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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2014_06_12Brookings Human Rights Committee Minutes Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. Suite 230, Room 241- Brookings City & County Government Center Attendance: George Hamer, Penny Hauffe, Chandradhar Dwivedi, Shafiqur Rahman, Hanna Larsen, Patty Bacon, Judy Karen and Lawrence Novotny. Absent: Steve Bayer and Sam Jennings. Also present: Mayor Tim Reed and City Staff Shari Thornes. Hamer called the meeting to order at 12:04 pm. A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Hauffe, to approve the amended agenda with the addition of the Renter’s Rights Brochure update. Motion carried. A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Rahman, to approve the May 21, 2014 minutes with the correction of Larsen’s name. Motion carried. Schedule next meeting date. No July meeting. Quarterly meeting on August 14, 2014 at 5:30 pm. Brookings Equality Index Scorecard. Mayor Reed is aware of the work the Human Rights Committee is performing on this project to increase our score and supports our efforts. The Mayor requested samples of best practices. Thornes with check with Rapid City, Sioux Falls and the Human Rights Campaign. The Mayor will meet with City Manager Jeff Weldon. Hauffe, Hamer, Novotny and Thornes met with the City of Brookings Human Resources Director Donna Langland to discuss health benefits for transgender individuals. In regards to legal dependent benefits, one sentence needs to be added to the policy. Diversity training for all city employees was discussed. If appointed by the Mayor, the Human Rights Committee could serve as the LGBT liaison. The Committee Chair would be the primary contact or designate another member. The Committee needs to draft a city-wide nondiscrimination ordinance. The Human Rights Campaign has offered to draft a domestic partnership registry on our behalf. Novotny obtained an example from Topeka, KS. A domestic partnership registry assists with legal issues, like obtaining access to insurance. South Dakota does not recognize common law marriage. Thornes will research best practices. Mayor Reed would like the Human Rights Committee to establish a strong relationship with the SDSU LGBT community. The Human Rights Committee needs to appoint a member to serve as the formal liaison. Novotny has attended these meetings and is willing to do so. A police force representative needs to be appointed to serve as the liaison between the Police Department and the LGBT community. Hauffe is working with an officer to discuss this topic. Currently, hate crimes are not reported by the Brookings Police Department or the SDSU Police Department. The Human Rights Committee will propose an update to the Human Resource Policy at the July City Council Meeting. The Human Rights Committee should be present for any comments. Annual Butler Human Rights Award Selection. A motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Dwivedi, to appoint Harriet Swedlund as the 2014 Butler Award selection. Motion carried. 2014 Community-Campus Common Read. Postponed until August meeting. Renter’s Rights Brochure. Bacon reported that Dwivedi, Rahman and Bacon met to revise the brochure. A draft version will be available to review at the August meeting. Announcements/Correspondence/Calendar: • October 19th – Fall Diversity Potluck • October 27th – Community Common Read Author Presentation Adjourn. A motion was made by Hauffe, seconded by Rahman, to adjourn. All present voted yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned 12:56 p.m. Submitted by Patty Bacon.