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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.23.21 HRRC_Minutes_ApprovedDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 3/23/21 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Human Rights & Relations Commission Virtual Meeting, WebEx, Feb 23, 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, Ross, Stringer Moore and Student Commissioner Mirza Staff Present: Heidi Lee, Race & Equity Coordinator and Risi Karim, City Management Fellow Absent: Student Commissioners Lichtenberger and Borene Late: Commissioner Ismail III. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion by Commissioner Ross to approve the February 23,2021 meeting agenda, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. Roll call vote. Motion carried. IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes Commissioners indicated the following changes to the draft minutes: • None Motion by Commissioner Felton to approve the January 26, 2020 meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Epstein. Roll call vote. Motion carried. V. Reports/Recommendations A. Human Rights & Relations Commission 2020 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. The Bias Offense plan has been sent to all commissioners. - Commissioner Edwards brings attention to a typo in the Bias Offense Plan. The first bullet under the section purpose will be corrected to read: To establish a procedure for appropriate and timely local responses to bias offenses thus Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 3/23/21 showing strong community support for people targeted and showing zero community tolerance within the boundaries of the City of Edina. - Commissioner Ross brings attention to the statement under the partnership section of the Bias Offense Plan. Commissioner Ross suggests a change be made to the paragraph to embody a more inclusive stance; the statement will be corrected to read: The HRRC will partner with individuals and organizations in the community to provide timely and meaningful support to those who have experienced a bias offense. - Members of the subcommittee have agreed that the following changes be made to the below statements from the Bias Offense plan: 3. If a complaint is made to the City other than through the Police Department, the complaint shall first be forwarded to the City Manager and Police Chief, who shall forward it to the Police Department to be investigated. 6. The City Manager, Chief of Police, Race & Equity Coordinator, HRRC Chair and yearly designated subcommittee will meet to determine the appropriate level of community response. Community response options include contacting appropriate members of the Community Resources Network to inform them of a bias offense, requesting their support and development of a response plan, meeting with the victim or representatives of targeted groups to determine appropriate restorative measures by the City, and such other responses deemed appropriate under the circumstances. 7. The Race & Equity Coordinator will record and track when and where the bias offenses occurred and will provide an annual report to the Commission. The City will also inform the Minnesota Attorney General, the FBI and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights of the bias incident. *Staff Liaison Lee will be doing follow up research on the last line of statement 7 to ensure proper procedures and guidelines are being followed. Motion by Commissioner Epstein to Approve the changes made to the Bias Review Plan, motion seconded by Commissioner Nelson. Motion carried. 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 B. 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 with the Commission that she has received a response from Manny Gabler and he has communicate that he is still available to speak at the event. - Staff Liaison Lee has shared with the subcommittee a timeline that can be used to plan the event within the city’s scheduling timeline. - The subcommittee will be meeting soon to begin working on the logistics for the event. 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 shares with the Commission that city staff have begun reaching out to neighboring cities such as Brooklyn Park who have conducted a community wide survey to gain feedback about their process. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 3/23/21 C. Chair & Vice Chair Nomination and Selection o Motion by Commissioner Nelson to nominate and select Commissioner Epstein as Chair of the HRRC, seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Motion carried. o Motion by Commissioner Nelson to nominate and select Commissioner Stringer Moore as Vice Chair of the HRRC, seconded by Commissioner Ross. Motion carried. D. Edina Community Council • Commissioner Felton has volunteered to serve on the Edina Community Council on behalf of the HRRC. VI. Chair and Member Comments • Chair Beringer says her final goodbye to the Commission. Chair Beringer has served on the Commission for the past 3 years and has enjoyed her time working with Commissioners, community members and city staff. • Commissioner Epstein thanks Chair Beringer for her time and commitment to the HRRC. • Commissioner Nelson Shares with the Commission that the new sign for Yancey Park is now on display. Commissioner Nelson also says his goodbyes to the Commission. • Commissioner Stringer Moore thanks both Chair Beringer and Commissioner Nelson for their time and commitment to the HRRC. • Commissioner Edwards shares with the Commission the Equality Act has entered the Senate and asks that others support the bill. • Commissioner Felton thanks both Chair Beringer and Commissioner Nelson for their time and commitment to the HRRC. Commissioner Felton also goes on to congratulate Commissioner Epstein as the new chair of the HRRC. • Commissioner Ross thanks both Chair Beringer and Commissioner Nelson for their time and commitment to the HRRC, and looks forward to continuing working with the Commission. • Student Commissioner Mirza thanks the entire Commission for being welcoming to the Student Commissioner and sends his best wishes and farewell to both Chair Beringer and Commissioner Nelson. • Commissioner Ismail thanks both Chair Beringer and Commissioner Nelson for their time and commitment to the HRRC VII. Staff Comments • Staff liaison Lee shares the following: o The City Council has approved the days of significance list for city recognized observances. At the request of Council Member Jackson and approved by the entire City Council, Days of Remembrance will also be added to the city’s days of significance list. o The new sign for Yancey Park has been installed and further conversations are happening within the city to plan a formal unveiling of the sign. o Newly elected Chair Epstein and Vice Chair Stringer Moore will officially start serving in their new roles at the beginning of March. o Thanks both Chair Beringer and Commissioner Nelson for their time and commitment to the HRRC • Beginning with their term in March, the HRRC will have 3 new members added to the Commission: Leticia Guadarrama, Joni Bennett, and Mamie Segall Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 3/23/21 VIII. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Felton to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Ross. Roll call vote. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.