Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 06-11 HRC Meeting Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD Human Rights Commission 7:00 P.M Tuesday, June 11, 2013 City Hall, Council Chambers A. Call to Order B. Roll Call C. Approval of Agenda D. Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of May 14, 2013 HRC Minutes E. New Business 1. Discussion on Legalization of Same Sex Marriage in the State of Minnesota – No Report 2. Human Rights in the News - 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.) F. Unfinished Business None G. Commissioner Comments / Staff Presentations 1. The Open Meeting Law Do’s and Don’ts – Karen Guilfoile H. Visitor Presentations None I. Adjournment THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD Human Rights Commission 7:00 P.M Tuesday, May 14, 2013 City Hall, Council Chambers A. Call to Order A meeting of the Commission was held in the City Hall council chambers and was called to order at 7:03pm by Chairperson Brandt. B. Roll Call Jon Brandt, Chairperson Present Commissioners Nathan Danielson, Commissioner Absent Yaya Diatta, Commissioner Present Maurice Fortin, Commissioner Present Jeffrey Kringle, Commissioner Absent Julie Xiong, Commissioner Present Staff Karen Guilfoile, City Clerk Present C. Approval of Agenda The following item was added to the agenda: G1. Commissioner Comments / Staff Presentations Chairperson John Brandt moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Councilmember Fortin Ayes – All The motion passed. D. Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of April 09, 2013 HRC Minutes Commissioner Fortin moved to approve the April 09, 2013 Human Rights Commission Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Councilmember Xiong Ayes – All The motion passed. HRC Packet Page Number 1 of 4 E. New Business 1. 2013 Student Art Contest Awards Ceremony Commissioner Xiong awarded the Grade 3-5, 1st place winner to Julia Truong, a 4th grade student at Weaver Elementary School. Chairperson Brandt awarded the Grade 3-5, 2nd place winner to Tony Truong, a 3rd grade student at Weaver Elementary School. Commissioner Diatta awarded the Grade 3-5, 3rd place winner to Namara Jackson, a 4th grade student at Eagle Point Elementary School. Commissioner Xiong awarded the Grade 6-12, 1st place winner to Brad Capocasa, a 7th grade student at Central Middle School. Brad was unable to attend the Award Ceremony; his award was accepted by his teacher, Molly Vadnais. Chairperson Brandt awarded the Grade 6-12, 2nd place winner to Isabel Bibeau, a 7th grade student at Roseville Area Middle School. Isabel was unable to attend the Awards Ceremony. Commissioner Fortin awarded the Grade 6-12, 3rd place winner to Amy Mason, a 7th grade student at Roseville Area Middle School. Commissioner Fortin awarded the Grade 6-12, 4th place winner to Kami Kendall, a 7th grade student at Central Middle School. The Commission recessed for 20 minutes to have a presentation of cake and punch for the art contest winners and their families. F. Unfinished Business None G. Commissioner Comments / Staff Presentations Councilmember Juenemann spoke on the positive impact the HRC Student Art Contest has on the community. Chairperson Brandt, Chairperson Fortin, Commissioner Diatta, and Commissioner Xiong, gave brief comments regarding the State of Minnesota legalizing same-sex marriage. Chairperson Brandt recommended that the June 2013 meeting focus on the same-sex marriage bill. HRC Packet Page Number 2 of 4 Commissioner Diatta recommended inviting a spokesperson for the marriage bill to speak at the June 2013 meeting. Commissioner Fortin recommended inviting MN House Representative, Peter Fischer. H. Visitor Presentations Therese Manzella, former Human Rights Commissioner and Maplewood resident, gave a speech commemorating the same-sex marriage bill. I. Adjournment Commissioner Fortin adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. HRC Packet Page Number 3 of 4 Item G1 MEMORANDUM TO: James Antonen, City Manager FROM: Karen Guilfoile, Director Citizen Services DATE: June 6, 2013 RE: Open Meeting Laws Do’s and Don’ts All governmental entities are governed by the Open Meeting Law (OML). The OML generally requires that all meetings of public bodies be open to the public. Theis presumption of openness serves three basic purposes. It: • Prohibits actions from being taken at a secret meeting where it is impossible for the interested public to become fully informed concerning decisions of public bodies or detect improper influences • Ensures the public’s right to be informed • Gives the public an opportunity to present its views to the public body The Open Meeting Law The Open Meeting Law applies to all standing commissions established by the City Council. Whenever a quorum (majority) of the commission is discussing city business, it is a meeting as defined by the Open Meeting Law. Proper advance notice must be given of such meetings, and the meetings must be open to the public. Minnesota law makes commissioners personally liable for intentional violations of the Open Meeting Law in the form of a civil penalty. Commissioners must be particularly aware of the danger of serial meetings. A “serial” meeting is defined as a situation when members of a city commission individually meet, telephone, email, fax, or otherwise communicate among each other or through a common person about a topic that will eventually involve the commitment or action of a quorum. These kinds of meetings are sometimes referred to as “Daisy Chains” and “Hub and Spokes.” The problem with serial meetings is that they develop a consensus of the members outside of a public meeting and deprive the public of the right to hear the deliberations and to participate in the decision making at a m eaningful time. Members should be c autious about discussing commission business outside of a formal meeting with other commissioners to avoid engaging in a serial meeting. Role of the Staff Liaison Demand on s taff time should be l imited to official meetings. The staff liaison role includes orienting and helping train new members, facilitating meetings and hearings, providing necessary documents, providing information regarding rules and regulations, preparing and presenting reports to the commission, and answering any questions that may arise at meetings. The staff liaison is responsible for keeping the commission in compliance with the Open Meeting Law in terms of properly posting notice and agendas of meetings when necessary. Items on the agenda should be accompanied with a staff or commissioners report. HRC Packet Page Number 4 of 4