maintaining partnerships with others, and doing community outreach activities. Commissioners thanked Chair Mancini for her work on behalf of the commission and noted and appreciated the hard work and effort she put into the role. Commissioner Buchholz noted that the task forces could be a great piece of the commission’s 2022 work plan to streamline work. 11. Bylaws Updates The updating of the commission bylaws was tabled for the time being. Ms. Timpone notified the commission that the new city manager and city clerk were working with council on a systems approach to boards and commissions that that further clarity may be coming in the next few months. Ms. Timpone noted that many of the changes that are suggested to the bylaws are not disallowed currently so that commissioners are not prevented from doing these things (for example: outgoing chair assisting with transition for new chair). 12. Book Club Update Ms. Timpone notified the commission that about 100 copies of the book Our Stores Carried Us Here: A Graphic Novel Anthology were delivered to the SLP library and are ready to be distributed. Chair Mancini and Commissioner Chismar will meet with Ms. Timpone to plan roll out of the community book club event which will include marketing and discussion questions. 13. Other business The next meeting is March 15, 2022. The regular April meeting occurs during Passover so Ms. Timpone will reach out to commissioners to find an alternate date. 14. The commission adjourned at 8:34 pm. ______________________________________ Ali Timpone, liaison Crimes Motivated by Bias Presentation to the Human Rights Commission Tues., 2-15-22 | 7pm Lt. Mikael Garland What is a Crime Motivated by Bias? •“Hate crimes” •Motivation is key •Committed against others because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, sex, characteristics identified as sexual orientation, disability, age, or national origin What types are included? •Assaults •Criminal damage to property/vandalism •Harassment •Stalking crimes How are they different from other crimes? •More severe penalty •Same act •No bias motivation… •5th Degree Assault (Misd) •$1,000 fine and/or 90 days in jail •Add bias motivation… •4th Degree Assault (GM) •$3,000 fine and/or 1 year in jail Specific bias crimes in MN •GM 4th Degr. Assault •Assault on another person motivated by bias •Felony 4th Degr. Assault •Assault on another person motivated by bias •Within five years of a previous conviction for same •GM 3rd Degr. / Felony 2nd Degr. Criminal Dmg. To Property •Cause intentional damage to another person’s property because of bias •Felony Aggravated Violations •Harassment and Stalking •Reasonable victim feels oppressed, persecuted, intimidated Specific bias crimes in MN (Cont.) •Felony Aggravated Violations– Harassment and Stalking •Reasonable victim feels oppressed, persecuted, intimidated •directly or indirectly, or through third parties, manifests a purpose or intent to injure the person, property, or rights of another by the commission of an unlawful act •follows, monitors, or pursues another, whether in person or through any available technological or other means •returns to the property of another if the actor is without claim of right to the property or consent of one with authority to consent; •repeatedly makes telephone calls, sends text messages, or induces a victim to make telephone calls to the actor, whether or not conversation ensues; •makes or causes the telephone of another repeatedly or continuously to ring; •repeatedly mails or delivers or causes the delivery by any means, including electronically, of letters, telegrams, messages, packages, through assistive devices for people with vision impairments or hearing loss, or any communication made through any available technologies or other objects; •uses another's personal information, without consent, to invite, encourage, or solicit a third party to engage in a sexual act with the person. Who investigates them? •Most are investigated by local police agencies •Or Sheriff’s Office if occurring outside municipal/incorporated areas •Prosecuted by county or city attorney •Depends on severity •Misdemeanors and Gross Misdemeanors– City Atty •Felonies– County Atty •More than one year in jail or $3,000 fine Our Policy 318 | Hate or Bias Crimes •The St. Louis Park Police Department recognizes and places a high priority on the rights of all individuals guaranteed under the constitution and the laws of this state. When such rights are infringed upon by violence, threats or other harassment, this department will utilize all available resources to see that justice is served under the law. •318.3: Preventing and Preparing for Likely Hate or Bias Crimes •318.4 Procedure for Investigating Hate or Bias Crimes •Reporting: To Minn. Dept. of Public Safety and Federal via NIBRS Bias Crime Reports in SLP 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Minnesota Hate Crimes 2020 Minnesota Hate Crimes 2018-20 What should victims do? •Report crime immediately to the St. Louis Park Police, 952-924-2618, or use 9-1-1 for emergencies •Give detail on facts/observations that show the offender was motivated to act by bias •Give info on witnesses’ identities Questions? Thank you. -Lt. Mikael Garland, 952-924-2607 | mgarland@stlouispark.org St. Louis Park Human Rights Award guidelines-2022 Goal The Human Rights Award recognizes individuals, groups, organizations or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution toward uplifting human rights, justice, equity and inclusion in the community. This award also seeks out those who have fostered increased understanding and cooperation between people of different backgrounds in St. Louis Park. Mission of human rights commission The mission of the human rights commission (HRC) is to support community and St. Louis Park’s strategic priority of racial equity and inclusion. Vision of HRC We believe that a just and inclusive community is achievable in St. Louis Park. Eligibility 1. The nominee’s activities have advanced human rights, justice and/or race equity within St. Louis Park. 2. The nominee’s activities have helped to improve understanding and cooperation in the areas of race, religion, gender identity, national origin, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation or family status. 3. The nominee’s services may be either voluntary or part of an employee’s job. 4. Members of the St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission are not eligible for the award while serving on the commission. 5. The nominee doesn’t need to live in St. Louis Park as long as the nominee’s activities were a benefit to the St. Louis Park community or undertaken in the City of St. Louis Park. Businesses or organizations must conduct business or provide service in St. Louis Park. 6. Contributed positively to increasing equity surrounding virtual access. 7. The commission seeks submission that align with the HRC’s updated mission and vision statement. Nomination process Nominations may be submitted by either an individual or an organization (e.g., a club, social agency, unit of government, church or synagogue, school, business). Nominations are preferred using the nomination form, but may be submitted as letters, no more than two pages in length. The form is available online at https://www.stlouispark.org/government/boards-commissions/human-rights- commission. Mailed nominations should be addressed to: St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission Attn: Ali Timpone 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Or by email: atimpone@stlouispark.org Nominations are accepted anytime until March 25, 2022. The individual/organization submitting the nomination must designate a contact person and phone number. Human Rights Award guidelines | 2 Selection The recipient(s) will be selected by the St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission in 2022. The commission will give added weight to activities that: 1. Have positively impacted St. Louis Park 2. Occurred over an extended period of time 3. Took place in 2021 4. Have had a significant impact on an affected group 5. Are voluntary or above-and-beyond a paid employee’s usual job responsibilities The award will be presented at a city council meeting in 2022. Questions Contact human rights commission staff liaison Ali Timpone at atimpone@stlouispark.org or 952.928.2846. Human Rights Commission 2022 Nomination Form St. Louis Park Human Rights Award Person or Organization Nominated: Nominated By: Name: Name: Address: Address: City/State/Zip: City/State/Zip: Organizational Affiliation: Organizational Affiliation: Day Phone: Day Phone: Evening Phone: Evening Phone: Email: Email: Please answer the following questions about the nominee. If you need additional space, attach separate pages. In your answers, please focus on the impact on St. Louis Park. 1. Describe how the nominee’s activities have contribute in uplifting human rights, justice, equity and inclusion in the community? Over  2. When and where did the contributions take place? Is the activity or program ongoing? Please describe: 3. Who was the principal beneficiary of the nominee’s efforts? 4. Please provide other information about the nominee that will help the Commission make a decision: 5. Please list any other people, along with their phone numbers, who would support this nomination: Please complete form online or send completed form to: St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission, Attn: Ali Timpone 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55416 or submit via email: atimpone@stlouispark.org by March 25, 2022