HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2019_01_14Brookings Human Rights Commission Minutes
Monday, January 14, 2019
Suite 230, Room 241, Brookings City & County Government Building
Attendance: Meagan Irvine-Miller (vice chair); Lawrence Novotny, recorder; Penny Hauffe; Hanna Holmquist;
Wren Murphy (student representative); Shafiqur Rahman (county representative); Erinn Thomas; Kas Williams
(SDSU liaison); Maggie Owens, city-staff
Absent: none
Guest: Paul Briseno, city manager
Vice-chair Miller called the meeting to order at 12:04 pm.
Motion by Rahman, seconded by Hauffe, to adopt the agenda with the addition of legislative items. All present
voted aye; motion carried.
Motion by Hauffe, seconded by Holmquist, to approve the minutes of the November 19 meeting with the
following corrections in the first paragraph under Halloween Incident: Murphy reported an incident that
happened on Halloween night in downtown Brookings. A SDSU student was asked by another individual if they
were gay. When the student replied yes, they were hit in the face. The incident was posted on Instagram and
discussed on Facebook with a comment why is this happening in Brookings which just received a 100 MEI score.
. Motion carried.
The December meeting was cancelled.
Steve Bayer and George Hamer resigned from the BRHC in January.
Update from City Manager Paul Briseno:
Briseno was asked at our November meeting if there is a city policy regarding city employees serving on the
city’s boards, committees and commissions. Briseno did not find any policy on this. He stated that out of 28
boards, committees & commissions, 5 of have them have a city employee as a voting member.
In December, Briseno replaced City Clerk Shari Thornes as the BHRC’s city staff liaison with Maggie Owens, the
city’s director of human resources. Owens resigned her position on the BHRC to become the staff liaison.
Briseno stated that other cities have their human rights commissions work through the city’s human resources
office. Owens will also be the staff liaison with the Committee for People Who Have Disabilities. Briseno wants
to engage more city staff with the boards, committees and commissions.
Members expressed concern with the timing of the change in staff and felt the BHRC was left completely in the
dark about any discussion of the change. There was a feeling of no transparency.
Briseno stated that he will be having monthly meetings with the chair. He will be meeting with the chair with
no other city staff present.
Briseno stated the BRHC is the eyes and ears of the community to handle and fight discrimination. He said that
Owens has great value to bring to the BHRC.
The 3 vacancies on the BHRC are being advertised. One of the replacements should represent education.
Rahman requested that the city council issue a certificate of recognition to board, committee and commission
members when they leave their position.
King Contest:
Due to the change in staff, the King contest did not occur this year.
Food Pantry:
Williams announced that SDSU has opened Jacks Cupboard – a food pantry service for students.
Williams left at this point.
Officer Election:
Rahman moved and Wren seconded that Hanna Holmquist be elected as the chair. All voted aye. Miller will
continue as vice-chair.
Legislative Issues:
Novotny discussed SB 49 which would rescind the SD High School Activities Association policy that allows
transgender students to participate in the sport under the gender that they identify as. Murphy moved and
Hauffe seconded that the BHRC take a position opposing SB 49. Motion passed. Holmquist, Murphy and
Novotny were established as the 2019 legislative committee to comment on legislative bills dealing with human
rights.
Novotny brought an invitation from Equality SD inviting the BHRC to participate in Equality Day at the State
Capitol on March 7. Organizations are invited to have an information table in the Rotunda from 10 am – 2 pm.
There tentatively will be a reception for legislators in the evening. Hauffe moved and Thomas seconded that
BHRC participate in Equality SD’s Equality Day. Motion passed. Novotny and Murphy will represent BHRC.
Annual Report
Novotny volunteered to compile the 2018 annual report which now has a new electronic submission form.
Meeting Times
Rahman expressed frustration that all of the 2018 fall meetings occurred when he was teaching and therefore
could not attend. He stated meetings need to be scheduled so that no member is excluded from attending.
The next meeting was set for Feb 11.
Adjourn: Motion made to adjourn at 1:03 pm. All approved.
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder