120720 HRC MinutesCITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Human Rights Commission December 7, 2020
Regular Meeting Via Zoom
CALL TO ORDER Chair Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Kendra Curry
Heather Fruen
Mindy London
Donna Meyer
Trista Rehnke
Ose Sesay
Heaven Shaw
Zachary Snabes
Jennifer Toavs
Absent: Danielle Saima
City Liaison: Chief Tim Hoyt
Guests: Allison Isenberg
AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Toavs made a motion to accept the December 7, 2020,
agenda, seconded by Commissioner Curry. All voted in favor.
MINUTES APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the November 02, 2020
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Snabes. All voted in favor.
OPEN FORUM Open Forum
Allison Isenberg
- Toy Fest: annual toy drive. This is the 14th year. Due to the
pandemic, they are donating gift cards vs items. Will take monetary
donations or gift cards.
- www.toyfest.org
DISCUSSION ITEMS
AND REPORTS Woodsy the Owl
- Commissioner Toavs was able to track down additional contacts and
information.
o Website hasn’t been updated since 2008. But 2021 is the
50th birthday for Woodsy and celebrations are being
planned.
o Leave no trace activities and geo-caching options available.
o Woodsy videos to post online with activities.
o A costume might be available.
- Chair Meyer will contact Parks & Rec to inquire about partnering and
using their Facebook site.
- Commissioner Snabes has video editing skills if needed when
posting videos.
Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting
- Meeting is January 12
- HRC has been asked to send a representative to the meeting to
connect with CAC to share ideas and partner on items or events.
2021 Planning Prep
- Suggestions were submitted online via JamBoard.
- Main categories: Community Engagement: Education; Partner with
League of Women Voters, City of Golden Valley HRC, ISD 281
Students; Volunteer opportunities
- Options will be discussed further in January and the Commissioners
will vote and then start to formalize plan and timeframe. City
Manager, City Attorney, Mayor and City Council will have final say
and can veto options.
- Ideas submitted:
o Diversity Business Page (website) to promote
businesses
o African American speaker to incorporate equitable
thinking beyond Black History Month
o Dialog with community regarding race relations in the
city, incorporate Chief and students
o Include religious organizations into park clean up
o Highlight Mexican food establishment for Cinco de
Mayo, encouraging equity
o Back to school backpack drive
o Workshop on home ownership
o Women small business month
o Sweet Blackberry event – Flying Free, The Bessie
Coleman story
o History of Cinco de Mayo for the city Facebook page
o Woodsy the Owl
o Park Cleanup city wide
o Increase HRC awareness, once of month updates on
city Facebook page and website
o Volunteer with the Food Group
o Listening sessions for COVID impact and community
experience along with park clean up or hold session in
the park
o Humanizing campaign, residents that have a need
and/or want to give
o Food, shelter and safety awareness for residents in need
o Police ride-a-long
o Provide stats and data regarding BIPOC home
ownership, partner with the city
o Decorating trash cans in city parks, partner with schools
o Get the student view of what they see in the community
o Partner with student groups on projects
o Partner with LGBTQ group in Robbinsdale or Crystal
2021 Elections
- Elections were held by Commissioners sending their ballot to Chief
Hoyt.
o Chair – Donna Meyer
o CoChair – Kendra Curry
o Secretary – Trista Rehnke
NEW BUSINESS NA
COMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION SHARING Shared Embedded Social Worker
- Chief Hoyt shared plan for new embedded social worker that will be
shared with Robbinsdale and Crystal.
- Goal is to have more timely engagement with social worker who can
help provide assistance and direct to needed services.
- Position will be housed in New Hope Police Dept.
Shopping for Seniors
- Starbucks in Crystal has ornaments on a tree that list an item
needed for seniors. Take an ornament, buy the item, drop item off at
West Metro Fire Dept. They will be delivered to Good Samaritan and
North Ridge
Crime Prevention Officer
- Chief Hoyt would like Commissioners to meet the Crime Prevention
Officer who is working to increase community involvement. Will try
to set up for future meeting.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday, January 4, 2021 at 7:00 pm, via Zoom.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Commissioner Trista Rehnke
Secretary