Human Rights Commission

AGENDA Human Rights Commission Meeting 5:15 PM - Wednesday, May 28, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2.1. Approve Minutes of the April 28, 2025 meeting. 3-5 2025-04-28 HRC Minutes 3. BUDGET REPORT 3.1. Review Monthly Financial Report. 6 Financial Report 2025-05-21 3.2. Prepare 2026 Budget Request. Deadline to submit is June 27, 2025. Tabled 7-9 from April 28, 2025 meeting. Report from May 13, 2025 HRC Sponsored Events Subcommittee meeting. 2026 Budget Request Process and Application Budget Request for 2026 draft 4. EVENTS COMMITTEE (HRC SPONSORED) 4.1. Future forum regarding immigration concerns. 4.2. Welcoming Week - September 12 - 21, 2025. Report from May 13, 2025 HRC Sponsored Events Subcommittee meeting. City Council authorized use of 30 parking stalls located in the 2nd North Street and Broadway parking lot adjacent to City Hall for Welcoming Week Event on Friday, September 19, 2025. 5. EVENTS COMMITTEE (PARTICIPATING EVENTS) 5.1. Bavarian Blast 5k Fun Run coordinated by Wellness Collective - Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Payment is in process for sponsorship/donation for advertising. HRC logo has been submitted to Wellness Collective. 5.2. Bavarian Blast Parade - Sunday, July 20, 2025. Registration form and payment in process. 5.3. New Ulm Night Out - Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at German 10 Park (rain location is Civic Center). Registration deadline July 1, 2025. New Ulm Night Out 5.4. Brown County Fair - Wednesday, August 6 - Sunday, August 10, 2025. Booth 11 - 13 form and payment in process. Brown County Free Fair Brown County Free Fair volunteer signup 5.5. South Central Minnesota Pridefest Parade and Festival - Saturday, September 6, 2025. Registration information not available yet. 6. EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT Page 1 of 15  6.1. Community Surveys. Discuss printing and distribution of surveys. 6.2. Living Without Limits. Summary of May 13, 2025 Education Subcommittee 14 meeting. Education Subcommittee Minutes 2025-05-13 7. OTHER BUSINESS 7.1. David Mesta, representative of Comunidades Organizando el Pder y la Acción Latina (COPAL), will be in attendance to provide an overview of their organization, what they do and what services they provide. COPAL is a member-based organization established in 1018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families. Tabled from April 28, 2025 meeting. 7.2. Pat LaCourse, Brown County Transit Manager, will be in attendance to discuss the idea of having Heartland Express and Hermann Express pamphlets available in braille and another language. 7.3. Promotional Items. Tabled from April 28, 2025 meeting. Report from May 13, 15 2025 HRC Sponsored Events Subcommittee meeting. promotional item ideas from Printwear Graphics 8. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 9. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON 9.1. Obehi Okojie (April - June). 10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 10.1. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, June 23, 2025. 11. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 15  MINUTES New Ulm Human Rights Commission Monday, April 28, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Members Present: Carl Zeidler, Deb Egeland, Sarah Leslie, Kristen Sprenger, Cassandra Ness, Allie Lee, Mayor Backer. Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chair Kristin Sprenger. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve March 24, 2025 minutes by Carl Zeidler, seconded by Deb Egeland, passed by all members present. Budget Report: 2026 Budget Request for City Council consideration is due June 27, 2025. Discussed funds needed for hosting Welcoming Week since a one-time grant was used for last year’s event. Motion to request the same amount as the last request plus an additional $500 for Community Events due to Welcoming Week expenses made by Sarah Leslie, seconded by Deb Egeland, passed by all members present. After discussion later during the meeting regarding additional Welcoming Week expenses for rental of porta-potties, garbage cans, tables and chairs, a new motion was made by Cassandra Ness and seconded by Sarah Leslie to add an additional $1,000 to the budget request. Again, later in the meeting, the budget was reviewed when discussing the planning stages of the various events and determining cost of each event. Motion was made by Deb Egeland and seconded by Cassandra Ness to table the 2026 Budget Request until subcommittees can meet to start planning events and determining funds that will be needed. Motion passed by all members present. Events Committee: Human Rights Award - The Award Ceremony was a successful event and well attended (50 people). The Community Center worked well as a location. Suggestion to decrease the amount of refreshments next time. Received a thank you note from a recipient. Discussed how enjoyable it is to have both nominators and nominees speak. Immigration Concerns – The subcommittee met on April 1, 2025 and reached out to Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL) regarding a future forum on immigration rights. The idea is to have a virtual presentation by partnering with New Ulm Community Access Television in addition to an in-person forum in June. Another idea from the subcommittee meeting was to distribute immigration cards that mention fourth and fifth amendment rights, but the Human Rights Commission is not in a position to offer legal advice so this item was not included on the Agenda as the Commission cannot distribute the cards. A representative from COPAL was originally scheduled to attend the April 28th meeting but due to the weather forecast, it will be rescheduled to the May meeting. Welcome Week - Lisa will schedule a Hosted Events Subcommittee meeting to start planning for a Welcome Week event and to develop a budget. Last year the event was held on a Friday which worked out well so will probably hold the event either September 12th or September 19th this year. Bavarian Blast 5k Fun Run Sponsorship to Wellness Collective - Motion to contribute $125 sponsorship pending City approval made by Cassandra Ness, seconded by Carl Zeidler, passed by all members present. Page 3 of 15 Bavarian Blast Parade - Motion to participate made by Allie Lee, seconded by Sarah Leslie, passed by all members present. New Ulm Night Out – Interest expressed in continuing participation pending further registration information. Brown County Fair – Interest expressed in continuing participation pending further registration information. South Central Minnesota Pridefest Parade and Festival - Interest expressed in continuing participation pending further registration information. Inventory of Promotional Materials – The Commission has a sufficient amount of yard signs but need to order other items. There is interest in brainstorming creative promotional materials that are educational/useful/fun. When the Hosted Events Subcommittee meets to discuss Welcoming Week event, perhaps they can also discuss ideas for new promotional items. Ordering of promotional items was tabled to May meeting so Events Subcommittee can present ideas. Education Committee: Community Surveys – Education Subcommittee met to discuss ways to distribute surveys and encourage more participation. Keep on agenda to discuss printing and distribution plans. Alternate Options of Poster/Essay/Video Contest – Education Subcommittee discussed transitioning from a student-based outreach to a community education focus. Ideas centered around conducting a Living with Limits series of sessions regarding visible and invisible limits to ensure everyone has equal access to public services and provide awareness of the resources that are available. Commission approved Living with Limits series to provide education and awareness throughout the year to the entire community rather than a one-time contest to students. Lisa to schedule Education Subcommittee meeting to set up framework for the year (quarterly topics, forums, speakers, and partnering with other organizations). The series could be filmed by New Ulm Community Access Television and aired on the local access channel. Motion to proceed with Living with Limits series made by Cassandra Ness, seconded by Deb Egeland, passed by all members present. Other Business: Heartland Express and Hermann Express Pamphlets - Carl Zeidler spoke with the person who manages the County Transmit Department. The price estimate for Heartland Express braille pamphlets is $16 per pamphlet and $25 per braille pamphlet for Heartland Express. He has not received cost information yet to print pamphlets in another language such as Spanish. He sounded interested in continuing to work with the Commission but initially it would be a limited quantity due to the expense. Consider how many pamphlets should be printed (perhaps 10-25) and the locations to have them available, such as Public Library, City/County buildings, etc. Could see what the demand is and then decide if more should be printed. Carl will check with the Brown County Transit representative to see if they are available to attend a Human Rights Commission meeting to answer further questions. Mayor Kathleen mentioned that she expressed her hope that Hermann Express have services available longer hours so individuals can attend evening activities. COPAL Representative – David Mesta was not able to attend meeting due to weather so item was tabled until next meeting. Page 4 of 15 Legislative Update: No report. City Council Liaison: Obehi Okojie was not present to report. Date of Next Meeting: Agreed to move to the next meeting to May 28th due to the Memorial Day holiday. Motion made by Allie Lee, seconded by Carl Zeidler, passed by all members present. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn the meeting by Deb Egeland, seconded by Cassandra Ness, passed by all members present. Respectfully submitted, Allie Lee, Secretary Minnesota Department of Human Rights https://mn.gov/mdhr Page 5 of 15  NewUlm MN AccountDetail DateRange 01 01 2025 12 31 2025 AccountNameEncumbrancesFiscal BudgetBeginningBalanceTotalActivityEndingBalanceBudgetRemaining Remaining 101 GENERALFUND Expense 101 1000 355115Human RightsCommission0 007 150 000 00 236 71236 716 913 2996 69 Post DatePacketNumberSourceTransactionPmt NumberDescriptionVendorProjectAccountAmount 03 27 2025APPKT15191INV0029105241565ReimbSupples HRAwardCeremony236100 DORSCHNER KATIE10 49 03 27 2025APPKT15191INV0029106241566ReimbFood HRAwardCeremonyR02517 SPRENGER KRISTIN9035 03 27 2025APPKT15191INV0029107241567Reimb water HRAwardCeremonyR03252 SCHAEFER KADEN1297 04 30 2025APPKT15197071102241937plagues567850 PRINTWEAR GRAPHICS INC10790 04 30 2025APPKT15197071103241937HRAwardplaques nameplates567850 PRINTWEAR GRAPHICSINC15 00 ExpenseTotals 0 007 150 000 00 236 71236 716 913 2996 69 101 GENERALFUNDTotals 0 007 150 000 00 236 71236 716 913 2996 69 Report Total 0 007 150 000 00 236 71236 716 913 2996 69 Page 6 of 15 5 21202524602PMPage1of2  City of New Ulm 100 North Broadway Telephone: (507)-359-8259 New Ulm, Minnesota 56073 Fax: (507)-359-8219 2026 Budget Request Process 1. Complete an application. 2. Provide verification of nonprofit status. 3. Provide financial statements, including a balance sheet and income statement, for the most recently completed fiscal year. 4. Provide budget for upcoming fiscal year. 5. Submit application and other documents to: City Administration 100 North Broadway New Ulm, MN 56073 -or- Email: lisap@newulmmn.gov 6. City Staff will review applications and prepare the information for City Council review. 7. There will be a work session with the City Council on July 15th to discuss the applications that are received. Please be prepared to have a representative at the work session. 8. Contributions will be approved at the August 5, 2025 City Council meeting but will not be final until the Preliminary Budget is approved at the September 16, 2025 meeting. All applications for the 2026 Budget must be submitted by June 27, 2025. Page 7 of 15  City of New Ulm 100 North Broadway Telephone: (507)-359-8259 New Ulm, Minnesota 56073 Fax: (507)-359-8219 2026 Budget Request Application Name of Organization__________________________________________________________________ Point of Contact – Name: ____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ Phone#: ___________________________________________ Email (required): ____________________________________ Amount requested________________________ Other Revenue Sources: ________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Explain how the funds will be used: ________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ If the organization received funds from the City for the current year explain how the funds were used and provide documentation for that use. ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 15  NEW ULM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BUDGET REQUEST 2026 DRAFT 2025 Request 2026 Proposed Description Community Events and Fair, Parades, Welcoming Week $ 1,500.00 see note below Promotional Materials Event, Signs, Stickers, etc. Human Rights Award $ 500.00 Reception - food and plaques Essay Contest Prizes $ 1,200.00 - Change to Living Without Limits Poster Contest Prizes $ 1,200.00 - Change to Living Without Limits Living Without Limits series - Program Expenses $ 2,200.00 Speaker Fees and Advertising Educational Expenses (fees eliminate category and travel expenses to attend $ 1,900.00 - Fees and travel expenses and move funds to Community Events? Human Rights educational events) Total Requested $ 8,500.00 $ Total Awarded $ 6,050.00 $ Carryover From 2024 $ 1,100.00 Budget TOTAL $ 7,150.00 Welcoming Week is new expense. Last year funded by one-time grant. Need to increase amount. Page 9 of 15 LisaGrathwohl From LizMalloy Sent Thursday May8 20251145AM Subject NewUlmNightOutSignUp GoodAfternoon TheNewUlmPoliceDepartment inpartnershipwiththeFireDepartment Park Recreation andUnited WayoftheBrownCountyArea willbehostingtheirannualNewUlmNightOutonThursday July31st at GermanParkfrom530830pm Weareagaininvitingnonprofitorganizationstosign uptojoinus ParticipationinNewUlmNightOutis FREEbutweaskthatyouregisterbyJuly1st TheNewUlmNightOutCommitteewillhavesome canopiesavailable ifyouwouldliketoguaranteeyourgrouphasacanopy pleaseprovideyourown You willalsoneedtobringyourowntableandchairs Asinthepast wedoaskthatyouconsiderproviding anactivity Giveawayitemsarealsowelcome Pleasesignupusingthelinkbelow Letmeknowifyouhaveanyquestions https formsgle4nR27MrZywnypnyC9 LizMalloy ProgramSupervisor NewUlmPark Recreation UnitedWayBoardMember NewUlmNightOutCommitteeMember 1 Page 10 of 15  Brown County Free Fair 1201 N State St Post Office Box 221 New Ulm Minnesota 56073 www browncountyfreefair com Commercial Exhibitors inside Civic Center It s time once again to make plans for the Brown County Free Fair The 2025 Fair is Wednesday August 6 h Sunday August 10 h Most commercial exhibits and non commercial exhibits will be located inside the climate controlled New Ulm Civic Center on the County Fairgrounds in New Ulm We have outside booth space available for anyone who wants more space Contact me for more details about that option Anyone who has a commercial exhibit at our fair will be required to complete the Operator Certificate of Compliance form Minnesota Revenue form ST19 This is a state law We and the State of Minnesota also require proof of insurance which states Name of the insured company I Type of coverage Limits of the policy l Statement listing the Brown County Agricultural Society Brown County Free Fair as certificate holder Booths can be set up any time after noon on Tuesday The Civic Center will be open each day as follows I Wednesday 5 00 10 00 p m Thursday Noon 10 00 p m The senior program takes place at 10 30 a m in the Civic Center Your choice if you want to have your booth staffed at that time Friday Saturday 11 00 a m 10 00 p m E Sunday Noon 4 00 p m Brown County Free Fair concludes at 4 00 p m on Sunday We request that you have your booth open for business throughout the fair All exhibits must be removed from the Civic Center no later than 6 00 p m Sunday If you would like to have a camper on the fairgrounds during the fair we have a limited number of sites available at an additional fee of 100 per unit for our commercial exhibitors The Board of Directors for the Brown County Free Fair reserves the right to limit content it deems inappropriate for public viewing Please complete the Commercial Booth Contract and return it with all required paperwork as listed above If you have any questions please contact me directly Lu Ann Marti Commercial Exhibits Coordinator Brown County Free Fair Board Member New Ulm PO Box 221 New Ulm MN 56073 507 276 7025 call or text luann martibcff@gmail com Commercial Exhibitor Letter Inside CC Page 11 of 15  BrownCountyFreeFair 1201N StateSt PostOfficeBox221 NewUlm Minnesota56073 wwwbrowncountyfreefaircom 2025CommercialExhibitorContract InsideCivicCenter BusinessName ContactPerson Address City State Zip BusinessPhone CellPhone Email Product Onestandardsizebooth 8 X10 insidetheCivicCenter StandardRate 200 NonprofitRate 150 PleaseprovideIRSLetterofDeterminationwithcontract Feelfreetorentmorethanonebooth Pleaseindicatewhatyouwouldliketohaveincludedinyourboothatnocosttoyou Electricoutlet YesNo 7 tables 1 2 Chairs 1 2 3 4 All exhibitorsmustprovideacertificateofinsurancewhichstatesthenameofthe insuredcompany typeofcoverage limitsofthe policy andstatementlistingtheBrown CountyAgriculturalSociety BrownCountyFreeFair ascertificateholder StateLaw CompletetheOperatorCertificateofCompliance MN RevenueformST19 StateLaw ChecksshouldbemadepayabletotheBrownCountyAgSociety Returnpayment andallformsbyJuly1stto Commercial ExhibitsCoordinator BrownCountyFreeFair POBox221 NewUlm MN56073 Weagreetodefend indemnifyandholdtheBrownCountyFreeFair its employeesandofficialsharmless fromanyclaims demands actionsor causesofaction includingreasonableattorneyfees andexpenses arisingoutofanyactor omissiononthepartofthe independent contractoror its subcontractors partners or anyofhisor heragentsor employeesintheperformanceofor withrelationto anyofthe workor servicestobeperformedorfurnishedbythe vendoror its subcontractors partners oranyofhisher agentsor employeesunderthe agreement We agreetohaveourexhibitavailableforthedurationofthefair CommercialExhibitorssignature Date Fairrepresentativesignature Date Noexhibitor shalloccupyspace untilpaymenthasbeen paid in fullandall formssubmittedaslistedabove Page 12 of 15  BROWN COUNTY FAIR BOOTH VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE - 2025 Wednesday, August 6, 2025 (Civic Center open 5:00 – 10:00 pm; can set up any time after noon) 4:00 (set up) – 5:30 pm 5:30 – 7:30 pm 7:30 – 10:00 pm No need to staff booth Thursday, August 7, 2025 (Senior Program takes place at 10:30 in Civic Center) 12:00 – 1:30 pm 1:30 – 3:00 pm 3:00 – 4:30 pm 4:30 – 6:00 pm 6:00 – 7:30 pm 7:30 – 10:00 pm Demo Derby; no need to staff booth Friday, August 8, 2025 11:00 – 12:30 pm 12:30 – 2:00 pm 2:00 – 3:30 pm 3:30 – 5:00 pm 5:00 – 7:30 pm 7:30 – 10:00 pm Demo Derby; no need to staff booth Saturday, August 9, 2025 11:00 – 12:30 pm 12:30 – 2:00 pm 2:00 – 3:30 pm 3:30 – 5:00 pm 5:00 – 7:30 pm 7:30 – 10:00 pm No need to staff booth Sunday, August 10, 2025 (Fair concludes at 4:00 pm; exhibits must be removed by 6:00 pm) 12:00 – 1:30 pm 1:30 – 3:00 pm 3:00 pm (tear down) Page 13 of 15  HRC Education Planning Subcommittee Meeting Minutes 5/13/25 Attendees: Sarah, Carl, Deb Living Without Limits Framework for Series Objectives: 1. To shed light on the everyday mobility, sensory and communication challenges of our neighbors as they navigate our community 2. To increase respect and inclusion for individuals with differing abilities in our community 3. To empower community members to design our community with inclusion in mind Format: Speakers with Q&A Demonstrations Panel with Q&A Location: TBD, would like the New Ulm Public Library, NUCAT When: Weeknights, 6:30-8 pm Proposed Topics: Autism Developmental Delays Low Vision Reduced Mobility Low Literacy/English as a Second Language Resources Needed: Speakers, panelists Demonstration aids (if applicable) Printed materials Page 14 of 15  Promotional Item Ideas from Printwear Graphics (listed in order by cost, lowest to highest) Quantity Item Unit Price Total 500 Magnets full color business card size $0.37 $185.00 500 Can Coolies with one color imprint $0.94 $470.00 500 All-Natural Lip Balms $1.17 $585.00 500 Chip Clips with magnet for fridge $1.93 $965.00 500 Stress Balls with one color imprint $2.20 $1,100.00 Setup is included but there would be some shipping charges Page 15 of 15