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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2013_04_17Brookings Human Rights Committee April 17, 2013 Minutes Brookings Public Library Cooper Room B 1. George Hamer called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m. Members present: Chandradhar Dwivedi, Hanna Larsen, Penny Hauffe, Shafiqur Rahman, Sam Jennings II, and George Hamer. Absent: Steve Bayer, Angela Hatton, Lawrence Novotny, and Patty Bacon. Shari Thornes was also present. 2. Welcome & Introductions – Sam Jennings II was welcomed to the Committee as the newest member. 3. Agenda. A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Jennings, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried. 4. Minutes. A motion was made by Rahman, seconded by Jennings, to approve. All present voted yes; motion carried. 5. Schedule May meeting date – May 23rd at noon, City Hall 6. Diversity Potluck: a. Wrap-up report on Spring Potluck – The Spring Potluck was held at the McCrory Gardens Visitor Center on Sunday, April 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. with approximately 70 in attendance. Turnout was surprisingly good in spite of the late spring snowstorm. Food quantities were appropriate, with minimal chicken left over. The set-up and clean-up went well. Gary Aguair wishes to present on Hawaii at a future event, as does Ebenezer Appiagyei (Ghana). We have a tentative presenter on Ghana for the fall pot- luck. The only downfall is that presentations detract from event’s stated purpose, which is social time with other cultures. Future presentations should be kept to 20 minutes or less. Perhaps another type of event would be suited for these types of presentation, such as a coffee and desert at the library. Expenses (Aramark) $358.77 for chicken, punch, and etc. Coffee was donated. This bill was much less than previous, setup cost has been reduced (2 hrs down from 7 hrs). Total cost about $500 per event, which is within the budget. b. Finalize Fall Potluck Date – The Committee discussed October 6, 20 or 27 and selected October 20, since the chance of bad weather increases later in October. c. Fall presentation – Ghana first choice, Hawaii is next. 7. Election Polling Site Locations – The City Clerk’s Department coordinates municipal elections, including polling site locations. A voter contacted Thornes during the last election objecting to her polling site being located in a church. Voters are required to vote within their precinct boundaries or they can vote at City Hall up until the day before the election. She indicated that she didn’t want to vote at city hall and wanted to vote on Election Day. She said she wasn’t treated well by election workers when she raised this concern at her polling site. Thornes said the city, school and county need to find polling sites that are ADA compliant, provide adequate parking and are located within each precinct boundary. In many cases, churches are the only facility that meets those criteria. The City is currently looking at the concept of vote center and e- pollbooks for the April 2014 election. This system, which was recently tested in Sioux Falls, would allow voters to vote anywhere. The Committee could support this idea. 8. Community Common Read: a. Update. Four themes developed. Larsen and Hauffe met with the campus group earlier today and brainstormed on many ideas. Ideas discussed included presentations, a photo exhibit, a remembrance wall, panel discussion, challenge run, and mud run. Larsen is working with the SDSU Construction Management program on to see if a portable remembrance wall display could be developed. A challenge run could be organized for the National Guard vs. Army, General Public, local Police, etc. How many events are needed? One or more panels. Larsen and Hauffe will attend another meeting on May 10. Do we want our first event before the University kick-off? b. Presentation to City Council – Dr. Nichols will be asked to present to the City Council in late summer. c. Community Promotion Strategy – To be discussed at the May meeting. 9. Multi-Cultural Center: a. Rental Housing Issues – Hamer will contact Steve Hildebrand at Multi-Cultural Center and follow-up. Sub-standard housing in Brookings may be an issue. Renter’s rights pamphlet could be produced and this may let landlords know “we are watching!” b. Statewide meeting – No Report. 10. Announcements/Correspondence/Calendar • Human Rights Campaign’s 2013 Municipal Equality Index • Budget Report (Enclosed) • May 16th Volunteer Leadership Coffee with Mayor – 8:30 a.m., City & County Government Center • May 30th Volunteer Leadership Coffee with Mayor – 5:00 p.m., City & County Government Center • Nov. 13th Community Common Read / Author Presentation 11. May Meeting: Butler Award Selection, 2014 Budget Request, MLK 2014 Display Location, 12. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.