063020 HRC MinutesCITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Human Rights Commission June 30, 2020
Regular Meeting Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER Chair Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Kendra Curry
Donna Meyer
Trista Rehnke
Heaven Shaw
Absent: - -
City Liaison: Chief Tim Fournier
Guests: Mayor Kathi Hemken
City Council Member Cedrick Frazier
AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the June 30, 2020,
agenda, seconded by Commissioner Rehnke. All voted in favor.
MINUTES APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the March 10, 2020
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Shaw. All voted in favor. (No
meetings and minutes from April, May 2020 due to COVID.)
OPEN FORUM Open Forum
- Commissioner Shaw
o Read a letter that summarized her thoughts on the city’s
statement regarding the murder of George Floyd and current
events.
- Chair Meyer
o Need to focus on the recruitment of people that better
represent the community and to include people of color.
- City Council Member Frazier
o Also made a statement at the city council meeting that was
more specific and needing to be more responsive to the
community.
- Mayor Hemken
o Need to review the HRC charter with the city and ensure it
reflects the current needs of today. Original charter intended
HRC to be educational, not activist. Need council approval
to make any changes to the charter.
o HRC members could offer to walk with mayor and other city
council members while they are campaigning to discuss
HRC concerns with the community.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
AND REPORTS Complete Count Committee
- Yard signs:
o Thank you to Commissioner Curry for placing signs at
apartment buildings.
- Grant money:
o Still have $56 dollars available. Commissioner Curry will
create flyer to have printed and can be distributed as local
candidates are canvasing the community.
- New Hope participation in the census so far – 76%.
Human Rights Commission Membership
- HRC open positions are posted online and being advertised.
- Commissioner Shaw is continuing to search for possible student
members.
- Possible partnership to create artwork.
Sunnyside Park Clean-Up
- HRC is committed to cleaning the park 3 times per year.
- Clean up scheduled for Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 am .
New Hope Farmer’s Market
- HRC has set up a table at the market in years past to talk to the
community and provide information about HRC and upcoming
events.
- Commissioner Rehnke will reach out to Farmer’s Market staff to see
if community tables will be available again this summer.
Yard Signs
- Commissioner Rehnke has obtained rights to two different yard sign
options. Can have them printed locally for $10 each, including the
metal stake. Will sell them independently but wanted to see if the
HRC was interested and if the city would approve. Chief Fournier
will check with city attorney and city manager.
Painting Rocks
- Chair Meyer suggested setting up painting events at various city
parks as a way to engage with the community. Would take rocks
and painting supplies to parks for people to use. Could place
painted rocks with positive messages at different city parks. Possibly
could incorporate with the Sunnyside Park clean up.
NEW BUSINESS Police Recruitment & Hiring Process
- Currently have two officer positions open. It would be good to have
HRC members involved in the hiring process. Chief Fournier will
check with HR and follow up.
COMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION
SHARING District 281
- Discussion on the future of the School Resource Officer (SRO)
program will be happening.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday, August 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Commissioner Trista Rehnke
Secretary