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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-27 HRRC Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION May 27, 2014 7:00pm Community Room – City Hall I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Seidman called meeting to order at 7:00pm. II. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were Commissioners Arsenault, Bigbee, Haeg, Kennedy, Sanders, Seidman, and Winnick. Staff present: MJ Lamon, Staff Liaison, and Annie Coyle, City Management Fellow. III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Arseneault to approve the meeting agenda of May 27, 2014; motion seconded by Commissioner Kennedy. Motion carried. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Chair Seidman was added to roll call. Motion was made by Commissioner Bigbee and seconded by Commissioner Winnick to approve the minutes. Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT None. VI. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS A. Bias Offense Response Plan Commissioner Winnick provided a background summary of the Bias Offense Response Plan. It was originally adopted in 1997 and has been updated 3 times since. There is no record of the plan ever being utilized. Commissioners reviewed the Southview Middle School incident from August 11th, 2013. At that time, Mayor Hovland issued a press release and requested HRRC to take a census of response to bias offenses from every City Department; Commissioners also reviewed a memo from City Manager Neal to department heads instigating HRRC’s interviews with different departments. Members Bigbee, Winnick and/or Siedman met with representatives of each City Department. Reports are attached to these minutes. Commissioner Carter arrived at 7:08pm. Changes to the plan were discussed: 1. Amendment to department survey page 19 change “FROM STEVE” to Note: Commissioner Winnick provided detailed review of Bias Offense Response and Prevention Plan DRAFT which included Appendix A (2013 Minnesota State Statute 611A.79), Appendix B (Community Resources Network), and Edina Police Department Informed Consent. 2. The following amendments were recommended: 1. Page 1, under partnership: Add local in front of community partners. “Local community partners are identified on…..” 2. Page 2, 1. Mn. Changed to Minn. 3. Page 2, 1. The police department shall notify the City manager and the HRRC chair upon receipt of a substantiated report of an event or incident which may constitute of a bias offense under Minn. state statute. 4. Page 1, under partnership: add Community Resources Network after Appendix B. 5. Page 2, 11. Sponsor trainings, education, and public information to promote the understanding… Motion was made by Commissioner Winnick to approve Bias Offense Response and Prevention Plan with recommended amendments. Commissioner Arseneault made a motion to table current motion, make recommended amendments and ask all Commissioners to send changes or edits to the Bias Offense Response and Prevention Plan to Commissioner Winnick. Commissioner Winnick will compile changes to The Plan and bring back to June meeting to approve prior to going to City Council. Commissioner Winnick made an amendment to his original motion that in addition to the plan, commissioners will review resolutions drafted by Winnick and provide feedback so the package can be presented at June 2014 meeting. Motion second by Commissioner Sanders. Motion carried. City Staff will inform Manager Neal about delay in Bias Offense Plan. Bias Offense Response and Prevention subcommittee has a meeting schedule on June 2nd with the Police Chief and Manager Neal. City Staff will send out current DRAFT of The Plan and requested edits be sent to liaison for Commissioner Winnick to compile. B. Days of Remembrance Chair Seidman provided brief summary of Days of Remembrance and Genocide Awareness events held in April 2014. HRRC held 3 events. The City Council approved Holocaust recognition as an annual observance. Genocide Awareness was not approved by City Council, but in April of 2014, Gov. Dayton dedicated every April in Minnesota to be known as Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month. April was chosen because there are 6 different genocides that have their official dates of memorialization in April. Motion made by Commissioner Kennedy to write Genocide Awareness proclamation in perpetuity. Commissioners brought forward the idea of creating a proclamation that was more inclusive. Chair Seidman suggested to move this topic for discussion to June 2014 meeting. Days of Remembrance proclamation signed by Mayor Hovland will be provided in June meeting packet for commission review. Commissioner Arseneault made motion to table the Genocide Awareness proclamation. Commissioner Bigbee second. Motion passed. Chair Seidman reminded commissioners to come to the meeting next month with ideas on what the HRRC may want to observe. C. Review Committee and Working Group Definitions. Chair Seidman reviewed the subcommittee working group chart. Commissioner Davis offered to join the Tom Oye sub-committee. Winnick remains the Chair of that subcommittee. Commissioner Carter asked to be added to the nominating committee. Commissioner Sanders will be added to the Special Needs Awareness Sub-Committee. There was a request to add the Special Needs Awareness to the June 2014 meeting agenda to discuss potential ideas for the initiative. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS None. VIII. CHAIR, COMMISSION MEMBER, AND STUDENT COMMENTS A. Chair Comments Commissioners decided there would not be time for a guest speaker in June. June 2014’s agenda will include Bias Offense Response and Prevention Plan, Special Needs, Genocide Awareness/DOR Proclamation, and review of the 2014 work plan. Additionally, Commissioners will make a list of items to present to City Council and discuss commission members that can champion initiatives. Commissioner Kennedy expressed interest in the Human Rights City initiative. She will follow up with Commissioner Harrington to coordinate presentation to City Council on August 4th (work session). Commissioner Winnick will draft a letter for Seidman to sign in sympathy of Fred Baron’s death. Commissioner Kennedy shared that the MN State Bar Association passed a conflict free resolution which is the same resolution that the City of Edina endorses. The MN Bar Association is the first Bar Association to do so. Commissioner Bigbee is planning on attending the Islamic Perspective information session. IX. STAFF COMMENTS None. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Commissioner Bigbee to adjourn the May 27th, 2014 meeting of the Human Rights and Relations Commission; motion was second by Commissioner Kennedy. Motion carried. Adjournment at 9:27 pm. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ MJ Lamon, HRRC Staff Liaison Minutes approved by HRRC June 24, 2014 ____________________________________ Jan Seidman, HRRC Chair