HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-11 HRRC Minutes
MINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION
December 11, 2014 7:00 PM
City Hall – Council Chambers
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Seidman called the meeting to order at 7:01pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Commissioners Arseneault, Bigbee, Davis, Gates, Kennedy,
Sanders, Chair Seidman, Weinert, and Winnick. Staff present: City Management Fellow Lindy
Crawford.
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Winnick to amend the Regular Meeting Agenda of
December 11, 2014 to add affordable housing to item VII. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Arseneault. Motion carried.
IV. APPROVAL OF October 28, 2014 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner Arseneault moved to approve the minutes as presented to the HRRC.
Commissioner Davis seconded. Motion carried.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
None.
VI. GUEST PRESENTER: Christie Nicoson, World Without Genocide Program and Operations
Director
Ms. Nicoson shared a presentation with the HRRC about the UN’s Adoption of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration is considered to be an international
Bill of Rights. Ms. Nicoson suggested that by using the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights as a framework, the HRRC has a tool to guide the Commission in ensuring that all
rights are protected.
VII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Human Rights City Designation Update (Kennedy/Sanders)
Commissioner Kennedy shared a presentation about the history of Human Rights Cities.
There are currently five areas in the United States that are recognized Human Rights Cities;
this means they are engaged in using the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Kennedy
shared what the process is for becoming a Human Rights City, and her thoughts on where
the City of Edina is in that process.
B. Days of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness (Seidman)
Chair Seidman shared that the Days of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness title for this
year is From Armenians to the Holocaust and will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2015 from
1pm-3:30pm at the Edina City Hall. There will be a Holocaust survivor guest speaker.
C. Community Conversations Update (Bigbee/Davis)
Commissioner Davis updated the HRRC about the Community Conversations working
group. Twelve volunteer community members of all ages make up the working group. The
group has held listening sessions throughout the community to discover if the city of Edina is
a welcoming community. The end of April 2015 is the target date to report back to the
HRRC about the progress of Community Conversations.
D. Tom Oye Award Announcement (Winnick)
Commissioner Winnick shared information about the Tom Oye Award and shared the Tom
Oye public service announcement. Anyone who lives or works in the city of Edina may
receive the Award. Past winners include Ellen Kennedy, Rachel Grenier, Joyce Repya,
Kristin Aarsvold, and Tom McCarthy. The HRRC acts as the selection committee for the
Award. January 30,, 2015 is the deadline to apply. The application can be found on the City
of Edina website.
E. Affordable Housing (Winnick/Bigbee)
Commissioner Winnick noted that he and the HRRC Student Commissioners Gates and
Weinert have reviewed the status of the 66 West affordable housing project for at-risk
youth, in their role as the HRRC committee on Monitoring Affordable Housing. The project
is currently in litigation, but a motion to dismiss the lawsuit has been filed on the basis that
the suit is premature. Winnick stated the second project the HRRC committee is
monitoring is the affordable housing project located at 7200 France. Motion was made by
Commissioner Winnick to approve a statement of support for the 7200 France project to
the City Council, Commissioner Bigbee seconded. Commissioner Sanders abstained. Motion
carried. Commissioner Bigbee thanked the HRRC for supporting affordable housing in Edina
over the years and would like to see the HRRC work on affordable housing on an annual
basis.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
Chair Seidman asked for comments regarding the correspondence in the meeting packets.
Seidman shared that many HRRC members were at the City Council meeting regarding the
Washington Redskins matter, in response to one piece of correspondence that appeared to
suggest otherwise.
IX. CHAIR, COMMISSION MEMBER, AND STUDENT COMMENTS
Chair Seidman shared that there have been two incidents with bias offense activity. Seidman
met with Police Chief Dave Nelson and City Manager Scott Neal concerning the activity and
noted that the Bias Offense Response Plan was followed in each case.
Commissioner Arseneault shared that the Human Services Task Force has completed their
work and passed on their recommendations for funding Human Services in 2015 to the City
Council. The Council approved the recommendations of the Task Force on their December
2 Consent Agenda. Arseneault encouraged other HRRC members to volunteer for the
Human Services Task Force in the future.
Student Commissioner Gates discussed her interest in working on the issues of body image
and sexuality awareness. Gates attended a Gay Student Alliance Club meeting at Edina High
School to learn what actions they are taking about this matter.
Student Commissioner Weinert talked about existence of human trafficking in the
community. Weinert shared that the community should take action about this matter, and is
hopeful the HRRC can hold educational events related to this matter in March 2015 in
order to raise local awareness on the issue.
X. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Commissioner Davis to adjourn the December 11th meeting, Kennedy
seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.
Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________
MJ Lamon, HRRC Staff Liaison
Minutes approved by HRRC January 27, 2015 ____________________________________
Jan Seidman, HRRC Chair