020623 HRC MinutesCITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Human Rights Commission February 6, 2023
Regular Meeting City Hall
CALL TO ORDER Chair Donna Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Kendra Curry
Kaamil Hassan
Allison Isenberg
Maria Leon
Matthew London
Donna Meyer
Ephraim Uwalaka
Absent: Mindy London
Trista Rehnke
Diane Ruiz
City Liaison: Chief Tim Hoyt (absent for tonight’s meeting)
Brad Kallio, New Hope Crime Prevention Officer
Guests: Aiysha Mustapha, Community Member and Family,
Community Engagement Director for the schools
Christina Gillespie, Joint Community Police Partnership
Liaison (JCPP) - christina.monson@hennepin.us
AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Isenberg made a motion to accept the February 6, 2023,
agenda, seconded by Commissioner Curry. All voted in favor.
MINUTES APPROVAL Commissioner Curry made a motion to accept the January 9, 2023,
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Hassan. All voted in favor.
NEW MEMBER Kaamil Hassan, Ephraim Uwalaka, and Maria Leon are
INTRODUCTION officially new commission members
Christina is the JCPP works for Hennepin County and embedded within
New Hope and Robbinsdale. Will work closely with Brad for community
engagement. Christina started last week.
OPEN FORUM Maria Leon expressed a big thank you for those who came to the chili
cook-off. The residents really liked it and are still talking about it. They
were happy to host people from the city (Brad, mayor, Chief Tim).
Happy Black History Month! Aiysha talked about the upcoming Black
History Month celebration occurring on Wednesday 2/8 from 6-8 pm at
FAIR Crystal. Event will include spoken word, step teams, African
drums, and a band. Free food available.
Commissioner Isenberg asked about the reasoning behind a commission
member or chairperson not attending the commissioner interview
process. Chairperson Donna finds out about new commissioner(s) after
the interview process. We will bring this question forward to Chief Hoyt
and/or city council during our time at the next work session.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
AND REPORTS HRC Membership
- With the addition of our 3 new members, we are at a full commission
and are not accepting applications at this time.
HRC By-Laws
- Changes/edits were made by Secretary Rehnke after the last
meeting. All commission members were asked to review the edits
prior to the meeting.
- Vote taken and all agreed with edits.
- Secretary Rehnke will submit the edited version of the bylaws to the
city for approval.
2023 Planning Ideas
Confirmed projects/subcommittees (indicates leader)
- Community Conversations - 3 dates set for June/July/August
- Donna, Kaamil, Ephraim, Mindy
- Maria will assist with June CC to tie into Juneteenth
conversation; coordinate with Aiysha; Kamill to join
- Conversation to gauge climate, what people
understand, etc. as potential part of Community
Conversation in June; help prepare for education or
other things in coming years
- World Festival Event - August community conversation
- Matthew, Kaamil, Ephraim, Aiysha, Mindy
- Sunnyside Park Sponsorship -
- ALL Commissioners (Trista as lead)
- Outreach
- Matthew, Allison, Ephraim, Maria, Donna
- social media engagement
- diversity calendar incorporation (social media, etc.)
- Movies in the Park - partnership with Parks and Rec
- Recruitment
- HRC challenges
- Volunteering with Food Group
- Colors of the World
- Mindy, Matthew, Kendra
- Hispanic Heritage celebration (2023 planning, 2024 event)
- Diane, Maria, Aiysha, Allison, Mindy
- Fundraising - 2023 planning, 2024 execution
- Kaamil
- Iftar dinner - Crystal (volunteering only)
- Donna, Kaamil, Allison, Ephraim
2023 Meeting Dates:
2023: 3/6, 4/3, 5/1, 6/5, 8/7, 9/5, 10/2, 11/6, 12/4; No July meeting
NEW BUSINESS Work Session
- HRC to attend Council Work Session on 2/21. Once a year, HRC
dialogues with the council about what we did in 2022, goals for 2023,
and ask questions.
COMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION SHARING Soul Food Dinner
- Commissioner Leon talked about a Soul food dinner at Broadway
Village on February 16 at 5:30 pm. This event is resident led; cost is
$6.50/person
Appreciation
- Commissioner Curry commented on appreciating the city council
members’ consideration of diverse candidate pool for city manager
position.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday, March 6, 2023 at 7:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Mindy London made a motion to adjourn the meeting;
seconded by Commissioner Hassan. All voted in favor. The meeting
was adjourned at 9:03 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Acting Secretary Allison Isenberg