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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.25.21 HRRC_Minutes_ApprovedDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 6/22/2021 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Human Rights & Relations Commission Virtual Meeting, WebEx, May 25, 2021 7 p.m. I. Call To Order Chair Epstein shared information for virtual meeting guidelines for Commissioners and those watching or listening in to the meeting. Chair Epstein called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. II. Roll Call Answering Roll Call: Chair Epstein, Commissioners Edwards, Felton, Ismail, Ross, Stringer Moore, Segall, and Bennett; Student Commissioners Lichtenberger and Mirza Staff Present: Heidi Lee, Race & Equity Coordinator; Risi Karim, City Management Fellow Absent: Commissioner Guadarrama and Student Commissioner Borene Late: III. Approval of Meeting Agenda Motion by Commissioner Ross to approve the May 25, 2021 meeting agenda, seconded by Commissioner Stringer Moore. Roll call vote. Motion carried. IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes Commissioners indicated the following changes to the draft minutes: No changes Motion by Commissioner Bennett to approve the April 27, 2021 meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Ross. Roll call vote. Motion carried. V. Special Recognitions & Presentations A. Board and Commission Member Review • Engagement Coordinator MJ Lamon presented to the Commission the annual Boards & Commission Member Review. Sharing updates made to guiding documents and fielded questions related to Work Plan Development. B. Human Service Task Force • City Management Fellow Risi Karim gave a brief introduction about the Human Service Task Force and requested a volunteer from the Commission to serve on Task Force. • Due to timeline of the Task Force and the reappointment process for Student Commissioners it was determined that Student Commissioners are not eligible to serve on the Task Force. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 6/22/2021 Motion by Commissioner Felton to appoint Commissioner Bennett to the Human Service Task Force, seconded by Commissioner Segall. Roll call vote. Motion carried. VI. Reports/Recommendations A. 2021 Work Plan Development • The Commission discussed the 2021 Work Plan o Initiative #1 – Days of Remembrance Commissioner Stringer Moore shared the following updates with the Commission: - Days of Remembrance will be held on July 29th at 7pm in Edina City Hall - The event will be Hybrid, with the in-person component being held in the council chambers. - Manny Gabler is confirmed as the keynote speaker for the event. - Student Commissioners Mirza and Lichtenberger will serve as the MC’s of the event The subcommittee also request that all commissioners save the date and make themselves available to assist during the event. o Initiative #2 – Tom Oye Award - Commissioner Edwards comments that the subcommittee will likely follow the same timeline as previous years, kicking off the initiative in the fall. o Initiative #3 – Sharing Values Sharing Community Event - Commissioner Bennett shares that she has been in contact with the city’s communication team to begin planning for a hybrid event. - Commissioner Bennett inquires feedback from the Committee regarding the location of the event and the technology needed to make the event hybrid. o Initiative #4 – Race, Justice, and Policing Community Awareness Plan & Implementation - Mentioned in information shared for Initiative #3 o Initiative #5 – Bias Offense Review - No update o Initiative #6 – Review and comment on a plan developed by P&R and R&E staff - Staff Liaison lee shared with the commission that herself and Parks & Rec Director have begun meeting to discuss the project as well as reached out to other communities to inquire about how they went about receiving public participation. VII. Chair and Member Comments • Chair Epstein reflect on the George Floyd incident that took place in May of 2020 and how his time on the HRRC shaped his experience and ability to process the situation. • Commissioner Edwards notes that there have been numerous incidents of hate towards several marginalized groups and shares that she believed the HRRC is a great place to start enacting change. • Commissioner Bennett thanks the Commission for their support in asking council to weigh in on the legislature for police reform. • Commissioner Stringer Moore asks members of the Commission to reflect on the following: o What you have learned in the past year o What you are committed to doing as it related to equity, equality, and social justice o What you are going to do and what you wished people would do - Commissioner Stringer Moore brings attention to the heighted and growing number of bias incidents to several marginalized communities across the country. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 6/22/2021 - Commissioner Stringer Moore acknowledges that this month is Asian American Island Pacific Heritage month as well as Mental Health Awareness month. - Commissioner Stringer Moore shares that Edina Police Chief Dave Nelson has announced his retirement and in addition the city has hired Andrew Slama to be the city’s new Fire Chief. - As of May 14th the state’s mask mandate is no longer in effect. City Facilities no longer require mask. • Commissioner Ismail shares her commitment to educating others about the Islamic observance of Ramadan. Commissioner Ismail also shares that she is pleased with the outcome of the Derek Chauvin trial. • Commissioner Segall announced that the League of Women Voters and Edina Community Foundation are jointly launching a study titled “Operational Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” in Edina, with a focus on business ,institutions and organizations in Edina. • Commissioner Ross recalls the George Floyd incident and affirms that the HRRC should continue to play a role in the community to facilitates conversations around race & equity. • Student Commissioner Mirza reflects on his time serving on the HRRC and is grateful for all the things he has learned while serving. VIII. Staff Comments • Staff Liaison Lee shares the following: o On May 24th Gov Waltz issued a proclamation encouraging everyone in the state of Minnesota to join in a moment of silence at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, to honor George Floyd and every person whose life has been cut short due to systems of racism and discrimination in Minnesota. o City Hall will open to the public June 21st, City Council will be the first public meeting to go back in person. Bit has not yet been determined when Boards & Commissions will return to in person meetings. o Staff Liaison Lee provided a race and Equity Work Summary to the Commission IX. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Felton to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Ross. Roll call vote. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.