060523 HRC MinutesCITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
Human Rights Commission June 5, 2023
Regular Meeting City Hall
CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Kendra Curry called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Kendra Curry
Allison Isenberg
Maria Leon
Matthew London
Mindy London
Trista Rehnke
Diane Ruiz
Absent: Kaamil Hassan
Donna Meyer
Ephraim Uwalaka
City Liaison: Chief Tim Hoyt (absent)
Brad Kallio, New Hope Crime Prevention Officer
(absent)
Guests: Kathi Hemken, Mayor
Aiysha Mustapha, Community Member and School
Climate & Culture Specialist
Tom Lesnikowski, New Hope Patrol Officer
AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Isenberg made a motion to accept the June 5, 2023,
agenda, seconded by Commissioner Mindy London. All voted in favor.
MINUTES APPROVAL Commissioner Isenberg made a motion to accept the May 1, 2023,
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Mindy London. All voted in favor.
OPEN FORUM Introductions & Welcome
- Welcome to Officer Tom Lesnikowski who attended the meeting as
the acting city liaison.
Crystal Recognizing Neighbors Award
- Commissioner Isenberg brought forward that Crystal has an award
similar to what we have in New Hope. They give it out annually.
Would it be beneficial to have our program be done on an annual
basis vs throughout the year. Timing could be coordinated around
other existing award programs, i.e. Rave Awards.
- Mayor Hemken like this idea and asked that we write this up.
- Plan around the Snow Sculptures, Rave Awards. Possibly target
summer to fall.
- Marketing Committee will work on this.
Land Acknowledgement & Robbinsdale Schools
- Commissioner Isenberg shared the article regarding the Robbinsdale
Schools and the land acknowledgement and asked if the HRC
wanted to suggest to the city.
- Native Land app could be used to verify land ownership.
- Mayor Hemken said to send this information to the new City
Manager once the HRC has it.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
AND REPORTS HRC Membership
- Commission is full at this time.
- Community members are always welcome to attend meetings.
Please let the city know if guests will be attending a meeting.
2023 Subcommittee Updates
- Community Conversations – Lead Donna Meyer
- Events will be 5:00 – 8:00 pm. June 20th, July 12th, August
29th.
- June event will be at Civic Center Park. Focus will be
Juneteenth.
- Mayor Hemken sent information to the Sun Post.
- Sunnyside Park Sponsorship – Lead Trista Rehnke
- Must clean the park 3 times per year.
- First cleaning was May 20th. Park was in pretty good
condition for a spring clean up.
- Second cleaning was scheduled for Saturday, August 19th at
10:00 am. Meet at the north end of the park. Bring gloves.
Garbage bags will be provided.
- Outreach – Lead Matthew London
- Community Conversation posts being sent to Beth.
- Will work on the Colors of the World posts next.
- Colors of the World – Lead Mindy London
- Now have the information from last year’s program.
- Plan to reach out to Target to inquire about donations.
Mayor Hemken suggested also reaching out to the Lions
Club and local Rotary for grants or donations.
- Working on the packet to provide to teachers.
- Plan to have event at City Hall on October 26th. This will be
part of City Day event.
- Looking for a local author to partner with again. Will connect
with city to see if this will work if we combine with City Day.
- Possible option: Bryan Skanavk – Be Nice. The
End.
- Hispanic Heritage Celebration – Lead Diane Ruiz
- Reaching out to Parks & Rec to inquire about securing the
Civic Center Park Pavilion for next summer.
Fundraising – Lead Kaamil Hassen
- This subcommittee has been paused.
2023 Meeting Dates:
- 2023: 8/7, 9/6 (Wed), 10/2, 11/6, 12/4
-
NEW BUSINESS None
COMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION SHARING Leo’s & Lion’s Club
- Mayor Hemken shared 12 students are going to Washington DC to
perform their Equity skit. They won at the local/state level and now
head to the nationals.
- The Lions Club and Rotary Club are helping to pay for them to go.
City Updates – Mayor Hemken
- Judge has dismissed the case regarding the group home. The
house is now under new management. Calls to the police have
stopped. Officer Lesnikowski confirmed they used to go there often
and haven’t been there since new management took over. Mayor
Hemken stated there are still 60 group homes in the city and we
continue to work with them as they are needed and a vital resources
for those living there.
- Pool is now open for the season. Opening weekend was busy! Lots
of season passes have been sold but many paying the entry fee.
- City will be training the seasonal workers as mandated reporters this
year. They will be able to watch, interact and report if needed as
they are out working the city, parks and pool.
- Mayor Hemken has a large box of books for kids she will provide for
the Community Conversations.
School District Updates
- School year is ending.
- Graduation for Cooper and Armstrong is tonight.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting is Monday, August 7th at 7:00 pm. No meeting in July.
ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Mindy London made a motion to adjourn the meeting;
seconded by Commissioner Ruiz. All voted in favor. The meeting was
adjourned at 7:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary Trista Rehnke