HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2019_04_15Brookings Human Rights Commission Notes (unapproved)
Monday, April 15, 2019
Community Room 300, Brookings City & County Government Building
Attendance: Hanna Holmquist (chair); Meagan Irvine-Miller (vice chair); Lawrence Novotny, (recorder); Kati Hanson;
Marilyn Hildreth; Jason Meusburger; Wren Murphy (student representative); Erinn Thomas; Jake Meshke (assistant to the
city manager)
Absent: Penny Hauffe; Shafiqur Rahman (county representative); Marci Gebers (police liaison); Kas Williams (SDSU
liaison);
Chair Holmquist called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.
Miller moved, Meusburger seconded, to adopt the agenda. Motion passed.
Miller moved, Thomas seconded, to approve the minutes of the February 11 meeting. Motion passed.
Miller moved, Murphy seconded, to approve the notes of the March 18 meeting. Motion passed.
New members to the BHRC introduced themselves.
Jason Meuburger works for Brookings Municipal Utilities
Kati Hanson works for the Children’s Museum.
Marilyn Hildreth is retired and volunteers with welcoing the international students to Brookings.
Liaison Reports:
Three finalists are being interviewed for the diversity officer position at SDSU
EC/Staff Reports:
Holmquist is in discussions with the city manager about which city staff person will be the liaison with BHRC. We are to
communicate thru the city manager for now.
Diversity Potluck
Around 93 people attended.
Received positive comments about the sustainable table service. People liked the tablecloths, reusable cloth
napkins, china plates and cups, reusable eating utensils.
It was estimated that the cost of the reusables (provided by Aramark) was equivalent to the past costs of using
disposable table service ($338).
The speaker, Jennifer Wingate, with SDSU International Affairs, was good.
Question: what is the goal of the potluck? Answer: showcase diversity of the community through food.
Legislative Issues:
Novotny presented testimony on HB 1243 (which would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to state hate
crimes statue – bill failed in committee) on behalf of BHRC on February 22. Meusburger moved, Murphy seconded, that
BHRC reimburse Novotny in the amount of $92.02 for his expenses ($40 for lobbyist registration and $52.02 for 1-night
lodging). Motion passed.
2019 Goals
Thomas moved, Hanson seconded, that the 2019 goals be adopted. Motion passed.
Goals will be posted on the website.
BHRC members were assigned to various leadership areas
1) Social Media/Communication – Update Facebook page; collaborate with city on press releases and other
communication Erinn Thomas, Wren Murphy
2) Awards (MLK, Butler) – Coordinate nomination, selection, and communication with stakeholders Lawrence
Novotny, Kas Williams, Meagan Miller
3) Legislative Liaison – Report on bills related to human rights and recommend HRC positions and communication;
present to legislature when needed Lawrence Novotny, Jason Meusburger, Hanna Holmquist
4) Potlucks/Community Events – Organize logistics and communicate with speakers/presenters Lawrence
Novotny, Meagan Miller, Kati Hanson
5) Common Read – Serve on the Common Read Committee and organize community event Meagan Miller, Hanna
Holmquist
6) Renters Rights – Updates to and distribution of brochures; organize trainings for renters/landlords Jason
Meusburger, Penny Hauffe, Marilyn Hildreth
7) International Outreach – Coordinate new programming/outreach for international population Marilyn
Hildreth, Hanna Holmquist, Penny Hauffe
8) MEI Scorecard – Review scorecard and assemble materials as needed; promote efforts to improve score
Lawrence Novotny, Hanna Holmquist
9) InclusivityTeam/School District Collaboration – Coordinate with school district on programs for both teachers
and students that promote human rights Jason Meusburger, Erinn Thomas, Lawrence Novotny, Kati Hanson
10) Trainings – Work with city on employee training plans; coordinate other trainings for community Jason
Meusburger, Wren Murphy, Hanna Holmquist
Murphy reported that they are currently working on the Facebook page.
Murphy will also check into trying to find someone to translate the renters rights brochure into Spanish.
Hildreth prepared a link to video that informs immigrants on renters r ights. Should it be passed on our website?
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm#search/Video+o/QgrcJHsHpDFQvRSJXdGJzGBZbjccFW NFrmG?projector=1
Hildreth also talked about bystander intervention training. https://mococivilrights.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/bystander -
intervention-training-materials-here/
Announcements:
Hildreth announced that the Brookings Multi -Cultural Center opened last week. There were 14 families that
attended the opening potluck. The Center is in Veritas Church at 506 3rd Avenue. It is open Tuesdays from 7-9 pm
and Fridays from 10 am – 1 pm. The Center provides conversational English around topics of cultural acclimation,
health issues, banking, schools, shopping, etc.
Meusburger announced that he is working with Reed Walter, the city’s IT person on building a SharePoint site for
BHRC members and staff whereby relevant documents and information will be stored and shared in one location
Next meeting Scheduled for May 20.
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 1 pm
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder