HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.06.2022 Meeting PacketAgenda
Human Rights and Relations Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Mayor's Conference Room, City Hall
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
5:30 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Minutes: Human Rights & Relations Commission November 15,
2022
V.Special Recognitions And Presentations
A.Presentation by Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent Edina Public
Schools
VI.Community Comment
During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share relevant issues
or concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the
number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Generally speaking, items
that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment.
Individuals should not expect the Chair or Board/Commission Members to respond to their
comments tonight. Instead, the Board/Commission might refer the matter to sta% for
consideration at a future meeting.
VII.Reports/Recommendations
A.2022 Human Rights & Relations Commission Work Plan Update
VIII.Chair And Member Comments
IX.Sta1 Comments
X.Adjournment
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public
process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing ampli4cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: December 6, 2022 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:Gillian Straub, City Management Fellow
Item Activity:
Subject:Minutes: Human Rights & Relations Commission
November 15, 2022
Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve minutes from November 15, 2022, HRRC meeting.
INTRODUCTION:
Draft minutes will be added to the agenda on Monday morning.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
HRRC Minutes: November 15, 2022
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Human Rights & Relations Commission
Edina City Hall, Community Room
November 15, 2022, 7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Epstein called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering Roll Call: Chair Epstein, Commissioners Felton, Bennett, Segall, Missaghi; and Student
Commissioner Ahluwalia.
Staff Present: Heidi Lee, Race & Equity Manager and Gillian Straub, City Management Fellow
Absent: Commissioners Ismail, Stringer Moore, and Guadarrama, and Student Commissioner Jain.
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Bennett to amend the agenda to include a presentation from
Emilia Gonzalez Avalos in the Special Recognitions and Presentations portion and approve
the amended November 15, 2022 meeting agenda, seconded by Commissioner Missaghi.
Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Bennett to amend the October 25, 2022 meeting minutes, item V.
Special Recognitions and Presentations, A. Update on HRRC Membership, regarding the
language specifying Commissioner Guadarrama’s leave of absence to reflect that she is not
taking a leave of absence but will be absent for the rest of 2022 meetings, and to approve the
amended October 25, 2022, meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Felton. Motion
carried.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Presentation from Emilia Gonzalez Avalos
• Gonzalez Avalos discussed the role of Latinos in political, labor, and health issues, and the
specific issues faced by undocumented and immigrant Minnesotans.
• Gonzalez Avalos detailed state legislative priorities for the 2023 session and emphasized
the role of municipal governments to engage in this work.
Commission Ismail arrived at 7:18 p.m.
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2022 Human Rights & Relations Commission Work Plan Update
• The Commission discussed the Work Plan with the following updates:
o Initiative #1: Coordinate Sharing Values, Sharing Communities Event
• Initiative complete.
o Initiative #2: Coordinate Days of Remembrance to be held in alignment with the
United States 2022 commemoration date.
• Initiative complete.
o Initiative #3: Respond to bias events as described by the Bias Event Plan and
receive updates from the Police Department quarterly
• HRRC received update at the October 25, 2022 meeting.
o Initiative #4: Tom Oye Award
• Commissioners discussed nominees and selected a recipient to be
awarded at the December 6, 2022 City Council meeting.
o Initiative #5: Study and report on City facility naming policy/criteria
• Commissioner Bennett provided an update that the subcommittee has
begun writing the report and will provide a draft at the December 6
HRRC meeting, for review to continue in 2023.
o Initiative #6: Following completion of the staff development of internal
process, assist staff with the promotion of City’s Form to Report Bias or
Discrimination
• No update.
B. 2022 Tom Oye Award Nominations
• Staff Liaison Lee introduced the two nominees and explained that one submission missed
the deadline.
Motion by Commissioner Bennett to consider the candidate nominated late for the award,
seconded by Commissioner Missaghi. Motion carried.
• Commission discussed the nominees.
Motion by Commissioner Bennett to select Sally Sudo as the recipient of the 2022 Tom Oye
award, seconded by Missaghi. Motion carried.
Commissioner Missaghi left at 8:15 p.m.
C. 2023 HRRC Work Plan
• Staff Liaison Lee presented the City Manager’s recommended changes. All leads listed are
tentative and will be finalized throughout 2022.
o Initiative #1 – Sharing Values, Sharing Communities event
Draft Minutes☒
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Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
• Commission supports this initiative to be on the 2023 work plan.
• No suggested change.
• Lead: Commissioner Bennett.
o Initiative #2 – Coordinate Days of Remembrance to be held in alignment with
the United States 2023 commemoration date.
• Commission supports this initiative to be on the 2023 work plan.
• City Manager recommended that if a resolution is needed to broaden
the topic of the event, then the resolution should be adopted in
March 2023 before the annual 2023 commemoration event in April.
• Lead: Commissioner Felton.
o Initiative #3 - Respond to bias events as described by the Bias Event Plan and
receive updates from the Police Department quarterly.
• Commission supports this initiative to be on the 2023 work plan.
• City Manager revised this initiative to only continue receiving updates
from the Police Department quarterly. New Initiative #7 will include
the Bias Event Response Plan. Reviewing police community interaction
data was removed due to the implementation of a new data collection
system.
• Commission discussed the timeline for reviewing police community
interaction data.
• Lead: Commissioner Missaghi.
Commissioner Stringer Moore arrived at 8:35 p.m.
o Initiative #4 – Tom Oye award
• Commission supports this initiative to be on the 2023 work plan.
• No suggested change.
• Lead: Commissioner Guadarrama.
o Initiative #5 – Climate Action Plan HS 4-3: Evaluate community organizations,
networks, and connections serving those who require special attention, such
as people who are elderly, homebound, isolated, living with disabilities, or
those likely to be in need of financial assistance, during or after extreme
weather events (e.g., heat, cold, and heavy precipitation). Recommend, if
needed, creation of additional community resources or enhancement,
leveraging, or support of existing relationships with community organizations,
networks, and connections.
• Commission supports this initiative to be on the 2023 work plan.
• City Manager revised this initiative to complete the evaluation phase
of CAP HS 4-3 in 2023, with recommendations in following years.
• Lead: Commissioner Segall.
o Initiative #6 – Provide community perspective and feedback to the City’s
Racial Equity Advancement Team (REAT) on the planning of the Juneteenth
event in 2023.
Draft Minutes☒
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Approved Date: Click here to enter a date.
• Commission supports this initiative to be on the 2023 work plan.
• City Manager changed the target completion date to March 2023 and
added a community engagement component to the review.
• Lead: Commissioner Stringer Moore.
o Initiative #7 – Review Bias Events Response Plan.
• Commission supports this initiative to be on the 2023 work plan.
• Council added this item, originally listed under Initiative #3, to be its
own item.
• Lead: To be determined.
D. Discussion Regarding Use of Term, "Cake Eater"
• Staff Liaison Lee provided the two options for members of the HRRC to respond to use
of the term, “cake eater.”
• Commissioners discussed the option of providing an advisory communication to City
Council, and the potential need for a process on responding to events.
Motion by Commissioner Segall to draft an advisory communication on the use of the term,
“cake eater,” seconded by Commissioner Felton. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Stringer Moore to review the need for a process on responding to
events. Seconded by Commissioner Segall. Motion carried.
E. Reaction to Community Member Receiving Letter about BLM Sign
• Commissioners will resume this conversation at a later HRRC meeting.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
• Received.
VIII. Staff Comments
• Received.
IX. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Segall to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Felton.
Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Date: December 6, 2022 Agenda Item #: V.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Heidi Lee, Race & Equity Manager
Item Activity:
Subject:Presentation by Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent
Edina Public Schools
Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent, Edina P ublic Schools, will be a guest speaker at the meeting.
Date: December 6, 2022 Agenda Item #: VII.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Heidi Lee, Race & Equity Manager
Item Activity:
Subject:2022 Human Rights & Relations Commission Work
Plan Update
Discussion, Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
The Commission will discuss initiative updates for the 2022 workplan.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
2022 HRRC Work Plan Updated 12.1.22
Naming of City Facilities Draft Report
Naming of City Facilities Draft Report Appendix A: Park Names
Approved by City Council December 7, 2021
Commission: Human Rights and Relations Commission
2022 Annual Work Plan Proposal
Initiative # 1 Initiative Type ☐ Project ☒ Ongoing / Annual ☒ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☒ 4 (Review & Decide)
Coordinate Sharing Values, Sharing Communities Event. Determine topic
at least four months in advance of the scheduled event
Deliverable
Event
Leads
Bennett, Guadarrama,
Ismail, Segall, Mirza
Target
Completion Date
October 2022
Budget Required: (Completed by staff): There is funding available for outside marketing opportunities such as ad paid in printed media and social media.
Staff Support Required (Completed by staff): 10 hours for Staff Liaison in 2021, 10 hours for Communications Staff in 2020 for Community Conversation
4.22.22: Committee has started generating ideas and speakers for the event.
5.24.22: Date for event, location, and title has been selected. October 2 at City Hall, “How to Stop the Hate”
7.26.22: Donte Curtis has been approved as consultant/facilitator for event. Subcommittee will continue to invite speakers, create agenda and recommend
marketing actions.
10.19.22: Event was held at City Hall and lived streamed. Event has been viewed 859 times on social media and survey is made collecting responses. COMPLETED
Initiative # 2 Initiative Type ☐ Project ☒ Ongoing / Annual ☒ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☒ 4 (Review & Decide)
Coordinate Days of Remembrance to be held in alignment with the
United States 2022 commemoration date.
Deliverable
Event and/or Action
Leads
Stringer-Moore,
Epstein, Lichtenberger,
Mirza
Target
Completion Date
April/May 2022
Budget Required: (Completed by staff) There is funding available for outside marketing opportunities such as ad paid in printed media and social media.
Staff Support Required (Completed by staff): Hours by Staff liaison: 20 Communications / marketing support: 10
2.18.22: Tentative dates of 4.24 or 5.1 have been decided and City Hall has been reserved. Sub-committee will meet on 2.19 to plan.
3.18.22: Committee looking for speakers and date of event will be determined when a speaker is decided on.
3.22.22: HRRC approved format to historical context, student panelist, restorative practices, and listen to stories of Holocaust survivors.
4.22.22: 2022 Days of Remembrance event will be held virtually on Sunday, May 22 at 2pm with Eva Moreimi as the guest speaker. Marketing and press release
are being worked on.
5.24.22: Days of Remembrance event held on May 22. COMPLETED
Approved by City Council December 7, 2021
Initiative # 3 Initiative Type ☐ Project ☒ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☒ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☐ 4 (Review & Decide)
Respond to Bias events as described by the Bias Event Plan and receive
updates from the Police Department Quarterly.
Deliverable
Continue Bias events response plan
and track how many times the plan is
initiated
Leads
Epstein, Guadarrama,
Ismail, Missaghi
Target
Completion Date
December 2022
Budget Required: (Completed by staff) Are there funds available for this project? If there are not funds available, explain the impact of Council approving this
initiative.
Staff Support Required (Completed by staff): Hours by Staff liaison: 10
2.18.22: Police Chief will provide updates on February, April, July and October meetings.
4.22.22: Updates from Police Department and Q &A on department work plan items have taken place in February and April.
7.26.22: Police Chief Milburn and Community Engagement Officer Jepson attended July 2022 meeting.
10.25.22: Lt. Conboy attended meeting to speak with HRRC.
Initiative # 4 Initiative Type ☐ Project ☒ Ongoing / Annual ☒ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☒ 4 (Review & Decide)
Tom Oye Award: Coordinate and select one recipient for the 2022 Tom
Oye Award.
Deliverable
Planning and awarding of Tom Oye
Award
Leads
Felton, Mirza, Pastrana
Target
Completion Date
December 2022
Budget Required: (Completed by staff) There is funding available for outside marketing opportunities such as ad paid in printed media and social media.
Staff Support Required (Completed by staff): How many hours of support by the staff liaison? Communications / marketing support?
4.22.22: Planning for Tom Oye Award will start in August.
8.19.22: Committee emailed poster, application and marketing information to feedback to Staff Liaison.
10.19.22: Tom Oye application, marketing, press release completed. Application closes on 11.7.22.
11.10.22: Two nominations have been received. HRRC will meet on 11.15.22 to discuss nominations received.
12.1.22: Award recipient was determined and approved by HRRC. All nominators and nominees have been contacted by staff liaison. Award will be presented on
12.6.22 City Council meeting.
Approved by City Council December 7, 2021
Initiative # 5 Initiative Type ☒ Project ☐ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☒ 1 (Study & Report) ☐ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☐ 4 (Review & Decide)
Initiative Title
Study and report on a City facility naming policy/criteria
Deliverable
Report to Council
Leads
Bennett, Stringer
Moore, Segall, Mirza.
Litchenberger
Target
Completion Date
December 2022
Budget Required: (Completed by staff) Are there funds available for this project? If there are not funds available, explain the impact of Council approving this
initiative.
Staff Support Required (Completed by staff): How many hours of support by the staff liaison? Communications / marketing support?
3.22.22: Committee has started research and will be meeting to discuss findings.
6.28.22: Committee continues to meet and will start writing study results and report to Council.
12.1.22: Draft report will be presented to HRRC for review & comment and approval before report is submitted to City Council.
Initiative # 6 Initiative Type ☐ Project ☒ Ongoing / Annual ☐ Event
Council Charge ☐ 1 (Study & Report) ☒ 2 (Review & Comment) ☐ 3 (Review & Recommend) ☐ 4 (Review & Decide)
Following completion of staff development of internal process, assist
staff with the promotion of city Form to Report Bias or Discrimination.
Deliverable
Feedback and support to staff.
Leads:
Felton, Pastrana,
Missaghi
Target
Completion Date
December 2022
Budget Required: (Completed by staff) Are there funds available for this project? If there are not funds available, explain the impact of Council approving this
initiative.
Staff Support Required (Completed by staff):
3.22.22: Staff have been researching and developing process.
7.22.22: Staff continue to develop process, create staff resources, technology and review internal documents such as correspondence letters to public.
9.6.22: Staff emailed committee to schedule a check-in meeting.
10.19.22: Committee with staff liaison met on 9.16.22 to discuss ideas to promote form and ways to educate on the process.
Approved by City Council December 7, 2021
Parking Lot: (These items have been considered by the BC, but not proposed as part of this year’s work plan. If the BC decides they would like to
work on them in the current year, it would need to be approved by Council.)
- Ageism: helping community understand, how to mitigate it, educate and assess
- Felony Rights and Education: Public education, voting rights access
- Assess how the City of Edina can continue to recognize and celebrate the diversity in our community and propose actions [for the City and/or volunteers] to
implement, including for example, displays in Edina City Hall which recognize culturally significant holidays and flags or other symbols which recognize the many
diverse cultures in Edina.
1
Naming of City Facilities
Recommendations for Policy and Procedure
DRAFT Report to the Edina City Council by the
City of Edina Human Rights & Relations Commission
December xx, 2022
Introduction, Purpose, and Executive Summary
The City of Edina has never had a policy for naming, renaming, and dedicating City
facilities. Naming and renaming has been done by the Edina City Council on a case-by-
case basis.1
In 2021, the Council approved a request by the City of Edina Human Rights & Relations
Commission (HRCC) to include a study on the naming of City facilities in its 2022 work
plan. The HRRC, concerned about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the naming of
public facilities, proposed to study the issues and report back to the Council with
findings including criteria for a potential naming policy.
The purpose of this report is to complete the HRRC work plan initiative. The report gives
current conditions, including brief histories of Edina park and facility names; summaries
of previous studies and recommendations by the City of Edina Park Board (now the
Parks & Recreation Commission) and Race and Equity Task Force; proposals for
guiding principles; and recommendations for procedure based on best practices used
by other cities and major institutions.
With more specific recommendations below, the HRRC concludes that the City of
Edina, in accordance with sound governance and democratic ideals, should establish a
process for the naming of City facilities that is transparent and guided by clear
principles, and that will enable community members to have input into naming choices.
Current Conditions
The name of a public facility may convey information about its geographic location; its
history; or its function, purposes, or services offered. Over half (22) of Edina’s 41 parks
have names that convey their geographic location. Eleven are named for streets on
which they are located, which lead into them, or which are nearby. Five are named for
subdivisions in which they are located. Three are named for mixed-use developments in
1 City of Edina Parks & Recreation Director John Keprios, quoted in Minutes of the Edina Park Board Work Session,
8/09/10, page 7, and in Minutes of the Edina Park Board Regular Meeting, 4/12/11, page 3.
2
which they are located. Two are named for the schools to which they are adjacent. One
is named for an adjacent lake.2
History is conveyed by the names of just five Edina parks. Specifically, Centennial
Lakes Park was approved in the City’s centennial year, 1988; McGuire Park stands
where the pioneer McGuire family farmed into the 20th century; Weber Park is located in
the former one-constable Village of Morningside; Wooddale Park was site of Wooddale
Elementary School from 1926-1985; and Yancey Park is near where the Yancey family,
Edina’s most prominent Black pioneers and civic leaders, farmed.3
Sixteen of Edina’s 41 parks are named for people. Arneson Acres Park was donated by
and is named for the late Morton and Katherine Arneson. Pamela Park is named for the
daughter of the former landowner. Williams Park commemorates the life and service of
Sgt. Dwight Carleton Williams, who was killed in action in 1945.4
The other 13 parks are named for former Village or City officials, including four
mayors/Council presidents, two Council members, two Park Board and Planning
Commission members, a city manager, a Parks & Recreation director, a constable, and
a village clerk. Most served during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and all but two (Alden
and Yancey) were white and male.5
Previous Studies and Recommendations in Edina
City of Edina Park Board
On April 5, 2011, the Council, at the request of the Park Board and with staff support,
authorized formation of a Park Board committee to “study donations policy and establish
a naming of parks and facilities policy.”6 The committee became the Naming of Parks
and Facilities and Donations Policy Working Group with the addition of members of the
public. Full membership included Ellen Jones, (Working Group Chair and Park Board
Vice Chair), Joseph Hulbert (Park Board member), Tom Gump (Edina Rotary), Bob
Kojetin (Edina Historical Society), Andy Otness (League of Women Voters of Edina),
Ray Giske, Rick Ites, and David Mesenbourg.7
On May 9, 2012, the Working Group presented its report and separate draft policies to
the Park Board, which discussed, amended, and approved the draft Naming and
Dedication of City Facilities policy on a 7-1 vote.8 The Council heard from the Working
2 Appendix A, City of Edina Park Names, condensed from record created by Robert J. Kojetin, City of Edina Parks &
Recreation Director, 1977-1994, also attached as Appendix B.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Edina City Council, 4/05/11, page 4. Agenda Item III.G.
7 Summary Document by Ellen Jones, Park Board Vice Chairperson and Working Group Chair, submitted to Edina
Park Board, 5/03/12, for regular meeting packet, page 1.
8 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Edina Park Board, 5/08/12, pages 1-6.
3
Group at a regular meeting on August 21, 2012,9 and discussed the draft naming policy
at work sessions on January 22, 201310 and February 18, 2014,11 but took no action on
it.
The Working Group reported the following concerns about the City’s naming practice, of
Council members individually or as a body receiving a recommendation or request for
naming or renaming, considering the request with perhaps the advice of a board or
commission, and voting without public input:
• Residents of Edina and especially neighbors of the facility were not being
informed of and involved in the naming process.
• There was no stipulation for public support for a name.
• There was no study time or reflection period for a name proposal.
• The process for naming or renaming was not clear or transparent.
• The process does not allow for consideration of a total spectrum of potential
name ideas, but only whether to accept the proposed name.
• The City’s history may not be protected with current practice.
• The process did not adequately allow for a full discussion of diversity, Edina
residency, geographic nor historical merit.
• Most other cities have policies that either do not allow or severely restrict naming
of facilities for individuals. Edina has many facilities named for individuals.
• There are a relatively small number of facilities to name, so the naming process
should be extremely intentional.12
To address these concerns, the Working Group recommended that the City create a
naming process that “should be systematic, consistent, fair, open to all residents, and
should indicate public support. It should aid in the selection of names that are respectful
of the history of the site or area, suitable to the property or facility, and useful to the
public in locating the facility.”13
The draft policy, Working Group Summary Document, and minutes of Park Board and
Council meetings are attached as Appendix C.
City of Edina Race and Equity Initiative
In late 2016 and very early 2017, the Council appointed a task force to address long
term racial inequities in the community. The Race & Equity Task Force and associated
working groups labored for 18 months to assess the City’s policies and procedures
governing the operation of its facilities, institutions, and services.14
9 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Edina City Council, 8/21/12, Agenda Item VII. C., page 4.
10 Minutes of the Work Session of the Edina City Council, 1/22/13.
11 Minutes of the Work Session of the Edina City Council, 2/18/14.
12 Summary Document by Ellen Jones, Park Board Vice Chairperson and Working Group Chair, page 5.
13 Ibid.
14 Race & Equity Initiative, Final Report & Recommendations, Version 2.0, 6/26/18, Executive Summary, page 5.
https://www.edinamn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5021/Race-and-Equity-Final-Report-and-Recommendations-
PDF?bidId=
4
The Task Force recommended 21 actions and changes, organized in five themes of
identified need: accountability, building relationships with communities of color, gather
data, belonging (community feeling), and policies.15
The very first recommendation was that the City create Race Equity Accountability
Measures, including hiring or identifying a Race Equity manager, who would be part of
the City’s leadership team; providing an annual report to the Council and public on
progress toward established racial equity goals; and including implementation of race
equity goals in the formal annual performance goals for City executive leaders.16
The second in the list of 21 recommendations was made to address a feeling many
participants expressed of “not feeling welcome or a sense of belonging” in the
community.17 The recommendation was titled “Attribution for historically significant
contribution of Yancey family to Edina’s history” and it directed “Name a public facility in
the Grandview area, if not Edina City Hall, after BC [Beverly Claiborne] and Ellen
Yancey.”18
In 2019, incorporating the recommendations of the Task Force in their work plans, three
City of Edina advisory commissions, the HRRC, Parks & Recreation Commission, and
Heritage Preservation Commission, began working to identify a public facility to be
named for BC and Ellen Yancey. Collectively, the three commissions sought to identify
a public facility that was a vibrant part of the Edina community, highly visible, and used
frequently by a variety of community members for a variety of reasons.19
Contrasting a public building that would likely be referred to by the business conducted
in it with a park that people would always refer to by name, the commissions chose a
park to ensure that the Yancey name would be remembered and used for generations
to come.20
The Yancey family homestead had been located in the Grandview area. Commissioners
identified two parks close to but not in Grandview: the five-acre Wooddale Park, at W.
50th and Wooddale Avenue, and the 19-acre Garden Park, on Hansen Road and
Vernon Avenue, close to the western border of Grandview. With Wooddale Park already
commemorating the former Wooddale School, the HRRC submitted an official
recommendation to the Council to rename Garden Park to Yancey Park.21
15 Ibid., pages 5-6.
16 Ibid., page 37.
17 Ibid., page 6.
18 Ibid., page 37.
19 Jasmine Stringer Moore, HRRC member.
20 Ibid.
21 Ibid.
5
The Council voted to approve the recommended renaming at its regular meeting on
October 7, 2020.22 Following discovery of and legal action to renounce a discriminatory
covenant on the land, a public dedication and celebration was held on October 4, 2021.
Naming Policies and Procedures in Public Jurisdictions: Authority, Issues and
Examples
Minnesota law requires that cities name or rename public streets by
ordinance, Minnesota Statute, Section 412.221, subd.18 , but there is no state law that
governs, prescribes, or restricts the process cities use to name or rename other public
facilities.
Other considerations make formal naming policy necessary and desirable.
First, the naming of public property deploys a public asset.23 The naming of public
facilities is discussed at length and in detail in the law review article: “Trademarks of
Privilege: Naming Rights and the Physical Public Domain,” published in the University of
California Davis Law Review. Its author, Ann Bartow, Associate Professor of Law at the
University of South Carolina School of Law, asserts that “Public parks, schools, roads,
buildings, and related amenities are valuable because they are visible and useful. When
names or trademarks are appended to these public assets, the honoree or mark holder
reaps some measure of this value, and thus this value is “privatized.”24
Second, the names of public facilities reflect the values and culture of a community.
Bartow emphasizes, “Naming practices are important because the names of public
amenities communicate information about a community and its heritage.”25 Because
“Naming choices embrace certain social values and eschew others,”26 Bartow argues
that a naming process should explicitly consider the “communicative message made by
any particular naming.”27
Third, the naming of public facilities may present opportunities to advance equity and
inclusion. Advocates for renaming of some national parks and public lands “hope to
bring about a future when parks and public lands are fully inclusive—not only in the
policies and culture that govern who gets to enjoy them, but in who and what they
22 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Edina City Council, 10/07/20. Newspaper account
https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_current/community/edina-park-renamed-in-honor-of-black-
pioneers/article_0571b28a-0fd2-11eb-8936-
2b20ba6d33d5.html#:~:text=The%20Edina%20City%20Council%20voted,and%20equity%20work%20in%20Edina.
23 Ann Bartow, “Trademarks of Privilege: Naming Rights and the Physical Public Domain,” University of California
Davis Law Review, Vol. 40, No. 3 (2007); 970. See discussion supra Part III.
https://lawreview.law.ucdavis.edu/issues/40/3/distributive-justice-and-ip/DavisVol40No3_Bartow.pdf
24 Ibid., 921.
25 Ibid., 929.
26 Ibid., 969
27 Ibid.
6
honor.”28 In Minnesota, both the Ramsey County Board and the University of Minnesota
Board of Regents have adopted or amended naming policies to focus on diversity,
equity, and inclusion, Ramsey County in February 2020 and the U of M in February
2022.
The goals and guiding principles of naming policy differs among jurisdictions. The U of
M policy states guiding principles of fostering community and belonging; preserving
history; recognizing exceptionality; deliberately considering each request; and allowing
change29 The City of Faribault, which adopted a Park Naming Policy on December 8,
2020, reserves the naming of parks and facilities for “circumstances that will best serve
the interests of the city and ensure a worthy and enduring legacy for the City’s parks
and recreation system.”30
Bartow urges strong minimum standards for process: “Every government entity vested
with naming power should, at a minimum, codify some naming principles, and make the
entire process reasonably transparent, accessible to all community members, and
accountable for the values and messages embedded in their naming choices.”31 “The
terms and conditions of the naming should also be reasonably unambiguous, and the
individuals or entities with the power to name or rename public facilities should be
spelled out.”32
Conclusion/HRRC Recommendation
The HRRC finds that the names of City facilities are public assets, and that those
names reflect and reinforce community values. Therefore, in accordance with sound
governance and democratic ideals, the HRRC recommends that the Council establish a
process for the naming of City facilities that is transparent and guided by clear
principles, and that will enable community members to have input into naming choices.
To continue to name and rename City facilities without clear standards and a clear
process does a disservice to our community, effectively allowing historic practices which
reflect dominant cultures to usurp public assets.
Proposed Guiding Principles (this section is in very draft form and will be completed)
1. Authority – The Edina City Council has the sole authority to dedicate, rename, or
establish a legal name for a City facility. This is consistent with the principles and
practices of other cities.
2. Goals – Names for City facilities should
28 https://www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/its-time-own-racism-and-violence-embedded-names-parks-and-
public-lands.
29 University of Minnesota Board of Regents Policy: Namings and Renamings, last amended 2/11/22, 1.
30 City of Faribault Naming Policy, adopted 12/08/20, 1.
31 Bartow; 969.
32 Ibid., 970.
7
• Foster a welcoming community;
• Promote inclusion and a sense of belonging for community users;
• Preserve City history by not erasing historical moments, persons, or places; and
• Honor exceptionality.
3. Priority – for a park or natural space, priority should be given to a name that reflects a
• Geographic location or characteristic;
• Natural feature associated with or located in the facility;
• Historic event associated with the facility;
4. Naming/renaming for individuals – consideration must include
• Significant connection to the facility being named or renamed;
• Significant contribution to the facility and/or Edina community;
• Moral character;
• Waiting period between time of contribution and naming. St. Paul limits naming to
individuals who have been dead at least three years.
Any process to determine names for new facilities and renaming of existing facilities
must explicitly consider the values and culture being communicated.
[Scaling of memory – p. 955]
Recommendations for Procedure (this is a placeholder for a section yet to be drafted)
“Because individuals have little choice but to use the names and trademarks that are
officially appended to the physical public domain, it is important that as citizens they
have at least some opportunity to participate in the processes by which these names
and trademarks are chosen.” UC Davis p.963
“Every government entity vested with naming power should, at a minimum, codify some
naming principles, and make the entire process reasonably transparent, accessible to
all community members, and accountable for the values and messages
embedded in their naming choices.” UC Davis p. 969
DRAFT – not final document
DRAFT APPENDIX A
City of Edina Park Names
1. Alden Park -- originally Jackson/Belmore Park; renamed for Gretchen S. Alden,
Edina Village Clerk, 1955-1964. NW quadrant.
2. Arden Park – named for the street leading to its north end. NE quadrant.
3. Arneson Acres Park – named on 1/02/69 for landowners Morton and Katherine
Arneson, who donated the land to the Village of Edina. SE quadrant.
4. Birchcrest Park – located near Birchcrest Drive. NW quadrant.
5. Braemar Park – former Hayes Farm, given “Scottish” name by the Park Board and
Council. SW quadrant. City facilities in the park include:
• Braemar Arena
• Braemar Golf Course
• Warren C. Hyde Clubhouse – named for first Edina City Manager, who served
from 1955-1977.
• Courtney Fields – named on 1/09/89 for C. Wayne Courtney, who served 27
years as Mayor and a member of the Village Council.
6. Bredesen Park -- originally Mud Lake Park. Renamed with dedication of wildlife
reserve in June 1979 for Arthur C. Bredesen, Edina Trustee and Mayor, 1951-1973. NW
quadrant.
7. Browndale Park – named for the street on which it is located, which is named for
pioneer farmer Henry F. Brown. Former site of the Waterville and Edina mills. NE
quadrant.
8. Centennial Lakes Park – named for the mixed-use development in which it is
located, approved in the City’s centennial year, 1988, and built on the site of a former
gravel pit. SE quadrant. City facilities in the park include:
• Hughes Pavilion – originally the Centennial Lakes Park Centrum. Renamed on
7/20/10 for Gordon Hughes, City employee, 1974-2010, and third City Manager,
1998-2010.
• Maetzold Amphitheatre – originally the Centennial Lakes Park Amphitheatre.
Renamed on 1/18/05 for Dennis F. Maetzold, Edina Mayor, 1999-2005; City
Council Member, 1995-1999; and Board of Education Member, 1988-1994.
9. Chowen Park – named for the street on which it is located. NE quadrant.
10. Cornelia School Park – named for nearby Lake Cornelia; located adjacent to
Cornelia Elementary School. SE quadrant.
11. Countryside Park – named for the subdivision in which it is located, just under one
mile from Countryside Elementary School. NW quadrant.
12. Creek Valley School Park – located near Creek Valley Road, adjacent to Creek
Valley Elementary School. SW quadrant.
13. Edina Promenade – located north of Centennial Lakes Park. SE quadrant.
14. Edinborough Park – named for the mixed-use development in which it is located.
Edina’s only indoor park, built with TIF funds, and opened in 1987. SE quadrant.
15. Fox Meadow Park – located adjacent to Blake Road. Private donors funded and
named park. NW quadrant.
16. Grandview Square Park – named for the mixed-use development in which it is
located. NW quadrant.
17. Heights Park – named for the subdivision in which it is located. SW quadrant.
18. Highlands Park – named for the subdivision in which it is located, several blocks
from Highlands Elementary School. NW quadrant.
19. Kojetin Park -- originally 44th Street Park. Renamed for Robert J. Kojetin, Edina
Parks & Recreation Assistant Director, 1962-1976; Director, 1977-1994. NE quadrant, in
the former Village of Morningside.
20. Lewis Park – land donated for park and dedicated August 1978. Named for William
Wardwell Lewis, former member of Edina Park Board, 1948-1973, and Edina Planning
Commission, 1952 – [date unspecified]; Park Board Chairman, 1968. SW quadrant.
21. McGuire Park – located on McGuire Road, which is named for the family that
farmed on the site into the 20th century. SW quadrant.
22. Melody Lake Park – located between Melody Lake and the street, Melody Lane.
NW quadrant.
23. Normandale Park – named for subdivision in which it is located. SW quadrant.
24. Pamela Park – named for daughter of former land owner. NE quadrant.
25. Fred Richards Park – originally Lake Edina Park. Adjacent City parkland and small
private golf course combined to build Fred Richards Golf Course, named for former
Mayor and City Council Member, xxxx-xxxx. When golf course closed in 2014, park
renamed Fred Richards Park. SE quadrant. VERIFY
26. Rosland Park -- originally Lake Cornelia Park. Renamed for Kenneth Rosland,
Edina Parks & Recreation Director and City Manager, 1958-1998. SE quadrant. City
facilities in the park include:
• Edina Art Center, including Peggy Kelly Media Arts Studio, named for former
member, Edina Board of Education, 1978-1984 and first female chair; former
member, Edina City Council, 1985-1997; Mayor Pro Tem, 1989-1997.
• Edina Aquatic Center
27. St. John’s Park – named for street on which it is located. NE quadrant.
28. Sherwood Park – named for street on which it is located. NW quadrant.
29. Strachauer Park -- originally Beard Park; renamed for Hermann H. Strachauer,
Edina Park Board Member, 1948-1961; Chairman, 1951-1960.
NE quadrant.
30. Tingdale Park – named for street on which it is located. NW quadrant.
31. Todd Park -- originally Division & Rutledge Park. Open space donated for park
1972. Renamed in May 1978 for T. Lea Todd, who served 1943-1968 as Edina
Planning Commission Chairman and President, Edina Village Council. NW quadrant.
32. Frank Tupa Park -- named for “a long-time council member”. Across Eden Avenue
from Edina City Hall. NE quadrant.
33. Utley Park -- named for Harold Utley, “long-time resident and Council member.”
Formerly part of Wooddale Park, located across W. 50th Street. Now site of Edina
Veterans Memorial. NE quadrant.
34. Van Valkenburg Park -- originally Malibu Park and Grandview Park, and, before
that, part of Grandview Cemetery. Renamed for James Van Valkenburg, Edina Mayor,
xxxx-xxxx. NW quadrant.
35. Walnut Ridge Park – named for street leading into it, Walnut Drive. NW quadrant.
36. Weber Park -- originally Morningside Park, located in the Village of Morningside,
1920-1967. Renamed for George Weber, longtime Morningside resident and constable.
NE quadrant.
37. Williams Park – named for Sgt. Dwight Carleton Williams, 1924-1945, ski trooper,
10th Mountain Division, killed in action in Italy, 4/30/45. Former mill site on which
Williams played as a boy. NE quadrant.
38. Wooddale Park – former site of and named after Wooddale Elementary School,
1926-1985. NE quadrant.
39. Yancey Park – originally Garden Park. Renamed on 10/07/20 and dedicated on
10/04/21 for B.C. and Ellen Yancey, Edina’s most prominent Black pioneers. B.C.
(Beverly Claiborne) served as village incorporator, Recorder, and Justice of the Peace
and Ellen founded the Edina PTA. NW quadrant.
40. York Park – named for street on which it is located. Site of Timmy Nunn memorial
baseball field. NE quadrant.
41 Yorktown Park – named for subdivision in which it is located. SE quadrant.