HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/03/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - RegularCity of St. Louis Park
Human Rights Commission
Minutes – March 21, 2017
Westwood Room, City Hall
I. Call to Order
Chair Arnold called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
A. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Michelle Kornblit, Bob Griggs, Katherine Arnold, Margaret Rog
Will Poulter and Greg Gidden.
Staff Present: Chief Harcey and Staff liaison Breanna Freedman
B. Approval of Agenda
Chair Arnold made a motion to approve the meeting agenda. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Kornblit. The motion passed 5-0.
C. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Commissioner Griggs, seconded by Commissioner Rog to approve the
January 17, 2017 meeting minutes. The motion passed 5-0.
II. Body Camera Discussion
Commissioner Kornblit organized a memo to be shared with the City Manager and City
Council regarding body worn cameras by police department.
The commission discussed how this is a thorough review of various questions as council
looks into body cameras for police officers. This research was done by the HRC to
inform City Council.
III. HRC Facebook Page Discussion
The commission was informed that they are not able to have a Facebook page designated
to the HRC. The commission discussed how they can continue to promote their events
and activities.
Commissioner Kornblit commented that events tend to be responsive to certain nation-
wide events that draw a crowd.
Commissioner Gidden suggested getting events scheduled far in advance to let the
community know the HRC is active, then add specifics of the event as the date gets
closer.
Commissioner Rog recommended scheduling an HRC event every-other month.
Commissioner Rog recommended changing the title of these events from “Coffee and
Culture Chat” to “Community Conversations”.
Chair Arnold agreed to the change of the name and asked the commission if there were
any other recommendations for name changes.
The commission discussed the name change and decided to change the name of the event
and for future events to “Community Conversations”.
Commissioner Gidden suggested switching the days of the week that these events are
offered, to give more people the opportunity to participate.
Commissioner Rog recommended switching geographic location of these events to draw
more people to participate.
The commission discussed the next Community Conversation event to be held at Aquila
Elementary School in early June.
IV. Gender Identity/Expression as Basis for Hate Crime
Commissioner Kornblit stated that the protection is already included and questioned if the
commission needs to address this explicitly.
Open Meeting Laws
The commission discussed the open meeting laws document shared with the commission
and asked if commissioners are required to make their social media accounts public.
V. Task Force Updates
a. Coffee and Culture Chat March 22
The commission discussed the attendance and logistics for the March 22 event.
b. Future Events
The commission discussed finding films that would also build community and
having a film shown in the fall.
The commission discussed hosting a community conversation in November,
possibly at Meadowbrook.
Commissioners motioned to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.