HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.26.21 HRRC_Minutes_ApprovedDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: February 23,2021
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Human Rights & Relations Commission
Virtual Meeting, WebEx,
Jan. 26, 2021, 7 p.m.
I. Call To Order
Chair Beringer shared information for virtual meeting guidelines for Commissioners and those watching or
listening in to the meeting.
Chair Beringer called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering Roll Call: Chair Beringer, Commissioners Edwards, Epstein, Felton, Ismail, Ross, Nelson, and
Student Commissioners Lichtenberger and Mirza
Staff Present: Heidi Lee, Race & Equity Coordinator and Risi Karim, City Management Fellow
Absent: Student Commissioner Borene
Late: Commissioner Stringer Moore
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Nelson to approve the Dec 1, 2020 meeting agenda, seconded by
Commissioner Ross. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Commissioners indicated the following changes to the draft minutes:
• No changes
Motion by Commissioner Ross to approve the January 26, 2021 meeting minutes, seconded
by Commissioner Epstein. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions & Presentations
A. City Observed List
• Staff Liaison Lee gives a presentation to the Commission regarding the list of holidays that are
currently observed and recognized by the City of Edina. Staff Liaison Lee also gathered
feedback from the Commissioners regarding additional holidays and observances that the City
of Edina should consider giving recognition to.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. Approval of Schedule Change
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: February 23,2021
Motion by Commissioner Ross to approve changing the start time for the November 16th
and December 7th HRRC meeting from 7:00pm to 5:30pm, Seconded by Commissioner
Felton. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
B. 2020 Human Rights & Relations Commission Work Plan
• The Commission discussed the Work Plan with the following updates:
o #6 Bias Offense Review
- The subcommittee has completed the task of creating definitions to differentiate the
differences between bias offenses and bias incidents. As the subcommittee moves into their
final steps, they are seeking joint approval from the Police Chief and subcommittee
members before sending the proposed changes to council.
o #4 Artwork and Décor Assessment Rubric for City Owned Facilities
- Staff Liaison Lee shared with the Commission that due to City Hall construction there will
be a delay on sending out the video. Construction at City Hall is scheduled to be completed
by mid-March and upon its completion Staff Liaison Lee will then share the video with the
public.
C. 2021 Human Rights & Relations Commission Work Plan
• The Commission discussed the Work Plan with the following updates:
o #1 Days of Remembrance
- Commissioner Stringer Moore shared that she would be reaching out to former HRRC
member Pat Arseneault to garner more information about how the event was conducted in
years past.
- Commissioner Ross suggested to the Commission that the event may have to be held
virtually this year.
o #3 Sharing Values Sharing Community
- Commissioner Felton shares with the Commission the idea of coordinating a showing of
“Jim Crow of the North” followed by a Q&A for the event.
- Chair Beringer encourages Commissioner Felton to move forward with the planning and
seeking clarification from the city about the scope of the event and to come back and share
with the Commission once planning is further along.
o #5 Bias Offense Review
- Commissioner Epstein shares with the Commission that the subcommittee has one more
meeting with the Chief of Police where they will seek clarification on one item before
marking the review officially complete.
o #6 Review and comment on staff proposed plan to identify barriers for
participation and reach communities of color through different modes and
feedback.
- Staff Liaison Lee will be meeting with Parks & Recreation staff to determine a timeline for
the creation of the plan and when that plan will be made available to the subcommittee for
review and comment.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
• Commissioner Felton inquires about the nomination and selection process for the Chair &
Vice Chair position for the 2021-2022 HRRC Cycle.
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: February 23,2021
• Commissioner Nelson notes to the Commission the passing of Henry Aaron ,an American
professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball.
• Commissioner Stringer Moore share with the Commission that President Biden has signed
numerous Executive Orders aimed at closing the gaps caused by gender and racial disparities.
VIII. Staff Comments
• Staff Liaison Lee announces that the EEC is recruiting community members for the climate
action working group, the group will help develop the city’s Climate Action Plan with a focus
on equity. Expertise in the field of environment and sustainability is not required to
participate in the working group.
IX. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Felton to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner
Nelson. Roll call vote. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.