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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/08/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - Regular Human rights commission meeting August 20, 2024 6:00pm If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call (Pat Coleman 952-924-2518) or the administration department at 952.924.2525. Official minutes – Draft Human rights commission Members present: Andrea Alvarez, Katie Lawler Turnball, Celia Anderson, Members absent: Alicia Margalli, Abby Bauer Staff present: Pat Coleman, community engagement coordinator Jocelyn Hernandez, race, equity, and inclusion specialist Greg Hunt, economic development manager Guests: 1. Call to order – roll call – 6:03pm 2. Approval of agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Lawler Turnbull, seconded by Commissioner Alvarez, to approve the meeting agenda. Motion carried 3. Approval of minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Lawler Turnbull, seconded by Commissioner Alvarez, to approve the meeting minutes of the July 23rd, 2024 meeting. Motion carried 4. Old business a. Update on Hopkins High School incident Commissioner Lawler Turnball provided an update on a racially motivated act of violence at Hopkins High School. She reported that further investigation revealed details that caused discomfort in pursuing litigation. The commission reached a consensus agreeing with Commissioner Turnball Lawler's recommendation. b. Work Plan update Mr. Coleman presented the most recent version of the commission’s current workplan for staff to review and have physical copies. Human rights commission meeting Catherine Lawler 5. New business a. September council check-in prep Mr. Coleman informed the commission of the new date for the advisory boards check-in meeting with the city council, now scheduled for September 16th, 2024. He outlined the meeting format as a round table discussion, where one representative from each advisory board/commission will have the opportunity to engage with the council. The discussion will focus on two key questions: 1. What has the commission been working on during 2024, and what will they focus on for the remainder of the year? 2. How can the city council best support their work moving forward? The commission then proceeded to have a conversation based around how their representative would answer each question on behalf of their commission. b. Fall appointment process updates Mr. Coleman updated the commission members on the timeline for the fall appointment process and its impact. He noted a change in the timeline, with new member appointments now scheduled for October 21st instead of October 7th. The effective date for these appointments will be November 1st, allowing time for an orientation process immediately following the appointments. Commissioner Lawler Turnball asked a question regarding the selection process for applicants. Mr. Coleman explained the new process, which includes an initial screening by an internal committee that scores all applicants and makes recommendations to the city council for interviews. The city council then conducts its own screening and decides which applicants proceed to the interview rounds. c. REI Check-in Jocelyn Hernandez Ms. Hernandez and Mr. Hunt provided an update on the project by the REI and Economic Development Department concerning cashless businesses and their impact on the unbanked/underbanked population of St. Louis Park. Upon completion of the report, a discussion will be held with city council members on September 23rd during a study session. Based on the outcomes of this discussion, the presenters asked if the commission would be comfortable assisting staff with next steps. Ms. Hernandez stated she Human rights commission meeting Catherine Lawler would keep the commission updated through communication with Mr. Coleman. Ms. Hernandez provided an update on the REI department’s Community Connections Series. She outlined the foundation of the series and requested the commission’s assistance in recommending community members to participate. The commission expressed interest in actively participating in both discussed efforts. Mr. Coleman stated that when the commission revisits their workplan, he would ensure these new items are added to the remainder of their 2024 workplan or their 2025 workplan. d. HRC Awards Mr. Coleman presented the Human Rights Commission awards to the commission. This award, last given to a community member in 2022, was reinstated at the request of the community. Mr. Coleman provided an overview of the award and the Human Rights Commission’s role in administering it. The commission agreed to reimplement the program and will begin the process during their next meeting by revisiting the guidelines. Commissioner Lawler Turnball shared clarifying details about the program from her memory, including the recruiting process and criteria for nominations and granting the award. Mr. Coleman stated that he would add this item to their 2025 workplan. 6. Kudos No Kudos 7. Work group/subcommittee updates a. Events subcommittee i. Additional Voter engagement/safety events? Commissioner Lawler Turnball provided an update on the Children’s First Literacy Event that commission members tabled at. b. Bias motivated crime subcommittee Mr. Coleman stated that he hadn’t had any updates on bias motivated crimes in the city. He then ensured the commission members that he would connect with the police department to make sure that he was receiving accurate information to share with the commission when necessary. Human rights commission meeting Catherine Lawler 8. Chair and staff updates a. Vision 4.0 Recruitment Mr. Coleman stated that the deadline for submitting an application was extended, now ending September 2nd. He then asked the commission for assistance in recruiting members to serve on this community committee. He then reminded the commissioners of what the roles and responsibilities would be for members of this committee and stated that he would share all information needed for recruitment. 9. Other business No other business 10. Future agenda planning a. Human Rights Awards 11. Adjournment – 7:17 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Pat Coleman, liaison Catherine Lawler, chair member