HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHRCMinutes_2019_05_20Brookings Human Rights Commission
Monday, May 20, 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; Erinn Thomas; Paul Briseno (city manager); Marci Gebers (police
liaison); Jake Meshke (assistant to the city manager); Kas Williams (SDSU liaison
Absent: Wren Murphy (student representative
Guests: Ashia Gustafson (Brookings Library director); Matt Rhodes (Brookings Register reporter)
Chair Holmquist called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.
Meusburger moved, Hauffe seconded, to adopt the agenda with the addition of topic on Common Read. Motion
passed.
Hauffe moved, Miller seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 15 meeting. Motion passed.
Introduction of guests occurred.
Liaison Reports:
Gerbers had nothing to report from the police department.
Kas Williams was introduced as the new director of diversity, equity and inclusion for SDSU after serving as
interim director.
EC/Staff Reports:
Shafiqur Rahman submitted his resignation due to his new work schedule. The Brookings County Commission
will be advertising for his replacement.
Briseno announced that in the past the city manager (with final approval from the City Council) decided how
$300,000 in city funding is allotted amongst various local social service organizations. Briseno is creating a
committee consisting of the heads of city’s boards and commissions to advise on the disbursement of these funds.
Awards
The press releases seeking nominations for the Butler award, the youth award, and the youth ally award has been
sent out.
Deadline for nominations is May 31.
Brookings Pride
The first Brookings Pride is being organized by local businesswoman Charmaine Houck. It will be held at the
Old Market on Friday evening June 14 from 7 – 10:30 pm. The main part of the event is drag show entertainers.
There will be a hour long panel consisting of representatives of local resources. The BHRC will be represented
on the panel by Holmquist.
Meske brought forth the proposal to install a rainbow stripped crosswalk at the intersection of 5th Street and 5th
Avenue (location of Old Market) as a recognition of Pride. Two crosswalks (on the north and south side) of 5 th
Street will be installed. Hardened colored plastic strips will be inlaid in the street by the city street department.
These strips are expected to last 5-7 years. The cost of this is $3000. Hauffe moved, Meusburger seconded,
that BHRC provide $1500 towards the crosswalk project. Motion passed. The remaining $1500 is expected to
come from the city’s Public Arts Commission.
Meusburger brought up the idea of displaying rainbow flags on the main street light poles. Don’t know what the
cost of this would be. BHRC decided to fund the crosswalk project this year and maybe consider flags next
year.
Common Read
The SDSU's 2019 Common Read is Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping
Us Hooked. The themes for this book are the ABCs of the conscientious use of technology.
Access and how technology augments access or has created an inequity of access
Behavior and how one understands the addictive nature of technology
Connection and how technology allows one to connect with others or not connect
Safety and how we need to consider the implications of technology on personal security and mental well-
being
Some discussion topic areas that the BHRC can focus on are:
Cyberbullying
Access and equity to technology for all
Ads targeted to certain populations
Hate speech
Miller and Meusburger will head up the common read committee.
Renter’s Issues
The City Council is in the process of revising the rental ordinance. Hauffe stated that the proposed revisions will
make things better for renters but will not change things regarding renters rights. Quite a few international
students do not get their deposit back. Service animals are not addressed in the proposed revisions.
Announcements:
Rhodes informed the BHRC that he is a reporter for the Brookings Register and has an interest in human
rights. He did work in Africa with albino children.
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 Wednesday, June 12.
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 12:53 pm
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder