HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-18 HRRC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE
HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
7:00 PM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024
Meeting location:
Edina City Hall
Community Room
4801 W. 50th St.
Edina, MN
1. Call to Order
Chair Khalifa calls the meeting to order at 7:06PM.
2. Roll Call
Answering rollcall were Members Bianca Dawkins, Daisy Khalifa, Jim Nelson, Jan Stone.
Student Commissioner Pranika Kumar was also in attendance.
Absent: Jon Rogers, Jasmine Brett Stringer Moore
Late: Fartun Ismail (arrived 7:23PM)
3. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Nelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stone, to
Approval.
Ayes: Bianca Dawkins, Daisy Khalifa, Jim Nelson, Jan Stone
Nays: None
Motion Passed
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes
4.1. Minutes
Commissioner Stone made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to
Approval.
Ayes: Bianca Dawkins, Daisy Khalifa, Jim Nelson, Jan Stone
Nays: None
Motion Passed
5. Community Comment
None.
6. Reports/Recommendations
6.1. 2024 Tom Oye Award Presentation Debrief
Commissioners commented on:
• how well attended the award presentation was,
• how wonderful the video worked out for the audience and the great coordination
from Communications staff,
• and how great it was to speak with the award recipients and others in the
community who have been positively impacted by the Edina Unified program.
Staff is excited for the momentum realized in nominations for this award cycle. Staff also
mentioned that most of the Tom Oye award process will be moved to an internal
process, with the Human Rights and Engagement Task Force supporting staff by selecting
the award recipient. This was done for process efficiency, and also to preserve the
capacity of those involved in the new Task Force to focus on more pressing work plan
items.
6.2. 2025 Human Rights and Engagement Task Force Updates
Staff provided updates on scheduling and general framework for the change from a
Commission to a Task Force structure.
• The first meeting on January 15th, 2025.
o This meeting will give an overview of the Equity Strategic Action Plan
process and answer any grounding and framework questions.
• The final version of the Task Force charter will be dispersed soon with the "draft"
verbiage removed.
o This document will provide a starting point for the Task Force, but does
not ingrain any preconceived notions for how this Task Force will move
forward after 2025.
• Meetings moving forward will be more like a working session.
o This will decrease commitment levels for those interested in participating,
and follow a more conversational and informal, yet facilitated process.
6.3. Race and Equity Work Plan Overview and Updates
Staff gave an update to commissioners on the Race and Equity Work Plan, which was
implemented back in 2019 and developed by the Race and Equity Task Force. The main
themes from this plan include:
• Accountability & Data Collection
• City Facilities & Services
• Community Engagement & Communications
• Development & Enforcement Policies
• Employee Training & Diversity
Much of this plan's work will be an ongoing effort with staff - in other words, there is no
check the box on many of the projects that were included on this plan because their
work is never truly finished.
Anyone interested in specific progress reporting on the projects and tasks within the five
main themes previously mentioned should:
1. go to the City website and click on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion heading under
Departments,
2. or follow this link: Race & Equity Work Plan
7. Chair and Member Comments
Commissioners asked about the frequency of a representative from the police
department giving an update to the Task Force/Commission in 2025.
• Staff responded by saying this cadence is up to the Commission/Task Force and
probably got lost in the reorganizing of staff HRRC liaison and JCPP changes.
Commissioners ask about how the student commissioner roles will be affected with the
new Task Force structure.
• Staff responded by saying student commissioners will now be a task force
member, like all other commissioner roles. Specific to student task force
members, they will gain the ability to vote on items as needed though there will
be less voting and more consensus building as the group moves from a
commission to a task force structure.
Commissioners wish everyone a happy holidays and safe travel if you are headed outside
of Edina to celebrate.
8. Staff Comments
8.1. Staff Report
Staff mentioned residents and commissioners can Google for Culture Brokers ESAP
documents used in neighboring Minnesota communities to get a better understanding of
what the City's work with Culture Brokers will look like.
Staff updated the HRRC on the new Values Viewfinder recognition, the Values Viewfinder
Spirit Stick, that began recently with a Fred Richards Park design and construction
Council item. This traveling recognition is intended to be given to different staff monthly
for those who take the time to explain how the City's identified values are impacted
through different Council action items for better transparency and connection on day-to-
day tasks. Parks & Recreation staff Rachel Finberg was the first to be recognized with the
Spirit Stick for her Council item regarding Fred Richards Park in November 2024.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Nelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dawkins,
to Adjourn.
Ayes: Bianca Dawkins, Daisy Khalifa, Fartun Ismail, Jim Nelson, Jan Stone
Nays: None
Motion Passed, and meeting adjourned at 7:57PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Minutes approved by Edina Human Rights & Relations Commission, DATE
Video Copy of the December 18, 2024, meeting available.