HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/03/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - Regular Human rights commission
March 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, Jaime Chismar, Astein Osei, Li Livdahl, Thomas
Scott, Emily Buchholz, Paul Baudhuin
Members absent: Andre Barajas, Katie Lawler Turnbull, Avi Olitzky
Staff present: HR director (Ali Timpone)
Guests: None
1. Call to order
Chair Mancini called the commission to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Approval of minutes – Human rights commission of February 15, 2022
A motion was made by Commissioner Osei, seconded by Commissioner Scott, to approve the
minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of agenda
A motion was made by Commissioner Buchholz, seconded by Commissioner Chismar, to
approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Election of 2022 Chair and Vice Chair
The commission discussed the roles and responsibilities of chair and vice chair officers.
After much discussion, Commissioner Baudhuin was elected the Chair, and Commissioner
Lawler Turnbull was elected Vice Chair.
5. Kudos
Chair Mancini gave kudos to Commissioner Livdahl for continuing her college
admissions process, in the next few weeks she should have plans for next year
solidified.
Commissioner Scott (and the rest of the commission) gave kudos to Chair Mancini
for being appointed to the St. Louis Park School Board.
6. Bias Motivated Crime Review
The group reviewed the recent bias motivated crime report from the police department, in
which a Black male Minneapolis resident was subjected to racist slurs/comments from
someone in another vehicle while entering a storage facility on February 17. The
commission discussed possible actions, including a letter of support/apology to the victim,
but ultimately decided that a letter may appear performative and may cause negative
emotions or cause harm to the victim by bringing this up more than a month after the
incident.
A motion was made by Commissioner Chismar, seconded by Commissioner Baudhuin to
create a Bias Motivated Crime subcommittee to review future crimes and make
recommendations on actions. The subcommittee members will be appointed at the April
meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
The commission also discussed the recent racially motivated incident at the SLP boys hockey
game versus New Prague. Commissioner Osei gave an excellent background of the work
that has been happening at the school and with other stakeholders including the MN State
High School League. There has been much discussion on the appropriate way to repair
harm in these situations and to ensure culturally relevant frameworks in the schools. Chair
Mancini has been in contact with representatives from the MN Dept of Human Rights and
they are also talking about this incident and are supportive of more collaboration among
commissions across the metro. One important goal is to ignite and engage bystanders to
shut down these types of racist taunts or jeers.
The commission had drafted a letter of support and solidarity with the SLP students and for
school’s swift and appropriate actions based on feedback from our youth commissioners.
The city council indicated possible interest in co-signing the letter and will review at their
meeting on March 21. Ms. Timpone will provide feedback to the commissioners after that
meeting.
7. Brainstorming Ideas
The commission had several ideas for avenues for future action, which included:
Creating a 2022 Summer of Action Youth Event, working with SOAR
Making it a goal for the Summer of Action to connect with neighboring cities
Develop a community mural devoted to human rights
Connect with the State HRC, Chair Mancini noted that there was a virtual lunch
event coming up on April 12 at noon, commissioners were welcome to attend.
The commission directed the Summer of Action subcommittee to meet to start to roadmap
events for 2022 (Commissioners Chismar, Livdahl, and Mancini).
8. Human Rights Award
The commission reviewed the nomination form and award guidelines for the Human Rights
Award. Preference will be given to nominees who are doing recent or ongoing work to
advance human rights. The deadline for nominations will be April 18 and Ms. Timpone will
work with city communications staff to promote the award and solicit nominations by the
deadline. Commissioners are asked to also promote the award and share on their personal
social media networks.
9. Staff Report
Ms. Timpone provided the staff report:
50 city staff members recently participated in a full day workshop called the
Foundations of Racially Conscious Collaborations and will next attend focus groups
to tell the consultant about the city’s staffing needs in racial equity. An additional
focus group will be added and boards/commissions across the city will be invited to
have a member participate. Ms. Timpone will provide more information when
available.
The library staff indicate about 10 books have been taken from our recent book club
promotion. Ms. Timpone will send the commission additional marketing
information to share via their personal social media networks. Commissioner Osei
will see if the info can be added to the next school newsletter and Commissioner
Baudhuin will share with the faith community. Commissioner Chismar will share to
the Allies of SLP facebook group.
Ms. Timpone noted that there is an item on the council’s tentative agenda on March
28 regarding the structure, function and authority of boards and commissions.
10. Other business
The commissioners determined that a quorum can be present if the April meeting was
rescheduled to April 5.
11. The commission adjourned at 8:47 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Ali Timpone, HR director/HRC staff liaison