120522 HRC Minutes
CITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Human Rights Commission December 5, 2022
Regular Meeting City Hall
CALL TO ORDER Chair Donna Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Donna Meyer
Kendra Curry
Allison Isenberg
Matthew London
Mindy London
Diane Ruiz
Absent: Trista Rehnke
Zachary Snabes
City Liaison: Chief Tim Hoyt
Guests: Brad Kallio, New Hope Crime Prevention Officer
Rich Johnson, Director of HR and Administrative
Services
Maria Leon, Broadway Village
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Isenberg made a motion to accept the December 5, 2022,
agenda, seconded by Commissioner Mindy London. All voted in favor.
MINUTES APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the November 7, 2022,
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Mindy London. All voted in favor.
OPEN FORUM: Equity Statement
- Rich Johnson - Director of HR and Administrative Services
o Presented initial equity statement and commitments. Plan to
share with council on 12/12/22; once approved, plan to get on
website. Sought interest from staff in serving on a workgroup to
help direct thoughts, share, etc. Have 3 people interested; will
continue to bring back and seek feedback from HRC.
o Considered information from New Brighton, Minnetonka, League
of MN cities. Worked to find a draft that fits for our city
o Electronic version of Equity Statement and Commitments sent to
committee members
o HRC members to provide feedback on the document by
12/12
-
City of Brooklyn Center
- Commissioner Curry reported that the City of Brooklyn Center
just hired Jimmy Langemo as director of Equity and Human
Resources. She knows Jimmy and plans to connect him with
New Hope HRC if appropriate.
Joint Community Police Program
- Chair Meyer has an upcoming meeting on Friday 12/9 with Joint
Community Police Program employee Nneka with the City of
Crystal. Nneka is a bridge between the police department and
the community.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
AND REPORTS HRC Membership
- The HRC has 3 open seats on the commission. Up to one
additional seat can be filled by a High School student from ISD
281 schools. Applications are available from the city for anyone
interested.
- Officer Kallio reported that Commissioner Snabes did not renew
his term with the HRC.
- Matthew London is a new member of the Human Rights
Commission. Matthew is a junior at Armstrong High School. He
joined the HRC to connect with what’s going on in HRC meetings
to students in the community, and to learn about what’s going on
in the city and Human Rights. Tonight is his first meeting.
Welcome!
- Another city member has indicated interest about a position
2022 Sub-Committees
- Colors of the World / Dream Big (Donna Meyer – Lead)
○ 2nd year completing this program
○ Supply 24 count of Colors of the World crayons to each
kindergarten student in New Hope (389 boxes out) as well
as a book for each classroom
○ Invited all kindergarten students to draw a picture of
themselves and/or their families/people they loved (307
pictures returned)
○ Displayed at open house on 10/25 and remained on display
through City Day
○ Schools requested this be expanded next year; unsure of
ability to do this at this time.
- Community Conversations (Donna Meyer – Lead)
o Hosted community conversations (started with apartment
complexes) and expanded to City Center Park in the
summer months
o No additional events scheduled at this time; will continue to
build on this program in 2023
- Sunnyside Park & Volunteer Coordination (Trista Rehnke –
Lead)
○ Park cleaned 3 times/year by the HRC
- Marketing (Allison Isenberg – Lead)
○ This group works with city leadership and Director of
Communications to promote HRC events
○ Currently working on HRC brochure with updated
information
HRC By-Laws
- By-Laws will be reviewed on a yearly basis; these will be reviewed in
the January meeting
- Any changes/edits will be brought to city council for consideration
- All commissioners are to review by-laws in preparation for next
meeting and bring any edits/changes to January meeting
- Secretary Rehnke to send Commissioner Matthew London by-laws
Election of Officers
- Nominations received from commission members and votes tallied.
Positions for 2023 are:
- Chair: Donna Meyer
- Co-Chair: Kendra Curry
- Secretary: Trista Rehnke
2023 Meeting Dates:
- 2023: 1/9 (changed from Jan. 2), 2/6, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1, 6/5, 8/7, 9/5,
10/2, 11/6, 12/4; No July meeting
- January meeting will involve goals/ideas discussion for HRC for
2023. Please bring your ideas to the January meeting as a
brainstorming session.
NEW BUSINESS City Manager
- Chair Meyer asked about Chief/Acting Manager’s position and plan
moving forward with his position within the city. Chief/Acting
Manager reported that his dual contract is extended to February
2023 to allow the council additional time to make decisions about
both of these positions
COMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION SHARING Santa Parade
- December 10, 2022; starting in New Hope at 5 pm
- New Hope, Crystal and Robbinsdale involved
- Route information available on the City of New Hope website
Blue Santa with the New Hope Police Department
- December 21, 2022
- Gifts will be purchased and wrapped beforehand. The party on the
21st will include food and Santa!
- Brad will let the HRC know if any help is needed
Golden Valley human rights student essay contest
- Article in the Sun Post on 11/24 highlighting a Golden Valley human
rights student essay/creative submission contest
- https://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/299/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-
Commission
- New Hope HRC will continue to monitor this and identify potential to
bring this back in the future
LGBTQ+ group information
- Article in Crystal/Robbinsdale/New Hope/Golden Valley Community
Guide for 2022, discussing groups in Robbinsdale and Golden Valley
City Recognized Holidays
- Commissioner Matthew London inquired about the city celebrating
holidays other than Christmas. Chair Meyer and Co-chair Curry
discussed previous recognition and attempts at increasing
recognition of diverse holidays
Isenberg Toy Fest
- Held this past weekend
- 167 people, 499 toys, over $4000 in cash and gift cards
- Toys and money will be distributed between NEAR food shelf and
New Hope Police Department for Blue Santa
NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday January 9 at 7:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Curry made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded
by Commissioner Mindy London. All voted in favor. The meeting was
adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Acting Secretary, Commissioner Allison Isenberg