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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRCMinutes_2024_11_13 Brookings Human Rights Commission Minutes Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 5:30pm Brookings City/County Government Center and Zoom Attendance Commissioners Liaisons Attendees • Dianne Nagy, Chair • Behnoosh Amandi, County, Vice Chair • Rhiannon Nedlund • Nieema Thasing • Carla Gatzke, Recorder • Denia Warne • Casey Bell, Staff • Lawrence Novotny, CLEAR Partners • Officer Rhett Larson, Police Dept Absent • Ariana Limoges, SDSU student representative • Pastor Mark Johnsen • Lee Mallak, LGBTQ Liaison • Keely Eagleshield • Chloe Wisser, SA Diversity • Michele Vande Weerd, School District • Marjoanne Collins, SDSU • Adjustments to the agenda were requested. Motion was duly made and seconded to approve the amended agenda. Motion was duly made and seconded to approve the minutes from the September meeting. Public Comments • Dianne was interviewed about the HRC’s work by an SDSU student for a project. • Dianne received a request to support/accompany a parent in a complaint against the school district. Nieema joined a conversation with the parent; a complaint has not been formally filed. The Commission discussed how the HRC may support a community member in a report process. Nieema offered to support the parent, as a fellow community member. Announcements • Resignation was received by Mark Johnson, due to schedule conflicts. The city will begin the recruitment process. • Lee Mallik is working to schedule a Human Rights training. • Dianne and Lawrence attended the Park and Rec board meeting to support a proposal to name the street through Pioneer Park as Martin Luther King Jr Street. The board approved to recommend the proposal to the Council. Budget: we’ve spent about $4,000 of our $13,000 for the year. The Commission concurred to request the remainder be carried over to calendar year 2025, with the intention to use the money for • Commission and Community training and • to engage a consulting team to assist the Commission in developing a DEI Master Plan as outlined in the City’s Economic Development Master Plan. Mayor’s Award: Lawrence requested a special press release about our award recipient the Multicultural Center, to fully acknowledge them and to build awareness about their services. Liaison reports: • Police department update – Officer Rhett Larsen updated on recent hires in the department. Working Group reports • PEAK campaign – Nieema updated on continuing conversations • LGBTQ – no activities to report • Inclusivity Outreach – o Resigned member had been working on a Listening Session for economically disadvantaged community members. Lawrence volunteered to learn progress from them. o Request from community for HRC to organize a ‘safe space’ to have a conversation around Project 25 initiatives. The Commission concurred this topic seems more about politics. o The Commission advised the working group to review Project 25 to identify populations for future listening sessions. • Complaint Process o Bell drafted an updated ordinance to revise HRC responsibility and process for complaints. o The Working Group edited and approved the draft ordinance. o The draft ordinance is with the City Attorney for review prior to consideration by the City Council. • Trainings o Rhiannon offered to look into awareness training on human trafficking for Brookings Meeting adjourned at 6:10pm.