500 CENTER AVENUE, BOX 779, MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA 56561
MOORHEAD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA JULY 10, 2007 - 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. PEOPLE ESCAPING POVERY PROJECT (PEPP) OFFICE 116 12th STREET SOUTH, MOORHEAD, MN
Routine Items: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Call to Order/ Roll Call/ Introductions Agenda Amendments/Approval of Agenda Approval of Minutes from June, 2007 Meeting (Attached) Citizens to be Heard Citizen Concerns Report Reports of the Chair, Officers, Commissioners and Committees
Tonight’s Agenda Items: 7. Election of Commission Chair At the previous meeting, Richard Adler resigned as Chair, necessitating a new election for that position at this meeting Review Mission Statement Draft (Attachment) At the previous meeting, Chelle Lyons Hanson facilitated a mission statement workshop and forwarded a draft mission statement to the commission that will be discussed tonight. Letter of Support for International Market Plaza (Draft Attached) At the previous meeting, the Commission authorized the drafting of a letter to the City Council in support of the International Market Plaza
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Concluding Items: 9. 10. 11. New Business Approval of Commission Expenditures Adjournment
Upon request, accommodations for individuals with disabilities, language barriers, or other needs to allow participation in Commission meetings will be provided. To arrange assistance, call the City Manager’s office at 218.299.5312 (voice). Visit our website at www.cityofmoorhead.com
G:\CSD\CMTE\HumanRights\agendas\2007\071007A.doc
MOORHEAD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES JUNE 12, 2007 7:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL
Members Present: Dr. Richard Adler/Chair, Tammie Yak/Vice-Chair, Brian Arett, Miguel Balderas, Kevin Kopperud, Stephanie Chimeziri, Diane Wray Williams/City Council Member, Del Rae Williams, Members Absent: Erin Clark, Stephanie Clark, Phyllis Emmel, Dorene Neeland, and LaVerne Czichotzki. Others present: Ryan O’Keefe/Staff Liaison, Michael Redlinger/Asst. City Manager, Fowzia Adde/Director and Wali Ahmed/Staff Member from the Immigrant Development Center, and David Ebinger/Moorhead Chief of Police. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS: The meeting was called to order by Chair Adler at 7:07 p.m. AGENDA AMENDMENTS/APPROVAL OF AGENDA: *Action* Mr. Arett moved, seconded by Mr. Balderas, to approve the agenda as presented, which motion passed with unanimous approval. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 8, 2007 MEETING: *Action* Mr. Balderas moved, seconded by Vice Chair Yak, to approve the May 8, 2007, meeting minutes as presented, which motion passed with unanimous approval. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: Chair Adler relayed to the Commission the bulk of his conversation with Sel Nygaard regarding his opinion that the City of Moorhead should do more to regulate rental properties within the City. Council Member Diane Wray Williams, who has been tracking this issue closely, gave further clarification to the Commission. CITIZEN CONCERN REPORT: None. REPORTS OF THE CHAIR/OFFICERS/COMMISSIONERS/COMMITTEES: Staff: Assistant City Manager Michael Redlinger gave an update to the Commission on the City’s search for a new City Manager and how that effort would create additional demands upon City staff time. In addition, it was announced that Ryan O’Keefe/Staff Liaison to the Commission would be leaving the City of Moorhead at the end of July to pursue other opportunities. Therefore, the Commission will be without staff support until sometime after the new City Manager is in place. Chair: Chair Adler announced that he is resigning from the position of Commission Chair, necessitating an election for that position at the next Commission meeting. In addition, Chair Adler announced that LaVerne Czichotzki had informed him of her resignation from the Commission, creating a new vacancy.
Moorhead Human Rights Commission Minutes June 12, 2007
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League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions: Vice Chair Yak updated the Commission on several issues relating to the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions such as: • “Save the Date” National League of Human Rights Commissions Meeting to be held on Friday, December 7, 2007 • League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions Annual Conference in September • League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions June Meeting to be held Saturday, June 23, 2007 in the basement of the Moorhead City Hall Outreach Committee: Ms. Williams handed out a list of some upcoming events that may interest Commissioners (attached). INTERNATIONAL MARKET PRESENTATION: Fawzia Adde, Director of the Immigrant Development Center gave an update to the Commission on efforts to develop an International Market Plaza that would assist new Americans by provide training, micro business development assistance, hear concerns, assist with problem solving, and provide short term business incubation space, as well as other services. This project has been reviewed by the City Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting as well as by the Economic Development Authority. It is still in the development stage, but Ms. Adde requested that the Commission write a letter of support for the project to the City Council. *Action* Vice Chair Yak motioned, seconded by Ms. Williams, that the Commission write a letter of support for the Immigrant Development Center’s efforts to create an International Market Plaza in the Fargo Moorhead Area to the City Council, which motion passed with unanimous approval. RENTAL HOUSING DISCUSSION WITH POLICE CHIEF EBINGER: Moorhead Police Chief David Ebinger was invited to the Commission to clarify the Moorhead Police Department’s position in relation to legislation being studied at the State Legislature that would seal certain arrest records that did not result in a conviction from the view of potential landlords. Chief Ebinger highlighted some of the difficulties and unintended consequences that he believes would result from the enactment of such legislation.
MISSION STATEMENT WORKSHOP: As part of its strategic plan, the Commission evaluated its mission statement. The Commission enlisted the assistance of Chelle Lyons Hanson, who also facilitated the strategic planning process, to direct this process. Educate, advise, advocate, and empower were the main themes that Ms. Lyons Hanson was directed to include, although there was some disagreement as to whether it is appropriate for the Commission to formally advocate as it is part of the City government. Ms. Lyons Hanson stated that she would forward a draft to Commission members based upon that evening’s discussion.
NEW BUSINESS: None. APPROVAL OF COMMISSION EXPENDITURES: Vice Chair Yak moved, seconded by Ms. Williams, to compensate Chelle Lyons Hanson at the same rate she received during the strategic planning process for the three hours she spent with the Commission.
Moorhead Human Rights Commission Minutes June 12, 2007
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ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned by the Vice Chair at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for at 7:00 p.m. at the People Escaping Poverty Project (PEPP) office, located at 116 12th Street South, Moorhead, Minnesota. Both Mr. Adler and Mr. Kopperud announced that they would be unable to attend that meeting.
Mission Statement Workshop Feedback Here are two drafts to consider for the mission statement. I really tried to keep them as closely reflective of the conversation as possible. Below the drafts are the notes I took in case people want to refer to the thoughts shared. Option 1: The mission of the Moorhead Human Rights Commission is to advocate for the human rights of all people in Moorhead by educating the community, advising the City and empowering people to act on their own behalf. Option 2: To be an advocate for the people of Moorhead by educating the community, advising the City and empowering all people to actively support human rights for every person. Current statement: To educate and advise the community on human rights issues. Key words or phrases reflective of what you like/don't like about the current statement... Likes: Educate the community, Advise the City/Council Missing: Advocate for the citizenry, Empower What does the MHRC do for me? From the brochure...Educate Advocate Protect Advise Other words used... Receptacle, recommend, mediate, record, refer, facilitate dialogue Key functions of the Commission... Hear concerns, inform the City Record Educate the community Advise the City Facilitate dialogue/resolution As I mentioned, I'm out of town from June 21-July 16 but if there's anything else I can do to help, let me know. clh Chelle Lyons Hanson Director, Leadership and Service Assistant to the Dean of Student Development Concordia College, 901 8th St. S. Moorhead, MN 56562 Ph: 218-299-3640 Fax: 218-299-4312 email: lyons@cord.edu web: http://student.cord.edu/dept/leadserv
July 1, 2007 Dear Mayor Voxland and Moorhead City Council Members, Recently members of the Immigrant Development Center came before the Moorhead Human Rights Commission to bring forth their ideas for community development and ask for the Commission’s support. A wonderful conversation ensued and the Commission learned a lot about this organization. Their vision is “to bring immigrants together who have a common goal in caring about the well-being of others, and their environmental surroundings”. The Mission is to “Build capacity of immigrants to develop economic and business skills”. They are looking at building community through entrepreneurial development by way of micro-business growth. This is an amazing opportunity for the City of Moorhead to show support for immigrant populations in this community while fostering diversity. Although the organization is currently housed in Fargo, this is a community wide initiative and will be looking for a home for micro-businesses to flourish. Therefore, the Moorhead Human Rights Commission would like to advise the Moorhead City Council to embark on further discussion with this organization and offer financial support where appropriate. Council members may contact the Immigrant Development Center director, Fowzia Adde at (701) 729-3352 or fowzia@idcfm.org. Sincerely,
Dr. Richard Adler, Chair Members of the Moorhead Human Rights Commission