Human Rights Commission

Minutes Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission met on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 in the Second Floor Conference Room of the City Administration Building. Commission Chairman Ethan Cords called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Commissioners: Ethan Cords, John Worden, Jim Gunderson, Jamie Vanoosbree and Fred Ventura; City Administrator Kris Busse and Administrative Specialist Jeanette Clawson were present. Commissioners Ryan Gillespie and David Emanuelson were not in attendance. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Commissioner Cords welcomed everyone and Commissioner Ventura took roll call. Minutes of the June 12, 2018 meeting were reviewed; Commissioner Ventura made a motion to approve the minutes with changes requested. Commissioner Gunderson seconded the motion and all members present voted aye for approval. There were no comments heard during Open Forum. During Commissioners Comments, Commissioner Vanoosbree presented an invitation she received by email for “Promoting Peace Owatonna 2018”. This event is planned for Thursday, September 27th at the Trinity Lutheran Church from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The commissioners will mark their calendars and discuss in further detail as this date approaches. Commissioner Ventura advised the next quarterly meeting of the Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force will be Monday, July 23 and if unable to attend the meeting, a video recording of the meeting will be available on their website. Commissioner Vanoosbree explained the Owatonna Peoples Press contacted her about attending the 2018 Human Rights Summit; Commissioners Ventura and Gunderson were also contacted and have provided comments for a future news article. During Old Business, Commissioner Ventura gave an update on the project to establish a Welcome Center in the City of Owatonna. He has contacted Julie Rethemeier, VP, Director of Public Affairs at Federated Insurance and Brad Meier, President and CEO at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce to discuss plans for this project. All agree there is a need for a Welcome Center especially now as several housing developments are in various stages of construction, there is potential of an additional 1,000–1,200 new residents within the next year. Commissioner Ventura requested assistance in identifying potential stakeholders for the project plans to proceed. Commissioners discussed if this project was inclusive with the commission’s current Mission Statement, if an amendment is needed, or should a Vision Statement be prepared for this project. It was agreed the project is appropriate within the current Mission Statement, as the center will provide education. Commissioner Vanoosbree hopes other groups will champion this project allowing the OHRC to collaborate and provide a narrower scope. There has been confusion as several groups have discussed the need for a center; City Administrator Busse will contact United Way about this project. Commissioner Gunderson suggested making a presentation to the Public Policy Committee of the Chamber of Commerce to spark potential stakeholders. Commissioners discussed touring the Welcome Center in Austin; Commissioner Vanoosbree made a made a motion authorizing Commissioner Ventura to make trip plans with mileage expense paid; Commissioner Gunderson seconded the motion; all members present voted aye in favor. City Administrator Busse will request City Park & Rec staff power wash the walls for the mural when funding has been obtained for the project. Commissioner Vanoosbree will contact staff at Choice Academy regarding a local essay contest next year to use the Chamber Bucks previously purchased for contest prizes. Commissioner Gunderson made a motion to table decision on use of the Chamber Bucks until the next meeting; Commissioner Vanoosbree seconded the motion; all members present voted aye in approval. Minutes – July 10, 2018 Human Rights Commission Page 2 of 2 Commissioner Worden reported he is continuing to research funding opportunities for the mural project and hoping for assistance to coordinate individual donors as the project develops. Commissioner Ventura advised David Braveheart is currently relocating so this is not a good time to contact him regarding speaking engagements. Commissioner Ventura requested this be struck from the OHRC Agenda, Commissioner Gunderson seconded the motion; all members present voted aye in approval. Commissioner Ventura requested replacing the OHRC display, “Teach Peace” on the LED Billboard which has shown during the last year. Ventura suggested a LBGTQ display similar to one recently posted by the City of Austin. Commissioners were polled and everyone agreed display in support of LBGTQ should be shown. Sample displays were viewed online, Commissioner Ventura will contact the sign company to create a display showing “You’re Not Alone” and OHRC. Commissioner Cords suggested next year a similar display should be made during June, Pride Month. Commissioners discussed the 2018 Human Rights Summit, Commissioners Cords, Ventura, Vanoosbree, Gunderson, Worden attended, and all thought it was very informative. Commissioner Ventura really liked the breakout sessions and thought the keynote speaker was excellent. This was the second year for the event and this year they added Business Partners and sessions on transgender and sexual harassment. Overall attendance was down a bit from last year but all found it to be a beneficial event and hope everyone will be able to attend next year. Commission Worden said he spoke with commissioners from other cities during the summit and thankful for the assistance the OHRC receives from the City. Thanks were expressed to City Administrator Busse for continued support and also to previous OHRC members for development of the current board. Commissioner Cords asked everyone to consider recommendations for a keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King Breakfast Event on January 21, 2019. Suggestions will be discussed during the next OHRC Meeting so the event can be publicized for several months prior to the event next January. The next OHRC Meeting will be Tuesday, August 14th Primary Election Day. Public meetings are prohibited between 6-8 pm on election days so the commissioners agreed to meet half an hour earlier, beginning at 5:00 pm. With no additional business, at 6:50 p.m. Commissioner Vanoosbree made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Gunderson seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Administrative Specialist