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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 09-11 HRC Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD Human Rights Commission 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 11, 2012 Council Chambers City Hall A. Call to Order A meeting of the Commission was held in the city hall council chambers and called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Brandt. B. Roll Call Jon Brandt, Chairperson Present Nathan Danielson, Commissioner Present Maurice Fortin , Commissioner Present Jeffrey Kringle, Commissioner Present Teresa Manzella, Commissioner Present Julie Xiong, Commissioner Present C. Approval of Agenda D. Approval of Minutes Commission Fortin moved to approve the minutes of September 11, 2012 as submitted. Seconded by Commission Kringle Ayes – all E. New Business 1. HRC Position Statement for the Constitutional Amendment Forums Chairperson Brandt read a draft of a statement outlining the intent of the upcoming forums that will be held. Commissioners added their input into the statement for further discussion. Commissioner Manzella moved to approve the position statement as submitted with edits as discussed. Position Statement The Human Rights Commission has a mandate to promote human rights in the City of Maplewood. In the interests of integrity and transparency, the HRC and its individual members are neither neutral nor unbiased on any issues of civil rights or human rights. The HRC believes that fairly and objectively promoting education about civil rights issues support the public policy goals of the HRC. Both the ballot issues and subjects of the Forums may be viewed by many as issues of civil rights, but the ballot issues have many sides to them. Conservative and liberal perspectives on complex social issues are not polar opposites, but rather a set of values that people largely agree on and, on a continuum, assign different weights to competing values. These proposed amendments are difficult public policy issues because reasonable people often disagree on the amount of weight that should be given to different considerations. A few examples: both sides on the marriage amendment might agree that it is in the best interest of society to promote monogamous relationships, but might give different weight to whether gender is an essential criterion for marriage, or to how important marriage is to raising kids, or the role of religion in defining marriage. And both sides of the voter identification issue might agree that voters should be eligible to vote but might give different weight to the burden of proof that determines eligibility, or whether such issues belong in the Minnesota Constitution. For these reasons the HRC believes that citizens will vote for or against the amendments for many different reasons. The HRC, through these Forums, is committed to helping voters learn more about these issues by enlisting speakers to present facts and information and facilitating public discourse on the competing values. Consistent with the above position statements, in order to maintain integrity and objectivity in sponsoring the forums, the HRC is adopting the following understanding: • The HRC does not speak for the city council or represent the position of the City of Maplewood. • Any position of individual HRC members is not the official position of the HRC. • Although various members of the HRC will be present during the forums, the HRC will not convene during the forums. • As a nod to the integrity of the forums, the HRC as a body will not issue a resolution on the amendments prior to the forums. • The target audience for the forums is voters that are undecided on the amendments and would like to learn more about different sides of the issues. • The forums will not be a “rally” to vote “Yes” or “No” on the amendments. • Invited speakers are not expected to be impartial but are expected to be objective and educational. • The agenda and presentations are expected to be conducted in a manner that facilitates a range of views rather than a repetition of views. • The fairness of the forum should be judged on the breadth and depth of information and issues discussed and not simply measured by the number of partisan speakers nor the amount of time that is devoted to partisan viewpoints. • Audience participation at the forums will be at the sole discretion of the hosts and moderator. All presenters and participants are expected to be respectful and civil throughout the forums. Seconded by Commissioner Danielson Ayes - all “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927 - 2003), US Senator 2. Discussion on School Essay Contest Commissioners Xiong and Danielson presented the Human Rights Essay Contest rules and procedures that local schools will be asked to participate in. Commissioner Xiong also outlined the judging criteria and the award ceremony which is anticipated to be held at the December HRC meeting. 3. Feminism and Gay Rights Commissioner Manzella gave a presentation on Examining Feminism in the Context of Gay Rights. 4. Review/Update on Upcoming Forums/Report on Forums or Meetings Attended or Other Related HR Issues (This item is on the agenda to give the Commissioners an opportunity to announce upcoming meetings or give a report on meetings or forums that they have attended.) Chairperson Brandt shared a billboard that is displayed in Duluth entitled “It is Hard to See Racism if You are White” and discussion was held regarding it. F. Old Business 1. Planning Discussion on Voter ID Forum – October 9th Commissioner Danielson gave an overview of how the ad hoc committee is progressing with planning including that the forum will be held for two hours and will be in the council chambers. Each speaker will be given time to express their side of the issue with the forum ending with a question and answer period. Chairperson Brandt gave a brief overview of how he would like to see the forum organized and discussion was held regarding the overall layout of the evening. 2. Planning Discussion on Marriage Forum – October 23rd Chairperson Brandt gave an overview of how the planning has progressed thus far. The forum will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and be held at the Maplewood Community Center. The goal is to confirm speakers that are nonpartisan on the issue. G. Staff Presentations None H. Visitor Presentations None I. Adjournment – 8:25 p.m.