HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2019_02_11Brookings Human Rights Commission Minutes (unapproved)
Monday, February 11, 2019
Suite 230, Room 241, Brookings City & County Government Building
Attendance: Hanna Holmquist (chair); Lawrence Novotny, recorder; Penny Hauffe; Wren Murphy (student
representative); Shafiqur Rahman (county representative); Kas Williams (SDSU liaison); Maggie Owens, city‐staff
Absent: Meagan Irvine‐Miller (vice chair); Erinn Thomas;
Chair Holmquist called the meeting to order at 12:06 pm.
Motion by Rahman, seconded by Hauffe, to adopt the agenda. All present voted aye; motion carried.
Motion by Hauffe, seconded by Rahman, to approve the minutes of the January 14 meeting.
. Motion carried.
Liaison Reports:
Williams stated that Black Student Alliance Step Show was well received.
The SDSU Diversity Office is holding a series of Friday Diversity Academy workshops. The purpose of
these workshops is to get everyone speaking the same language regarding diversity and inclusion.
The Jacks Cupboard food pantry distributes food to students on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The SDSU LGBTQ faculty/staff network is hosting a meet and greet social on February 14 in the Union.
Campus and community groups supportive of LGBTQ issues are invited to participate. The BHRC will be
represented by Holmquist, Novotny and Murphy.
Staff Reports:
The mayor is meeting with Holmquist and Miller to review the applicants for the 3 open BHRC seats. The mayor
will announce his recommendations at the Feb 26 City Council meeting. We discussed that the applicants need
to embrace the vision of BHRC. We need someone to represent the Native American perspective and someone
to be a liaison with the school system.
Sub‐committees need to be created that will take the lead on various projects.
BHRC members signed a retirement card for Shari Thornes and members donated towards a gift card to the
Pheasant Lounge for Thornes.
Legislative Issues:
SB 49 (rescinds transgender policy) killed in Senate State Affairs. Holmquist submitted written testimony on
behalf of BHRC.
HB 1205 (allows parents to deny transgender treatment) killed in House Health & Human Services.
HB 1243 (adds sexual orientation and gender identity to state hate crimes statue) will be heard in House
Judiciary on February 22. Novotny will be presenting testimony on behalf of Brookings Human Rights
Commission.
HB 1225 (establishes sexual determinant to participate in athletics) has its hearing on February 19. Holmquist
submitted written testimony on behalf of BHRC.
HB 1108 (bans instruction on gender dysphoria) passed the House by 39‐30 and is assigned to Senate State
Affairs.
SB 117 ( allows drivers license test to be conducted in Spanish) is pending a Senate floor vote. Holmquist
submitted written testimony on behalf of BHRC.
SB 126 ( allowing the use of Native American language) passed Senate by 34‐0 Assigned to House State
Affairs. Hearing probably next week.
HB 1148 ( creates Indian Affairs Commission) killed in House committee by 10‐3.
Annual Report
The 2018 annual report that was compiled by Novotny was reviewed and will be submitted.
2019 Goals Items that were talked about:
Housing issues
We have several boxes of the renters rights brochures. How to distribute these?
Work with Brookings Empowerment Project (local group focusing on mental illness) regarding
housing issues
Work with Disabilities Committee regarding support animals in housing.
Workshops for renters, landlords, international students
Have an online presence regarding housing rights issues
Department of Justice conduct a training for BHRC members
Explore the equity lens concept that is one of the City Council’s goals listed in the City’s Master and/or
Strategic Plan.
Miller, Hauffe, Holmquist and Owens will work on drafting the 2019 goals.
Complaint Process
Novotny reported last Fall, a member of the new Vermillion Human Rights Commission, contacted him asking
for copies of Brookings complaint resolution policies and procedures. They wanted to use our policies as a
model to draft their policies. Novotny contacted Shari Thornes about this and she did not want to share them
since the policies were in the process of being updated. Apparently some problems were discovered during the
processing and resolution of last year’s complaint.
Novotny was asked to check with the city attorney regarding the status of any revisions. Steve Britzman
replied: I think last Fall we were just completing our first complaint through the system. I think the forms are in
pretty good form, and we are in a position to continue to use them and improve them as time goes on. I can
meet with your Commission or a subcommittee to review the forms at about any time. I think the only
problems we experienced were where we had difficulty keeping the process on schedule because the opposing
party would not communicate or respond as requested, and we may have been looking for ways to require
more timely participation by the opposing party.
Next meeting
Owens will conduct a doodle poll. We need to consider the availability of the new appointees when scheduling
our next meeting.
Adjourn: Motion made to adjourn at 1:12 pm. All approved.
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder