HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/05/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - Regular Human rights commission
May 17, 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: Jaime Chismar, Li Livdahl, Paul Baudhuin, Andre Barajas, Avi Olitzky, Katie
Lawler Turnbull
Members absent: Virginia Mancini, Astein Osei
Staff present: HR director (Ali Timpone)
Guests: Thom Miller
1. Call to order
Chair Baudhuin called the commission to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Approval of minutes – Human rights commission of April 5, 2022
A motion was made by Commissioner Chismar, seconded by Commissioner Olitzky, to
approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of agenda
A motion was made by Commissioner Chismar, seconded by Commissioner Barajas, to
approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Special Guest:
SLP resident Thom Miller informed the commission of an upcoming volunteer opportunity
to ensure children continue to receive healthy meals during the summer months. This
summer donation event for STEP provides volunteers with grocery bags to drop off at
neighbor homes. Neighbors will fill the bags with groceries and volunteers will pick up the
bags one week later and deliver to the SLP High School on June 11. Thom asked
commissioners to share this information with their networks, volunteer if they wish, and
contact him with questions.
5. Kudos
Commissioner Barajas gave kudos to Commissioners Chismar and Mancini for their
leadership and representation of the HRC at the State of the Community event on
May 15.
Chair Baudhuin gave kudos to his wife for graduating from nurse practitioner school.
Commissioner Olitzky gave kudos to “Grandma Ruth” Knelman, who was a well-
known local volunteer and who recently died at age 111.
Commissioner Livdahl will be going to Loyola in the fall, Commissioner Barajas to
Duke. Congratulations to both outstanding youth commissioners on their
graduation and next chapters!
6. Human Rights Award
The commission discussed the many well-deserving nominees. Six nominations were
received for five recipients (one person nominated twice). After much discussion, the
commission decided to provide two awards this year: one for a business/organization and
one for an individual. The winners of the 2021 Human Rights Award are: David Benowitz
and Luke Derheim of The Block Food & Drink (business/organization category) and Cory
Litzow Lorentz, a multilingual learners teacher at SLP HS (individual award). All the
nominees were very deserving, and the staff liaison will reach out to each of them to thank
them for their work in our city.
Specifically, the commission wanted some recognition for the students of SOAR.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olitzky, seconded by Commissioner Lawler Turnbull, to
recommend that the city council recognize SOAR in some way. Motion carried unanimously.
Staff liaison note: notices were sent to all nominees and nominators on May 24, 2022.
Commissioners will be notified when winners will be honored with a presentation at a city
council meeting.
7. Subcommittee updates
Commissioner Chismar stated that the Art Walk will happen July 10 from 4-8pm at Wolfe
Park. The solicitation for artists was put on the city’s website May 24. More artists are
needed, and commissioners are encouraged to spread the word through their networks.
Commissioners Chismar, Livdahl and Barajas are meeting weekly to prepare. Staff liaison
Timpone and FOTA Director Mike Mellas are also assisting.
Also, there is a Children First literacy event happening on August 8.
Commissioner Lawler Turnbull had nothing to report from a combined HRC/PAC
subcommittee as the PAC members have not yet responded to a meeting request. Two bias
motivated crimes were discussed.
8. Staff Updates
Ms. Timpone provided the staff report:
The city council has appointed two new commissioners to three-year terms (replacing
Commissioners Mancini and Scott). Orientation will occur soon, and new
commissioners will be invited to the June meeting.
The four leftover copies of the book club graphic novel were donated to the library
system.
The city’s consultant (RCC) has concluded their study of the racial equity responsibilities
at the city and will be presenting their findings to staff in the coming weeks.
The city is hosting a Juneteenth event, see flyer attached.
9. The commission adjourned at 8:36 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Ali Timpone, HR director/staff liaison