100520 HRC MinutesCITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Human Rights Commission November 2, 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
Donna Meyer
Trista Rehnke
Ose Sesay
Heaven Shaw
Zachary Snabes
Jennifer Toavs
Absent: --
City Liaison: Chief Tim Fournier, Interim Chief Scott Slawson
Guests: Danielle Saima
Mayor Kathi Hemken
Michael Isenberg, Candidate for City Council
Tim Hoyt, Chief of Police candidate
AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the October 5, 2020,
agenda, seconded by Commissioner Toavs. All voted in favor.
MINUTES APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the September 8, 2020
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Shaw. All voted in favor.
OPEN FORUM Open Forum
Michael Isenberg
- Currently on the Citizen Advisory Commission, running for City
Council position. Wanted to learn more about what the HRC is
doing.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
AND REPORTS New Commissioner Introductions
- Zach Snabes
- Jen Toavs
Human Rights Commission Membership
- HRC open positions are posted online and being advertised.
Applicants need to live in New Hope.
- There are 2 seats still available. Goal is to fill all seats with a diverse
mix of commissioners that represent the community.
- Chair Meyer delivered 350 flyers to various apartment complexes in
the city.
- Chair Meyer will update the flyer with the next month’s meeting
information and will distribute to the group and additional apartment
complexes.
- Commissioner Curry has posted the information on Facebook sites
and Next Door. She has communicated with interested individuals.
- Commissioner Shaw will reach out to school staff to try and reach
potential student members.
- Mayor Hemken mentioned that Jill Karfman may be interested. She
recently retired from District 281.
- City website indicates applications must be received by August 14.
Chief Fournier will ask to have the deadline date updated or
removed.
- Interested individuals are encouraged to attend meeting(s) first and
then submit an application if interested in joining the commission.
- Meetings will most likely happen via Zoom for a while. Applicants
and/or guests can attend the meetings but will need the link to do so.
Sunnyside Park Clean-Up
- HRC has committed to cleaning the park at least 3 times per year.
Previous dates were 7/11, 8/29.
- Clean up scheduled for Saturday, October 17th at 11:00 am. Meet
by the playground at the north end of the park. Park is located along
Quebec Ave, between 42nd and 48th.
- Bring gloves, trash bags are provided by the city.
- Commissioner Toavs will look into “Woodsy the Owl” promotion
options.
Removal of Racially Restrictive Covenants
- City of Golden Valley reached out to the Community Development
staff and they are looking into this. Mentioned in the September 25th
weekly update that the HRC may be asked to assist with this.
- HRC will bring up this topic at next work session/city council
appearance.
NEW BUSINESS NA
COMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION SHARING HRC Elections
- Elections will take place in December for next calendar year.
Positions to be filled, Chair, CoChair and Secretary
- Commissioner Shaw will research online voting options. Chief
Fournier and Interim Chief Slawson will check with city for online
voting options.
2021 Planning
- December and January meetings are focused on planning for next
year.
- Possible areas of focus or interest:
o Ways to engage with the community
o Education ideas
o Partner with the League of Women Voters (LWV)
o Volunteer events
Chief Fournier Retirement
- Chief Fournier has retired and this will be his last meeting.
- Interim Chief Scott Slawson will be city liaison until new Chief of
Police is in place.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday, November 2, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Commissioner Trista Rehnke
Secretary