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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/03/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - Regular Human rights commission meeting March 25, 2025 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 meeting minutes Human rights commission Members present: Andrea Alvarez, Abby Bauer, Lee Conlife, Jackie Kay, Daniel Bashore, Otoha Masaki, Isabel Anderson, Celian Anderson, Catherine Lawler Turnbull Members absent: None Staff present: Pat Coleman, community engagement coordinator Guests: None 1. Call to order – roll call – 6:05pm 2. Approval of agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Bashore, to approve the agenda of the March 25, 2025 meeting. Motion carried 3. Approval of minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Alvarez, seconded by Commissioner Bashore, to approve the meeting minutes of the February 18, 2025 meeting. Motion carried 4. Old business Human Rights Award Commissioner Lawler Turnbull gave the commission members a recap of the 2024 Human Rights Award presentation to Dana Strahnson on Monday, March 17. 5. New business Additional workplan items The commission reviewed completed workplan items, including the coordination and presentation of the Human Rights Award, collaboration with city staff on the cashless businesses initiative, and involvement in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Commissioner Lawler Turnbull inquired whether any further action was required on these concluded items. Mr. Coleman clarified that the commission's work on the Neighborhood Revitalization Program had been completed. Similarly, the cashless business project had concluded, with the commission's sole remaining responsibility being to report any businesses accepting cash to the city for further investigation. Human rights commission meeting Catherine Lawler The commission also discussed the remaining workplan items that are still in progress, including attendance at the Children’s First Literacy Festival and participation in Vision 4.0 engagement. Regarding the Children’s First Literacy Festival, Commissioner Lawler Turnbull shared that event coordinators had reached out to confirm the commission’s participation, and she assured members that the HRC would be in attendance. Additionally, Commissioner Alvarez inquired whether there had been any reported bias crimes. Mr. Coleman responded that he had not received any recent reports from the police department. The commission began brainstorming additional workplan items to propose to the city council. Commissioner Lawler Turnbull suggested exploring participation in the city’s ongoing Community Connection Conversations. Mr. Coleman clarified that the series is currently an internally focused program, but collaboration might be possible if it becomes outward-facing. Commissioner Lawler also proposed engaging with local Pride festivals by setting up a table or joining the event, creating a resource tool with mental health resources for young people in the community, and potentially drafting a response to the challenges faced by community members under the current government administration. Regarding the idea of responding to the current political climate, Commissioner Alvarez inquired whether the commission was required to remain politically neutral when drafting such a statement. Mr. Coleman confirmed this, noting that if creating a response was deemed necessary, it would require city council approval. Commissioner Alvarez suggested identifying safe spaces, such as libraries and schools, to provide resources for young people in the community while maintaining neutrality. Commissioner I. Anderson proposed partnering not only with established organizations but also with local groups that advocate for human rights. Commissioner Masaki highlighted the SOAR group as an excellent example of a potential partner. Commissioner Bashore raised the question of the commission's goals regarding outreach to local organizations and groups. The commission reached a consensus that the primary goal is to create a resource list for community members and share it at community events, including self- hosted events throughout the community. Human rights commission meeting Catherine Lawler The commission them proceeded to discuss what this resource list would consist of various events and locations that could present the gathered information. Additional ideas that came of this conversation were to collaborate with Friends of the Arts for an Art Walk in the Park event with a Human Rights Theme, and a book brunch held in collaboration with the Children First and the literacy festival. As there were now new workplan items that came of this conversation that the commission agreed upon, Mr. Coleman reminded them that new items must be communicated to city council via the new advisory communication form. 6. Kudos Commissioner C. Anderson gave kudos to the SLP high school students that coordinated the Iftar community dinner. The event was very well attended with close to 200 attendees. 7. Work group/subcommittee updates Assign workgroup and subcommittee members The commission discussed the composition of the subcommittees that would lead the new work once approved by city council. The subcommittees include the following: 1. Resource Collection Subcommittee 2. Tabling Subcommittee 3. Art Walk Subcommittee 4. Literacy Fest Book Brunch Subcommittee 8. Chair and staff updates Mr. Coleman provided updates on the following: 1. Boards and commissions applications currently open and will close March 31. 2. Vision 4.0 is currently wrapping up their ambassador cohort meeting and will enter the next method of recruitment which will be recruiting community members to host facilitated conversations. 3. City council adopted term limits and stipend implantation for boards and commissions on March 3. 9. Other business 10. Future agenda planning 11. Adjournment – 7:03 p.m. Human rights commission meeting Catherine Lawler ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Pat Coleman, liaison Catherine Lawler, chair member