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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/08/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - RegularCity of St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission Minutes – August 15, 2017 Westwood Room, City Hall I. Call to Order Chair Arnold called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. A. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Zaylore Stout, Michelle Kornblit, Katherine Arnold, Margaret Rog, and Sara Wilhelm Garbers (by conference call). Staff Present: Lt. Kruelle and Staff liaison Breanna Freedman B. Approval of Agenda Commissioner Stout suggested adding an agenda item to have the August 14 city council study session with the police department added as an agenda item. Chair Arnold made a motion to approve the meeting agenda with the added agenda item. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wilhelm Garbers. The motion passed 5-0. C. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Commissioner Kornblit, seconded by Commissioner Rog to approve the June 20, 2017 meeting minutes. The motion passed 5-0. II. Ranked Choice Voting presentation by guests from FairVoteMN, Jeanne Massey, Gail Dorfman, Deb Brinkman and Siyad Abdullahi. Power point presentation is included at the end of the minutes. The HRC voted on whether or not to endorse the Fair Vote organization and Ranked Choice Voting. The vote passed 5-0. Chair Arnold will draft a memo to send to city council. The HRC expressed interest in putting a short article in the Sun Sailor. III. Affordable Housing Forum Event Commissioner Rog shared information about the event and the growing crisis of affordable housing. The event is being planned by a group of community members. The group of community members as if the HRC would be a sponsor. The HRC voted on sponsoring the event. The voted passed 5-0. IV. Body Worn Cameras update Chief Harcey provided an update on where city council is at in the discussion of body worn cameras for St. Louis Park police officers. Lt. Kruelle informed the HRC that council has not made any decision. The HRC is asking to be notified when future body worn camera discussions will be and would like to be included on those discussions. V. 8-14-17 City Council Study Session Commissioner Stout informed the HRC of an event that Councilmember Sanger attended that was a listening session for community members to voice questions and/or concerns to police/city administration. The HRC discussed options for what this could look like for future events, possibly after the race and Equity Coordinator position is filled. Commissioner Kornblit mentioned having an event at the end of the police department study sessions. The HRC discussed that the event would be for city leadership to hear from the community, specifically communities of color. Lt. Kruelle discussed the challenges of making sure the input gathered at a forum is relative to the St. Louis Park community, and making sure that the event would be kept to the context of our community. Commissioner Rog mentioned bringing Perspectives into the planning as a potential partner to collaborate with. Action item for all commissioners: come to the next HRC meeting with more concrete ideas for the next community conversation. HRC is agreeing to further explore the event posed by city council. Commissioner Stout will connect with Councilmember Sanger and share the conversation with the HRC. VI. A. Our Town Sings Recap Chair Arnold gave a brief update of the event. She stated that it was a positive event, and the HRC had good contact with the community. B. September Community Conversation Commissioner Wilhelm-Garbers will connect with Staff Liaison and Chair Arnold to continue planning the event. The Commission decided the emphasis of the event would be on the Muslim experience in St. Louis Park. The subcommittee will meet later this week to finalize plans for the event. Commissioner Stout agreed to be on the subcommittee to assist with planning. Commissioners motioned to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.