080320 HRC MinutesCITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Human Rights Commission August 3, 2020
Regular Meeting Via Zoom
CALL TO ORDER Chair Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Kendra Curry
Heather Fruen
Donna Meyer
Trista Rehnke
Heaven Shaw
Absent: - -
City Liaison: Chief Tim Fournier
Guests: Mayor Kathi Hemken
AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the August 3, 2020,
agenda, seconded by Commissioner Rehnke. All voted in favor.
MINUTES APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the June 30, 2020
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Shaw. All voted in favor.
OPEN FORUM Open Forum
- Commissioner Fruen
o Someone expressed interested in the HRC on a Facebook
site. What is the application process or timing? Direct them
to Chief Fournier. He will get an application from the city to
them. There are several spots on the commission currently
available. There have been some interest on the City of
New Hope site, Chief Fournier has contacted those people
already.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
AND REPORTS Complete Count Committee
- Grant money:
o Flyer has been printed, mayor has them and has been
passing them out. Commissioner Curry to confirm the
Printmakers has been paid.
- New Hope participation in the census so far has been higher than
surrounding communities.
- The CCC work is now over.
Human Rights Commission Membership
- HRC open positions are posted online and being advertised.
Applicants need to live in New Hope.
- Chair Meyer created a flyer and sent it to Chief Fournier and City
Manager has approved. Intention is to replace the flyer once a
month with new meeting details, inviting people to attend. Flyers will
be placed at apartment complexes around New Hope.
- Mayor will include the flyer in her weekly update in CCX and hand
out flyers at Farmer’s Market.
- Chief Fournier will check to see if the flyer can be posted on the park
boards.
- There are camps happening in the parks this summer.
Commissioner Fruen will hand out the flyer when attending events.
- Commissioners can post the flyer on individual social media sites.
- Commissioner Shaw will post flyer at the YWCA.
- Meeting information is listed on the city calendar online. Links to the
agendas and minutes will be available soon.
- Chair Meyer attended the meeting with Police Chiefs and African
American Community Members. Will continue to attend and will
share membership information.
- Meetings will most likely happen via Zoom for a while. Applicants or
guests can attend the meetings but will need the link to do so.
Sunnyside Park Clean-Up
- HRC is committed to cleaning the park 3 times per year.
- Clean up scheduled for Saturday, August 29th at 10:00 am. Meet by
the playground at the north end of the park.
- Bring gloves, trash bags are provided by the city.
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.
- It was decided to skip having a table at the Farmer’s Market this
year. There are no current events to promote. Focus is on recruiting
members and the market hasn’t been a successful recruitment
location in the past. Mayor Hemken attends the market and will have
flyers on hand if needed.
NEW BUSINESS City Council Meeting & Flavored Tobacco
- Chair Meyer watched the recent City Council meeting. Community
members discussed the banning of flavored tobacco/nicotine
products. Two minority owned businesses would be greatly
impacted.
- Mayor Hemken stated it the issue will be addressed at the August 17
work session. Work session will be closed due to pending litigation.
The city and council have received pressure from Hennepin County
to ban flavors in gas stations and convenience stores. Those
locations could still sell menthol and wintergreen. Smoke and vape
shops restrict anyone from under the age of 21 entering. Nothing
has passed yet.
State Meeting with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
- Commissioner Curry attended the meeting highlights included:
o Conversion therapy ordinances in cities. Rochester will
share their information.
o Police reform – listening sessions and opening up
dialogue
o Tenants’ rights and protections – education and training
Plymouth HRC
- Chair Meyer sat in on a meeting with the city’s police chief, mayor,
admin, etc. and was asked how the New Hope HRC does things.
They have a similar group in Plymouth but it is not called a Human
Rights Commission.
COMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION
SHARING District 281
- Mayor Hemken attended meeting and families were asked about
preference regarding in person school, hybrid or distance learning
only. Preferences vary by student age. Districts will need more
teaching assistants and subs.
- Mayor Hemken also inquired about the SRO situation but no
decision has been made yet.
Prioritization of time?
- Question was raised regarding where should the focus of time be
spent, rock painting in parks vs. flyers for recruitment?
- Chair Meyer said focus on flyers first.
- Could possibly have event at apartment complex vs a park to reach
the community.
- Could do chalk photos that are community related vs painting rocks.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm, via Zoom.
(Monday is Labor Day.)
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Commissioner Trista Rehnke
Secretary