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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 02-08 HRC MinutesFebruary 8, 2011 Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes 1 MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2011 Council Chambers, Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Commission was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Commissioner Simon. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners Jon Brandt, Commissioner Present William Joanis, Commissioner Present Jeffrey Kringle, Chairperson Present Arianne Maxwell, Commissioner Present Marie Ridgeway, Commissioner Present Laurie Rose Simon, Vice Chairperson Present Charlotte Winnen, Commissioner Present Staff City Clerk, Director Citizen Services, Karen Guilfoile City Clerk, Director of Citizen Services, Karen Guilfoile swore in Commissioner, Charlotte Winnen. Ms. Guilfoile gave a brief report indicating the HRC is required to annually appoint a chair and vice chair to run the meetings annually. Because this commission just began, the commission has to nominate a Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Brandt nominated Commissioner Jeffrey Kringle as Chair. There was a vote by a show of hands and all commissioners voted for Jeffrey Kringle to serve as Chairperson. Commissioner Laurie Rose Simon volunteered to serve as Vice Chair and was approved with all Ayes. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Simon moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Brandt. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APP ROVAL OF MINUTES February 8, 2011 Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes 2 Approval of the January 11, 2011, Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes. Chairperson Kringle had a correction to the adjournment time, it should be 8 p.m. Commissioner Simon moved to approve the January 11, 2011, Human Rights Commission Minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Ridgeway. Ayes – Chairperson Kringle, Commissioners Brandt, Joanis, Maxwell, Ridgeway & Simon Abstention – Commissioner Winnen The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Review of the Commission Handbook 1. City Clerk, Director Citizen Services gave a brief report regarding the Commission Handbook. City Attorney, Alan Kantrud will be present at the March 8, 2011, meeting to further discuss the Commission Handbook with the Human Rights Commission members. b. Review of the Commissioners Processes and Responsibilities – 1. City Clerk, Director Citizen Services, Karen Guilfoile gave a report on Commissioners Processes and Responsibilities. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS City Clerk, Director, Citizen Services, Karen Guilfoile showed a video from a past city council meeting during visitor presentations regarding a resident who spoke on the domestic partnership ordinance. City Clerk, Director, Citizen Services, Karen Guilfoile reviewed the following items with the commission: a. Future Agenda Items for Discussion Getting to Know Our Neighbors – Commissioner Simon Commissioner Simon said she would like to recommend that the Human Rights Commission hold in depth discussions or forums in the community where people could ask questions after February 8, 2011 Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes 3 a presentation regarding various groups in the community such as religious and GLBT, in conjunction with the schools and area groups in the community. Commissioner Simon said she would work with staff to bring something back to the commission in March. Commissioner Winnen felt it would be a good idea for the commission to understand the different groups in the community before giving an in depth discussion to the community. Commissioner Winnen recommended getting to know other agencies in the area that work with human rights groups such as catholic charities and other non-profit companies to find out the types of people and numbers of residents they see from the City of Maplewood. Commissioner Brandt shared demographics on the overhead from Citydata.com regarding the area demographics. Commissioner Brandt stated there are some excellent videos to help understand the challenges in the community that the commission could share with the public. Commissioner Brandt stated that maybe each commission member could bring something (on a rotating basis) to a commission meeting such as a video, a topic of discussion, an article or material to further educate the commission. Commissioner Brandt felt it may encourage citizens to come forward with discussion items to the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Brandt moved to suspend formality in the meeting and use first names. Seconded by Commissioner Joanis. Ayes – All The motion passed. Commissioner Ridgeway brought up the aging community. She said the Metropolitan Agency on Aging could give statistics on the elderly in our area. When a list is compiled this could be something the commission could invite the public to as well to educate the commission and the community as a whole. Ms. Guilfoile said it may be a good idea to bring someone from an outreach or diverse group to speak at the Human Rights Commission meetings. This could be done in the council chambers or possibly at the Maplewood Community Center. Commissioner Maxwell asked if there was a city event that the Human Rights Commission could share information with the public. Ms. Guilfoile mentioned something could be done at the Taste of Maplewood in August. Commissioner Maxwell was interested in possibly having the Human Rights Commission have a booth at the Taste of Maplewood and then having something larger in the fall for the commission. Commissioner Maxwell stated she has been involved in meetings for the Yellow Ribbon Community and she would be interested in giving a presentation at the March 8, 2011, Human Relations Commission meeting. Equal Rights Organizations in Our Local Schools – Commissioner Ridgeway will work with staff on a report for equal rights organizations in the local schools and bring a presentation back to the commission. Guest Speakers – no discussion February 8, 2011 Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes 4 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Kringle adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.