HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.26.19 HRRC_Minutes_ApprovedDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: March 26, 2019
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Human Rights & Relations Commission
Edina City Hall, Community Room,
Feb. 26, 2019, 7 p.m.
I. Call To Order
Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering Roll Call: Chair Nelson, Commissioners Arseneault, Epstein, Edwards, Kennedy, Meek and
Waldron
Staff Present: MJ Lamon, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Jennifer Garske, Executive Assistant
Absent: Moss-Keys and Stringer Moore
Arrived late: Beringer
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Kennedy requested to amend the agenda to add item VI. D. information on two pieces of legislation—
Equal Rights Amendment and Title IX.
Motion by Commissioner Arseneault to approve the Feb. 26, 2019 meeting agenda as
amended, seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Arseneault proposed changes to minutes to correct name misspellings and punctuation. Also revised
information under “Chair and Member Comments.”
Motion by Commissioner Kennedy to approve the Feb. 5, 2019 meeting minutes as
amended, seconded by Commissioner Arseneault. Motion carried.
Beringer arrived at 7:07 p.m.
V. Community Comment
Heather Allison, President of ERA Minnesota, spoke about bills in the Minnesota House and Senate to get
the Equal Rights Amendment put into the Minnesota constitution.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A: 2019 Commission Work Plan
• Commission reviewed their approved 2019 work plan.
• Arseneault shared information about the annual Days of Remembrance event, scheduled for Sunday,
April 28. The theme highlights Holocaust survivors in France, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.”
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: March 26, 2019
There are two speakers proposed. Requested help from Communications & Technology Services
for branded posters, media and community outreach.
Motion by Commissioner Arseneault for approval of date and theme for Days of
Remembrance event, and use of branding on posters. Seconded by Commissioner
Kennedy. Motion carried.
• Meek shared information about the sharing values event for this year. Tentatively set for Sunday,
Oct. 6, 2019—would like to move the event to the weekend this year, rather than weekday evening.
They are still discussing possible topics.
Motion by Commissioner Meek for approval of date of sharing values event. Seconded
by Commission Arseneault. Motion carried.
B: Review Draft Comprehensive Plan Chapters
• Housing Chapter was initially reviewed by Nelson. He sent the Planning Department
comments and almost all were adopted. He indicated no problems with that chapter.
• Human Rights & Relations Chapter—Commission had concerns about content. They were
encouraged by Liaison Lamon to share their comments on the Comprehensive Plan and this
chapter at BetterTogetherEdina.org, the new community engagement website.
• Implementation Chapter—no discussion.
C: Bias Offense Report
• Nelson shared information about a bias offense incident that occurred in the city.
D: Legislative Bills
• Kennedy handed out two Advisory Communications to the City Council regarding the bills in
the State House and Senate on Equal Rights Amendment and Title IX requirements in all
Minnesota schools. The Commission discussed sending the Advisory Communications to the
City Council, to show the city’s support of the bills.
Motions by Commissioner Kennedy to send both the Advisory Communications
to the City Council, both seconded by Commissioner Arseneault. Motions carried.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
• Chair Nelson discussed a bias in the courts seminar he attended at the University of St.
Thomas.
• Commissioner Arseneault encouraged commissioners to watch “Minnesota Experience - Jim
Crow of the North,” a documentary on Twin Cities PBS that explores the origins of housing
segregation in the Minneapolis area.
• Commissioner Edwards asked about the Quality of Life survey and what happens with the
results. Liaison Lamon shared that everyone will see the results.
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: March 26, 2019
• Commissioner Kennedy shared information about a bill in the Minnesota House that aims to
create a task force to study the cases of missing and murdered American Indian women in the
state.
• Liaison Lamon shared information again about BetterTogetherEdina.org, the new community
engagement website for the city.
• Liaison Lamon notified the Commission their date to meet with the City Council during the
work session has been moved to 6:15 p.m. July 16, 2019. It was suggested the July 23, 2019
Human Rights & Relations Commission meeting be moved to 7 p.m. July 16. The previously
moved June 18 Human Rights & Relations Commission meeting will not be changed.
Motion by Commissioner Epstein to move the July 23, 2019 Human Rights &
Relations Commission meeting to July16, 2019, seconded by Kennedy. Motion
carries.
VIII. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Kennedy to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner
Arseneault. Motion carries.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.