HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2017_01_09Brookings Human Rights Commission Minutes
Monday, January 9, 2017
Room 300, Brookings City & County Government Building
Attendance: Steve Bayer, chair; George Hamer, vice-chair; Lawrence Novotny, recorder; Penny Hauffe; Judy
Karen; Chandradhar Dwivedi; Maggie Owens; Laura Renee Chandler; Shari Thornes, city clerk-staff
Absent: Shafiqur Rahman;
Guests: Rev. Larry Ort representing Brookings Ministerial Assn; Chris Hartzler representing SDSU GSA (Gender &
Sexuality Alliance); Diane Nagy representing Brookings Interfaith Council
Chair Bayer called the meeting to order at 11:55 am.
A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Hauffe to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion
carried.
A motion was made by Dwivedi, seconded by Karen, to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2017 meeting.
All present voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule next meeting. Consensus was to hold meetings on the second Monday of the month. This can change
at any time.
Resolution of Inclusion. HRC received a letter in December from Thomas Stenvig requesting HRC to organize a
rally on January 20. Former chair Hauffe sent a letter to Stenvig, Diane Nagy, and Rev. Carl Kline informing them
that organizing a rally is outside the scope of HRC’s objectives.
Rev. Ort on behalf of the Brookings Ministerial Association sent a letter to HRC requesting HRC “to take a
proactive stance in an effort to halt, and preclude, any further spread of [hate speech and discriminatory actions
against minorities] in our city and the surrounding area.” The letter also requested HRC to “reaffirm the City’s
commitment to justice, equality, and human rights” and encouraged the HRC “to sponsor or support activities
toward this end.” Diane Nagy sent a similar letter on behalf of the Brookings Interfaith Council. Ort stated that a
letter from the SD World Affairs Council will be arriving.
Chris Hartzler stated that the GSA is looking for an ordinance to provide protections to the LGBTQ population.
Discussion ensued.
A motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Dwivedi, to create a sub-committee working group to draft a
resolution of inclusivity that will be presented to the City Council for adoption. All present voted yes; motion
carried. Members of this working group include: Novotny, Hamer, Rev. Ort, Diane Nagy, Chris Hartzler and
Thornes as city staff liaison.
2017 Goals. The draft 2017 goals were amended as follows:
Under 1), delete “co-sponsorship of Common Good Film Series
Under 1), add
Host public event that Brookings is an inclusive welcoming city
Being more forward on non-binary transgender education
Develop strategy for hosting and/or co-sponsoring a speaker series
The goals include an attached calendar with target milestones. Some dates still need to be plugged into the
calendar.
A motion was made by Hamer, seconded by Owens, to adopt the 2017 goals as amended. All present voted yes;
motion passed.
2016 Annual Report. Novotny drafted the report. He found discrepancies in the discrimination category listings
in three different parts of the document. Thornes will cut and paste the correct listings out of the adopted
ordinance. Thornes will finalize the report to be approved at the next meeting.
2017 SDSU Housing Fair Participation. The SDSU Housing Fair will be held in the Student Union on February 15
from 10am-3pm. Novotny and Owens will take turns staffing a table and hand out the Renter’s Rights Brochure.
Nomination Committee Report and Election of Vice Chair. A motion was made by Owens, seconded by Karen, to
appoint Hamer as acting vice-chair until the full Commission is present. At that time, the Commission will look
for a permanent vice-chair. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Reports/Updates.
Martin Luther King Awards. We will need to develop a better strategy of judging the essay contest at a future
meeting. Owens and Chandler volunteered to hang the posters in downtown businesses. Hamer and Karen
volunteered to take down the posters. The press release announcing the winners will be sent out this week.
Community Common Read. Hauffe can no longer represent HRC on the campus common read committee.
Another Commission Member needs to volunteer.
Diversity Potluck. 2017 dates are April 9 and October 8. At the next meeting, HRC members will provide
suggested speakers. Suggested topic: Focusing on Brookings being an inclusive community.
2016 Butler Award. Around 200 people attended the Mayor’s Awards Reception on November 10, 2016.
HRC Municipal Equity Scorecard. Postponed until the next meeting.
Student Member Vacancy. Applications due January 13.
Legislative Updates. A transgender bathroom bill is expected to be introduced again. Novotny will be sending
updates on legislation as they develop to HRC.
Announcements/Calendar/Correspondence.
January 10 – Legislative session begins
January 14 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Posters to be displayed
January 24 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award presentations at City Council Meeting
January 28 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. posters to be take down
Adjourn. A motion was made by Hamer, seconded by Karen, to adjourn at 1:21 pm. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder