HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRCMinutes_2018_02_12Brookings Human Rights Commission Minutes
Monday,February 12, 2018
Room 300 Community Room, Brookings City & County Government Building
Attendance:Steve Bayer, chair;Maggie Owens, vice-chair;Lawrence Novotny, recorder;Laura Renee Chandler;
George Hamer;Penny Hauffe;Hanna Holmquist;Meagan Irvine-Miller (student representative);Erinn Osborne;
Shafiqur Rahman (county representative);Shari Thornes, city clerk-staff;
Absent:SDSU liaison –Nathan Ziegler, the SDSU diversity officer, has moved back to Ohio.
Guest: Cory Murphy, treasurer of SDSU Gender & Sexuality Alliance, who has an interest in human rights.
Chair Bayer called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.
A motion was made by Rahman, seconded by Owens,to adopt the agenda.All present voted yes;motion
carried.
A motion was made by Hamer, seconded by Rahman, to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2018 meeting. All
present voted yes; motion carried.
2017 Annual Report
Novotny drafted the 2017 Annual Report. 2017 was the big year for BHRC as the City Council adopted a non-
discrimination ordinance that includes LGBT and also adopted the Resolution of Inclusivity.A motion was made
by Holmquist,seconded by Hamer,to approve the 2017 Annual Report with necessary changes to be made by
staff.All present voted yes; motion carried.
2018 Goals
Owens created the various sub-committees based upon the survey responses received from BHRC members.A
motion was made by Hamer, seconded by Hauffe,to approve the 2018 goals with the understanding that the
work plans and tasks have the flexibility to change during the year as necessary.All present voted yes; motion
carried.
Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination
Sioux Falls issued a press release on January 25 that Mayor Mike Huether has joined the National Coalition of
Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination.This is a new coalition formed in January 2017 and now has 307 mayors
signed on.The Mayor requested additional information.A motion was made by Hauffe, seconded by Chandler,
to have a sub-committee prepare a recommendation.All present voted yes; motion carried.Novotny and Hamer
will be the sub-committee.
Honors College Award
The SDSU Fishback Honors College is recognizing the BHRC with the college’s Outstanding Community Partner
Award.The award will be presented on February 15 during the Honors College Convocation.Novotny and
Holmquist will be present to receive the award on behalf of BHRC.The award citation reads:
Brookings Human Rights Commission has been a partner in the Campus/Community Common Read
program for more than five years.The group consistently provides input on the Common Read book
selection, organizes Common Read events within the community, and promotes the Common Read
program to Brookings residents. The Human Rights Commission’s support of the Common Read has
enabled the program to grow beyond campus, and students benefit greatly from the opportunity to take
part in community-based events.We are extraordinarily appreciative of this partnership and of all the
other important work being carried out by the Human Rights Commission to make Brookings a more
welcoming and inclusive community.
Comprehensive Master Plan
During this past year the city has been going through the process of developing a new Comprehensive Master
Plan.Nathan Ziegler represented BHRC during input sessions and discussed the concept of an equity lens.
However, this concept was not included in the draft plan.The draft plan also does not discuss how
disadvantaged groups will be engaged.Comments from the city’s boards and committees are due by February
16.Thornes will work with the executive committee and prepare a letter with HRC suggestions to the draft
Comprehensive Master Plan.
Strategic Plan
The city’s management and leadership are in the process of developing the 2018-2023 strategic plan.The
strategic plan identifies key issues, core services and expands o n economic development.Some items BHRC
wants to incorporate in the strategic plan are:
Emphasize unique community characteristics
Promote the advancement of diversity and inclusion
Complete safe zone training for the Brookings City &County Government Building by the end of 2018
Consider having the Brookings Public Library, the Recreation Center, and the Swiftel Center undergo safe
zone training
Provide diversity training to city employees and invite county employees to participate
Conduct diversity training on an annual basis
The goal is to have half of the above done in 2019 and the other half in 2020
The equity lens will be developed by the end of 2019
Establish quarterly meetings between BHRC chair and the new city manager
Thornes will be connect with BHRC members for comments for inclusion in the strategic plan.
Holmquist left the meeting.
Butler Award
The press release for the Dorothy & Eugene T. Butler Human Rights Award Nominations will be sent out in the
next few weeks.The nominee will be selected at the April meeting.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award Program
The City Council and public were impressed with the quality of the essay contest winners.In the future, the
BHRC needs additional time to judge the essays. Sixty-five essays were submitted in 2018. Fifty of the essays
submitted were from a high school English Honors Class. This teacher is retiring this year, so the numbers may
change next year.
Common Read
The Committee is developing the final list of books to be considered.Many of the books under consideration
focus on sexual assault and a few focus on American Indian issues.
Diversity Potluck
HRC members will provide a short presentation of what the Commission is and what we do. Then the 1st Place
winners from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest will also read their essays. The Brookings Register will
be contacted to cover the event.
Inclusivity Team
A meeting was held in January involving 10 teachers from all 5 schools who are interested in implementing the
Teaching Tolerance curriculum.Monthly meetings will occur during the school year.
Legislative updates
The three anti-transgender bills will be heard this week.
Adjourn:Motion made to adjourn at 1:09 pm.All approved.
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder