Human Rights Commission

AGENDA Human Rights Commission Meeting 5:15 PM - Monday, December 22, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. MEMBERSHIP 2.1. Thank you to outgoing member Allie Lee. 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 3.1. Election of 2026 Officers for positions of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. Currently Kristin Sprenger serves as Chair, Katie Dorschner as Vice Chair, and Allie Lee as Secretary. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1. Approve Minutes of the November 24, 2025 meeting. 3 2025-11-24 HRC Minutes 5. BUDGET REPORT 5.1. Review Monthly Financial Report. 4-5 Financial Report 2025-12-18 6. EVENTS COMMITTEE (HRC SPONSORED) 7. EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT 7.1. Human Rights Award - Nomination deadline December 19, 2025. 6-8 Nomination - First Choice Pregnancy Services 2025 7.2. City Manager Chris Dalton to discuss issues raised during Vision Impairment session of the Living Without Limits series. 7.3. Summary from December 1, 2025 Education Committee meeting regarding the 9 - 10 following:  Reconciliation Ride representatives collaboration between the groups  Planning of second session of Living Without Limits series. Education Subcommittee Meeting Notes 2025-12-01 8. OTHER BUSINESS 8.1. Mayor Kathleen Backer to share information received while attending National League of Cities Conference regarding leading with dignity. 9. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 10. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON 10.1. David Nissen (October - December). Need a volunteer for January - March. 11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 11.1. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, January 26, 2026. Page 1 of 10 12. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 10  MINUTES New Ulm Human Rights Commission Monday, November 24, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Members Present: Sarah Leslie, Deb Egeland, Allie Lee, Katie Dorschner, David Nissen, Kaden Schaefer, Kristin Sprenger, Obehi Okojie, Mayor Backer. Members Absent: Carl Zeidler, KC Ness, Henry Albrecht. Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Kristin Sprenger. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve October 27, 2025 minutes by Deb Egeland, seconded by Sarah Leslie, passed by all members present. Budget Report 57% remaining for the year. Events Committee: Human Rights award nomination form, press release, and letter to the editor sent out. Deadline is December 19th. Kristin to make sure it is featured on the City website as well. Education Committee: City Manager will attend December or January meeting to discuss issues raised during Vision Impairment session of the Living Without Limits series. Subcommittee meeting scheduled for December 1st to continue planning second session of Living Without Limits series. Reconciliation Ride Representatives will meet with the Education Subcommittee. Legislative Update: Nothing to report. City Council Liaison: David Nissen - nothing to report. Mayor Backer attended the National League of Cities Conference and would like to share information received from some of the sessions regarding leading with dignity at the next Human Rights Commission meeting. Date of Next Meeting: Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 22, 2025. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn meeting by Sarah Leslie, seconded by Deb Egeland, passed by all members present. Respectfully submitted, Allie Lee, Secretary Page 3 of 10  NewUlm MN AccountDetail DateRange 01 01 2025 12 31 2025 AccountNameEncumbrancesFiscal BudgetBeginningBalanceTotalActivityEndingBalanceBudgetRemaining Remaining 101 GENERALFUND Expense 101 1000 355115Human RightsCommission0 007 150 000 00 3 095 973 095 974 054 0356 70 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 05 29 2025APPKT15329INV0029403242184ParadeRegistration086600 BAVARIANBLAST INC1000 05 29 2025APPKT15329INV0029405242189Fair Booth Fee118000 BROWNCOUNTYAG SOCIETY150 00 05 29 2025APPKT15329INV0029490242258Bavarian Blast5kRunSponsorship Adver524750 NEWULMWELLNESS COLLECTIVE125 00 06 26 2025APPKT154341PVQ MH31 R4LJ8191promotional items stickers028150 AMAZONCAPITALSERVICES INC40 55 07 31 2025APPKT155322755959RI243003Promo Items LipBalm748150 THE VERNONCOMPANY43215 07 31 2025APPKT155322755960R1243003PromoItems magnets748150 THE VERNONCOMPANY16536 08 28 2025APPKT1567315270243322Welcome Week Advertising516750 NEWULMAREA CHAMBER OFCO4500 08 28 2025APPKT156732760612RI243366promoitems lip balms748150 THE VERNONCOMPANY433 00 08 28 2025APPKT156732760834RI243366promoitems magnets748150 THE VERNONCOMPANY165 92 09 24 2025APPKT15859RmbHRCexpenses243621RmbWelcomingWeek tables chairs BouR00367 LESLIE GREGOR SARAH52082 09 24 2025APPKT15859RmbHRCexpenses243623Rmb WelcomingWeek rootbeerfloatsR02517 SPRENGER KRISTIN25961 09 26 2025APPKT158661051 6214 6355 2509 1243639ReimburseWelcomingWeek iceexpenseR03367 LEE ALEXANDRA13 96 09 30 2025APPKT157800001957348243752Welcome Week Event toilet sink recept541130 ONSITE COMPANIES INC37500 10 15 2025APPKT15925899031243872Rmbsupply expense HRCR00367 LESLIE GREGORSARAH34 89 10 22 2025APPKT15962INV0029107 R241567SCHAEFER KADEN ReversalR03252 SCHAEFER KADEN 1297 10 22 2025APPKT15964INV0029107reissue243883Reimb water HRAwardCeremonyR03252 SCHAEFER KADEN12 97 10 30 2025APPKT15891INV0030521244098WelcomingWeek advertising355200 JOURNAL THE88 00 ExpenseTotals 0 007 150 000 00 3 095 973 095 974 054 0356 70 101 GENERALFUNDTotals 0 007 150 000 00 3 095 973 095 974 054 0356 70 Report Total 0 007 150 000 00 3 095 973 095 974 054 0356 70 Page 4 of 10 12182025101638AMPage1of2 DetailvsBudgetReportDateRange 01 01 2025 12 31 2025 FundSummary FundEncumbrancesFiscalBudgetBeginningBalanceTotalActivityEndingBalanceBudgetRemaining Remaining 101 GENERAL 0 007 150 000 FUND3095 97300 095 974 054 0356 70 Report Total 0 007 150 000 00 3 095 973 095 974 054 0356 70 Page 5 of 10 12182025101638AMPage2of2  HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD NOMINATION FORM Submit nomination to personnel( a newulmmn. gov or mail/ drop off at City Hall, Attention: Human Rights, 100 North Broadway, New Ulm, MN 56073 Deadline December 19, 2025 To: Human Rights Award Committee From: Laurie A. Schmit Telephone Number: 507- 766- 7280 Email Address: laurie. a. schmit@gmail. com Date: December 12, 2025 I nominate: First Choice Pregnancy Services Because: It exists and works to support women and families in choosing life for their children. The most important human right is the right to life. No other rights exist if one is not alive to pursue their dreams, education, career, family, happiness and more. The least protected class is the unborn and helping women choose life for their babies preserves the family and the advancement of all human rights. An unexpected pregnancy is often met with shock, joy, fear, lack of support and more. First Choice Pregnancy Services offers a safe place for women and families to find answers to questions about pregnancy, abortion, parenting, relationships and so many other subjects that come up in the lives of women and families. The staff and volunteers meet the clients where they are in life with no judgement on current or previous decisions. They are foot-washers. First Choice Pregnancy Services has served individuals and families in Brown County and Page 6 of 10 surrounding communities for 15 years. In 2009, a group of concerned citizens gathered information from a report to the MN State Legislature and saw that there had been a 77% increase of abortions in Brown County from 2007 to 2008. There was no pregnancy resource center within 30 miles of New Ulm and none within 60 miles offering limited obstetrical ultrasounds for confirmation of pregnancy. A plan was developed to open a Pregnancy Resource Center in New Ulm offering free services to women and their families before, during and after pregnancy. First Choice Pregnancy Services opened in 2010. FCPS has continued to grow by adding programs and serving more people. In 2024, FCPS served 176 clients, performed 57 ultrasounds, performed 49 pregnancy tests, and handed out thousands of diapers and assisted families by welcoming 35 new babies. In 2025, staff and volunteers have already served over 200 individuals; 18% of the population FCPS serves are Hispanic and 10% are African American. Clients may be single female headed households, non- binary individuals, unmarried, married or same sex couples. Services are not based on income— any female interested in learning more about fertility or seeking a pregnancy test is welcome at FCPS. All services are free: Before birth: pregnancy tests, limited OB ultrasounds, STI tests( sexually transmitted infections), relationship training, Fertility Educational Medical Management( FEMM) During pregnancy: prenatal and pregnancy educational lessons, childbirth classes, mentoring, material assistance and referrals. After pregnancy: Mom talk Tuesday— mom group, parenting classes, continued mentoring and referrals, Daddy Boot Camp ( taught by Dads for men), material assistance. Page 7 of 10 First Choice Pregnancy Services is supported by individual donors, various churches and fundraising efforts by the staff, Board of Directors and volunteers. Approximately $ 20. 000 of the annual budget goes towards baby supplies each year. Women and families facing unexpected pregnancies often consider abortion when their finances are strained. This is one way FCPS can support families to choose life, by offering basic supplies and financial assistance. Families are allowed" emergency assistance" once a month, otherwise the clients earn their items by completing educational lessons, attending health appointments, meeting with a mental health counselor. FCPS empowers families to earn the items they need and become better parents in the process. FCPS partners with other non- profit organizations in New Ulm— Brown County, NUMAS Haus, IVY House, local schools and the New Ulm Medical Center. When New Ulm Medical Center ceased offering pre- natal classes, FCPS staff stepped in to provide the necessary class with NUMC physicians joining the class to answer questions. FCPS is a valuable member of the community and participates in the Health and Wellness Expo., Community Baby Shower, National Night Out festivities and the Welcome to New Ulm event in the fall. First Choice Pregnancy Services is blessed to have many generous and like minded individuals who support the women and their families being served on a daily basis. Page 8 of 10 Human Rights Commission (HRC) - Education Subcommittee Meeting Location: New Ulm Public Library Date: December 1, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM Attendees HRC Members: • Allie Lee • Sarah Leslie • Carl Zeidler • Deb Egeland • Kaden Schaefer Guests: • Reconciliation Riders Committee Members: • Justin Gehrke • Brandon Atkinson • Rebecca Demarais • Nita Gilbert Police Chief: Dave Borchert Agenda and Discussion Points 1. Presentation by the Dakota Reconciliation Riders • The Dakota Reconciliation Riders presented their plan for the annual ride through New Ulm, scheduled for December 23-25. • Key details of the event: riders will have food and accommodations provided by the Riders group. Horses will be boarded at the Brown County Fairgrounds. The New Ulm Police Department will provide a police escort through town. • The Riders Committee is collaborating with other local communities involved in the US- Dakota War, including Morton and Redwood Falls. 2. Discussion on Partnerships • Potential partnerships with groups outside the HRC were discussed, including: o Brown County Historical Society o NUCAT o Heart of New Ulm o New Ulm Garden Club Page 9 of 10  o New Ulm Park and Recreation • The Riders Committee is working with a Mankato-based organization to obtain 501(c)(3) designation. 3. Potential HRC Involvement Possible areas for HRC partnership include: • Funding for a speaker or facilitator for community education and conversation sessions on Dakota culture, foods, or crafts. • Covering the cost of screening an educational documentary (e.g., a Ken Burns documentary). • Supporting heritage celebrations. 4. Discussion on Living Without Limits Events • The HRC committee discussed upcoming Living Without Limits events. Two additional events are being planned, focusing on: Developmental Disabilities, Autism • Action Items: • Sarah Leslie will coordinate with the New Ulm Public Library to finalize event dates. • Panelists will be organized once dates are confirmed. Meeting Adjourned Respectfully Submitted, Sarah Leslie HRC Member Page 10 of 10